Coco Reef Resort and Spa

When you think of what a dream Caribbean holiday should be like, then Coco Reef Resort and Spa in Tobago fits the bill. Soft, white sands, turquoise sea, ocean facing rooms with balconies, al fresco dining, it has it all. This is where we landed after a 5 year break post pandemic. Greeted on arrival at the airport by a taxi driver who sang to us about Tobago (only a 5 minute drive), the Manager welcoming us to the hotel with a Rum Punch and smiling, helpful staff, we were very happy. Over the next few days there were a couple of small issues which needed fixing about our room, but fixed they were. Thank you to Tracy and then Ebony who could not have been more helpful. We were on a Bed & Breakfast tariff, although All Inclusive is available. It is a short walk from the hotel to several eateries, posh to takeaways. An ATM and mini marts are also nearby. In the end we ate dinner in the hotel quite a few times, good value for money. As we were happy not to have lunch after the substantial breakfast, it was more cost effective (for us) to B & B even eating at the hotel. We did eat out a few times too though. This resort offers plenty of opportunities to see the island, glass-bottomed boat tours, diving, and birding. There is a wide choice of tour guides who are around the hotel hoping to include you in their tours. We used Peter Cox Wildlife Tours (see my other reviews), who was amazing. At least once a week there was a Barbecue dinner in the Beach Bar, with live music. And when we were there, there was a lovely Valentine's Day dinner with the restaurant beautifully decorated accordingly. I loved Tobago and the Coco Reef. We will return, after all, we didn't sample the Spa (I heard the massages were fantastic from a fellow guest) or believe it or not, the swimming pool! The quiet beach with parasols, sunbeds and a house reef for snorkelling in a shallow but very well populated sea, right next to our room was all we needed. Eleven days was not long enough for us.

This was our first holiday outside the UK since the pandemic and our first visit to the area. Consequently, we were very nervous about visiting a new place. So, it was important that we got it right. We had original booked at another resort in the area, but were alerted (by trip advisor) to some problems that resort was apparently having. So, we subsequently changed to the Coco Reef. The location is perfect. Only minutes from the airport, there was never any intrusive aircraft noise due to the runway being aligned with the easterly trade winds and so aircraft were invariably on low power settings for landing. In fact, it was quite pleasant occasionally watching the jets slipping into the airport at sunset. We were on B&B basis but chose to eat in the hotel restaurant more often than not. The food was generally good and quite reasonable when compared to similar eateries outside. Of which there are plenty of alternatives nearby, ranging from fast food takeaways to some more upmarket establishments. Buffet Breakfast was excellent and plentiful. The `egg chap` knew what he was doing for sure! Perfect every time. We were spoilt for choice. Some reviewers have said it’s a bit faded; I would describe it as `80s décor, colonial` in style and this was much to our liking. Yes, there are some parts of the hotel that could do with a lick of paint and some of the wall art could be replaced as most of the upper corridor pictures have faded to blue monochrome. Some of the chairs could do with refurbishing. The hotel was clean and kept very tidy as far as we could see. The beach was swept each morning before breakfast and there were always plenty of sun loungers. The beach has numerous palm trees providing shade throughout the day. Birds joining you for breakfast could be off putting for some, but we were fine with it. On three occasions there were birds of prey strategically positioned around the terrace, but the little birds had worked out that they were tethered and posed no real threat. On arrival we were given a glass of rum punch and personally welcomed by the manager. A nice touch. Thank you. We found the staff to be very helpful and generally attentive without being obtrusive. A couple of minor issues with our room were sorted out quite quickly…quickly on `Curry Bean` time, that is! It is good to remember life is laid back here and conducted at a slower pace. The Manager, Tracy and Ebony on the front desk were particularly helpful. We thank you. This hotel turned out to be almost perfect for us. We are not fans of Chrome, glass and all-inclusive partying till dawn…we`ve been there and done that. Nowadays, we quite like quiet. And, thankfully, we got it. (It was the run up to Carnival, though, and a couple of times we were treated to loud music and event advertising from the adjacent beaches and from loud hailers on the local roads. But not often). A great first holiday back in the wilder world. We WILL be back.

Hotel has a good friendly staffing, large rooms, really nice private (sort of) beach and man made lagoon, various birds around the gardens, Brown Pelicans and Frigate Birds in the sea. BUT There is only one half decent restaurant if you don't want to choose to eat in the hotel or take the various chicken and chip or gyros offered as street food, and that is 0.6k away.

This is a quite and peaceful and very accommodating hotel , very close to downtown dining very walkable

The Hotel is set in a beautiful location directly on a private beach. The bedrooms are a bit dated, and the bed in our room needed replacing. The room had an old and small TV. Some rooms may be updated,so ask. The included breakfast buffet was great, staff were great, and the beach bar/restaurant provided service on you on the beach. Would return if I could be guaranteed a better room

I like the licatin and private beach. Service needxto be improved with most staff not giving a smile, not being friendly in their service or communication. But there were a few that was very enjoyable to talk to. For the longest while the car park area is so rough and dark during the night, i fell onto one of the holes and nearly twisted my ankle. The hotel needs to look at that as if left as is it van be costly for them later. The room floor is really drab and old looking and its time to do some renovations. The private sea needs to have a better filtering system as moss is all over the bottom floor. Not enough displacement of sea water is taking place.

During our stay, we noticed is an old but fine hotel. The private beach is definely the plus. Our experience when asking questions wasnt great; the personnel looked confused, not well trained. They didn't know about expedia discount. The breakfast buffet is from 7 to 10, we went around 9 and there was no fruit, no side dishes, luckily the omelette chef was still there. We asked for 2 pina coladas and one rum and coke (smal plastic cup) and was charged 27.31USD. Beer outside the hotel is 2USD and drinks 4/5USD not 9.

The beach towels were clean. However, filthy beyond belief, stains on the sheets, bugs in the bed when you turn down the sheets, and mold everywhere: on the vanity countertop, bathroom floors, shower tiles, shower curtain, and even backed-up water in the tub. Just disgusting. There was also a heavy smell of mold mixed with an unidentifiable stench. The staff showed clear favoritism toward “certain” guests, and only a few members were remotely accommodating. This place is the epitome of false advertising. There’s absolutely nothing luxurious about it. The lobby furniture was old, chipped, and in desperate need of paint and cleaning. The entire property seemed rundown and in dire need of repair. The gift shops had an overwhelming musty odor. I truly feel for the staff who have to work there all day. If you enjoy loud street noises at night, this is the place for you. I didn’t feel safe here at all. The door lacked a latch, and there were no security staff visible. While the hotel grounds were relatively clean, the walkways and paths leading to the hotel were filthy and in need of power washing. The building itself had a cracked facade, and the fixtures throughout were outdated and poorly maintained. Lastly, the entire hotel needs a complete overhaul. It’s unsanitary, outdated, and in desperate need of a facelift. This was the worst hotel stay I’ve ever had. I’m genuinely shocked that Expedia gave this place such a high rating—did they even visit or stay? Extremely disappointed!

The location & access to the beach was excellent! The water in front of the beach was well protected & easy to swim in. The room was newly painted. The bathroom seemed a little dated but everything worked well. The breakfast had a lot of choices, eggs made to order in the spot.

Our toilet did not work and the room was dirty the first night we stayed there. It was a very difficult night without a functional toilet. They moved us to another room after much discussion. We asked for some sort of compensation to cover the major inconvenience of not having a functioning toilet but the hotel refused to provide any compensation or adjustments for that night.