Lillibets
Mini-review by Steve & Jill Wooler, March 2008
The number of invitations and requests that we receive to review properties far outstrips our ability to undertake them. Ideally, we would visit and comment on every accommodation property on Tobago. As a non-commercial site, we simply lack the time and resources to accomplish this.
So, the best we can do is to spend two months each year producing detailed reports on as wide a range of accommodation as possible. In between staying at, and writing about, these properties, we also visit properties that we intend to stay at and review in future years.
This mini-review of Lillibets will be replaced by a full report after our 2009 review tour. In the meantime, we believe that the property is deserving of inclusion in our list of “Reviewed and Recommended” properties.
Mini-Review Introduction
Lillibets is a new two-storey house in the increasingly popular village of Castara. Located just a stone’s throw from beautiful Little Bay (sometimes known as Heavenly Bay), the house offers 4 one-bedroom self-catering apartments.
A narrow and steep surfaced road (Deport Road) leads down to Heavenly Bay from the north-coast road as it passes through Castara village. Lillibets is located immediately behind, and little higher, than Angels Apartments.
Castara is a quiet working fishing village. It has two lovely beaches. Both offer excellent swimming, with the added feature of a family of harmless and friendly rays that constantly patrol the bay. Shopping is very limited, but basic supplies can be obtained from several small shops within a 5-minute walk of Lillibets. The island’s three main supermarkets are each around a 50-minute drive from Castara – much the same as the airport. The village has several small restaurants serving local Creole food; a café serving breakfast and burger-and-chips type lunches, and a more up-market European restaurant for special occasions or a change from self-catering or Creole cuisine.
The Apartments
The four apartments are virtually identical, so the following brief overview is applicable to all of them.
Lillibets is located on a steep hillside. Access is via several flights of stairs. It has to be stressed that whilst this property undoubtedly represents an excellent choice for those looking for no-frills near-beachside accommodation in Castara, it is totally unsuitable for anyone with walking or mobility difficulties.
Against this, being built on the hillside also has one major advantage: the view. Although located behind the Angel Apartments, both floors of Lillibets provide wonderful views out over the other apartment houses and across the bay. Climbing the extra flight of stairs to the second floor is well worthwhile, as the top apartments clearly have the best views.
The apartments are quite spacious and would provide comfortable accommodation for two adults and one or two children. They are simply furnished, but all the basic necessities are provided.
Each apartment has a single bedroom furnished with a double-bed with mosquito net, bedside tables with lamps and a small wooden wardrobe and dressing table. The bedrooms of the two apartments on the first floor are equipped with modern whisper-quiet split-unit air-conditioners. The 
apartments on the upper floor have no need of air-conditioning as the higher position and the cathedral-type roof provides exception air flow and cooling.
Each bedroom has direct access to the bathroom. A second door provides access from the living area. The bathrooms are fully tiled and feature a walk-in open shower, toilet and wash basin. All apartments are plumbed for both hot and cold water, unlike most of the local small apartments who only have cold water plus unreliable instantaneous hot-water showers.
Various options are included in the apartments for children or additional guests, including a double bed settee, a rattan day bed suitable for a child, a travel cot and a lightweight single folding bed. The L-shaped living areas are spacious and simply furnished with comfortable rattan sofa and armchairs, but little else. Some apartments have television sets, but not all.
The kitchenettes are furnished with a medium-sized fridge with separate freezer compartment, four-ring gas stove, an electric kettle and toaster and a small, but adequate, collection of kitchen 
utensils, glassware, crockery and cutlery. Everything looked new and immaculately clean.
There is no dining table inside the apartment, but another pair of rattan armchairs and a small table is located on the wide veranda outside each apartment. Given the spectacular views, this is undoubtedly where most guests will choose to dine and also to spend much of their leisure time when not on the beach.
Conclusion
Lillibets undoubtedly represents an excellent choice for couples or small families wanting modest accommodation in a stunning location. The apartments are only a minute or so from one of the most beautiful Caribbean beaches. The life in Castara is simple and relaxed. If this is what you are looking for, then Lillibets should be on your list.
We look forward to our more extended visit in 2008.
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