If you are looking for a vacation that allows you to escape to a paradise Hibiscus Heights will do that. We visited many Caribbean Islands and this by far presents the most beautiful vegetation, flowers, sea scapes, and people yet. This location allows you to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, the most friendly people who appreciate you, and refreshes you beyond words. It hasn't been overtaken by tourism...it is a pure example of a typical rural village in Tobago. Gillian and Paul are the perfect hostess and host who treat you like special guests. Paul greeted us at the airport, stopped at a supermarket allowing us to purchase the initial order and helped take our suitcases to our home away from home. The studio is fully self contained allowing totally independent living while there. We cooked some meals including fresh fish that we traced from the boat, the fishermen's on site market to the frying pan all within an hour. Flying fish, tuna and dolphin were prepared by myself during our two week stay but wasn't nearly as delicious as at the many places to eat located nearby. They can COOK! Whatever combination of spices used during preparation is the most delicious I have ever eaten and so reasonably priced. Where can you eat for $5 - $8 per meal? That includes chicken, fish, or steak with rice, pasta or salad. Harlequin's provides that in a open restaurant nearby. Joanne prepares all her own food which allows you to taste delicious local fare. Cecilia makes you so welcome at her newly opened business featuring fresh fruit, cake and ice cream, breakfast as well as main meals. She is so friendly that she gave US a parting gift when we left. The only cash machine on the Caribbean coast is located there as well as a small market, several restaurants, and internet. We felt so welcomed in that little settlement. While there we walked down every street and road to appreciate the area. Roosters, hens and chicks, parrots in cages, unique flowers, sheep, gorgeous birds, as well as neighbourly residents made each outing an adventure. The beach is perfect for good walks, rock formation make a perfect background for excellent photos, water is clear with several choices of calm to lots of wave action. The heat of the sun was surprisingly not intense but the temperatures in the mid 80s made for what we call our nicest summer day back home. The bus stop is nearby and for $2 TT ($6 TT equals $1 US) you can travel to Scarborough, the capital, and spend the day. Don't be in a hurry to return as they often travel using Tobago time. We always make everything an adventure so while we awaited the return trip we enjoyed observing the school children dressed in their uniforms. They were courteous, respectful and typical youth except they each wore the uniform of their school. We had a private tour of the island which featured poui trees dotting the deep green hills, Charlotteville tucked away at the bottom of the hillside with postcard beauty and finished the day with a fantastic meal at the famous Tree House restaurant. Our guide even stopped along the twisting road to pick a ripe papaya for all of us to share. You can't imagine the intense flavour. One small example of the genuine friendliness of the people of that area. If you want every day to seem like two, drop into a comfort zone, read books, go to the beach, walk ,enjoy nature and warm caring people, visit Hisbiscus Heights.

My husband and I stayed in four different accommodations during our month-long stay on Tobago, and Sweet Nest was our favourite. The cottage is lovely and bright, with a large deck surrounded by banana trees and a variety of bird life. On our first morning, a gorgeous mot-mot was sitting in a tree just two feet from the window. The kitchen is well-equipped, and we really liked the walk-in shower in the all-white bathroom. There is plenty of room for lazing about on the deck, bed and divan. This is one cozy and inviting place.

Grafton Beach (Stonehaven Bay) is a very short walk, and it is a fabulous beach with a breaking surf that provided us with many hours of fun. The beach is very lightly populated and there is a cafe which serves strong and tasty rum punches.

Gillian and Paul and all of their employees were very attentive and friendly. Sweet Nest offers incredible value.

We spent our honeymoon on Tobago and chose to stay at Sweet Nest, the cottage on the Hibiscus Heights property. We couldn't have made a better choice! We really felt like home and loved the deck where we often sat listening to and watching all the beautiful birds.

The cottage is incredibly well equipped! There is a hairdryer, iron and board, tv with dvd-player and movies, cd-player with music, a small safe, a picnic basket and blanket, plenty of towels, tourist brochures, maps and a lot more. The kitchen has everything we needed, including microwave, mixer, toaster and all sorts of utensils.

Paul and Gillian were the perfect, helpful hosts and we really appreciated the help from Sandra the housekeeper who even washed our dishes and our clothes (dishes included, clothes for a small charge).

The location is perfect, just a few minutes on foot from Grafton Beach which in our opinion was the best of those we tried - we enjoyed the big waves, the perfect sand and the fact that the beach wasn't crowded at all. There is also a grocery store, ATM, and some good restaurants and bars very close to Hibiscus Heights. Scarborough and Crown Point are both just 15 minutes or so away by car and it's easy to find a taxi - just stand by the road and wave to cars.

You will find even more of my photos from Hibiscus Heights and around if you go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenaferry/collections/72157603795762336/

Everything with our stay at Sweet Nest was absolutely perfect, and we hope to be back some day! Maybe we'll bring friends or family and stay in the big villa - Gillian gave us a tour and it looked extremely spacious and nice, with an excellent view.

Helena and Jonas Ferry, Sweden

I have just returned from a wonderful 8 night stay at the "Love Nest" cottage, at Hibiscus Heights, which I strongly recommend to any single person or couple travelling to Tobago. The owners, Gillian and Paul, have thoughtfully considered all aspects of the visitor's needs. The cottage is bright, airy, as well as attractively and comfortably decorated and furnished. The kitchen is fully equipped, there is air conditioning and the mosquito nets on the bed were a godsend, given that Tobago mosquitoes are super evolved and I was bitten mercilessly at the place I stayed at previous to Hibiscus Heights. The cottage opens onto a porch with a barbecue, chairs and loungers - perfect for tea/coffee in the early morning and an iced drink in the late afternoon after a hot day on the beach or touring the island, in the company of the cute little patio lizard or the occasional hummingbird. The location is also ideal, as noted by the previous reviewers, with only a short walk to THREE beaches and the ability to buy freshly caught fish off the main road by Mount Irvine beach. The Grafton bird sanctuary, with morning and late afternoon bird feedings, is also a 10 minute walk away. Just down the hill there is a mini-mart, a super convenient ATM, a good pizza place and yummy local food at "Joanne's" - make sure to try the chicken, fish or curried goat, along with the ample "portions" (plantain, breadfruit, tarot etc.).
Gillian and Paul were helpful, friendly hosts and Sandra the housekeeper kept the cottage neat while I was out enjoying the island. The only quibble, and a minor one that is not really directed at the accommodation, is that the bar down the hill tended to play music loudly past midnight. Paul did indicate that he was looking to do some soundproofing with the windows of the cottage.
Thank you, Gil, Paul and Hibiscus Heights, for such a lovely visit to beautiful and unspoilt Tobago!