Entire home

Mary's Hill Lodge, Tobago

Photo gallery for Mary's Hill Lodge, Tobago

Pool
3 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
TV, books, stereo
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Dining

Reviews

8.8 out of 10

Excellent

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 92 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Pool
    Pool
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Mary's Hill Lodge, Tobago

Introduction
This beautifully built wooden lodge is situated on a hillside off the quiet Scarborough to Plymouth road. It looks out over mature trees across the valley to the green hills on the other side, and at the rear of the premises there’s a garden laid to lawn with pretty shrubs, at the top of which is a chain link fence and a line of palms giving privacy to the house, its garden and pool. A concrete walkway leads to the pool with its large deck - ideal for barbecues and al fresco dining, a wooden deck along the back of the house, is where you’ll find the washing up area. The deck is roofed, and the large eaves of the house protect it from the heavy rains that are part of the Caribbean experience. The other, much larger part, of the Caribbean experience is the heat and as a result houses need to be airy and breezy. To this effect the main room has a large ceiling fan and at the front there is glass louvers, giving a lovely vista of green trees and hills. Similarly the bedrooms all have fans and a large area of louvers and lattice allowing the rooms to be breezy but protected from rain and private.

Location
Mary's Hill Lodge is located, unsurprisingly, in the village of Mary's Hill, halfway between Scarborough and Plymouth. This is the real Tobago; there's nothing the remotest bit touristy about this small Tobagonian community.

The turning to the cottage is clearly marked. A narrow lane winds the short distance up a steep hillside to remotely controlled electric gates that guard access to the property. The steep ascent to the parking area may seem daunting initially but will not faze experienced drivers.

Please Note • Our neighbour in the house below us started building another house years ago and has seemed to have abandoned the project so It is a bit of an eye sore to walk / drive past when you are coming up the hill. Once you are in Mary’s Hill lodge this cannot be seen.

The lodge is situated on the steep slopes of a picturesque glade. Very few neighbouring properties can be seen, so effectively does the lush foliage mask everything. Your own transport is essential, however. There is a small mini-mart around a five-minute walk away, but this supplies only the most basic things. Ground coffee and fresh bagels are not essentials to rural Tobagonians. The closest supermarket is a 10-minute drive away, on the outskirts of Scarborough.

Architecture
Mary's Hill Lodge is a wooden house of open design. Those who enjoy feeling 'at one' with nature will love it.

Please Note • As the house is very open it is also not closed off to nature so you may see the occasional bug flying around and geckos wandering around on the walls. This varies depending on the season.

The house is built on two levels, but the overall impression is of a single-level building. Constructed on a steep hillside, the lower floor is primarily a plinth to support the upper level. UK-based owner, Louis, has his own joinery business in London, so it is not surprising that the quality of the woodwork and general construction is very much higher than normal Tobagonian standards.

The two main bedrooms, kitchen and living area are located on the 130m2/1,400ft2 upper level of the house. The layout is simple and comprises of a large central open-plan living space with a bedroom at each end. Internal stairs lead from the living room to the lower floor and the small third bedroom, bathroom and laundry/utility area.

​Living Area
The living area is dominated by a magnificent south-facing window-wall with stunning views over the surrounding lush valley. The decorative wooden balustrade is backed with acrylic Perspex panels and topped by 18 sets of wide glass louvers and wooden window shutters.

The living area is reasonably spacious and should prove adequate even when faced with the maximum occupancy of six adults and three children. The house is nicely furnished, and the décor has improved dramatically since our last visit. Every room really looks a treat. The overall feel is both comfortable and homely.

The seating area is furnished with leopard-skin-print upholstered chairs and sofas, grouped around a coffee table. A small flat-screen satellite television is provided and there are board games and amusements for children. There is also a small CD/tuner unit and a comprehensive folder of visitor information.

The extendable wooden dining table with cushioned dining chairs offers wonderful views over the valley. You will never tire of the panorama. It is like dining among the tree tops.

​The kitchen is basic but functional and equipped with a six-ring gas stove with grill and oven, electric toaster, liquidiser, electric kettle and a large American fridge/freezer unit with ice-maker. A microwave oven has been fitted since our last stay. Everything was clean and in working order.

A double-drainer stainless steel kitchen sink straddles the covered veranda. This is not as strange as it may at first appear because with the kitchen door open, it is effectively an extension of the main kitchen worktop and is a surprisingly practical solution. All wash basins, including the kitchen sink, are plumbed for cold water only.

Please Note • Our showers are not hot, they are warm, most people like it as the temperature is so hot.

A fast Wi-Fi Internet connection is available, plus a strong cell phone signal, so guests will not be cut off from the world.

In addition to standard Tobago 110v 2-pin electric sockets, Mary's Hill Lodge also offers UK 3-pin 240v sockets in the master bedroom and kitchen.

Master Bedroom
The master bedroom is spacious. It keeps nice and cool, particularly when the exterior doors to the private balcony and rear veranda are left open.

Since our last visit, the bed has been upgraded to a 5ft queen-size mattress. The bed has a decorative mosquito net. We felt no need to use the net and simply followed our normal practise of positioning an electric bug mat between the fan and the bed.

The room also has an attractive recessed single bed, mounted above storage drawers. This is ideal for a young child.

Bedroom furnishings include a bedside table on one side, and a wall-mounted bookcase and shelf on the other.

Louvered double doors provide access from the master bedroom onto the veranda. The veranda wraps around three sides of the cottage and is fully protected from rain and sun by a deep roof overhang. It is a lovely private spot to enjoy an early morning cup of tea, while overlooking the mature mango trees and lush gardens.

The master room's en suite bathroom is relatively small, but perfectly serviceable. It is dominated by a large walk-in tiled shower.

A washbasin and toilet complete the bathroom fittings. There is a raised unit, intended for baby changing. However, in our case, this proved more useful as a storage area for bathroom toiletries.

Please Note • Our showers are not hot, they are warm and most people like it as the temperature is so hot, and all the sinks run only cold water too.

Bedroom 2
The second bedroom is smaller than the master bedroom, but still of adequate size. A locally-made four-poster double bed with mosquito net dominates the room.

A small built in wardrobe with fabric curtain front provides 0.75m of full-length hanging space. The room is furnished with a small chest of drawers, a wooden chair, a single bedside table and a floor-standing electric fan.

The room also has a recessed alcove containing twin bunk beds, with mosquito net frontage.

As in the master room, the second bedroom has louvered cedar doors giving access onto the wrap-around veranda. Being adjacent to the swimming pool, it is literally just a few steps from the bed to the pool.

The second bedroom has an external bathroom that is shared with users of the swimming pool. It is situated immediately adjacent to the bedroom, so this arrangement is reasonably convenient. The bathroom is equipped with the usual trio of cold-water washbasin, toilet and walk-in shower with water heater.

Bedroom 3
Measuring 3.2x1.8m (5.8sq.m.), the small third bedroom could be used by adults, but is possibly best suited to children. I imagine that this room would have great appeal to older children and teenagers. It is a wonderful little 'den'; just far enough away to give a feeling of independence, while close enough not to feel isolated.

The room has a built-in full-length double bed with mosquito net 'curtain' across the front. A small built-in wardrobe offers both hanging space and shelves and is supplemented by a five-drawer chest. There are shuttered windows and a double louvered door leading onto the rear veranda, plus an electric fan for cooling.

Adjacent to the third bedroom is a spacious bathroom fitted with a large tiled walk-in shower with instantaneous water heater, washbasin and toilet.

Utilities & Services
The general utility area on the lower floor of the lodge is equipped with a large washing machine, tumble dryer, electric iron and an ironing board, plus a linen cupboard. A baby cot and highchair are available.

The lodge is serviced prior to the arrival of new guests and then only intermittently, depending upon the length of stay. The manager, Daniela, is a cheery soul and she made us feel very welcome, as did Curtis, who looks after the gardens and pool.

Pool & Gardens
The 20x10ft pool is charming, secluded and private. The pool deck is furnished with a large sun umbrella, four light all-weather chairs and four cushioned sun loungers. It is something of a suntrap and high-factor sunblock is an essential. Fortunately, there is always shade and a place to cool off on the deep veranda.

Mary's Hill Lodge has unique charm. The inland location and rustic nature of the accommodation offers an ideal base for those wanting to get away from the touristy parts of Tobago and experience something resembling the real Tobago.

This review was written in February 2013 therefore there is changes / improvements to the lodge since then.

Property manager

Laura

Languages

English

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Stereo
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming cats and dogs only
  • Up to 9 kg per pet

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Designated smoking areas

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In a village
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the bay

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 22 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 9:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets are allowed
Welcoming dogs and cats only
2 total (up to 9 kg per pet)
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

Mary's Hill Lodge, Tobago Scarborough
Mary's Hill Lodge, Tobago Private vacation home
Mary's Hill Lodge, Tobago Private vacation home Scarborough

About the area

Map
Scarborough, Tobago

What's nearby

  • Botanical Gardens - 9 min walk
  • Scarborough Botanical Garden - 12 min walk
  • Royalton Casino - 16 min walk
  • Shaw Park Cultural Complex - 2 min drive
  • Fort King George - 3 min drive

Getting around

  • Tobago (TAB-A.N.R. Robinson Intl.) - 20 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Shore Things Cafe - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Seahorse Inn Restaurant & Bar - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Barcode - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Japia Roti Diner - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Moon Over Water Bar - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Mary's Hill Lodge, Tobago have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is Mary's Hill Lodge, Tobago pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Mary's Hill Lodge, Tobago?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Mary's Hill Lodge, Tobago?

Checkout is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Mary's Hill Lodge, Tobago located?

Situated in Scarborough, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Botanical Gardens and Scarborough Botanical Garden. Royalton Casino and Shaw Park Cultural Complex are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Mary's Hill Lodge, Tobago Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 2 out of 3 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 3 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 3 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 3 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 3 reviews" "

9.0/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Emmanuel B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Tobago Getaway
We cannot say enough about our experience at Mary Hill's Lodge in Tobago. The place was immaculate. We’ve already recommended it to others.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

6/10 Okay

Tamara A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Too many mosquitoes
The property of itself was a small rustic cabin. I especially appreciated the private bathroom for each bedroom. Nice size pool and lots of peace and quiet. However the road leading to the property is unpaved and easy to miss from the main road. Once through the gates the driveway is very steep and is very difficult to access. But most disturbing was the amount of mosquitoes on the property. The owners left scattered throughout the house boxes of bugmat, cocksette and a couple mosquito zappers, but they did little to nothing to combat the problem. This is not only a health hazard, but it takes away greatly from the experience, especially when you're trying to catch a nap or sleep at nights. All in all though we made the best of our stay.

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey H.

Truly charming
The pictures don’t actually do justice to how charming the lodge is. It’s really special. We’ll be back! It’s all open-air, wood, handmade four-poster beds with gauze curtains, and tasteful decorating. The pool is pristine. There’s even beautiful outdoor lighting around the grounds/garden. Even on the hottest days, it’s cool that high up. A/C never crossed our minds. There’s a full kitchen with all the essential tools, even a French-press coffee maker which is a treat for anyone who’s tried to find a decent cup of coffee in T&T. We stocked the kitchen for breakfast and were so glad we did. It allowed us to be slow and relax in the mornings rather than scoot back to town for food. There are three double beds, along with two singles (bunk-beds) and an oversized window daybed that could sleep two kids if needed. There are three full bathrooms and a washer/dryer as well. A few notes about the place — none of which we minded, but perhaps make the place less suitable for travelers less enamored of rustic charm as we are: No lie, the “road” up to the cottage is crazy, even for Tobago. And the driveway past the gates up to the house is too steep for some cars (we arrived, after a mishap with the rental car office, with a manual-transmission old bus/minivan and it’s engine combined with body-length made it impossible to negotiate the severe incline and sharp curve; it simultaneously bottomed out and, unable to assist with the momentum of a “running start”, the engine simply could not do it. Not a problem! We just parked in front of the gates and took the side entrance which is not a big deal at all, it’s only few measly steps! The cottage is completely open air, which we are accustomed to. But do keep in mind (especially at night and especially after a few days of rain) you’ll need to use the bug mats, some bug spray, and keep the mosquito nets nicely sealed around your bed for a bite-free sleep. Again, using the above we didn’t have a problem at all. You may also notice a cute and harmless gecko around the walls, and occassionally a little bird or harmless fruit bar may pass through. That happened only once and only briefly during our six days. Thanks so much Laura and Louise!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2018