The Carlton Savannah

Rooms and decor

Picture a mid-size hotel in contemporary Caribbean-colonial style on Coblentz Avenue in the Cascade district of Port of Spain — that's the first feeling you get walking into The Carlton Savannah. The lobby mixes warm wood tones with the island's greens and blues, full of natural light and the easy, unhurried air of a Caribbean hotel. The roughly 144 rooms and suites keep things clean and pale-walled, with full blackout curtains and soft beds wrapped in Egyptian cotton sheets you can tell were a deliberate touch above the 4-star norm. The bathroom is the small highlight reviews keep mentioning — a deep soaking tub set apart from the shower, made for a long soak after a day on your feet. The in-room minibar is fully stocked, and many rooms have a small balcony where you can sip a morning coffee without feeling cramped. Land a high floor facing the Savannah and you'll wake to a wide green view of the city's lung — open the curtains to big treetops and clear sky, an image you won't get in this city's business-stay district.

Food and amenities

The other charm of The Carlton Savannah is facilities that punch above the price. Outdoors there are two pools — a rectangular main pool ringed with sun loungers and cheerful umbrellas, and a separate kids' pool so families can relax. The surrounds are a small, well-kept tropical garden where you can hear birds and rustling leaves in the afternoon, a good spot to soak after walking the city. Nearby is a 24-hour gym kitted out for business travelers who want to train at odd hours, and an in-house spa for anyone after a proper unwind. For food, the hotel has a main restaurant and the Cricket Wicket bar serving Caribbean-meets-international plates — callaloo, fish curry, burgers, and Indian dishes shaped by the island's Indo-Trinidadian community. The bar is easygoing, and in the evening you'll see hotel guests and locals alike drop in for a Stag or Carib — the local beers — with sport on the screen. Airport transfers are available on request, and the free Wi-Fi throughout is fine for general use.

Location and getting there

The location is this hotel's true selling point. It sits in Cascade on Coblentz Avenue, a few minutes' walk from the edge of Queen's Park Savannah, a central park of about 260 acres that Port of Spain locals just call "the Savannah." This is the city's green lung and a hub of daily life — people come to run, stroll, cycle, and picnic, and carts ring the park selling fresh coconuts, doubles, and local snacks. Cross the park to the far side and you reach the Royal Botanic Gardens, the oldest in the Western Hemisphere, and Emperor Valley Zoo, a small zoo that suits families. Around the Savannah stand the Magnificent Seven, seven historic colonial houses that are a popular photo stop. The city centre, the business district, and the food-heavy Woodbrook area are a short 5-10 minute drive away. Piarco International Airport (POS) is about a 30-40 minute drive outside rush hour, and anyone heading on to Tobago can take the ferry or a domestic flight easily from here.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide. The first thing reviews agree on is the distance to the airport — 30-40 minutes in normal conditions sounds close, but Port of Spain roads get very busy morning and evening, especially on weekdays, and it can run over an hour. If you have an early flight, leave plenty of time and use the hotel's transfer, which is better value than an outside taxi with less clear rates. The second is uneven food and service: some reviews praise a full breakfast and friendly staff, but on some nights the main restaurant only manages so-so and waits can run slower than expected at peak hours. If you want more variety, head out to Woodbrook or near the Savannah and you'll find better, more authentic local cooking. The last point is that parts of the building and some in-room fittings are showing their age — spots that could use repainting and furniture that isn't brand new. It isn't run-down, but if you expect a freshly opened, spotless hotel, dial the expectation down a notch and read it as the patina of a place that has been welcoming travelers for a while.

Our take

After working through a range of real reviews, our read is that The Carlton Savannah is one of the best-value 4-star picks in Port of Spain. It sells a location next to Queen's Park Savannah where you can genuinely walk and soak up the city, plus small touches you don't get at the same level — a deep soaking tub in the room, Egyptian cotton sheets, and two outdoor pools. If the trip in your head is using Port of Spain as a base, cutting across the Savannah to the colonial houses and the botanic gardens, then coming back in the evening for a soak in the tub and a drink at the Cricket Wicket Bar, this fits neatly on a budget you can actually reach. But if you expect a freshly opened, sharply designed hotel with chef-level restaurant food and the easiest possible airport access, it may not be your first choice — it stands out for value and that close-to-the-city feel more than all-round perfection. Overall we give it 7.7/10, best for business travelers in for meetings, couples basing themselves in Port of Spain before heading to Tobago, and mid-budget families who value a pool and a safe spot next to the big central park.