This was our second visit having visited the hotel the previous year. The setting is beautiful, the rooms are large, and it is a lovely Island. However there is a lack of investment in the hotel and the absence of facilities and events means that guests have to make their own entertainment throughout their stay. This we did last year as the hotel service levels were quirky but acceptable.

Unfortunately this year the general standard of service within the hotel was very poor. Problems that we encountered were : a green swimming pool that took 10 days to rectify, water to the room cut off at random times, 1 1/2 hours for breakfast one morning, beach bar not open, and occasionally when it was it had no food, grounds unclean(dog faeces), room telephone not working: these and other items meant that 2 meetings were held with the hotel management to try and resolve problems.

In addition on leaving the hotel attempted to overcharge us by converting our agreed US$ room rate into TT$s at an exchange rate that effectively increased the cost.

The majority of the staff were cheerful and helpful but this experience means we will not be returning or recommending it to friends.

Okay, when I pay $180 dollars of my hard-earned money a night on a room, I expect a little, you know, just a wee bit of service. I know its a crazy thought in the Caribbean that the customer deserves special treatment, but I always do hold out hope. No luck at the Mount Irvine. I was there for one night and here is how it went:

I call to make reservation. I am hung up on (should have taken hint). I call again, make reservation. I arrive at hotel two days later. I am shown to my room, which is fine - a little old but nice. TV remote held together with black electrical tape but that was not problem, just noting the facts. AC worked well in the room.

I go to try and play golf. It is 4:45. I'd been on a business trip and just wanted to get a few holes in to relax, knowing the sun sets at 6 pm. Them - Nope, last tee time 4 pm. Me - But just a few, nobody is out there. Them - nope, last tee time is 4 pm. Me - but come on, its empty - I just want to play a few holes. Them - nope, last tee time is 4 pm. Me - is this really happening? I have money, I'm staying at the hotel , I just want to play golf. Them - last tee time is at 4 pm. Me - this is crazy. Are you a robot? Okay. Bye.

Next stop pool. I go to the front desk, explain what just happened. They seem concerned but not actually ready to do anything. I say I am going to go for a swim. Girl says okay, that is fine. I explain further what happened and question this strict, by the letter of the rules approach at the golf course. She informs me that the rules are for the safety of the guest. I inform her that I have played golf many times past 4 pm without harming or injuring myself once. I am joking but serious in my sarcasm. She proceeds to tell me that I am spoiled. I am thinking this place is nuts. She then tells me that though the pool closes at 6pm she will grant me leniency and let me swim. I am like, its still light out! The sun is still out! Why would I not be able to swim in the pool!?! Is this soviet russia? Where AM I? Her response is again that I am spoiled. Clearly.

Dinner - I hate to impose on people by going to the restaurant they work at and making them work by ordering food and paying for it, but I was real hungry so I had to. Waitress took my salad away before I finished. All questions met with a sigh and roll of the eye. You can only imagine how inviting the 'can I get you anything for desert' question sounded.

Overall, I do not blame the staff, I blame the management. It seemed to me the staff was so empowered they felt that the guests had some nerve asking them to actually work. Thank god my company was paying for this because I'd be sick right now if what I spent there came directly out of my pocket.

Great location. Terrible service and attitude. I felt like I was putting the entire staff out simply by being there. Words of advice: do not work in the hospitality industry unless you actually enjoy making people happy and taking care of them! I did it for years and loved it. Take pride in what you do. If you do not, find other work.

We just returned from staying 10 days at Mt. Irvine Bay Hotel, and we enjoyed the food, the service and the accomodations. All of the employees were happy to assist us and engage in conversation. The food at the restaurant was just fine, particularly the coffee, shish kebob, chicken, and grilled fish. As in all the Tobago hotels I've seen, the small birds like to fly around the pool area, and inspect the tourists and occasionally snatch some crumbs in the dining area, but they were a pleasure to have. The staff were very attentive to us; we had buffet style breakfast all we could eat, with homemade omelettes and fresh juices, although not a lot of fresh fruit as you get in Jamaica hotels. Food by the way was better than we had at the Tobago Hilton two years ago. The room was old European style, with marble tiled floors, and a good size, but few cable TV channels (no CNN ). But that terrace overlooking the pool and out to the ocean!! Sensational, and most rooms have one!! The AC was terrific, easy to modulate, and beds somewhat hard but very easy to sleep on, not soft and mushy. The place had many visitors from Trinidad, that we saw, and the pool is very large with a pool bar (open part of the time), and maintained well, We got fresh plush pool towels whenever we wanted. Also had an internet cafe, for which they didn't charge us. The guests seemed to prefer to go the Mr. Irvine private beach which had lounge chairs for hotel guests, and lovely Caribbean waves. Beach a short 5 minute walk from the pool. I think the hotel just needs some cosmetic upgrading, . And I forgot the Golf... simply great with rolling hills, palm trees galore and green fairways because of all the recent rain. No caddies around, but the cart was a blast on those hills, and then the 19th hole has a quaint little bar. If you like to golf and swim, and want to relax, this is a quiet lovely place to stay at in Tobago. I should add that the hotel has ample security around the grounds. Keep in mind August and Sept is rainy season in Tobago, so every day we had some rain. But who doesn't like a Caribbean rain storm once in awhile?

A lovely and wasted resort with vast potential. It is a shame to see a property in such a beautiful location be allowed remain run down as it is. The pictures shown here are certainly outdated and maintenance will definitely be needed for those pictures to become more accurate! Remember the saying, "seeing is believing!"
The restaurant is in a real bad shape! Although nature has graced this resort with such wonder, I believe that it's owners are not showing enough gratitude for what they have. They need to replace and clean up the mess that is made by the birds and make it possible for their patrons to enjoy a meal in a decent environment. Imagine sitting on a chair with a nice white cotton pants and shirt, and you suddenly feel something wet only to discover that you were sitting on bird droppings.
The staff at the restaurant seem as if they are all unhappy because their expressions did not change with my plight. I believe that they need encouragement. They need to feel as if their jobs are important and that they work in a beautiful and pleasant one. Here is a hint, always remember that when you smile, there will always be someone to smile at you, it infectious and beautiful!
I hope that eventually if enough people submit their reviews, someone will decide to really make the changes necessary to restore Mount Irvin's Hotel and its environment. Its historical characteristics should not go wasted! I pray that the owners will read this and commit themselves to a better future.
God Bless You All!