Plantations most spectacular

IT IS HARD to disagree with Bob Perrin that Plantations Beach and Golf Resort is one of the most spectacular developments in this part of the world.

Set on 750-acres of prime Tobago real estate bounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Petit Trou Lagoon, the venture is owned by Guardian Life of the Caribbean Limited and Angostura. At the centre of the maginificent master-plan for Plantations is an 18-hole 7,000-yard, par 72 championship golf course, one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean. But according to Perrin, there are other jewels in the Plantations crown which, in the coming years, will quickly rival the golf course as the major attraction at Lowlands. Perrin, a Trinidadian who has made the hotel industry a career, is now retired but has been contracted as a consultant with Plantations Beach and Golf Resort. They are extremely fortunate to have the services of Perrin who grew up in Carapichaima in Central Trinidad when his father was in charge of the Transport Department of Caroni Limited, then the major sugar producing company in Trinidad and Tobago. He started off at the Holiday Inn at Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain (now Crowne Plaza) three decades ago and has spent the last 20 years in Canada at top hotels in Ottawa and London, Ontario.

Perrin has had the benefit of experiencing both sides of the hospitality coin — at hotels catering mainly for the business sector in Canada; and the leisure and tourist related service industry in the Caribbean, not only in Trinidad but also in Jamaica. So when he says he is extremely impressed with what has been going on at Plantations, one does not take his opinion lightly. Perrin, late last week, was one of the hosts of a tour of the facility where it buzzed with construction activity in the property development phase of the operation. And although the golf course is the shining light of the project, which is being developed in several phases, Perrin points to the great potential for other sports and leisure activities in the near future.

At the Petit Trou Lagoon, which several years ago was a serious bone of contention that led to acrimonious battles between environmentalists and the real estate developers, prior to Plantations coming in, the scene is set for an explosion of lifestyle related promotions. “It is the ideal spot for boating, sailing, kayaking and other water sports. These are all activities linked to a healthy lifestyle which we hope will be embraced by the community who will eventually occupy the residential areas of Plantations,” said Perrin. He said there are also plans for a marina and a boatyard which will increase the opportunities for watersports. Perrin said the golf course, which early next month, will shoot into the international spotlight with the staging of the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships, is well-supported by the ancillary services offered. Top of the list is accommodation which is more than adequately provided by the Hilton Tobago  adjoining Plantations, which has added 200 rooms to the total available in the whole of Tobago. This is not counting the condominium development straddling the golf course. Perrin has been at the helm of an innovative rental plan for the condominiums, dubbed the Sugar Mill Suites, which are all sold out. He explained that the owners are not able to occupy their premises for the better part of the year and if they wish, could have the rooms rented out. “So we have set up a company which will manage this part of the owners’ affairs, collecting rent, paying bills overseeing maintenance and security,” said Perrin.

Manager of the rental services is the gracious Allison Edwards whose office efficiently handles this crucial aspect of the Plantations development. For all appearances the concept has been well-received to the benefit of the home owners, attested to by general manager of Plantations Beach and Golf Resort, Roger Bholai. Perrin indicated that the residential plots have been selling like hot bread with most of the plots close to the Tobago Hilton almost sold out. The next major attraction, he pointed out, are the villa clusters next the Petit Trou Lagoon where construction is apace. The first phase of the “Master Planned Community” comprise 74 condominiums, 50 cluster villas and 58 villa lots. The condominiums are self-contained three and four bedroom units, ranging from 1,694 square feet to 2,402 square feet priced between US $230,000 and $310,000. The cluster villas, two bedroom and two-bathroom units with a large plunge pool over 1,426 square feet start at US $245,000. And the villa lots, approximately half-acre close to the golf course are from US $124,000 and owers have a choice of six villa designs with construction costs from US $373,000.