BLUE HAVEN Hotel, Tobago - HORRORS!!!

I know the Jazz Festival in Tobago is just a short time away, and so I decided to warn any persons even thinking of staying at the BLUE HAVEN hotel in Bacolet. I had a horrendous experience there for Jazz Festival 2007, and I am sure that things have not improved since. Not if the same "gentleman", Mr Mc Fee, is still the General Manager there.

Last year I booked my room at Blue Haven Hotel at the beginning of January - and confirmed with credit card payment. I had asked for the room that they boast about, the one where some actor had stayed many many years ago. I was assured that the requested room was booked and confirmed. I also advised the hotel that I would be arriving late the Friday night as I was going over on the last sailing of the ferry which does not reach untill about 8:00pm.

A few days before the festival, I again rang and made sure my room was confirmed and that all was well. Again I reminded them that I (and my friend) would be arriving at night on the Friday. Fine I was told. Then on the Friday when I got on the ferry,I again called the hotel to let them know that I was on my way. So what do you think happens when we arrive at the hotel?

No hotel room for us- NONE. I was so tired and mad. The receptionist asked us to 'hold on' while she checked. Of course, she came back that there was no room for us and that they had cancelled it at 4:00pm as that is their cut off time. WHAT??? Remember that I had phoned these people a few times to let them know we would be arriving Friday NIGHT. AND we had paid for the weekend in full by credit card!!! I mentioned that I had stayed at the hotel a few times before this when I had to do business there.

The General Manager then decided he would condescend to see us. He came and said that he would do us a 'favour' (IMAGINE!!!) and give us HIS room in the hotel. I told him that I had booked and paid for the special room. Mr McFee kept insisting that I would get the General Manager's room (HIS room) and that it was a favour!!! Can you imagine the gall of this man. They mess up my booking and then he insinuates that he is doing me a favour. I was mad as hell.

I must mention that his manner and tone from the beginning was condescending and patronizing - and he really just kept acting as though we were a bother and he could not care less. Anyway, we had no choice but to accept HIS room. This is a laugh, as the room was an ordinaryhotel room with no special touches.

The next day while dining at breakfast and chatting with a lovely Phillipino waitress, I was able to find out from her that the General Manager DOES NOT have a room at the hotel. In fact, she said he is NOT allowed to use the hotel rooms for his personal use. So Mr McFee was pulling a fast on on us with that old talk about a Manager's room. I never got a refund for booking the special room which I did not get to stay in.

And I hope the owner, a Swedish guy whose name I forget now, finds out about the poor customer service at this hotel as I am never going there again. I stay at Coco Reef or Mount Irvine on my many visits to Tobago...and I enjoy my stays at both hotels tremendously. The service there is so much superior.

At Blue Haven, the employees are also not happy and it shows in the quality of their service. They complained of the way they are treated and especially of the very Mr Mc Fee. Of course I and my travel agent sent letters trying to get some compensation for my predicament and torment - but Mr Mc Fee was indignant and rude in his response.

Although the hotel is somewhat lovely with the refurbishment - the food is poor and the then Food Manager was unpleasant also. There is nothing really to entice me to go there - especially with the POOR customer relations. I am a very frequent visitor to Tobago for work and leisure - and I recommend Coco Reef, Mt Irvine Hotel, Kariwak and Blue WATERS hotels. Keep away from BLUE HAVEN in Bacolet - they are a sham when it comes to their customers.

And it is not only my complaint. A friend of mine held her wedding reception there last year, and the poor girl is still upset about the service and especially the terrible manner of Mr McFee. Food ran out early on although she had paid in full for the catering. And when she spoke to Mr McFee, he was rough and lied to her about the details - instead of trying to make the situation better.

The owner should REMOVE that man if they want to have a profitable business and satisfied guest who want to return.

My verdict - KEEP AWAY FROM BLUE HAVEN HOTEL until a professional is placed in the General Manager's position.