The Hyatt Regency Trinidad is located in the city of Port of Spain, a thriving Caribbean capital city. The hotel has hosted important international meetings with heads of state from around the world, including former President Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II.
The 428-room property offers more than 43,000 square feet of versatile meeting space, a full-service restaurant, a lobby bar and lounge, a fitness center, and the 9,000-square-foot Spa Esencia. To learn more about the property and Trinidad in general, we chatted with Russell George, the hotel's general manager. Here are some of his thoughts and tips on visiting Trinidad.
What's a venue or activity that's a "hidden gem" for visiting groups?
I'd say that a visit to Pitch Lake, which is considered a natural phenomenon, is a must-do for groups. This hidden gem is located in the village of La Brea in southwest Trinidad. The lake is actually not all water, but is mainly made of pitch and other substances. The only liquid source is the self-replenishing center. A fun fact is that many of the roads in the United States are paved with asphalt from Pitch Lake.
I also recommend a boat tour through Caroni Bird Sanctuary, which is the protected site of Trinidad's national bird, the Scarlett Ibis. The sanctuary is not far from the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, less than 30 minutes, and since boat tours must be taken at sunset, it's a great post-meeting excursion to wind down from the day. Visitors will experience a breathtaking once-in-a-lifetime view as the sky turns red when all the scarlet ibis come in to nest at sunset. It's something that can't be seen anywhere else in the world.
What's a good outing for a group looking to get a sense of the city's culture or history?
A great outing for culture and history is our Pan Art Tour, which can be arranged through our concierge. This all-new tour, exclusive to Hyatt guests, is a great option for music enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in our local culture and get a quick history lesson. Trinidad and Tobago is the birthplace of the steel pan -- the only instrument invented in the 20th Century. Steel pan bands can be seen practicing at various locations throughout the island year round, but especially during the lead up to the Carnival season, the time between Christmas and Lent. During this one-of-a-kind tour, guests will visit multiple steel pan yards in Trinidad, view practice sessions and learn the history of the steel pan including how it's made. The best part of this tour is the souvenir, all guests will have the option to make their own personalized steel pan during the tour and have it shipped directly to their house so it's waiting for them when they return from vacation.
Where should a group go to get a truly local culinary experience?
Groups looking for a local culinary experience should try the local street food around the Savannah in Port of Spain. You can enjoy a variety of "trini delights" such as corn soup, bake and shark, doubles, and more. We also offer a street-food tour, which departs from the hotel. The group will begin the evening with local savory delicacies and finish the evening with locally made ice creams, which are made with exotic fruits including soursop, coconut, mango, and more.
According to Caribbean Tourism Organization, despite political, security, and economic uncertainties, tourist arrivals to the Caribbean increased by 4.2 percent in 2016. How does Hyatt Regency Trinidad plan to leverage this performance in 2017?
The Caribbean is a popular destination amongst travelers because of the beautiful weather and beaches in conjunction with a diverse culture. Trinidad is especially popular because of Carnival, which attracts revelers from across the globe each year. As one of the Caribbean's leading business hotels, and as host of one of the largest and most-anticipated fetes during Carnival season -- LIME -- we have a diverse audience, from the revelers and vacationers, to business travelers. The key is creating the ideal balance that will appeal to all types of travelers and make them feel as if everything we do is specifically for them, from the rooms to the amenities to the F&B. Guest satisfaction is our No. 1 priority.
Anything else that you think makes Trinidad great for groups?
With so many types of authentic experiences, Trinidad is a great destination for groups looking to get out and explore before, during, or after business meetings. Port of Spain is a business hub of the Caribbean, and with direct flights from most major U.S. cities, we offer what meeting planners need in a hotel with state-of-the-art rooms and meeting space, while our nature, culture, and history provides what they offer outside of the meetings. Cultural experiences including the pan yards, street food, and year-round festivals that are a great way to immerse groups in local culture. Outdoor experiences including Maracas waterfalls, Pitch Lake, Maracas Beach, Caroni Swamp, and daytrips to Tobago that offer groups one-of-a-kind ways to immerse themselves in nature.