We stayed in Trinidad South. The pirate rooms were fab. The theming was so well done and housekeeping was very efficient. That area is very peaceful and there is a bus stop very close by. There is a lovely quiet pool only a couple minutes from any of the rooms and it has a laundry room by it. The landscaping is amazing and lush. We saw people out in the small hours raking the sand on the beach and clipping the bushes to maintain that tropical perfection illusion. It worked-it's a beautiful resort. We really enjoyed staying here but the resort is really spread out and TS is furthest away from everything. I would love to stay here again at some point but would prefer to pay for a preferred location than the upgrade to the pirate rooms as we did.
The main pool area is amazing but is about a 10 minute walk from TS. There is an internal bus but you have to go round practically all the stops to get round to Port Royale. Just 2 stops back to TS though. We spent a lot of time at the parks as it was our first time with our boys. We might have used the main pool more on the days when we got back about 8ish, had it been a 10 minute round trip, but 20, after a long day, put us off, especially with a 6 and 9 year old who had been up for rope drop. 10 minutes sounds like nothing in theory but, in practice, it was too much for us just to drop by spontaneously in the evening. Being closer, nipping for a quick 10 minute swim would have been fun, but a 20 minute round trip for 10 minutes in the pool?
There's a nice playground near the pool and the food court is good. To be fair, though, we had researched the resort and knew this. We knew we'd be focusing on the parks and leaving early for rope drops and would be arriving back at the hotel quite late many nights so wouldn't be using the pool a huge amount but, in retrospect, I wish we had been closer.
We were out really early for buses. Often 7:30am to get to EMH. There were no issues at this time but when we waited just after 8am, one day, buses were crowded as we were about last for pick up. Each 'island' has a stop and the bus stops at each before leaving for the parks. We walked to Port Royale to get something to eat on days we were going a bit later (after 8am) and got the bus there. Worked out well as, twice, the bus was almost full when it got to PR and filled right up at Trinidad North and didn't stop at TS. I know they are supposed to send a bus straight away if that happens but it still adds time when you're trying to get to rope drop.
CBR has a lot going for it, we really enjoyed the stay but would not do TS again. The buildings by PR are preferred and you need to pay extra. Many say the buildings in Jamaica and Aruba, right by the walkway over to PR, are good. Nice, short walk to PR and often first for pick up, I think.
Have a great holiday.
We request Jamaica or Aruba every time, just say 'closest to the bridge as possible', do not pay for preferred, etc. and have had great luck. Plus, the walk across the island is nice, there's a playground, swings, benches. Just my humble opinion, I think you and you 4 y/o would be happier.
