For some, the all-inclusive experience in the Caribbean has come to be defined as a passport to total indulgence. While a few checklist-free days on the sand are undeniably wonderful, I recently found out that in Trinidad, there's an all-inclusive hotel that comes with a side of untamed adventure.
Located on the island's remote northern coast, Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel accommodates travelers who want the amenities of an all-inclusive property, with the benefit of having access to Trinidad's wilderness.
Only seven miles from the coast of South America, Trinidad is an ecological wonder. Its Carnival celebrations are well-known in the Caribbean, but its ecotourism is becoming more mainstream. Mt. Plaisir Estate was originally a cocoa estate house before it was transformed into an ecolodge in 1993. The hotel was later acquired by the family-owned Hadco Experiences and reopened in late 2023.
Today it stands as a sophisticated sanctuary that boasts 21 meticulously designed rooms, an inviting outdoor pool and a front-row seat in one of nature's most spectacular theaters. On my recent stay, I experienced the best of both worlds: all-inclusive amenities paired with direct access to the Grande Riviere Beach, a 1,300-foot stretch of sand that serves as the world's premier nesting ground for leatherback turtles.
Mt. Plaisir's ground floor suites feature furnished balconies and direct access to the beach. Photo Credit: Hadco Experiences; Jake Naughton
Beachfront luxury
A three-hour scenic drive from Port of Spain, the hotel is a popular choice for extended escapes or as an addition to a multistop itinerary. Though Grande Riviere's setting is rustic and remote, the accommodations are designed with luxury in mind. My room, part of The Overlook category of accommodations, was an airy space with exposed-beam ceilings, a sleek ensuite bathroom, wood floors and wicker furniture. Outside, I had a furnished patio overlooking the crashing surf at Grande Riviere Beach. Though I was traveling solo, the room was large enough to sleep six, with two king-size beds and two queen-size beds, separated by a half-wall partition for privacy.
Dining at Mt. Plaisir is an inclusive farm-to-table (and sea-to-table) journey. The room rates include three meals (and snacks) but exclude alcoholic beverages. All meals are served buffet-style, and the menu changes with the seasons. I spent my first afternoon at the hotel's sole restaurant, which features upscale dining areas indoors and outdoors. My first meal was a plate of Trinidadian-style stew with chicken and rice, complemented with fresh fruit. Between meals, I took advantage of the modest display of cakes, cookies and brewed coffee in the dining room. The dinner menu featured grilled snapper, curry chicken and an assortment of grilled vegetables.
Three meals are served buffet style and include local ingredients. Alcohol is available for purchase. Photo Credit: Hadco Experiences; Jake Naughton
Trinidad's wild side
While the food was a delicious showcase of local flavors, the highlight of my stay was exploring the wilderness beyond the resort. On my first afternoon, John Hadad, the co-CEO of Hadco Experiences, took a group of us on a muddy trek through wild grass and ravines to a nearby river that felt like a secret hideaway. Here, there wasn't any phone reception -- only the sounds of the water rushing over the ancient rocks.
On our way back, we stopped by another property operated by Hadco Experiences. Just steps from Mt. Plaisir, Pawi Lodge is a rustic retreat set on 13 acres of pristine wilderness. While hikers and bird enthusiasts can book overnight stays to immerse themselves in the habitat of the native bird that lends its name to the lodge, guests at Mt. Plaisir can also arrange afternoon bird-watching excursions. That afternoon, I was lucky enough to see two of these rare pawi up close.
During my stay, we also ventured out to Paria Bay, a beach only accessible by boat. It turned out to be a rough, windy day, with the waves pulling the boat out and spraying the deck with saltwater. When our small group arrived on shore, we set up a picnic that the kitchen had sent with us: ripe mangos, empanadas, grilled snapper, shrimp kabobs and sweet coconut bread.
After lunch, our next stop was the Paria waterfall, about a 45-minute hike inland. We followed a winding trail through the dense tropical canopy to the thundering roar of the falls. After a refreshing swim, our reward back on the beach was an open-air massage in a beachfront cabana, another touch of luxury in the wilderness.
The hotel is located on the shores of Grande Riviere Beach in northern Trinidad. Photo Credit: Hadco Experiences; Jake Naughton
Turtle nesting season
Despite the modern upgrades, one thing on Grande Riviere Beach remains blissfully unchanged: the ritual of the leatherback turtles. During nesting season, between March and August, the hotel attracts travelers wanting a glimpse of the turtles. Around the property, red LED lighting is used to ensure that turtles and hatchlings aren't disoriented. The hotel also makes room calls if there's a leatherback sighting. If you opt in, you'll get a call to your room to watch an 800-pound turtle emerge from the surf to lay her eggs under the stars.
While the leatherback turtles eluded us during this particular window of the nesting season, I was invited to participate in a conservation ritual that felt perhaps even more intimate: releasing hatchlings directly onto the sand. I watched in awe as they scuttled across the dark sands of Grande Riviere Beach toward the frothing white surf. When it comes to hotel amenities, not many places can offer an immersive experience like this.