The word “plaisir” comes from the French language. In English it translates as pleasure. Pleasure is one of the first things that comes to mind when you arrive at Mt. Plaisir. It is in no short supply with these languid sunsets, serene mornings, and starry nights. In the captivating beauty of this lush haven, you will encounter a thriving turtle conservation effort, lush cocoa farms and a sweet chocolate heritage.
The cocoa farming at Mt. Plaisir lies at the heart of its delightful connection to the world of chocolate. Absolutely fitting, as chocolate is often associated with pleasure. Chocolate is made from the beans of the cocoa plant, and Mt. Plaisir was once part of a thriving cocoa estate.
Cocoa cultivation thrives best in areas with high temperatures, abundant water, and a consistently moist atmosphere, making the verdant slopes of the Northern Range the perfect nurturing ground. Rainforest trees offer essential shade and protection, ensuring the successful growth of this temperamental crop that can only flourish in a narrow band of countries between 20 degrees north and south of the equator.
Members of the Mt. Plaisir community capitalized on this abundance in their midst and united to establish the Grande Riviere Chocolate Company. You can savour the irresistible flavours of their 60 percent dark chocolate bars and indulge in an addictive chocolate drink mix, crafted using locally sourced ingredients found right within the community. They also host estate-to-bar and bean-to-bar tours, where you can visit community farms, and enjoy the unique taste of the cocoa fruit. A pleasurable experience indeed.
As fate would have it, pleasure and Piero Guerrini came to an intersection in 1993. The photojournalist had travelled far from his native Italy to Trinidad to photograph Derek Walcott, who was announced as the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature the previous year. When he landed at Grande Riviere, the well-travelled documentarian found something he didn’t even know he was looking for and was immediately held captive by the serene beauty of the area. It was love at first sight. He would later tell a reporter that he came to Trinidad for ten days and never left.
The Italian photographer became the hotelier on the beach and by the close of 1993, Guerrini was in the throes of his new life. The old cocoa estate house was transformed into Grande Riviere’s first hotel. Guests were invited to select from 12 brightly coloured rooms, sitting just above the high-tide line in the shade of a huge, ancient almond tree.
He was passionate and enthusiastic about his new vocation. Len Peters, Chairman of the Grande Riviere Nature Tour Guide Association (GRNTGA), remembers: “He had this vision that Grande Riviere was so beautiful, and Leatherbacks were so unique and rare that his countrymen from Europe would come to this place to witness this phenomenon.” Guerrini’s interests synchronised with the village’s conservation efforts and together they ushered new energy into the community and propelled Grande Riviere to become a shining example of sustainable enterprises in the Caribbean.
By 2019, Mt. Plaisir had expanded to include an on-site restaurant and bar, with a total of 13 rooms, eight on the upper floor and five at beach level, accommodating 45 to 50 people and providing full-time and part-time employment to 20 villagers. The lobby and rooms featured local artwork, and artists benefitted from connecting directly with guests interested in their handiwork.
Continuing the legacy left by Guerrini and breathing new life into Mt. Plaisir, HADCO Experiences has embarked on a mission to offer awe-inspiring, sustainable experiences that contribute to biodiversity conservation, the preservation of heritage and cultural diversity, and uplifting local communities.
In this vein, it is of utmost importance that the entire community benefits from the upgrades. In keeping with this mantra, HADCO Experiences worked with the Grande Riviere Nature Tour Guides Association, the Grande Riviere community, and the Environmental Management Authority to install NXT LED turtle-friendly lights in the area. These lights are instrumental in mitigating against the adverse effects that were being experienced by the endangered Leatherback turtles during their nesting periods. The lights emit a wavelength invisible to turtles, thereby reducing the impact of lightinbg pollution on the nesting site by darkening the area; and providing privacy to the nesting turtles.
Major infrastructural improvements were also undertaken to enhance services, preserving the essence of this decades-old structure, while keeping the local community engaged. All outdoor areas are lit using turtle-friendly LED lighting. Guests will be happy to discover completely renovated rooms and buildings; with energy-efficient air conditioning and low lighting (under 3,000 kelvin) in the rooms to reduce light pollution at night; a fast and stable internet connection, and improved security systems. Water dispensers have been installed around the compound, to encourage the use of reusable containers and eliminate the presence of single-use plastics.
Here, guests can revel in the pleasures of nature in comfort, creating their own experience: enjoy the sanctuary of breezy, tastefully decorated accommodations, relax on the beach, and witness the captivating nesting rituals of turtles during the peak months of March to September, or bask by the pool while enjoying a delightful sunset cocktail.
Guests wanting a bit more adventure can go on a birding tour to spot the endangered Pawi bird, whose population is gradually increasing or take a hike into the forest accompanied by experienced and capable Tour Guides. The Tour Guides are experts in their field – whether birding, hiking or turtle watching. HADCO Experiences has partnered with the best in the country and the GRNTGA is essential to the turtle watching experience.
The energy and optimism surrounding the rejuvenation of Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel are contagious. Len Peters, a lifelong resident of Grande Riviere and Chairman of GRNTGA, is thrilled about the opportunities presented, and his excitement is palpable. He envisions the HADCO Experience as a leap forward for local tourism. “I really think we need to ramp up our training to ensure that the HADCO Experience is what it proposes to be,” he said enthusiastically. “I feel like this will take local tourism to a place not yet experienced. It is a real opportunity for us as a conservation group to stretch ourselves and improve. They seem to have their heart in the right place. I think the turtles will be the greater benefactors at the end of the day. They have won me over.”
Visit Mt. Plaisir Estate Hotel in Grande Riviere and experience the magic that lured an Italian photographer to these beguiling shores, leaving behind an enduring legacy and taking with him a lifetime of memories.
