Tobago has a Master with kingsize bed, one Twin bedroom (sleeps 2 in single beds), and full double-sized sofabed available in Games Room
Tobago is a 6th floor apartment, all on one level, and with easy lift access. The building has a secure lobby.
Tobago has always-on broadband, with a booster to the lounge
Tobago has an embarrassingly large 55″ TV, because Daddy Tobago lost his marbles in the telly shop and isn’t allowed one at home
Tobago has two balconies, both facing the sea. The balconies are clear-fronted for maximum visibility.
Tobago has a fabulous diner/bar, with 50s style American diner furniture and a 60s style drinks cabinet
Tobago has a fun and quirky Games Room, with retro record-player and old vinyl, second TV and old-skool board games for fun with the family
How fate intervened and Tobago was born
Why Bexhill, and why Tobago?
In one of those slightly tipsy meals out, where you plan your future and talk about your dreams, Julian and Catherine Lloyd Evans hit upon the ingenious plan of buying one of the iconic 1960s ‘Caribbean’ Bexhill flats, and doing it up ‘all mid-century style’. “It’ll be so cool,” they said “We can get an old record-player in there, and have proper British Ercol furniture and orange walls, and we’ll let it out especially to weekenders looking to escape the hustle of London. Bexhill’s the new Brighton – with the promenade recently tarted up and the De La Warr pavillion on the doorstep, not to mention Di Paolo’s gelato ice creams. It’s a lovely place to visit.”
Now, normally, with these alcohol enthused conversations, that would be the end of it.
But fate intervened, in the form of a sharp nail.
On Sunday, as the Julian and Catherine piled belongings and daughters into the car after a half-term visit to the grandparents, Catherine’s dad peered closely at the car. “There’s a nail in that tyre.” he said. Julian ended up getting the train back up to London in the morning, while Catherine and the girls waited for a new tyre to be fitted.
One obligatory ice cream with the girls at Di Paolo’s later, Catherine decided she might as well pop into some estate agents to ‘just see’ about seaside flats.
One manic week later they’d put an offer in on Tobago. 6 months later it was theirs. 6 months after fabulous builder and renovator Wolfie had worked his magic, it was ready for its first guests.
Seafront luxury in a place of your own
Neon parrots and ombré flamingos
Not quite able to stick to the mid-century theme, and with the outlandish ideas of a 9 and 10 year old butting in, Tobago’s interior design evolved into flavours of the 60s, the 70s, pineapples, tropical, yellow, diners, giant florals, and of course, parrots.
But what stayed the same was the idea of escapism. A quirky gem hidden in a 1982 block of flats. There’s no ‘clean lines’ and ‘spare minimalism’, and there’s no ‘rustic chic’ or ‘cottage charm’ either – instead there is a riot of colour, some doses of ridiculous, some beautiful and iconic pieces of furniture and absolutely no playing it safe.
We’ve tried very hard to stick to our self-imposed brief on supporting British-made and ethically-produced as much as we can. We’ve also tried to lovingly refurbish genuine mid-century gems (check out the cocktail bar in the diner, the dressing tables and the lovely glass-fronted display cabinet). We’ve shied away from plain and we’ve dived headfirst into pattern everywhere we can.
The view from Tobago is incredible. We think it’s one of the best views in Britain. Ok, so maybe we’re biased, but come and stand on the balcony with a coffee on a Saturday morning, looking out at the vast ocean and watching the world go by, and we think you might just agree. Tobago makes us feel happy. We hope it makes you feel happy too.