Hotels in Port-Of-Spain: Culture and Gardens

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Editor's Choice

Pure Luxury

“Call me spoiled - but I love to be treated like a queen when traveling. Only the best is good enough for me. Hotels that make my vacation a dream of luxury and seduction are my choices. Pay attention to the (violet Medal) for luxury accommodation.”

Tatjana Herzegova, Kiew, Ukraine

Editor's Choice

Sustainable Travel

“There is only one earth and we should go out and see it. I like hotels, which look for sustainability. It is not only protecting the ecology, but also taking care for the local business and culture. I recommend the medal for eco accomodation. Let’s protect our earth. Sustainable travel is travelling with responsibility.”

Markus Lenk, Düsseldorf, Germany

In Port of Spain, urban heritage and botanical landscapes are among the defining themes for visitors. The Royal Botanic Gardens lie at the foot of the Northern Range; Queen's Park Savannah offers a different way to explore local history and the greenery woven into the cityscape. When looking for accommodation in Port-Of-Spain, you can consider whether cultural sites, gardens or a combination of the two will shape your trip.

Urban Heritage Between Squares, Buildings and Mansions

Woodford Square is the centre of the Woodford Square Heritage District, the country's only Heritage District approved by the Cabinet. On a walk through the historic centre of Port of Spain, visitors can explore Woodford Square and nearby cultural sites. This offers a way to view the square in the context of other places in the historic city centre. The walk is one way to take in urban spaces and cultural history together.

The Red House has served as the seat of government of Trinidad and Tobago since its completion in 1907. The Cabildo Building offers a different perspective: it has thick walls in the “Latin Moorish Style” and a courtyard with a fountain. Together, the seat of government and the architectural details offer different perspectives on the city's cultural heritage.

The Magnificent Seven comprise Ambard's House / Roomor, Archbishop's Palace, Hayes Court, Killarney (Stollmeyer's Castle), Mille Fleurs, Queen's Royal College and Whitehall (Rosenweg). The historic mansions are situated around Queen's Park Savannah. Those interested in this group can make it a separate focus alongside a walk through the historic centre.

Botanical Gardens and Queen's Park Savannah

The Royal Botanic Gardens are among the oldest botanical institutions in the Western Hemisphere. They serve as a centre for public education and national heritage, as well as a centre for plant conservation. Their location at the foot of the Northern Range places them in the landscape; their educational, heritage and plant conservation roles add an institutional dimension.

Queen's Park Savannah was once part of the St Ann's Estate, where sugar was grown. Today, Samaan and Poui trees line the Savannah, providing shade from the tropical sun for people who walk there in the afternoon. Two periods come together here: the Estate's former use for sugar cultivation and the trees that now provide the described shade for walkers. The place can therefore be understood through both its history and its landscape.

Queen's Park Savannah is also home to the Botanic Gardens, The Hollows, the Emperor Valley Zoo, the National Museum and the National Academy of the Performing Arts (NAPA). The botanical gardens and the other sites offer different points of interest around the same geographic landmark. When planning, it helps to distinguish between a walk focused on cultural sites in the historic centre and an itinerary centred on the gardens, Savannah and the institutions located there.

For the broader travel overview: Port Of Spain.

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