Known as the Caribbean epicenter of Carnival, Trinidad is gearing up for the season’s colorful costumes, pulsating music and fetes. Carnival is welcoming visitors from all over the world, many of them first-time attendees. Treverne Frank, a front desk concierge at downtown Port of Spain’s Hyatt Regency Trinidad and seasoned Carnival participant, shares expert advice on how visitors can have an unforgettable Carnival experience.
What are your main tips for Carnival visitors?
“Carnival offers activities for all. During the day, guests can watch the many bands (a band is a group of persons in costumes from 50 in number to thousands portraying characters of one common theme) parading throughout the streets of the capital city. The hotel provides area maps and hourly shuttles, which drop guests off at various points. Although we offer transportation, comfortable shoes are very important and key to a long day of festivities.
Also, sunscreen and water are a must for daytime celebrations.
I suggest wearing light-weight clothing to assist with the midday and afternoon heat. I also suggest wearing clothing that can be easily discarded if other masqueraders (persons who are in costumes or ‘play mas’) get paint and mud on your clothes.”
“For guests interested in enjoying the musical festivities I would recommend attending the Steel band Panorama Competition where all the top steel bands (with over 100 players in each band) compete for the top prize and to boast as the best steel orchestra of the day.
“My main tip is to enjoy yourself at these events and prepare yourself to be wowed.”
Do you have any special tricks that can help visiting revelers?
“Carnival just isn’t complete unless you have a colorful costume. Guests can visit mas camps (headquarters of the band where the costumes are viewed, made and sometimes distributed), located throughout Port of Spain to find the few costumes that may still be available.
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“Guests are constantly on the go during Carnival, hopping from fete to fete. A fete is a very large party with thousands of participants dancing to the live performances of the soca music bands. The all-inclusive fetes have a variety of food and drink which are included in the ticket price. I like to advise guests to take time away from the parties to unwind and reenergize. Hyatt Regency Trinidad’s Spa Esencia offers a menu of Carnival-inspired treatments.
Guests can opt for the Mineral Mud Mas Body Wrap, which is named after Mud Mas, the traditional masquerade where revelers cover themselves in mud and dance in the streets, or the signature Dimanche Gras Massage, which combines aromatherapy, warm stone, Swedish and deep tissue massage.”
Have you had any unique experiences during Carnival as a Hyatt Regency Trinidad concierge?
“There was a situation where some female guests were requesting tickets to a particular party, but it was completely sold out. They came to me asking if there was anything I could do to assist them.
Fortunately, I knew the person who was having the party as I purchase party tickets from him every year for our hotel guests. I contacted him directly, and he had the tickets delivered to the hotel. The guests became extremely excited and started dancing around me and even kissing me in the hotel lobby, which was an awkward moment.”
Hyatt Regency Trinidad, www.trinidad.hyatt.com