Crowne Plaza is situated on Wrightson Road, a major entryway to the city of Port of Spain, just minutes walk away from Independence Square and downtown. This prime location certainly contributes to its current reputation as the “premier choice for the business or leisure visitor to Port of Spain”.

The circular protuberance at the top is a revolving restaurant that offers magnificent 360° views of the city — hence the name - 360° (we never said they were terribly original). It is, in fact, the only revolving restaurant in the Caribbean. And more surprisingly, it is the only major property in Port of Spain that takes advantage of the harbour-front as a scenic element. Although granted, the Port of Spain harbour isn't particularly scenic except at night when darkness hides the ugly port buildings. But that works, because the restaurant is only open for dinner anyways.

Formerly the Holiday Inn, this 200+ room hotel was upgraded to a Crowne Plaza in 2000 by its owner Issa Nicholas. Interestingly, the weather conditions when I took this photo, and the composition, reminded me of a photo of another Port of Spain high-rise — the Nicholas Tower. Yes, same Nicholas. He owns both buildings, along with several other pieces of real estate around the Caribbean.

However where the Nicholas Tower is a modern work of burnished glass and lenticular curves, Crowne Plaza is a square, solid brick structure, close to thirty years old at least. The front is very elegantly finished, but as this photo shows, the back side does leave something to be desired.

This photo was taken from Richmond Street, just below London Street.