Dominica Hotels

Anchorage Hotel. Adventure seekers of every age come to this lodge for diving, whale-watching, or other tours led by the in-house tour company. This family-run operation is not unlike Castle Comfort Lodge next door. Both offer simple, recently renovated but colorful rooms and top-notch activities. The Ocean Terrace Restaurant and Bar is open to dramatic sunsets with visiting yachts in the foreground. Both locals and visitors frequent the weekly buffet dinners with live music. Pros: a fine range of water activities; wheelchair accessible; upstairs rooms have balconies; small meeting room. Cons: no-frills accommodations. Castle Comfort. Box 34, Roseau. 767/448-2638. www.anchoragehotel.dm. 32 rooms. In-room: Internet, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, pool, business center.

Beau Rive. Owner Mark Steele puts Zen-like elegance and creative soul into every detail of this secluded boutique hotel. Touches include natural soaps in the bath, the tinkling of the grand piano in the bar, and delicious, freshly prepared food. Homemade marmalade, bread, and yogurt and a nightly dinner ($35), which must be reserved in advance, are available. They are served on a lovely patio. All rooms are extra spacious and have verandahs with ocean views. It is a place for quiet walks in the citrus and spice gardens or a hike along the Richmond River. Closed in August and September unless special arrangements are made. Pros: lovely rooms; very good food; all rooms have fans and awesome ocean views. Cons: ocean is too rough for swimming; no TVs, room phones, or a/c (though the latter is not needed). Between Castle Bruce and Sineku. Box 2424, Roseau. 767/445-8992. www.beaurive.com. 10 rooms. In-room: no a/c, no TV. In-hotel: bar, pool, business center, some age restrictions. Closed Aug. and Sept. Breakfast. 2-night minimum.

Calibishie Lodges. Close to one of Dominica's most picturesque seaside villages, six self-contained one-bedroom units emerge from behind terraced lemongrass. They sleep four, and have modern furnishings and bathrooms with bowl sinks. Add to that the friendliness and care of owners Lystra and Peter Dickinson, plus a small swimming pool and sundeck that lead from the Bamboo Bar and Restaurant. Meal plans are available. If the property is full, ask about Dominica Sea View Apartments and the luxury Sea View Apartments, which they also own. In 2008, 2010, and 2011, this property was named Best Accommodation on the Island by the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association. Pros: plenty of charm; people-pleasing owners; meal plans available; 20 minutes from Melville airport. Cons: at least an hour's drive from Roseau; no a/c. Calibishie Main Rd., Calibishie. 767/445-8537. www.calibishie-lodges.com. 6 apartments. In-room: no a/c, safe, kitchen, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, pool. Breakfast.

Cocoa Cottage. This ecosensitive, hand-constructed wood-and-stone lodge has a cozy tree-house feel, and, though very basic, is comfortable. Many of the furnishings are made from recycled materials: bed frames from recycled spools, lamps from coconut shells, and flowerpots from bamboo. All beds have colorful madras covers and mosquito nets. Some rooms have balconies and hammock chairs. You can start your day with a cup of hot cocoa (with homemade chocolate) or tea—grown on the surrounding trees and plants—while you enjoy the melodious sounds of birds. Later have a picnic at a nearby stream or take a nature tour. The hotel offers a unique "extreme" adventure, canyoning, during which brave souls complete eight rappels down waterfall-filled canyons. For the less adventurous, there's a chocolate museum. Meal packages are available. Pros: immersive tropical mountain experience; artistic vibe. Cons: a bit far removed; somewhat difficult to find. Trafalgar. Box 288, Roseau. 767/448-0412. www.cocoacottages.com. 6 rooms. In-room: no a/c, no TV. In-hotel: restaurant, bar. Breakfast.

Crescent Moon Cabins. In a hidden valley where waterfalls and a river run rampant, this small, family-run, forest resort is so deep in the bush, you might genuinely believe you're camping—except you have the benefit of basic yet ecofriendly facilities with balconies and hammocks. All cabins have panoramic views; at night, you very well may look up to the stars in awe and wonder how it all began. What makes the property even more unique are hosts Ron and Jean Viveralli, who have pumped agritourism up a notch. Ron, a professionally trained chef, finds inspiration in the greenhouse, goats, chickens, and fruits that are tenderly cared for by Jean. He makes his own coffee, goat cheese, and tofu from scratch. Let them know you want for dinner, and a gourmet meal will be prepared. This is a great place for active families or for couples looking for romance. But you'll definitely need a 4x4 because the roads leading here are not the best. A two-night minimum stay is required. Pros: one-of-a-kind property; excellent food. Cons: facilities are about two steps above camping; road here is difficult to navigate. Sylvania. Box 2400, Roseau. 767/449-3449. www.crescentmooncabins.com. 4 cabins. In-room: no a/c, no TV. In-hotel: pool. Closed Aug. and Sept. Breakfast. 2-night minimum.

Evergreen Hotel. This family-run, modern, oceanfront inn is a nondiver's oasis in diver-friendly Castle Comfort. Located 1 mi (1½ km) south of Roseau, it has spacious waterfront rooms with large showers and balconies—many with ocean views. A separate honeymoon cottage is in a charming, foliage-filled nook. The Crystal Terrace restaurant, just off the pool, has a creative creole menu. Dive packages are also available. There's live entertainment on Friday night. Pros: friendly staff; pleasant surroundings; breakfast included. Cons: Though it is just 1 mi (1½ km) from Roseau, it's a good idea to take a cab at night as the road is not well lit. Castle Comfort. Box 309, Roseau. 767/448-3288. www.evergreenhoteldominica.com/. 16 rooms, 1 cottage. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, pool, business center. Breakfast.

Fort Young Hotel. Sitting on the edge of a cliff just to the south of Roseau, this hotel has ample-size rooms and balconies with either a limited or full ocean view. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Newly remodeled bathrooms have granite vanities. The spacious lobby is quite inviting, and an attached boardwalk has a variety of shops, including a few duty-free ones. The Waterfront Restaurant is one of the island's most upscale and romantic dining spots. The hotel offers diving, snorkeling, whale watching, a kids program, and a tour desk. Pros: cosmopolitan vibe; friendly staff. Cons: can get crowded during the Friday-night happy hour. Victoria St., Box 519, Roseau. 767/448-5000. www.fortyounghotel.com. 70 rooms, 3 suites. In-room: Internet (some), Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurants, bars, pool, spa.

Garraway Hotel. A bay-front, city-style hotel on the western edge of Roseau offers lovely vistas from the higher floors such as of the town's quaint architecture, the ocean, or the imposing mountains. Though the Balisier Restaurant setting is charming and has a Friday Caribbean buffet, it offers ho-hum service and food. Watching the sunset while sipping a Sundowner at the Ole Jetty Bar on the fifth-floor rooftop terrace is a popular guest pursuit. Pros: spacious rooms; well located in the heart of Roseau; free Ethernet. Cons: rooms are a bit sparse; lower-level rooms do not have good views. Place Heritage, 1 Dame Eugenia Charles Blvd., Box 789, Roseau. 767/449-8800. www.garrawayhotel.com. 20 rooms, 10 suites. In-hotel: restaurant, bar.

Hummingbird Inn. The ocean vistas, lushly fragrant garden, and naturally sensuous atmosphere at this hillside retreat provide a romantic setting for honeymooners and, needless to say, hummingbirds. Beds are dressed with handmade quilts. Shutters can be left open all night to let in breezes, soothing honeysuckle scents, and the sounds of the surf. The Honeymoon Suite has a stately mahogany four-poster bed, a kitchen, and a patio. The reception area, lounge, and dining terrace are all in the main house. Phones and TVs are optional. Pros: gorgeous view; if you are into lizards, this is a sanctuary for the rare iguana delicatissima. Cons: very basic rooms; a charge for in-room TV; road to the property has a very steep turn and is challenging after it rains; no a/c. Rock-A-Way, Canefield. Box 1901, Roseau. 767/449-1042. www.thehummingbirdinn.com. 9 rooms, 1 suite. In-room: no a/c, kitchen (some). In-hotel: restaurant, bar. Breakfast.

Itassi Cottages. You forget how close these three cottages are to Roseau as you swing on your hammock overlooking the ocean. On beautifully landscaped grounds, the two-bedroom cottage can house as many as six people, the one-bedroom cottage accommodates up to four, and the studio cottage comfortably sleeps two. Each has a full kitchen and cable TV, and there's a shared laundry room. They are furnished with a mix of antiques, straw mats, handmade floral bedspreads, and calabash lamps. Pros: very friendly atmosphere; great bang for your buck; weekly and monthly rates available. Cons: 20-minute drive to closest beach (Mero). Morne Bruce. Box 319, Roseau. 767/449 Ext. 8700. www.avirtualdominica.com/itassi. 3 cottages. In-room: no a/c, kitchen. In-hotel: laundry facilities.

Jungle Bay Resort & Spa. Sweeping views of the untamed Atlantic surround this resort, which sits on 55 acres of the only developed section of the island's southeast. No matter where you are at this peaceful hideaway, you can always hear the sea. Hovering over the ocean and surrounded by lush greenery, you may feel as if you are a million miles away from the rest of the world. Exercise is a given, as the resort begins at sea level and climbs up to 1,000 feet. Many rooms are perched high on the cliff (some require a 197-step climb) and have spectacular views. They are rustic looking but modern and have some nice touches—coffeemaker, refrigerator, fresh fruit, flowers, and a delightful enclosed outdoor shower. Overlooking the sea and the pool is the resort's restaurant, the Pavilion, which uses local spices and produce in preparing delicious vegetarian, seafood, and chicken dishes as well as tasty cuisine like shrimp curry (dinners are about $20). Combo packages are a good value, as is their new 10-year timeshare plan. The Spa du Soleil has cliff-side treatment studios. Jungle Bay Resort is about 2½ hours from the airport and one hour from Roseau. Pros: perfect for active vacationers; lovely rooms; outdoor showers; basic plan includes breakfast; tours of the island offered. Cons: facility is remote; water is too rough for swimming; no a/c; long trek to many of the rooms; not wheelchair accessible. Point Mulatre. Box 2352, Roseau. 767/446-1789. www.junglebaydominica.com. 35 cottages. In-room: no a/c, no TV. In-hotel: restaurant, bars, pool, spa, some age restrictions. Closed Sept. Meal plans available.

Papillote Wilderness Retreat. This family-friendly, recently updated and welcoming destination in the middle of a tropical forest has a mind-boggling collection of rare and indigenous plants on its botanic trail. Luxuriant vegetation abounds in this retreat's 4 acres of botanical gardens. An array of flowers adorn four secluded mineral pools and stone sculptures. For outdoor activities, the river beckons you to take a dip, and the 125-foot Trafalgar Falls are a short hike from your room. The terrace-style Rainforest restaurant and bar, which has spectacular mountain and valley views, serves excellent local cuisine. A breakfast and dinner plan is available for an additional $45 per day. Pros: lovely grounds; adjacent to Morne Trois Pitons National Park and close to Trafalgar Falls; only 10 minutes by car from Roseau. Cons: Though bus service to/from Roseau is available, a rental car is a much better option. Trafalgar Falls Rd., Trafalgar. Box 2287, Roseau. 767/448-2287. www.papillote.dm. 3 rooms, 4 suites. In-room: no TV. In-hotel: restaurant, bar. Closed Sept. and Oct. Some meals.

Picard Beach Cottages. Eighteen cottages, on the grounds of an old 6-acre coconut plantation and its lovely landscaped gardens, are just steps away from Dominica's longest grayish-sand beach. A white picket fence with private gates allows you access to the beach. It boasts ecofriendly amenities like solar lighting and water heater. Each one-bedroom cottage accommodates two adults with two children or three adults and has a kitchenette, living-dining area, and verandah. The casual Le Flambeau Restaurant next door serves creole food. Pros: has some spa facilities; nice beach; free Wi-Fi. Cons: property is not well lighted and can be difficult to navigate at night without a flashlight; this part of the island can get pretty buggy. Prince Rupert Bay. Box 34, Roseau. 767/445-5131. picardbeachcottages.dm. 18 1-bedroom cottages. In-room: kitchen (some). In-hotel: spa, beach.

Rainforest Shangri-La Resort. Fitness and nature take the spotlight at this pristine retreat set 1,000 feet above sea level. It sits among gardens, natural hot tubs, sulfur springs, and the River Blanc. Buildings look like they have grown out of the jungle. A full-service restaurant serves local and international cuisine. Pros: fitness and wellness focus; yoga; Tai Chi. Cons: rooms are a bit sparse; in-room food is discouraged; not wheelchair accessible. Wotten Waven. Box 1592, Roseau. 767/440-5093. 3 rooms, 3 bungalows. In-room: no a/c, no TV. In-hotel: restaurant, pool.

Red Rock Haven. Perched above the secluded Pointe Baptise Beach and tucked away amid lush landscape are posh accommodations accented with wood, stone, bamboo, a laddered loft for the kids, and elegant bathrooms. Each room has a patio with a spectacular view. The chic two-bedroom villa boasts a full kitchen with breakfast bar, infinity pool, plunge pool, bamboo walls, and a bathroom shower with six heads. The hotel's restaurant, Escape Bar & Grill, surrounded by palm trees and greenery, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The changing menu includes such tasty morsels as Caribbean pizza with guacamole, tomato, and four kinds of cheese, and for dinner filet mignon, shrimp, and fish. Pros: modern and lovely accommodations. Cons: steep paths, so difficult for people with mobility problems; car rental necessary. Calibishie. 767/445-7997. www.redrockhaven.com. 3 1-bedroom suites, 1 2-bedroom villa. In-room: no a/c, kitchen (some), no TV, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, pools. Breakfast.

Roseau Valley Hotel. With tile floors and cheerful decor, this little hotel is quite inviting. Some rooms have TVs and terraces, and others have a shared balcony and TV access. Free Internet service is available. The Waterhole Restaurant specializes in fresh locally grown food that is served upon request. Pros: reasonable and pleasant. Cons: a 2-mi (3-km) walk to Roseau (but there is local bus service). 2 mi (3 km) east of Roseau, Box 1876, Roseau. 767/449-8176. 10 rooms. In-room: kitchen (some), no TV (some), Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, bar. Breakfast.

Silks Hotel. French taste transformed this 17th-century mansion and former rum distillery into one of the most posh hotels on the island. The idyllic, romantic getaway is surrounded by 1.4 acres of gardens. Common areas and rooms are elegant and plush with a regal blend of African and Creole decor. The romantic tower room, which begs for a Juliet to call up a Romeo, is part of a two-level suite that includes a four-poster bed and bathroom with hand-painted French tiles. The only downside to the facility is the lack of bathroom amenities—soap is supplied. Though the fare at the hotel's restaurant is limited, it is well presented, quite good, and now open to the public. A kayak and a bamboo raft are available for guest use. The property was renovated in 2007, and a small wine cellar was added. For an additional fee, you can get a car and driver. Pros: one of the most luxurious lodgings on the island; close to the airport; air-conditioned. Cons: more than an hour's drive from Roseau. Hatton Garden, Marigot. 767/445-8846. www.silkshotel.com. 5 rooms. In-room: safe, Internet (some), Wi-Fi (some). In-hotel: restaurant, bar, pool, beach, business center. Closed Sept.-Oct. 15. Breakfast.

Sunset Bay Club. Sunset is a simple but comfortable beachfront hotel on a stretch of Dominica's spectacular west coast. Lush gardens filled with scurrying wildlife are crisscrossed by pathways that meander from rooms to garden benches, to the pool, to the sauna hut, and back to the beach and restaurant. The Four Seasons Restaurant is known for its seafood, wide selection of cocktails, and drop-dead-gorgeous views. All-inclusive plans are available. In-room TVs are available for a fee. Pros: gardens and views are beautiful; great food; kid friendly. Cons: rooms are basic. Batalie Beach, Coulibistrie. 767/446-6522. www.sunsetbayclub.com. 12 rooms, 1 suite. In-room: no a/c, safe. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, pool, spa, beach. All-inclusive packages and meal plans available.

Tamarind Tree Hotel & Restaurant. The warmth and friendliness of owners Annette and Stefan Loerner-Peyer are this small inn's most valuable asset. Set 100 feet above the Caribbean, the intimate but very basic hotel offers beautiful panoramas. Its restaurant serves German bread with Continental and creole cuisine. The local beer, Kubuli, is on tap—a tap made from plastic plumbing pipes. And, if you need help getting around, Annette is a certified tour guide. Pros: extremely friendly owners; good food; very child friendly; one of the owners is a certified tour guide. Cons: no-frills rooms. Salisbury. Box 754, Roseau. 767/446-7395 or 767/449-7007. www.tamarindtreedominica.com. 12 rooms. In-room: a/c (some), Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, pool. Closed Sept. Breakfast.

Tia's Bamboo Cottages. Tia himself built these charming but rustic cabins, which sit on the side of a hill, amid a picturesque, natural setting. The small wooden guest cottages each have a window, double bed, mosquito net, sink, toilet, and terrace with a hammock. One cottage has its own sulfur mineral pool plus a cold shower; others have hot showers. Below the cottages are two mineral springs, which guests are free to use. There's a small restaurant, open to the public, serving simple Caribbean food. Pros: proximity to river and natural springs; extremely helpful staff. Cons: cottages are very sparse. Wotton Waven, in Roseau Valley. 767/225-4823. 3 cottages. In-hotel: restaurant, bar, pools. No credit cards. Closed June.

Zandoli Inn. Overlooking a 111-foot cliff on the southeast Atlantic coast, this small inn has a stunning view—water and mountains. Meander through 6 acres of luscious gardens, or have a seat and contemplate the scenery. Upstairs, freshly refurbished rooms are elegant and comfortable. All except one have a balcony. Downstairs is the dining room and bar, where hotel guests join owner Linda Hyland for scrumptious organic meals and rum-laced drinks. Farther down the cliff is the plunge pool—under a canopy of orchids; or you can go for a more adventurous swim from huge boulders in the aqua-blue Atlantic. Pros: drop-dead vistas; full-service bar and restaurant. Cons: steep walk to the beach, which is not the best place to take a plunge. Roche Cassée, Stowe. Box 2099, Roseau. 767/446-3161. www.zandoli.com. 5 rooms. In-room: no a/c, no TV. In-hotel: bar, pool, some age restrictions.