The house was built in 1998 on historic estate land where the owner's family have lived since the 1890's. The owner was born and brought up on the island but since then has lived mainly in the UK , returning regularly to see family and finally building their own home to enjoy with friends and subsequent generations. It is suitable for either a group of friends, one large family, or two families to holiday together, due to the self-contained facilities downstairs.
*4 wheel drive car is essential * since the road is steep and a bit bumpy, as is typical of roads in Dominica! Toyota RAV4 / Suzuki Vitara (4/5 people) Pajero (6/7 people) are suitable. https://dominicacarrentals.com/ The house is stone, and has wooden floors, high ceilings and wide verandas and is designed traditionally to take advantage of the Caribbean breeze and the ocean and mountain views. It has classical Caribbean wooden shutters and doors and a conventional red galvanized roof (with solar hot water). Upstairs it has 2 double bedrooms one with a 5ft wide four poster mahogany bed the other bedroom with two single beds. Each bedroom upstairs has a bathroom. There is a large tiled veranda on two sides, open plan sitting room, dining room and kitchen, and a garage. Downstairs there is another kitchen, double bedroom with two single beds, bathroom, sitting room and a garage. It is within a 15 minute drive of the town of Roseau and has easy access to diving and sightseeing. The house is surrounded by a garden, is cool and secluded and has a fabulous view of the Caribbean Sea, the town of Roseau in the distance, and a view of Morne Anglais at the back. So, once you sink into a chair on the veranda you may never want to leave!
It is very private, though the local Manageress, Valarie Olive is only a five minute walk down the hill. Please contact her with questions not covered on the website. The cleaning is done by helper Valarie and gardening by helper Alan.
There are supermarkets in both Loubiere, at the bottom of the hill, and in Roseau, which also has a local fruit and vegetable market which is worth a visit particularly on Saturday morning though it is open every day except Sunday. There is a hospital in Roseau, and doctors and dentists if needed. There are banks in Roseau, the local currency being Eastern Caribbean dollars, though U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere and it is easy to change £ sterling into the local currency if wished.
It is possible to travel to the island either by air from various islands or by ferry from Martinique or Guadeloupe, two French islands on either side of Dominica. Overnight visits to those islands and other French islands nearby are easy from Roseau on the ferry.
There is much information about the island on the internet, a good site being https://www.discoverdominica.com. It is in the Windward group of islands and is the least developed. English is the main language though many people speak a French patois. It is very mountainous with the highest mountain is just under 5,000ft. The island is famous for its walking trails and some of them are strenuous such as the hike to the Boiling Lake for which a guide from the Botanical Gardens may be booked if wished. There is also good walking on the Waitukubuli National Trail, Waitukubuli being the old name for Dominica meaning "tall is her body". The house is well placed for such expeditions and very good diving is available nearby and also whale watching. Dominica is the only country in the world where sperm whales reside all the year long though sightings are most likely between November and March.
175 species of birds have been recorded on the island and there are two endemic species of parrot. The larger is the Amazona Imperialis (local name: Sisserou) and the smaller Amazona Aurausiaca (local name Jacko). All birds were affected by the hurricane , but they are recovering and returning to gardens. It is possible to see hummingbirds, hawks and several smaller birds such as bananaquits and local sparrows from the veranda. Our local wren, a characterful bird known as a "rossignol" often makes a nest on the veranda rafters and has a beautiful song.
The island, like many in the Caribbean, is now largely recovered from hurricane damage. It has been truly amazing to see the resilience of people who suffered so badly and have worked hard to put the island back on its feet. Nature is also repairing itself and the island is green once more. The house was damaged in Hurricane Maria, which hit the island in 2017, but has undergone extensive repairs and redecoration and is now in first class condition.
The owners insurance policy does not cover loss of visitors' possessions, so visitors must obtain their own cover. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property.
NOTE: there is an additional fee for guests after 4
Finally please bear in mind that the island is not sophisticated, but therein to the owner lies its charm!
