12 Best Hotels in Dominica

The street-level entrance and lobby of this lovely hotel at the south end of Roseau's bayfront are in an old stone fort (complete with cannons), but the ample, air-conditioned guest rooms are modern and have full or partial ocean-view balconies and spacious bathrooms with great vanities. An attached boardwalk has a variety of shops, including a few duty-frees. Try the Palisades Restaurant, which is one of the island's most upscale and romantic dining spots. Enjoy Unwine Wednesday at Bala's Bar and Cocktails & Conversations (happy hour) every Friday at Warmer's Bar. Fort Young offers in-house dive operations with Dive Dominica. Other amenities include a spa, gym, and tour desk offering activities like diving, snorkeling, and whale-watching.

Each of the six cliff-top eco-villas here is unique, but all are luxurious, have stunning panoramas, and come with incredible amenities—such as kitchens, indoor/outdoor living rooms, private hot tubs or plunge pools, and outdoor showers. A separate deck is often used for yoga sessions or for viewing sunsets. The concierge is happy to plan your itinerary. Open-air Zing Zing restaurant serves local cuisine; cocktails are served at Vetiver Sunset Deck overlooking Secret Beach. If you stay at least a week, a welcome dinner and airport transfers are included.

Perched high on a hill overlooking the water and near the fishing village of Anse de Mé, this Choice Hotels property has comfortable rooms with private balconies, cable TV, free Wi-Fi, and a refrigerator. Some rooms feature Jacuzzi, microwave, and sofa sleeper. The Executive Suite is double-sized, with a kitchen, dining room, and living room area. There are activities here to keep you busy all day: full-service spa and fitness center, a three-level infinity pool, tennis and basketball courts, plus a business center and all-day restaurant. Enjoy the panoramic view from the rooftop pool bar.

Located near Middleham Falls and the sulfur springs at Wotten Waven, this rustic property has comfortable rooms, verandahs with scenic Roseau Valley views, and an open kitchen and dining table where guests can interact with each other. For a special experience, opt for the tree house—a separate building that accommodates up to six people.

In a hidden valley with a river and waterfalls, this small, family-run forest resort is so deep in the bush that you might think you're camping—except you have the benefit of basic, eco-friendly cabins with hammocks, balconies, and panoramic views; at night, you might 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 goats, chickens, fruits, and greenhouse produce that are cared for by Jean. He roasts his own coffee and makes his own goat cheese and tofu. 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 rough.

Sweeping views surround this luxury eco-resort, which sits on 20 acres of the only developed section of the island's southwest—no matter where you are at this peaceful hideaway, you can always hear the sea. And surrounded by lush greenery, you may feel as if you are a million miles away from the rest of the world. Getting some exercise comes with the territory, as the resort begins at 400 feet above sea level and climbs 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, with some nice touches—coffeemaker, refrigerator, fresh fruit, flowers, and a raindrop oasis shower. Overlooking the sea and the pool is the resort's restaurant, which uses local ingredients in its shrimp curry and other delicious vegetarian, seafood, and chicken dishes (dinners cost around $25). The resort also has a large yoga studio and a spa. Airport transfers are included with a minimum three-night stay at this property, which is about 90 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from Roseau.

A half-hour's walk or a 10-minute drive from Roseau (buses stop right out front), this relaxed hotel offers comfortable, air-conditioned accommodations, a small gym, and a view of the water—but don't expect fancy amenities. The restaurant, which is open to the public, serves a buffet breakfast for guests and can pack a lunch for you, too. 

Atop a hill covered in lush greenery and overlooking the Atlantic, this property is perfect if you're looking for privacy, beautiful views, and good stargazing. The large rooms are furnished with Brazilian tigerwood floors, king-size feather beds, desks, outdoor sitting areas, and huge bathrooms with walk-in showers. Ocean Suite 5 has a plunge pool with private terrace, while Ocean Suite 6 has its own oversize soaking tub and private balcony facing the ocean. A nice touch in the rooms is the straw bag brimming with towels and beach mats, the perfect accessory to bring to the pool.

These locally owned bungalows—amid lovely gardens on the 6-acre grounds of a one-time coconut plantation—are just steps from Dominica's longest gray-sand beach. The one-bedroom cottages can accommodate up to three people and have a kitchenette, living-dining area, and verandah. You'll find eco-friendly amenities like solar-heated water, too. Mosquito nets and insect repellent are complimentary.

Ceiling fans and terraces aside, rooms at this simple but comfortable resort—along the Batalie River on a stretch of Dominica's spectacular west coast—don't have much in the way of frills; but the property has lush, wildlife-filled gardens crisscrossed by pathways that meander toward the sauna hut, the beach, and elsewhere. The 4 Seasons Restaurant is known for its pan-fried lobster, wide selection of cocktails, great desserts, and gorgeous views.

The most valuable assets at this small inn—set 100 feet above the Caribbean and a 20-minute walk from Salisbury—are the beautiful panoramic views and the warmth of owners Annette and Stefan Loerner-Peyer. Rooms are fairly basic; each has a fan and a refrigerator. The restaurant serves Continental and creole cuisine—and delicious German bread. The local beer, Kubuli, is on tap.

Tia himself built these charming but rustic wooden cabins, which sit on the side of a hill in a picturesque, natural setting and 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, that serves simple Caribbean food.