Just got back from a week in Dominica at Cocoa Cottage on the Extreme Adventure Package. Had a great time. The owner Richard and his daughter Charm are great hosts and he is an excellent cook. Jeffrey is an amazing guide and seems to know every plant, animal, mineral on the island. Even if you don't stay at Cocoa Cottage I would highly reccomend their canyoning trip which involves hiking down a river and rappeling down the waterfalls.

I have just returned (21-28 April 2007) from a trip to Cocoa Cottages Eco-Lodge in Roseau, Dominica. For those who do not know where Dominica is located, it is a short trip from Antigua and is sandwiched between Martinique and Guadaloupe.

The lodging, food and service far surpassed my expectations. To be quite honest, I did not know what awaited us before we arrived. It was late in the evening and we were exhausted.

The owner kindly offered us dinner despite the fact that we arrived so late and all of the guests had already eaten. The food was excellent (and not just because we were starving). The meals are aesthetically pleasing and everything is fresh-- right down to the juice they make daily (grapefruit, passion fruit, guava, etc.). They serve breakfast and dinner upon request. Each meal is exceptional. We spoke to a couple staying in another hotel who relayed that their hotel only offered coffee and a banana in the morning. The opposite was true in our place.

As a somewhat frenzied NY metropolitan area person, I asked the owner Richard after we all brought our bags upstairs when he would like us to check-in. He replied, "You just did."

And that was the atmosphere of the place-- laid-back, relaxing, and magnificently picturesque. The views of the rainforest's hillside (complete with hummingbirds and tons of other birds) from our bedroom balcony were indescribable- although awe-inspiring does come to mind. There was even a "cake" tree that the finches descended upon and relished with every bite in the vicinity of their outdoor kitchen.

The owner and staff of Cocoa Cottages (Jeffrey Charles, Silvana and Joan) were generous to their guests in terms of setting up guided trip requests with other companies, and showing you the island's fantastic vistas themselves should you choose to do so.

While there, we went canyoning, scuba diving, mountain biking, and hiking to different waterfalls and other points of interest.

The people of Cocoa Cottages want to ensure that you see the real Dominica-- not some sort of theme park ride that is over a few minutes after it has begun. They take great pride and enthusiasm in patiently explaining any/all questions you have regarding the numerous species of birds, plants, flowers, waterfalls.

Words do not really measure up to the experience of having a stay at Cocoa Cottages. It's really nice and took me far away from the daily pressures of the workplace. In fact, I am already contemplating a second trip to Cocoa Cottages next year if time allows.

It is hard to imagine that our vacation is over.
Our stay in Dominica at Cocoa cottage is something we talk about daily. Waking up to the sounds of birds and the smell of hot cocoa tea flavored with cinnamon and vanilla.. creamy coconut milk .. fresh fruits and juices..
This place is like being at home after couple of days we became part of the cocoa cottage family.. with Joan the great cook Richard the man that does it all from smoking fish to flying airplanes, Jeffrey the best guide on the island and of course Charm .. the drummer.....
Great people, great atmosphere, delicious food, great rooms, clean and beautifully decorated.
This place is highly recommended for those who appreciate nature
and the essence in life.

We spent a week at Cocoa Cottage in January 2007 in the Jwa room. Cocoa Cottage is just the kind of place I seek out when traveling to the Caribbean--funky, offbeat, artsy, friendly, small, with a lush tropical feel. It's very easy on the eyes with creative use of materials throughout the buildings. Host Richard and daughter Charm, as well as guide and sometimes cook Jeffrey make you feel like a welcome guest in their home. And there's nothing like relaxing on the big cushy sofa in your room and having a hummingbird buzz through, stopping briefly at the vase of flowers on the coffee table in front of you.

The property's location is great, with many attractions close by. The Boiling Lake Hike with Jeffrey is a must-do. We ate dinner most nights at Cocoa Cottage; it was always very good, with lots of fresh salad, fish or chicken, and lively conversation. Breakfasts were bursting with fresh fruit and juices that we couldn't get enough of--grapefruit, mango, papaya...

Richard was very helpful with info on things to see and do every morning before we were off in our rented jeep.The vibe at Cocoa Cottage is casual, relaxing, and inviting after the day's adventure exploring the nature of Dominica. We were delighted to experience this special place.