We just returned from a 5-night stay at Cocoa Cottages. We had picked the place based on all the glowing reviews (see below), but were still unprepared for the wonderful experience we ended up having. Our room (the jwa room) was amazing - spacious, elegantly furnished, with a balcony looking out on a rainforest, cliffs and a river (just barely visible way down below, but definitely audible). We went to bed every night listening to the sounds of the crickets and frogs in the forest, and woke up with the crowing of roosters and the chirping of birds. A lovely breeze blew through the room most of the time we were in there, keeping the room free of mosquitoes (we left the doors and windows open all the time, and needed the mosquito net provided only once).

Richard and Charm (and Joan) were exceptionally delightful hosts. In the few hours that we got to interact with Iris, it was obvious that our experience would have been even more enjoyable if she had been in town for the greater part of our stay. We had many interesting conversations over breakfast and dinner - meals almost felt like family gatherings of the good kind. The food itself was always wholesome, with fresh fruit and cocoa tea and/or bush tea from the garden, fresh vegetables, fish and bread bought locally, and homemade jams/jellies and juice.

Jeffrey is the wonderful tour guide/amateur botanist/explorer/jungle gourmet/part-time chef/amateur beautician/expert-on-most-things associated with Cocoa cottages. He was incredible - knowledgable, funny and just great to hang out with. He took us to Middleham Falls, Freshwater Lake, Boeri Lake, and Trafalgar Falls our first day, and to Boiling Lake later. It was a great pleasure to walk in the forest with him sampling leaves, fruit and flowers. We could go on about Jeffrey forever, but it might be better if you just found out all about him yourself. Suffice it to say that he's the best guide we've ever had and within minutes had convinced us that abandoning our usual habit of exploring a place ourselves was the right call here. Oh, and Boiling Lake? One of the top 2-3 hikes we've ever done (the competition: hikes in the Himalayas, Alps, Cascades, Kauai, Big Island, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, New England and California's national/state parks etc.).

Richard and Jeffrey also took us out on a canyoning (/canyoneering) tour. We spent about 5 hours in the middle of a breathtakingly green and beautiful canyon with many waterfalls and limpid pools. We rappeled down waterfalls, swam in the pools and hiked back up to our car. We highly recommend doing this trip. We'd never done canyoning before and it was a truly special experience. R & J are busy exploring the island for other such adventure activities, and we would unhesitatingly recommend those too even without trying them.

Most highhhhhhhhhly recommended. We'll <definitely> go back.

We spent 6 days at Cocoa Cottages in early Setpember and are still dreaming about it and can't wait to return.

The Cottages are absolutely perfect - you are surrounded by a beautiful lush landscape, at night the sound of the stream below lull's you to sleep, and guess what - not one mosquito bite!! As we were 800 feet above sea level the nights were also blissfully cool and we slept better than we had in months.

The best way to describe everything about the cottages is unique - from the art on the walls, to out hexagonal wooden lodge, to verandah with a double hammock and the view with not one house in it!!! just beautiful mountains and GREEN.

Breakfast is server at about 8 most mornings although earlier on the day we trekked to the Boiling Lake. Gorgeous fresh fruits, locally made jams, eggs, coffee, and cocoa tea.

After a big day of walking or jumping into rivers and waterfalls dinner was superb - again all locally grown vegetables, and ground provisions cooked healthily and in plentiful supply. My husband who doesn't eat fish ate it every day for 6 days!!! The food has so much taste - makes you realise what we get every day is just not up to the same standard at home! All of the foods are locally grown or caught including all the spices - make sure you try the cocoa tea and the Bush Tea - aswell as the coffee- grown and roasted on the property

Our plan for the holiday was to go with a guide on day one to get our bearings and then hire a car for the rest of the stay. That was until we met the guide Geoffrey who is based at the Cottages. Our first day he took us to Freshwater Lake, Boeri Lake, Titou gorge, Trafalgar Falls and Screws Hot Springs all of which aer just further up the valley from the cottages - it was one fantastic day - we drank water fresh from the springs, swam through the gorge on our own - and then sat in the hot springs and relived the whole thing. At the springs a Dominican family were enjoing an afternoon out and we soon found ourselves invited into the party and being offered beers by our new friends. It really was a day of firsts,and wonderful surprises.

Following that we ended up spending the next 4 days also with Geoffrey showing us all the sites including Portsmouth and Fort Shirley, hearing stories of the Maroons, stopping off at the Chacuterie (sp?) Rum factory, calling in on a Bay leaf distilliery, Scots Head, Victoria Falls - the most wonderful walk up the river which you cross about 6 times - scrambling over huge boulders and finally reaching the waterfall . Most of the time I was terrified I would fall - but with Jeffrey;s help we reached there safely. I donl;t think my body has been so tired but it was so worth it. On our return we stopped off to meet 3 rasta guys who shared food and stories with us, before collapsing after a huge meal again back at cocoa Cottages.

Our final day with Geoffrey was to boiling lake - it is possibly the hardest walk I have done ever - purely becasue there are so many steps - also once you get to the Valley of Desolation you really have to be careful where you are stepping as there is literally steam flowing out of the ground. The boiling lake is definitely worth the walk - as were the two pools we bathed in on our our way back - right next to each other - once cold one hot! I am sure you could do these walks on your own but for this one and Victoria Falls I would not recommend it at all, and we can't recommend Geoffrey enough. He has a superb knowledge of ...everything it seems, including latin names for plants, trees, flowers, the history of the people, buildings , machinery , the geologoy of the land. If you are hungry to learn then he is definitely the guide for you.

We cannt recommned this whole holiday enough - Richard who owns Cocoa Cottages is a great host along with daughter Charm, Joan and Denise. Geoffrey is the perfect guide - you get to go anywhere and everywhere and you get to hear all the stories. you get the felling that you are invited into the family for the time you are staying at the cottages and that nothing is too much trouble. We will definitely be going back.

Wow is the word to describe checking in at the Cocoa Cottages. Every room is more fabulous then the next. The location is great. Close to Roseau and to all the hiking destinations that are remote. Our rooms were uniquely designed with lots of privacy though they are close to each other.

The food was great. Richard, Joan, Nadia and Jeffrey cooked fantastic breakfasts and dinners. We spent 3 days and never ate anywhere else. They used all local spices and local Dominica produce to create culinary delights.

We can't say enough about our excursions. Jeffrey was the greatest guide. He showed us waterfalls, fabulous snorkling sights including the ABYSS at Scotts's Head Bay. He also gave us a Pirates of the Caribbean tour so we recognize Dominica in the movies. He is very knowledgable about all aspects of Dominica. We went on many exciting excursions tailored to what we liked to do.

We enjoyed learning about the schools of Dominica from Charm; and one of us liked jogging with her dog George around the village of Trafalgar. A quick shout out to Napoleon Elvis the family kitty cat.

It was the best Island experience and we can't wait to go back!!

Laura and Dennis Carty, Jeff and Tammie Allen

One of the nicest experiences we had during our stay in Dominica was with the people of Cocoa Cottages. The rooms were clean, comfortable and inviting. The meals served were some of the best on the island (especially the Jerk Chicken). And. the people were warm, friendly and informative. (Shoutout to Charm, the Queen of UNO.)

The location of this establishment is perfect for excursions around the southern end of Dominica. I highly --and I can't say this enough -- I highly recommend the Boiling Lake tour with Jeffery. His knowledge of flora/fauna is incredible. Within minutes you will find yourself at ease in this man's care. I am grateful for the many times he extended a hand to guide me through tight spots along the trail. And, he gives a mean facial!