We arrived in Dominica on the 18th September and got married in the Botanical Gardens in Roseau on the 27th September 2007. We would not have been able to achieve this without Pepper's help. From the moment we contacted him he was extremely helpful, making sure that we had the correct documentation before we left the UK, and guiding us through the necessary bureaucratic procedures once we had arrived.
The marriage was organized expertly and Pepper knew everyone to contact without delay. If you plan to get married in Dominica, do not try and do so without Pepper's invaluable assistance. We heard about another couple, who were not using Pepper, and arrived in Dominica intending to get married but failed to do so because they couldn't complete the necessary procedures. Not that the procedures are difficult - it's just that you need to know what is required and follow Pepper's advice.
From the moment we arrived at Melville Hall, the main airport, Pepper's help was invaluable. The local airline, LIAT, lost our luggage on the way in from Antigua, and without Pepper's knowledge we could have been without our bags for days. But Pepper dealt with the airline and drove back and forth across the island twice in one day to retrieve them.
We spent our first week up in the hills above Roseau near Trafalgar at Ma Honychurch's place and during that time Pepper took us on guided tours to Trafalgar Falls, the Soufriere hot springs in the south of the island, and sorted out the arrangements for the wedding, which involved visits to Government House and the Registry. Provided that you ask Pepper, everything will run smoothly - just pay attention to his advice and you will be fine!
It is possible to get married just about anywhere on the island - a beach, a waterfall, up a mountain, etc., - but we, being not so young as we used to be, opted for the Botanical Gardens in Roseau which are very beautiful. Please see attached pic.
We stayed at Pepper's Cottage in Roseau for a week. It was very comfortable, and we enjoyed bathing in the plunge pool in the mornings. The cottage is not huge but has everything you need - fridge, cooker, TV, broadband, shower, aircon, etc. The aircon is very effective and on a hot day you really need it! If you are up in the hills aircon is not necessary but you definitely need it at sea level!
Within a minute walking you can get to a supermarket, a small restaurant, a laundry, a hairdresser, and if you need banks, western-style restaurants, access to Government offices, classy hotels, internet cafés, these are all about 10 minutes walk away in the centre of town.
Dominica is without doubt one of the most beautiful and safe places on Earth. The scenery is magnificent, with mountains rising to 4,700 feet plus, hundreds of rivers, many waterfalls, the boiling lake, magnificent scuba diving, whale watching, (we didn't cover all these things in our three week stay but are on our way back in a couple of weeks as we can't get enough of the place).
Also, the people are very friendly and you can't walk down the road without people greeting you with a "Good Day" or "How are you doing?".
Pepper's personality and enthusiasm is infectious - although my new wife and my average age is around 50 he greeted us every morning with a cheery "hello teenagers"!
Pepper will go to any length to help his guests. At one point I wanted to get a rare recording by one of Dominica's finest bands, the Swinging Stars, and when we couldn't find it in a local music shop, Pepper managed to source it from the local TV station!
In Dominica, nothing is impossible for Pepper to arrange. His energy is boundless. I have traveled all over the world and can safely say that no one has ever been more of a pleasure to deal with. Without Pepper, I am sure that our trip would not have been nearly as pleasurable and trouble-free as it was.
Thank you Pepper, and your lovely wife Natasha, and beautiful little boy, Junior.
We'll be going back very soon and hope to meet up with you again.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
Absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
Young Singles, An Amazing Honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Older Travellers, Great pool scene, tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
People with disabilities, pet owners, Families with Small Children, Families with Teenagers
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Museums / Cultural / Historical sites, Outdoor / Adventure, Great food / Wine, Other