Highlights
- Beachfront property with sweeping views of the bay.
- Relaxed dining atmosphere serving an international menu.
- Infinity pool overlooking sea.
- Jungle and nature activities easily accessible from the hotel.
Background
Pagua Bay House is a fairly new boutique hotel in Dominica and already has the reputation as one of the best in the country. Started by two Americans, Alice and Rick the hotel sits just meters from the beach and overlooks its namesake Pagua Bay. What started as two modest cabanas with a view of the beach has grown into a minimalist luxury boutique hotel.
Located in the serene north of the island, the hotel perfectly situated to take advantage of Dominica’s main attraction, its unspoiled jungles.
Experience
Pagua Bay House is only 10 minutes from the international airport. The coastal drive brings you through small villages with ocean views. On entering the property I found a contemporary design of large open spaces with guest cabanas facing the sea. Perched on a small hill, the cabanas were elevated to take advantage of the view.
I stayed in one of the four Cabanas which have been designed as a homage to Dominica’s famous banana processing sheds that can be found around the island. Though simple from the outside, the interior is full of amenities which have now become standard at luxury boutiques. The cabana was more than large enough to accommodate the king-size bed covered in soft linens and hypoallergenic pillows. It also had a large flat screen TV with cable and movie channels, free wireless internet and air-conditioning. The bathroom was very spacious with a large walk-in shower tiled in slate and a polished concrete vanity that imitated natural stone. A large walk-in closet provided more than enough space shelf space.
All of the cabanas have private terraces, beach chairs and even yoga mats. I had a hammock in front of my entrance. There are also two Suites with views of either the hotel’s garden or the ocean and a Garden Suite with a private pool.
The Pagua Bay Bar & Grill may have one of the best views in Dominica, but more importantly it offers the best international cuisine. The dining area is located under a covered breezeway to naturally keep you cool. The owners craved American and international cuisine after living on the island, so they decided to create something for those searching for the same. Today the grill is the go-to spot for freshly made international dishes with a Caribbean flair. The chef will also take special health and dietary requests and any dish can be altered to suit vegetarians and vegans with a little advanced notice.
The Bar is also open all day right by the pool. It’s fully stocked with everything from tasty cocktails, local fruit juices, cold beers to specially selected top-shelf rums and scotch. If you just can’t decide what to order, ask the bartender to make you one of the house specialties. Warning, they may be deceivingly strong!
The outdoor pool next to the bar overlooks the ocean and offers lounge chairs to enjoy the sun. Some chairs are even set directly in the pool so you can brave the sun longer while working on your tan.
Additional special services include manicure, pedicures, massages, laundry and yoga sessions.
Pagua Bay is not idea for swimming as the sea currents are very strong, but the Pagua River is just around the corner. The natural freshwater swimming pools and waterfalls will keep you refreshed and the front desk can help you discover some secret spots that only locals know about.
Pagua Bay House also has plenty of equipment like sea kayaks, boogie boards, surf boards, paddle boards and inflatable tubes for the river. All equipment is complimentary during your stay as well as the matching safety equipment like helmets and life jackets.
The owners were very warm and easy to strike a conversation with. They happily shared their story of how they created this oasis and some of the challenges in dealing with a less developed infrastructure. The staff and waitresses were attentive, friendly, and eager to please. I definitely felt well looked after during my entire stay.
With a seaside location next to the jungle, comfortable eco-friendly cabanas, one of the best restaurants on the island, and a winning team, it’s easy to see how Pagua Bay House has distinguished itself as a leading establishment in Dominica. I would highly recommend staying at the Pagua Bay House and if you happen to be passing by from the airport, stop in at the Pagua Bay Bar & Grill pull up a chair, order a cocktail, and get an inside scoop of the island.
Contact
Pagua Bay House
Address: Marigot, Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies
Telephone: 767-445-8888
Website: http://www.paguabayhouse.com/
Email: paguabayhouse@gmail.com