Designers: Ben Drury, Patrick Leury and Kate Leury Nielsen

www.manicouriver.com

 

The brief:

 

Dominica is the ‘Nature Island’ of the Caribbean.

With acres of virgin rainforest, countless waterfalls, hot sulphur springs, pristine coral reefs and resident families of whales,      it is a largely undiscovered garden of eden - a nature-lover’s paradise.

 

Our aim was to create a hotel which presented the best and most authentic vacation experience befitting this idyllic island and to reconcile the highest possible practices of ecology and sustainability without compromising guest experience.

 

The solution:

 

A collection of 500 sqft wooden cottages, open-fronted to breath-taking views of the Caribbean Sea.

 

Luxury touches include high-quality bed-linen, 100% cotton mosquito nets, 32 mb wifi, in-room massage, private yoga classes and own-brand, locally-made beauty products.

 

2000 sqft restaurant built entirely of local, hand-cut wood, serving French-creole dishes from local and home-grown seasonal ingredients. A bar serving our own brand of house-made flavoured rums and fresh-fruit cocktails.

 

Gravity fed-rainwater catchment system. 100% off-grid solar and wind power system. Solar hot water. Organic gardens and fruit trees. 100% of organic waste processed on site.

 

 

The results:

 

TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence every year since 2013, Luxury Travel Award, recognition by Responsible Travel and Lonely Planet and awarded Trip Advisor’s highest Platinum standard for ‘Green Leaders’.

 

Bookings and revenue increasing year-on-year every year since 2013.

 

 

The guest’s comments:

 

"As a couple who like to do our bit for the environment but without compromising too much on luxury touches on a holiday, this place was the perfect choice."

 

"Manicou river resort is a secluded amazing gem that I'm reluctant to tell the world about because I want to keep it all to myself."

 

"When you stay here, you are in great hands. No detail remained untouched. We have stayed in many places along our travels and this is absolutely one of the best."

 

"When I think back to our holiday on stunning Dominica, the first place that usually comes into my mind, is Manicou."

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