Rosalie Bay Resort

This is necessarily a mixture review of the Rosalie Bay Resort and Dominica island, as you will see below. Everything on the island is less developed, looked after, and sophisticated than on most of the rest of the Caribbean islands. We did not visit the northwest area but expect it applies to that area as well. Arriving at the airport from Miami was simple and fairly quick processing. Leaving was far more difficult-the airport personnel are much more strict on what you can put in your carryon luggage (although a 4 ounce bottle of vanilla made it through, while they seized a 1/4 inch slide razer cutter that was not seized when I boarded with it in my carryon in the U.S.) Rented car from Courtesy Rental car at the airport. They charged $50 to pick up the car at Rosalie days later, but worth it to avoid stressful drive (ride to airport to go home was included in resort room rate). Small building with several rental car "offices" at the airport. Car was not very recent vintage, but understandable given the horrible condition of the roads, and I mean horrible. There are switchbacks on narrow 2 lane roads every 100 yards or so on most of the roadways (not exaggerating) with little curbing and large ditches on the side, so driving on the island (on the left) is not for the faint of heart (i.e., may jeopardize your marriage). I averaged 25 m.p.h. for the whole trip, and learned about "beeping" as I approached each blind switchback turn. Rosalie Resort is a lovely well maintained and landscaped large rural venue on the east coast. There is hardly anything in the area though. We stayed in a Premier Oceanfront unit with 2 "queen beds"- they are not queens, but closer to doubles. The room was immaculately clean, and housekeeping (optional each day) kept it so. The building is two story, one unit above another, set back about 20 yards from the "beach". The complex has lots of signage for getting to the different places (i.e., Reception, Parking, Restaurant, etc.) There is a sign- "BEACH". There is no "beach" per se or swimming there-only a black sand berm with yards of kelp piled up along the shore. You can't sun yourself there and there are no beach chairs or loungers. The view from the unit has multiple trees that partially block the view of the sea, but the front patio of the unit is a very nice place to just lie on the chaises (very thin cushion though) and relax-also has tables and other chairs. The room- good size room and bathroom, although the shower wall is too short to block water from the floor and the shower head basic, with a hand sprayer as well. No control over the strength of the water spray, but pressure was good and hot water plenty. The linens, pillows (choices of firmness), and towels quality were all first rate. nice size small fridge, although no ice tray. There was no instruction on use of the remote for the " in wall/near ceiling " air-conditioner, but once we figured it out, it was the bes

Lovely garden. Promised more than it delivers. Charged for what was free breakfast, though they have said they will refund it. Food is so incredibly disappointing. What is said to be a beach, I would describe as a coastline. Not a place to linger and even getting to it is a bit of an obstacle course. It seems to have lost its way. Rooms are large and clean but tired. Pool is not as well serviced as we’d have liked - towels not available when requested and too few chairs. Overall impression, quite pricey for the services delivered so I’d not return or recommend.

I’d say this is only a place to go to if you want space and quiet. There is very little to do around here without driving and you will be stuck having dinner every day. The menu is strange and doesn’t vary. I am enjoying it but May have been more adventurous in my hotel decision if I’d realized how isolated it is here. Car absolutely necessary.