Original Post Date: Aug 4, 2021

A guesthouse in Dominica is a great Dominica accommodation option if you are on a budget, are looking to connect more with the locals and meet other people during your Dominica vacation experience. In this article, I will share a review of my staycation experience at one of the top guesthouses in Dominica: the Soufriere Guesthouse. Let’s begin!

Knowing there was a place I could stay at in Soufriere during my visit was a game changer in planning my trip to the huge fishing community. As someone who is not familiar with the area, when I looked for a guesthouse in Dominica for this stay, I wanted to stay somewhere that was safe, comfortable, inexpensive and accessible, allowing me to be able to explore everything that Soufriere had to offer! And the Soufriere Guest House was the perfect pick!

In this article, we will dive deeper into my staycation at the Soufriere Guest House, what makes this place unique and why you should consider it for your next getaway to Soufriere!

But first…

 

The Soufriere Guesthouse in Dominica: A little bit of history…

The Soufriere guesthouse in Dominica was actually not a guest house before. The place belonged to a local from the community, who used to run it as a restaurant. However, a few years ago, he decided to sell his property because he wanted to focus on something else. Weston Moses, a Colorado native who fell in love with the Caribbean following his work with the Peace Corps and other international humanitarian organizations, got attracted to the place: Soufriere had piqued his attention. After having lived in Jamaica for 10+ years, Weston (affectionately known as “Wes” or “Wes Kayak”) felt like this was the place he wanted to come home. Before he decided to explore other Caribbean islands, he felt like Jamaica was everything he ever needed. But when he landed in Dominica 4+ years ago, he said to himself: “this IS it”. From that point on, there was no turning back. What started as a short casual trip transformed into an opportunity to set roots within a community that he would forever call home. The acquired the “then Soufriere Restaurant” at the time when the property was ready to transition, and transformed it into what we now know as the Soufriere Guest house.

 

Today, the Soufriere Guest House in Dominica is in its own way, a pillar of Dominica’s tourism as it welcomes free divers and watersports lovers from around the world, who choose to come to the nature isle to train for regional and international competitions. 

How to get to the Soufriere Guest House in  Dominica

From the capital city Roseau, it’s simple. Take a “Soufriere Bus” and they will drop you straight at the bus stop in Soufriere. The ride is about 15-20 mns, give or take. You can pay the bus an extra 1-2 EC and ask to be dropped at the Soufriere Guest House. If you’re driving, simply enter the guest house’s name in your GPS and follow the road. You can also take a taxi if you are carrying several bags (like I was). The cost is approximately 40 EC.

Prefer video content? Watch the full vlog of this experience now!

Things that Make the Soufriere Guest House in Dominica Unique

My stay at the Soufriere Guest House in Dominica was very eye opening. I was impressed by how comfortable I felt there, and I think it was attributable to these things. 

 

Ample space: there is a lot of space to do whatever it is you want to do (within of course, reasonable limits). Whether you’re in your room, at the terrace, in a common living area or outdoors, you can move freely while also respecting the space of other guests.

Simplistic and functional: this really did it for me. Having traveled to 28+ countries around the world, I have seen the bougie and fancy, the upscale and the boutique. I loved the fact that the Soufriere Guest House in Dominica was not too much: simple and attractive design. Each room has a specific theme, though it might not jump out at first. Moreover, the rooms are decorated with locally acquired art from the Kalinago territory and other places on island, as well as with memorabilia that the owners have affectionately kept from their trips around the Caribbean.

 

Convenient location: The guesthouse is in the village, but not at the heart of it. So if the village is very active on a given night, you won’t be bothered by the noise. And if you want to join the party, the guesthouse is only 10 minutes away from the Soufriere Bay (walking). Everything is also within walking distance. Though having a vehicle might help, you can easily move around without. 

 

Self catering: whether you want to save cost during your staycation by preparing your own meals, or simply want the convenience of an “at home” breakfast or dinner every day, the Soufriere Guest House in Dominica has a fully functional kitchen that is equipped with everything you need to prepare your own meals. There is also a mini-mart in the village for you to do your shopping, but if you want some special items (like I craved cinnamon waffles), you can buy them in town and bring them along with you (don’t forget the syrup, just in case!)

 

Budget and affordable: rooms at the Soufriere guest house in Dominica are as low as 60 USD/room. If you are staying with someone else, that makes it 30 USD per person. For bunk bed rooms, you have the option of also renting individual bunk beds instead of a full room. This is next level convenience, and I think this is one of the things that make the Soufriere guest house suitable for almost everyone.

Suitable for individuals, athletes (divers), families or even couples: to this list, I would add groups (small or large), religious teams, social clubs, or work colleagues groups. 

Lots of hammocks: you can’t ever run out! Some of the rooms have hammocks right in front of them. But for the majority, they are located on the veranda. There is even a hammock under the mango tree! Essentially, everything is conducive for you to relax and leave lighter than you came!

Want to see what the Soufriere guesthouse in Dominica looks like inside? Watch the full vlog experience here!

Amazing hub to meet other people (plus you can have your own privacy too): shared accommodations like the Soufriere Guest House in Dominica are great places to meet other travelers, and hear their interesting stories too. Whether you’re a local doing a staycation or a traveler from overseas, chances are you will meet someone else (or a family) that you can get to know if you choose to do so! I love getting to know other people when I travel. But sometimes, I just don’t have the energy. Fortunately, the open spaces at the Soufriere Guesthouse are designed in a way that you don’t need to hang out with others if you don’t want to, and it will not be weird!

 

Top notch customer service: from the time I booked my stay until I returned home, I felt pampered. Wes and his team made sure that they were always available for any questions I had, and provided everything that I needed, everytime they could. 

The Rooms at the  Soufriere Guest House in Dominica

There are 3 different types of rooms at the Soufriere Guest House:

• Bunk bed rooms (2): they have multiple bunk bed options, perfect for small groups traveling together for conferences, retreats or weekend getaways 

 

• Queen-size bed rooms (3):  they have one queen size bed, and can accommodate up to 2 people

 

 

• Family rooms (2):  they have 2 beds (one queen size and one double bed) and can accommodate between 3 and 4 people)

All the room types (except the bunk bed rooms) come with breakfast commodity trays (coffee, tea options) which are very convenient for guests who like early morning coffee in bed. 

Want to have a peek inside the Soufriere Guesthouse in Dominica before you book? Watch the full vlog of this experience now!

Amenities at the Soufriere Guest House in Dominica 

Among other things, here are is a list of amenities that you can expect during your stay at the Soufriere Guesthouse in Dominica:

 

• Large family size kitchen (fully equipped with stove, fridge, microwave, toaster)

• Shared living room space
• Hammocks, hammocks and more hammocks!
• Individual verandas (for each room type)
• Smoker’s corner 
• Free parking space for guests 
• Daily cleaning service
• Available breakfast items for purchase (eggs are sold on site, for convenience)
• Unlimited dishes and cutleries 
• Exercise tools: mats and medicine balls
• Diversified library: action, adventure, novels, education, spirituality, culture, tale, recipe books – an amazing selection of books to keep you entertained and educated during your long stays! The books’ selection is a combination of the owner’s personal choice and gifts from previous guests from around the world!

Important to know: there is no TV – this is intentional to put you in a mindset of relaxation and reconnection with self and nature. There is also no pool – why bother with a pool when the beach is 10 mins away, and the Sulphur Springs are 20 mins away? Exactly:) 

Booking your stay at the Soufriere Guest House in Dominica: 

 

It’s really simple and easy! You can either book online using booking.com, or make a reservation via phone or Whatsapp by contacting: +1 767 275 7000

Things to do near the  Soufriere Guest House in Dominica

Kayaking, exploring the dive shop, swimming at the bubble beach, are only a few of the activities that you can do during your stay in Soufriere! But there is so much more. Check out my comprehensive article on things to do in Soufriere.

I hope this comprehensive review gives you a better appreciation of the Soufriere Guesthouse!

Things to Know Before you Travel to Dominica, the Caribbean

Getting to Dominica, The Caribbean: you can get to Dominica either by flying, or using a connecting ferry from neighboring islands. Most airlines that fly to Dominica serve the Caribbean region. If you are coming from Europe, Africa, Asia or the Americas and want to get cheap flights to Dominica, you will need to make a stopover in another island (Barbados, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, etc.) If you are coming from the Caribbean, you can easily get direct flights to Dominica. Ferry companies also provide connections with neighboring islands.

Best time to visit Dominica, The Caribbean: there are so many things to do in Dominica all year round, so every day is a good day to visit the Nature isle! But if you’re looking for specific activities happening on island, make sure you check out my Dominica Travel Guide which highlight essential information you need to have for your trip to Dominica. Nonetheless, here are the best recommendations for the best time to travel to Dominica: 

• February – March: Carnival Season
• May – June: Jazz and Creole Season
• July : Dominica Dive Festival 
• September – November: Dominica Independence Season (during this season, the World Creole Music Festival is also held, at the end of October)
• December: Christmas season

Dominica Weather: in general, the weather in Dominica is sunny all year long. Just like any other Caribbean island, Dominica is prone to hurricanes. The hurricane season starts in June and ends in November. 

Dominica Currency: Dominica currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. This currency is used in the 7 islands which are part of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). These include: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Anguilla and Montserrat. 1 USD = 2.67 XCD approximately.

Dominica Language: English and Creole French (Antillais Creole/Dominican Creole) are the official languages in Dominica.

Now that you know one of the best Dominica accommodation options to stay for an eco-conscious Caribbean vacation, you definitely need to check out my bucketlist experiences for summer travel when you visit Dominica!

Are you planning to visit? Do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments below!