Dominica off-grid luxury eco cottages

Planet

We are committed to energy and water self-sufficiency. Manicou River is 100% off-grid: we have no connection to mains water, power or sewage. We catch and filter rainwater, generate solar power and use septic tanks to process our sewage. All shower and laundry water is recycled into the garden.

We provide drinking water sourced from the local volcanic spring.

We make our own cleaning products using locally produced bay oil and coconut oil.

All our laundry is cleaned and line-dried on the property using natural detergents.

Our buildings are almost entirely built using local timber, cut on or nearby our property. Any imported timber that has been used came from sustainable sources. As much as possible, we try to fit out our cottages with either locally-made, reclaimed or vintage items.

Our 9.5 acre property is abundant with natural wild-life. Hummingbirds, parrots, fireflies, frogs and dozens of varieties of lizards, live in harmony with us. We are constantly planting to extend our collection of native, tropical plants and flowers.

People

Our Manicou River team all come from the nearby village. We are the major employer in the area and support many local families. We provide training and skills enhancement and pay well-over the legal minimum wage to all our employees.

We buy locally grown and locally made products wherever possible. Almost all of our food, if not grown ourselves, is bought at the local market and from our neighbours.

We use locally-made natural soaps, shampoos and oils and offer them to sale for our guests.

We use local craftsmen to make furniture and fittings for our cottages and decorate them with crafts from the native Kalinago tribe.

We believe the best way to experience a country is to mix with the locals. We provide our guests with a guide book featuring all the best small bars and restaurants in the area and encourage them to go out and get to know our lively and friendly community.