To keep myself busy during the peak of the pandemic, I’d go on Sporcle to quiz myself on how fast I could name every country in the world. I’d furiously type names of countries, region by region, and whenever I’d get to the Caribbean, the most obvious contenders came into my head first — The Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic. But a funny thing happened when I typed Dominican Republic: the screen would stop me at Dominica to count as an answer. While, sure, I had heard of Dominica, it was never a destination at the top of my radar. However, this silly quiz that kept me busy during lockdown suddenly piqued my interest in the Caribbean island.
Photo: InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa
This New Caribbean Resort Is All the Reason You Need to Choose Dominica
Years later, Dominica would open up the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa. A new five-star resort in an unspoiled locale sounded too good to pass up. Dominica had stayed on my mind since those Sporcle quizzes, but the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa would be the catalyst to finally get me there.
With a little planning, before I knew it, I was pulling a black octopus door handle that led me into the resort. A rum punch was handed to me as a welcome gift, and I was swiftly checked in — drink in hand, worries at home.
Ocean view rooms and suites with private pools
Photo: Kaitlyn Rosati
After taking a minute to enjoy my rum punch in the lobby, I headed up to my ocean view premium room. The room was a good size, especially for a solo traveler like myself, with a king-size bed to match. I particularly loved the privacy shutters over the glass walls of the bathroom, adding an aesthetic accent that felt fitting with the island decor. The room was equipped with a refrigerator, but the best part was the balcony overlooking the resort’s several pools and, farther out, into the cobalt blue Caribbean.
While premium rooms like the one I was in are the most common, with a total of 78 of them, you can also opt for one of the 49 suites, two ocean view duplex suites with a private pool, the Emerald pool suite, and the crème de la crème presidential villa.
Photo: InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa
The presidential villa puts opulence at the forefront, so much so that, if you so desire, you’ll have a personal private chef to cook for you right in your villa. Locally inspired dishes like vibrant green callaloo soup, succulent grilled shrimp with vegetables, and a spicy Caribbean twist on gazpacho can be enjoyed anywhere in your villa, but I’d highly recommend savoring them at your private outdoor dining table, conveniently located close to the villa’s private pool.
Speaking of private pools, if having one is a priority, go for one of the ocean view duplex suites, the Emerald pool suite, or, as mentioned, the presidential villa. All rooms have a private terrace or balcony with ocean or mountain views, smart TVs, and complimentary WiFi. The design of the rooms is contemporary with a mix of neutral tones and colorful pops of greens and blues inspired by Dominica’s natural beauty.
An undeniable spa and other amenities
Photo: InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa
Some hotels are simply a place to sleep, and some are a destination within themselves. InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa falls into the latter category, largely due to its many top-notch amenities.
From the moment you arrive at the resort, the magic is in the details. As mentioned, there’s a black octopus door handle that leads you into the resort’s lobby, but the animal adornment doesn’t stop there. Lined along the resort’s main pool are a whole row of frog statues. What might seem random is instead a nod to Dominica’s former national dish, “mountain chicken,” which is a giant ditch frog. The frogs are on a rapid road to extinction, so they’re now protected by law. Because of this, you won’t get a taste of “mountain chicken” when visiting, but you will get to swim alongside some seriously cute frog statues at the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa.
Speaking of the pools, there are four total at the resort. Enjoy an infinity pool overlooking the mountainous landscape of Dominica, a swim-up bar, and the Kwéyòl Beach Restaurant and Bar, where you can order dishes such as jerk chicken wings and pizza.
Photo: Kaitlyn Rosati
A visit to The Cabrits Spa and Wellness Center should be legally required for anyone who chooses to stay at the resort. As I’ve slowly transitioned from a backpacker who solely sleeps in hostel bunk beds and on airport floors to a traveler who’s invested in wellness, I can appreciate a good spa treatment. But calling the spa at InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa “good” would be a wild understatement. For a real natural experience in Dominica, which is often referred to as The Nature Island, leave the clothing behind and partake in a luxury mud pit body treatment. A massage therapist applies a thick mud mixture during the treatment, leaving your skin feeling silky smooth. Afterward, stay hydrated with a freshly cracked coconut, homemade granola, and fresh passion fruit.
Dining at InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa
Photo: InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa
There’s no fun to be had in the sun if you’re low on fuel, but that won’t be a problem with the several dining options found right on property. Start your days off at Cabrits Market with its breakfast buffet, which has spreads of fresh tropical fruit and pastries, as well as Kako tea, a warmly spiced cocoa drink.
The pool area has both the swim-up bar and the Kwéyòl Beach Restaurant and Bar. The dishes served at both are casual with Creole- and Cajun-influenced options along with American pub fare like burgers and wings. Naturally, it all goes best with a cocktail like a passion fruit margarita or a rum punch.
Photo: Kaitlyn Rosati
One of my personal favorite culinary experiences was at Rumfire Bar. The bar has an outdoor fireplace on its patio, and it’s a prime locale for watching the sunset. It serves a wide variety of tapas, and its cocktails are thoughtfully crafted. For a real pinch-me moment, I highly recommend sipping an espresso martini made with spiced rum while sitting by the fireplace as you watch the sunset over the island. You’ll also want to ensure you carve out time for a rum tasting, during which you can sample rum with flavors such as ginger, lemongrass, and scotch bonnet.
Fancy the finer things? Head to Bonsai for some elevated local flavors of the island. If you’re feeling stuck on what to order, know you simply cannot go wrong with any of the seafood dishes.
Venturing out into The Nature Island
Photo: Kristian Muthugalage/Shutterstock
While it might be tempting to spend all of your time at the resort, you’d be robbing yourself if you didn’t venture out to see some of Dominica’s natural beauty and see how the Caribbean enclave got its nickname.
Movie fanatics might recognize the Titou Gorge, a natural narrow gorge that leads to a waterfall, as part of Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed here. For an easy and swift hike, head to the majestic Trafalgar Falls. Scuba divers and snorkelers will be treated to one of the most unique underwater treasures in the region at Champagne Reef where water naturally bubbles due to volcanic springs.
Photo: Kaitlyn Rosati
Above ground, you’ll find plenty of unique natural sights, too. Dominica is home to the world’s second largest boiling lake. The hike to the lake is notoriously challenging, and it’s highly recommended to hire a guide. For something a little more relaxing, head to the Wotten Waven hot springs to soak your stresses away. In Wotten Waven, the Ti Kwen Glo Cho hot spring was my personal favorite. There was an outdoor bathtub that stayed filled to the brim thanks to the continuously flowing natural thermal water.
Getting to InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa
Photo: InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa
Getting to Dominica is a journey in itself. International flights into the island will take you to Douglas–Charles Airport (DOM), but you’ll need to plan wisely. There are only three direct flights from the mainland US per week, all from Miami (MIA) via American Airlines. You can opt for a layover in San Juan (SJU) and then transfer from San Juan to Dominica on a one-hour-and-forty-minute flight via Silver Airways. Other connection options include Caribbean Airlines, where you can transfer through Port of Spain (POS) in Trinidad and Tobago, or through Saint John’s (ANU) via Winair.
Once you figure out your flight situation and make your way to the island, InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa can arrange a ride to get you from the airport to the resort. The ride is around one hour, but even those with stomachs made of steel might find some discomfort on the journey. It’s incredibly bumpy with a lot of twists and turns, but hang tight. Soon, you too will be pulling that black octopus door handle, be handed a rum punch, and be about to spend a few days in the oasis that is the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa. 