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I recently had the most harrowing experience of my life during my stay at the Intercontinental Dominica, an ordeal that has left me shaken and deeply traumatized. We stayed at the hotel May 4th to 6th as guests of the DominicanTourism Board, upon arrival on a beautiful Saturday evening, my companion and I were taken in by the resort's stunning aesthetics, providing a false sense of security. We enjoyed a lovely dinner and retired to our room, expecting a peaceful night’s rest. However, at a little after 1 am, our worst nightmare unfolded: someone entered our room while we were asleep. The sheer terror of waking up to an intruder in our room is indescribable. The vulnerability of two women asleep, only to be awakened by the presence of a stranger, is a danger I wouldn't wish on anyone. In a panic, we tried to reach the front desk, but our calls went unanswered. We had no choice but to walk to the front desk, utterly frightened, to report the incident. We were told, quite nonchalantly, that it was a member of staff who was tasked with fixing the ac in unoccupied rooms. This response did little to alleviate our fears or provide any comfort. The following day, no one contacted us regarding the incident, and the manager was notably absent. Seeking some semblance of normalcy, we decided to spend the day at the pool. However, upon returning to our room, we found ourselves locked out. We encountered a supervisor, to whom we recounted the terrifying events of the previous night. Her response was limited to mere apologies, a grossly insufficient reaction given the gravity of the situation. Later, as we prepared to go out, another shocking breach of security occurred: a guest tried to enter our room using a key that luckily did not work. Once again, no apologies were offered, and our sense of safety was further eroded. On the day of our checkout, the manager, Pascale Selwan, was finally available. We had to seek her out ourselves, and she offered an apology and a complimentary night’s stay for our next visit. Nearly a month after our stay, we received the certificate, only to find it addressed to the same and incorrect name. This added insult to injury, highlighting the sheer incompetence and lack of sensitivity from the hotel's management. For a high-end hotel that promises luxury and security, the Intercontinental Dominica’s handling of our ordeal was woefully inadequate. The dangers we faced, the lack of care and the unsatisfactory resolution were appalling. This experience has left a lasting mark, and I urge future guests to be aware of the potential risks. Our safety and peace of mind were grossly compromised, making this stay an unforgettable nightmare. At this point no free one night stay can make up of this horrible experience.

We stayed a week in a nature bungalow at Hibiscus Valley Inn. Between the ceiling fan and the breezes, we did not miss having AC and slept well to the sounds of nature in the rain forest at night. The highway below was quiet at night. The staff at Hibiscus Valley were very friendly and always helpful. Rita did a fantastic job arranging various activities for us around the island, as well as fixing great breakfasts and a delicious pumpkin soup for lunch on the two occasions we were on site at lunchtime. In the evenings, Nigel cooked up fabulous dinners featuring local ingredients in the restaurant. He also introduced us to Kubuli beer, the Dominican lager that comes in 250ml bottles, and that go down so easily after a warm day exploring this beautiful, mountainous country. The drivers/guides were also great. The bungalows are two units per building, each with its own bathroom with shower. There is mosquito netting around the bed, though bugs were really not a problem during the time we visited. We often sat on the chairs on the veranda, relaxing and enjoying the ever present breezes.