Review of Jungle Bay’s Wellness Adventure Inclusive Package in Dominica Islands

By Remell B. from UK. (Travelled in February 2022)

Location: Jungle Bay Dominica Resort

Bespoke by: Longevity Escapes

After making major changes in my life and needing a well-earned break to look after my health and relax, Longevity escapes helped make that happen and more. Once Longevity determined exactly what I was looking for we came to book a holiday with Jungle Bay in Dominica.

At Jungle Bay nothing gets overlooked and they went out of their way too make sure I felt welcomed and comfortable during my entire stay. From the moment I left the airport inDominica I was greeted by one of the resort team members, offered beverages and transferred to the resort. During the journey I was provided with information about the island, given expectations of the resort and had any questions answered.

The resort

Once I arrived at the resort I was introduced to key members of staff, provided with my welcome pack, and taken to my accommodation. While walking through the resort I could see the attention of detail that has gone into the planning, maintenance, and structure of the resort. Given it is in the resort’s main interest to make a healthy profit, these places can often feel crowded, overlooked and with a lack of privacy, but here this was not the case.

The rooms are strategically positioned and surrounded by well-maintained gardens that providing further privacy.

My room was in immaculate condition, made predominantly with natural locally sourced materials and offered an amazing sea view looking out to Soufriere Bay. Rainwater showers, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, room service phone, a desk to work on, mini fridge, kettle, apple storage space and a private balcony are just some of the features the room had to offer. My only criticism of the room would be I lost power at one point, but the maintenance team apologised and quickly rectified the issue.

The wellness adventure package

From booking the wellness and adventure package meant I had organised activities throughout the week taking away the stress of “what to do today”. The activities allowed me to see other parts of the island and indulge in activities some of which are unique to the island. The organisers of the activities and excursions provided snacks, lunch and equipment when required.

Daily beginner yoga classes were provided in one of the two yoga studios. The classes were informative helpful and not busy meaning the instructor was able to provide personalised\advice without slowing down the entire the class. All equipment used was cleaned daily and in good condition. When in the morning it was a great way to start the day and if in the evening was a great way to relax after any activities. The instructor was also considerate in the sense of asking what we as a class wanted to concentrate on rather than sticking to a strict routine. As well as the provided classes I also done private sessions with a group of friends in an available studio.

The excursions

A trip to Morne Bruce is a viewpoint that offered an amazing view of the city of Roseau and as travelling with an official guide from the resort he was able to point out key landmarks and provide history of the area. While here we also took a short walk to the Botanical Gardens that even though looks amazing after taking on a lot of damage from Hurricane David 1979, you can still today see some of the damages caused by the hurricane and how nature has grown to incorporate it in part of the history of the island such as the sight known as David The Goliath. Trafalgar Falls was picturesque sight that had a short hike to get to, ending with a convenient viewing platform to take in the view of the falls. After visiting the falls, we took a short drive to Titou Gorge, here where we got to swim through a series of naturally formed rooms leading to a hidden waterfall. Being lead by a the guide it he was able to give us history of the area including how a scene from pirate of the Caribbean was filmed here.

The Boiling Lake Hike and the Valley of Desolation were one of my favourite excursions of the whole week. It consisted of a six hour hike through volcanic mountain tops, with steep climbs offering incredible views, cautions treks over streams of boiling waters, dips into hot water pools heated from volcanic activity, and sights of a natural world wonder The Boiling Lake.

Middleham Falls Hike was an enjoyable hike through lush rainforest with sights of Jaco parrots. The trail lead to the bottom of the Middleham falls where we were able to go for a swim in the cold but refreshing waters and if brave enough you can climb up parts of the cliff walls to take a leap into the pool.

The Kayak and Snorkelling tour is one I believe truly delivered, the kayaking in the Caribbean Sea offered views back onto the island from a different perspective that was worth seeing. We kayaked to a small beach where we set up our snorkelling equipment and took a dive into Soufriere / Scotts Head Marine Reserve. Our guide who was familiar with the water took us out into the sea and pointed out various sea life that would have probably been missed if snorkelling alone. That is just a mention of a few of the activities that I experienced. All activities were well organised and provided with sufficient information, history, and guidance. All equipment provided was of a good quality and lunch was provided keeping me energised throughout long days.

Prior to any excursions the staff at the resort advised me of what to expect and how to prepare, making the whole experience even more relaxing and stress free.

The restaurant

I would describe the restaurant as the heart of the resort as it is centrally located between the reception, main pool, and meeting areas. The room was spacious, well decorated and offered a full bar. The tables in the room were well spaced apart so you didn’t feel cramped or in a busy environment even during peak dining hours.

Being a resort aimed at healthy living, food was something that they took great pride in. Opting for a package where three full meals and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks were provided, it took a lot of pressure off what can sometimes be a stressful process for me. The resort took great care to fully accommodate the healthy balanced meal plan prescribed for me by Longevity Escapes. The food was fresh and well made, breakfast was an open buffet style that changed daily and offered a station for freshly prepared eggs. With a variety of fruits, breads, fish, vegetables, and meats you could always find something to please your appetite. The staff were always available for service offering a range of teas, coffee, and soft drinks. The team aimed to please and make sure you have a good start to your day going out of their way to try and provide whatever you may require even if it was not on the menu for the day or at all for that matter.

Lunch and dinner were table service with a menu that also changed daily. The menus offered a selection of meals that would surely have something to please most, but if not, the staff would see what they can do in offering you any alternatives. The service provided was of a high standard with appropriate waiting times between meals and plenty staff on hand to keep you well hydrated with bottomless soft drinks or a choice of premium drinks from the bar.

The facilities

The facilities at the resort were very good, the spa was well presented and offered a wide range of treatments available in a great surrounding. The team were very accommodating, and the massage was of a good standard. With a choice of two pools, I had the option to either swim in the main pool with a jacuzzi or slightly smaller pool located in a more private location. The reception staff was available 24/7 and went out their way too offer a personalised service rather than a basic generic customer service.

Will I return?

I would certainly stay at Jungle Bay Dominica again. The staff in all departments were very welcoming and accommodating. The heads of the kitchen took extra care in interacting with the guests during every service. The team members offered an individualised experience trailered to my needs. The gardeners and cleaners were friendly and welcoming. The tour guides were very informative and helpful in all excursions. I even had the opportunity to take a tour of the grounds with the owner of the resort had get to hear his story something that I would recommend as I find it adds a more personalised touch.

At Jungle bay they make you feel like a guest in their home rather than a customer filling a bed. This holiday delivered what it aimed to offer and exceed expectations in many areas.