Best Known For
Dominica’s only all-inclusive resort is situated in the small capital city of Roseau, on a piece of land that was the country’s primary military installation and dates back to 1699. While the waterfront hotel opened in 1964, artefacts of the Old Fort still remain and add to the allure of one of the island’s most renowned hotels – that delivers both a soulful history lesson and a great hotel all in one.
The Good Stuff
The original fort was built to protect the island, but now doubles up as a dive resort for the underwater explorer. The all-inclusive menu not only includes food and drink, but also great adventures such as Lionfish hunting and snorkelling on Champagne Reef, a location where bubbles rise from underwater hot springs – we took the hotel up this underwater adventure and saw turtles, trumpet fish, moray eels and a host of aquatic delights and this was the highlight of our stay.
The original fort was built to protect the island, but now doubles up as a dive resort for the underwater explorer. The all-inclusive menu not only includes food and drink, but also great adventures such as Lionfish hunting and snorkelling on Champagne Reef, a location where bubbles rise from underwater hot springs – we took the hotel up this underwater adventure and saw turtles, trumpet fish, moray eels and a host of aquatic delights and this was the highlight of our stay.
The Vibe
The hotel is a bustling hub of activity with a mix of global divers, sun worshippers and honeymooners, all with their hearts set on taking advantage of the natural beauty Dominica has to offer. The restaurant, Palisades, which is one of the most highly rated on the island serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to the guests, but also caters to romancing locals and those celebrating something a little special, which is understandable considering the breath taking sunsets, quality of food and extensive drinks menu. The hotel even has a private jetty for passing yachts to moor up and enjoy an evening cocktail.
Inside the Hotel – 7/10
The 40 room hotel, which was renovated in 2021, gives off a colonial era feel and every room has a jaw-dropping sea view, ideal for capturing picture perfect sunsets on your own private balcony. Aside from having its own dive operation and restaurant, Fort Young also has a new spa and there are grand plans afoot to add more rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, an additional bar and lounge, an art gallery, a wine and rum cellar and additional sun deck to compliment the pool area and perfectly positioned jacuzzi.
Outside the Hotel – 8/10
In addition to being one of the top 10 dive destinations in the world, there is a multitude of adventures to be had including hikes to the majestic twin waterfalls (125 ft and 75 ft ) at Trafalgar, the 200 ft Middleham falls and hot springs, or Titou gorge where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed. For the more adventurous, there is Boiling lake which takes in a 13km return trip to a lake that’s actually brought to boiling point from the volcanic activity below. Be it above, or below water, a stay at Fort Young will deliver everything you desire from your stay in Dominica.
