On November 15, the Government of Dominica announced that protocols were approved to allow the resumption of ferry services to Dominica for the first time since March 2020. The protocols for the ferry passengers are the same as travelling to Dominica by air.
Disembarking travelers require:
a Negative PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival,
health notification of approval to travel to Dominica, after completing the health questionnaire,
vaccination certificate (if applicable), and
proof of payment for the entry Antigen test.
Upon arrival, vaccinated travelers will undergo the Antigen test and if negative, will be medically cleared. Non vaccinated travelers will also undergo an Antigen test, followed by five to seven days of mandatory quarantine.
L’Express Des Iles
L’Express Des Iles resumed services between Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Lucia on November 21, 2021. To book a trip and for updated schedules visit their official website: www.express-des-iles.fr
Val Ferry
Val Ferry announced that its service between Dominica, Guadeloupe, and Martinique will start up again on December 10, 2021. To book a trip and for updated schedules visit their official website: www.valferry.fr
Initially only 50 passengers will be allowed to disembark the ferries in Dominica. However, the return of the ferry not only mean return of travelers from the French West Indies but also increased connectivity for travelers from Europe.
On December 8th, American Airlines commences the highly anticipated non-stop commercial jet service between Miami International (MIA) and Douglas Charles Airport. Announced by AA on July 23, Dominica is among the new destinations in the Caribbean as the airline expands its services in the region.
The airline will initially operate twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturdays using Embraer 175 aircraft. The Embraer 175 (E175) have a seventy-six (76) passenger capacity, with twelve first class seats, and sixty-four premium seats with extra leg room and main cabin seats.
December AA Schedule
In addition to offering easy access out of Miami, these flights greatly increases Dominica’s North American access connectivity. Through the American Airlines network, these flights allow for same day connections to 42 North American cities and territories.
AA Connecting Cities
There was such tremendous interest and response to the initial offering, that American announced that starting January 5th the flights will increase to three times weekly.
Hotel the Champs looks forward to welcome new and returning travelers via American Airlines.
Hotel the Champs received recognition by one of the world’s top recommendation and hotel search engine companies, Travelmyth. The Champs received 8 badges from Travelmyth as one of the best small hotels in Dominica.
Hotel the Champs continues to make strides providing five-star service in an intimate home away from home environment. We are certified for Safe in Nature and Work in Nature travelers wishing to enjoy nature island splendor.
It has been a few months since we gave an update on how our expansion is progressing. The COVID-19 pandemic did slow the construction works down some. However, our crew is working and it is all beginning to take shape. The bulk of noisy and dusty work is just about done.
The Walls are Up
We have walls! You can now see that our (soon to be) two new Superior XL Rooms coming together nicely. We are now able to distinguish between the two rooms and their interior spaces. With the bathroom walls in place, we are preparing to start the next phases of this project: tiling, fittings. Soon we will be painting and putting in furnishings. We can’t wait for the day when these rooms will be ready to welcome guests.
Looking out to The Cabrits from the Balconies
The views will be splendid!We are not sacrificing any of the signature Hotel the Champs views with this expansion. From their balconies, guests will still have uninterrupted views of the Cabrits as well as the Caribbean Sea and the community of Picard.
Balcony of Rooms 6 & 7
Our new Superior XL Rooms (Room 6 and Room 7) are on the middle level, and as with our existing Superior XL Room will comfortably accommodate up to 4 individuals with the different bed configurations. Our Superior XL Room has the option of a King bed or two Twin XL beds as well a Queen sofa bed, making it ideal for groups or family trips.
We are always telling you about how wonderful a stay at Hotel the Champs can be. Today we feature a beautifully written experience by Travel Blogger, Clem of the blog “Travel with Clem“. Clem recently visited Hotel the Champs accompanied by Dominican Bouyon Band, “Signal Band“. In her review of the hotel, Clem says,
“Regardless of the room that you pick, you get access to all the room amenities, high speed wifi throughout the whole property, and a modern style bathroom that fits the vibes of the room you choose.”
She also give high praises to our restaurant and the breakfast menu:
..I was particularly impressed with everything we could choose from in the breakfast menu! In fact, because of their breakfast, they can easily rank as one of the top restaurants in Dominica… I love staying at hotels where I don’t have to think about breakfast, because it helps me jump start my day and save time!
Breakfast at the Champs
Clem & Signal Band at Indian River
Beyond the hotel, Clem and Signal Band visited some of the sites and attractions in the area that we also include as part of a Hotel the Champs package. The sites visited were Indian River, Cabrits National Park, and Belle Hall Beach.
The visit was documented by Discover Dominica Authority as part of a travel series collaboration.
About “Clem”
Clementine “Clem” Affana is a Medical Doctor by profession, an entrepreneur, travel blogger, business owner and life enthusiast. Passionate of travel and cultural immersion, she build the brand “Travel with Clem” in 2016, which teaches young millennials and busy professionals to travel the world without having to quit their full-time job. She has experienced cultural diversity in more than 20 countries.