Developing the Art of a Tiny Caribbean Hotel
In October 2007 Lise and Hans came to live and work in Dominica. They never worked in the hospitality industry and never formally studied hospitality. But they have stayed in many hotels and visited countless restaurants and bars.
Staying at Hotel The Champs has to be such a good experience that all our guests will tell their family and friends that The Champs is THE place to stay in Dominica.
That was the standard when The Champs opened on Nov 8, 2008, a standard that has worked well for many years.
We are now writing July 2019. Almost two years after devastating hurricane Maria, after building a new roof, new interiors and beds in the rooms, after rebuilding and expanding the pool, after creating an intimate breakfast-and-dinner restaurant, and while still working on more great facilities.
And at a new level of tourism in Dominica with Secret Bay around the corner, Kempinski opening in October, the “Morocco Hotel” almost ready to start, Anichi under full construction. The 2008 standard is no longer good enough. Now is the time to develop the art of a tiny Caribbean hotel.
Join us in thinking and talking about the “new champs”.
We think that Hotel The Champs is not a typical boutique hotel, although it is much sleeker than a bed and breakfast. There’s an on-site restaurant, though that certainly doesn’t make it a resort.
There is a particular class of tiny hotels in the Caribbean, delightful little places with a handful of rooms, a lunch-and-dinner restaurant and, if you’re lucky, a pool or a beach.
They’re typically under the radar, the sorts of accommodations for seasoned travelers who know what they like, what they need and what they want to avoid. And Lise & Hans want Hotel The Champs to be part of that particular class.
It’s the special experience of Lise and her team offering a mix of Dutch and Caribbean hospitality, always smiling and cheerful, a simple hotel filled with simple pleasures for sophisticated travelers.
That’s precisely what we’re trying to offer at The Champs, perched on the hillside of Picard, overlooking Prince Rupert Bay, on the Nature Island Dominica, still waiting to be discovered.
It’s an hour-long winding drive from the airport over narrow mountain roads, but when you walk through the doorway and see that splendid million-dollar view, you’ll know that is was worth the flight and the drive to get here. This tiny little jewel box of a hotel has just five rooms, all contemporarily appointed with neatly designed wooden interiors and spacious bathrooms. But when you’re here, why would you won’t be spending much time indoors?
Because the top-floor restaurant is worth the trip all by itself, and so is the beautiful pool-deck set above the lush garden with sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea and the hills of the Cabrits. Inviting and comfortable furniture and a crystal-clear little pool.
And yes, there are beaches at walking distance. Coconut Beach, Picard Beach, Purple Turtle Beach, all offer the authentic Reggae & Rasta experience with spicy rum-punches and local Kubuli beer.
And then there are the superior sea view rooms, decorated with local art, and the garden/pool level rooms, the ones that open right out onto the pool and deck, giving you the feeling of your own private balcony on the Picard hillside.
The food is excellent, with The Champs’s always-smiling friendly service and the rooftop tables where you’ll never be bored of consuming the incredible 270 degree view.
Take your time sitting down with your personal concierge Lise who love to help you exploring Dominica’s adventures or the quaint little colonial towns. After your day out come back to Hotel The Champs and end your day on the pool-deck, savoring a colorful cocktail while the sun sinks in the sea painting astonishing colors in the sky. And while the tropical night comes rolling it with all its stars and sounds, you will relax with the joy of knowing you’ve found one of the island’s best-kept secrets.
Come check out the new Hotel The Champs. The days of student-hangout have gone. No more busy bar with shuttle service. Now our 5-star personal service fully focuses on you, the hotel guest, the fill your stay with life long memories to make you feel warm inside when you’re back home in cold wintery weather.
Let us have your comments if you stayed at Hotel The Champs in recent times. Do you think that we are developing the art of a tiny Caribbean hotel? Tell us how we can do even better.
We love to learn.
