Oceanview is perfect for anyone looking for functional, comfortable, modest accommodations, personable and friendly hosts, and a chance to meet local Dominicans and learn something about who they are and how they live. Caroline, her staff and her friends are friendly, generous, and remarkable people. The grounds are well-landscaped and full of flowers and fruit trees (from which Caroline makes her divine hand-squeezed juice, which she delivered to us each morning for tea. (The best juice you've ever hard!) There's a great view of the Atlantic Ocean, Martinique and St. Lucia - and it's an easy walk to Scotts Head and snorkeling. We had the best time there and will always remember Caroline and her place. If we ever come back to Dominica, we'll be staying at Oceanview. In the meantime, we'll be recommending it to all of our friends. Thank you for everything, Caroline!

I absolutely loved this place, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who wants to really learn something about Dominica. I made great friends there, and Caroline is the best- She's a great source of information about Dominica, its history, and places to go on the island. She's also wonderful to chat with and greeted us as friends, which created memories we will never forget. She is involved in her community, and hired staff from the local population of Scott's Head- everyone was very friendly and fun to meet, everyone had great stories, and I had one of the best weeks of my life there on Scott's Head. I made friends there, met some Dominican people and visited their home. It was an unforgettable week.

If you really want to learn about Dominica, you must talk to its people, and there are real Dominicans at Oceanview Apartments. If you are an outgoing, adventurous, open-minded person, this place is the place for you. It's a place to learn about culture and make friends while doing it. It's a place where memories are made, and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants an authentic Caribbean experience.

Our family just returned from 12 days in Dominica. We had selected to stay at the Galion-on-Sea, a stand-alone cottage which is managed by Caroline Charles of Oceanview Apartments. When we arrived we found major construction on the new sea wall just in front of the cottage. Caroline suggested that we might perfer to stay at Oceanview, which we did until the weekend when the construction halted. Although we loved the rustic cottage with its patio overlooking the national marine park, we did miss the fresh juices and fresh fruit which Caroline and her staff provided. In both locations we were able to walk to local restaurants in the village of Scotts Head and Soufiere. Everyone we met were friendly and extremely helpful.

We spent nearly two weeks with Mr. Francis Charles at the lovely Ocean View Apartments in Scott's Head, Dominica. By virtue of its being 1/2-hour by car from Roseau, the capital, Scott's Head is a small, peaceful fishing village located at the end of the Western coast's main road. Further adding to the peace and quiet, the Ocean View is located several hundred feet up the road above the village proper. From this vantage point, we saw sperm whales in the Scott's Head Marine Reserve and observed the daily comings and goings of the local fishing fleet.
We occupied the Southern-most apartment, which is pictured at http://www.avirtualdominica.com/oceanview_apts/pix1.htm . The apartment consists of two bedrooms, a serviceable kitchen, a small indoor sitting area and - perhaps most important to us - a generous outdoor sitting area that was the focal point of gatherings of the Ocean View's guests and staff, presided over by Mr. Francis himself.

During our visit, the Ocean View's guests comprised a mature and international group who enjoyed getting to know Dominica in all the aspects of her natural beauty and cultural heritage. We spent many hours sharing and comparing our almost uniformly rewarding experiences of this island Commonwealth.
Mr. Francis is a "returnee," that is, like many other natives of Dominica he spent a good deal of his working years abroad. But, having grown up in Pointe Michel and served on the local town council, he knows and is known by seemingly everyone. Very generous with both his time and his wisdom, Mr. Francis kindly introduced us to many of the local shopkeepers, tradespeople and restaurateurs. By the end of our all-to-brief visit, we began to feel a little bit like locals ourselves or, at least, like longer-term visitors. Our plans for a return visit are already in the works!

Access to Dominica's many attractions is trouble-free. Scott's Head offers excellent snorkeling at the end of a path from the village to the point which marks the Southwestern edge of the volcanic crater which collapsed to form the bay. A path that begins above the Ocean View takes one to the sulfur springs in Soufriere via historic Gallion. Dive Dominica in Soufriere is just a few minutes by car and perhaps a half hour on foot from the Ocean View.