PAPILLOTTE
Papillotte Wilderness Retreat is a small inn and nature retreat nestled in the rainforest just below one of the most popular attractions on the Island, Trafalgar Falls. In 1967 Anne Baptiste began the construction of native gardens featuring orchids, bromeliads, heliconias, ferns and gingers. Papillote was one of several featured locations in the October 1992 Bulletin of the American Orchid Society where one could see native orchids in the Caribbean.
There are numerous orchids in the garden, many growing epiphytically on trees but many have been placed in hanging wooden baskets. Several species of night-fragrant, white flowered Epidendrums occur along the trails and the walkways between the Inn and the restaurant. Shown here is Epidendrum nocturnum.
In 1979, Hurricane David devasted the Island and leveled many forest areas and none of the buildings at Papillote survived. The gardens were reconstructed and new paths were added. Surreal stone carvings were added such as these swans shown to the left. The buildings have been restored but several years ago a new restaurant was constructed near the road. The restaurant contains a small, local craft center. The main dining area is surrounded by wrought iron work in the shape of butterflies. The menu is varied, including a bar-b-que with grilled vegetables, chicken and fish. The callalo soup is highly recommended.
The rooms at Papillote are spacing and lovely. The interior walls are handpainted with the decor of rainforest foliage. The bedspread is quilted with butterflies of course. The hot water for the showers is provided by piping water from thermal springs located uphill. Nighttime rainstorms, heavy at times, with the chorus of frogs in the background, creates a delightful and soothing atmosphere.
There are several hot natural mineral pools constructed in the grounds. One is located below the restaurant, a second is located in the gardens and the third is located under the deck of the former restuarant. Thermal water issues from the mouth of a stone carved fish as shown in this photograph. These spas are a welcomed relief after hiking the mountainous terrain of Dominica.
The restaurant has an outdoor patio which offers fine views of the surrounding countryside. Below this patio is one of the in-the-ground spas. Planters located along the edge of the patio contain one of the introduced orchids, an orchid that was said to have arrived from Africa via Hurricane David. Throughout the day, one can see several species of hummingbirds but most prominent is the Red-throated Caribe.
Pictured here are tropical tree ferns which can grow to great heights. The trunks of these trees are used to form tree fern slabs upon which orchid growers mount many species of orchids which require excessive drainage and good air circulation around their roots. For more information about Papillote, follow this link.
There are numerous orchids in the garden, many growing epiphytically on trees but many have been placed in hanging wooden baskets. Several species of night-fragrant, white flowered Epidendrums occur along the trails and the walkways between the Inn and the restaurant. Shown here is Epidendrum nocturnum.
In 1979, Hurricane David devasted the Island and leveled many forest areas and none of the buildings at Papillote survived. The gardens were reconstructed and new paths were added. Surreal stone carvings were added such as these swans shown to the left. The buildings have been restored but several years ago a new restaurant was constructed near the road. The restaurant contains a small, local craft center. The main dining area is surrounded by wrought iron work in the shape of butterflies. The menu is varied, including a bar-b-que with grilled vegetables, chicken and fish. The callalo soup is highly recommended.The rooms at Papillote are spacing and lovely. The interior walls are handpainted with the decor of rainforest foliage. The bedspread is quilted with butterflies of course. The hot water for the showers is provided by piping water from thermal springs located uphill. Nighttime rainstorms, heavy at times, with the chorus of frogs in the background, creates a delightful and soothing atmosphere.
There are several hot natural mineral pools constructed in the grounds. One is located below the restaurant, a second is located in the gardens and the third is located under the deck of the former restuarant. Thermal water issues from the mouth of a stone carved fish as shown in this photograph. These spas are a welcomed relief after hiking the mountainous terrain of Dominica.The restaurant has an outdoor patio which offers fine views of the surrounding countryside. Below this patio is one of the in-the-ground spas. Planters located along the edge of the patio contain one of the introduced orchids, an orchid that was said to have arrived from Africa via Hurricane David. Throughout the day, one can see several species of hummingbirds but most prominent is the Red-throated Caribe.
Pictured here are tropical tree ferns which can grow to great heights. The trunks of these trees are used to form tree fern slabs upon which orchid growers mount many species of orchids which require excessive drainage and good air circulation around their roots. For more information about Papillote, follow this link.