Zen Gardens
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#1 of 1 spa in Mahaut
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HOTEL STYLE
Business
Romantic
Location
Gleau Gommier, Mahaut Dominica
Getting there
Melville Hall Airport
26.2 km•
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28 Restaurants
within 10 kilometers
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We stayed with Rita and Kirk for several days during our two week stay in Dominica this summer. Rita has some of the best cooking on the island and we really enjoyed conversations with them in the evenings. We liked having our own cabin and kitchen so that we could handle whatever meals we wanted on our own. The creek was steps from our door and our two boys could go play while we cooked or relaxed. Rita was especially helpful in planning our trip and even bought some basic groceries for us since we arrived on a Sunday and all of the stores were closed. The prices here were the most reasonable of all of the places we stayed on the island. Kirk and Rita seem to genuinely enjoy having visitors and we were invited to join them to go see a local reggae band play nearby. We have lovely memories of our visit and highly recommend Zen Gardens.
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Date of stay: July 2012Trip type: Travelled with family
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zen Gardens, appropriately named, you will instantly feel like you have stepped into a utopia... 3 streams converge into a river that runs through the property and passes the beautiful private cabins along the rivers... you won't sleep better than this. You can choose to have meals prepared or go it on your own. Kirk will give you a tour of the gardens if you would like and can tell you every kind of plant and flower that cover this heaven on earth. Swim in the private pools in the river and walk along the groomed trails throughout the property, you won't want to leave. While you are sharing common washroom facilities let me assure you, they are clean and comfortable and private, with art work to enjoy while you are freshening up for your day! Also, keep in mind that most times you will be the only one there! Do NOT miss scheduling a massage by Rita... magic fingers! Thank you for hosting our romantic getaway... it was all AMAZING! The food, the laughter, and the land. Another Dominica Bucket List!
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Date of stay: November 2011Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Room Tip: If you would like to cook there is a cabin with kitchen facilities, if you would rather someone...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you are looking for silent and beautiful place in the middle of nature without anything extra this is your choice. We spent some days there just wondering in the lush garden, taking bath in the river and enjoying delicious food cooked by the friendly hosts. And you should try Rita's magical massage. The guest house is in the middle of the island and the road is quite tricky so 4W drive is highly recommended.
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Date of stay: June 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Room Tip: Any room is good :)
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from RitaGleauGommier, Owner at Zen Gardens
Responded Sep 18, 2014
HI Pieti. Thank you so much for your review. We truly enjoyed having the two of you stay with us, and we're so glad you had a good time! We hope to see you again some day!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If you are looking to have a relaxing vacation in the jungle there is no better place than Zen Gardens in Dominica. The beauty of this place can only be surpassed by the hospitality that Kirk and Rita, the owners, serve up while you stay at the most beautiful place on the island! Kirk and Rita team up to give you a phenominal experience while you rest, relax and enjoy the amazing sights, sounds and scents of their property. I stayed for 2 weeks in the middle of the summer and the temperature at Zen Gardens ranged from 70 to 79 degrees! How is that for perfection in paradise? Kirk and Rita provide everything you will want to have an incredible experience in Dominica. From the food they prepare to the knowledge they have of the island and also the best massage you can get possibly on planet Earth! If you think the jungle environment is not for you because of bugs that may bite you, no need to worry about that at Zen Gardens! I never even saw a mosquito during my 2 week stay! I have been to several other tropical places in the last 25 years and none of them can compare to the experience I had in Dominica. Kirk and Rita played a big role in that. You can visit many beautiful places on this planet, however you don't always get the love that Kirk and Rita provided. They play a huge role in your overall experience. If I could live there permanently I would move today?
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Date of stay: July 2013Trip type: Travelled solo
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Room Tip: The Bamboo Love Shack is my favorite, but all of their individual jungle huts will provide a...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Très bel endroit pour se reposer après les visites des cascades toutes proches : Spanny falls, Jacko falls, Emerald falls. Bungalows nichés dans un jardin tropical très fleuri, la rivière est à 10 mètres, on peut s'y baigner! Le couple de gérants Rita & Kirk sont adorables. Ils préparent de succulents repas pour 50 $ EC : soupe, poisson ou poulet + dessert maison. Un joli endroit à recommander. Excellent souvenir, nous sommes repartis avec des fruits et une bouteille de jus offerts par la patronne!
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Date of stay: February 2013Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.



Nous avons passé 7 nuits en Dominique et changé 4 fois de lieu d'hébergement, le Zen Gardens est de loin le meilleur endroit où nous avons séjourné. Accueillis par Rita et Kirk Bruce un couple d'américains atypiques qui ont su nous faire apprécier le pays et la population. Ils disposent de trois bungalows spacieux, indépendants, construits des mains de Kirk, dans un jardin luxuriant au bord d'une rivière; les repas excellents préparés par Rita peuvent être partagés dans un quatrième bungalow ou amenés par Rita à domicile. Le seul bémol, qui n'a pas été un problème pour nous et qui est courant dans les guesthouses de La Dominique, est le partage de la douche et des toilettes pour des raisons écologiques. La literie est d'excellente qualité. Le lieu magique, la population environnante charmante et prête à vous rendre service en fonction de leurs maigres moyens évidemment. Cerise sur le gâteau Rita prodigue des massages dont j'ai eu la chance de profiter. Situé au coeur de l'île sur la route de Roseau à Meleville, c'est une étape pratique qui permet aux voyageurs stressés de se ressourcer et de faire le plein d'énergie. On ne peut que conseiller cette adresse.
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Date of stay: March 2011Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

We are long-time friends of the wonderful folks who have Zen Gardens and have been visiting for over a decade and this is the most beautiful place on earth. It is truly a world-class botanical garden spread over several acres. Above is the only road, below is one of the many rivers, and above the road is national forest. It is surrounded by mountains and jungle, bursting with color, mist and mystery. There are several cottages, and from each not a single manmade thing can be seen, not even the other cottages. Bathrooms and showers with hot water are steps away. Fabulous meals of local or American style foods are available. Incredible sites for hiking, birding, caving, swimming, diving and snorkeling are all within a short day trip. Like waterfalls? How about a cave with a waterfall in front? After a hike through giant gum trees and banyans with every flower imaginable all around you? Or, how about a cave with a waterfall inside of it? All this and much more awaits the adventurous at Zen Gardens Dominica.
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Date of stay: August 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nous sommes restés 4 jours au Zen Gardens de Kirk et Rita, dans le cottage violet en bambou, près de la rivière. L'endroit est tous simplement magique et enchanteur. Partout où vous vous tournez vous découvrez de nouvelles fleurs, en fond sonore la rivière et le soir venu les grenouilles et les oiseaux de nuits qui accompagnent votre sommeil...
Très bonne literie, coin cuisine bien équipé, café, épices et condiments sont à votre disposition. Rita veille au grain pour que vous vous sentiez toujours bien et Kirk sera toujours dans les parages pour vous donner de bons conseils sur votre séjour.
Allez goûter au moins un fois l'excellente cuisine de Rita,simple mais originale et généreuse, à l'image de ce merveilleux couple.
Nous y reviendrons avec plaisir car le son de la rivière et l'odeur des fleurs nous manquent déjà!
Situé à 1h de Roseau, de Batibou Bay (plage de Dominique), 30 minutes du territoire caraïbe. Aucun supermarché à proximité donc prévoir avant. Endroit très paisible, pour les amoureux de la nature et de la tranquillité.
Très bonne literie, coin cuisine bien équipé, café, épices et condiments sont à votre disposition. Rita veille au grain pour que vous vous sentiez toujours bien et Kirk sera toujours dans les parages pour vous donner de bons conseils sur votre séjour.
Allez goûter au moins un fois l'excellente cuisine de Rita,simple mais originale et généreuse, à l'image de ce merveilleux couple.
Nous y reviendrons avec plaisir car le son de la rivière et l'odeur des fleurs nous manquent déjà!
Situé à 1h de Roseau, de Batibou Bay (plage de Dominique), 30 minutes du territoire caraïbe. Aucun supermarché à proximité donc prévoir avant. Endroit très paisible, pour les amoureux de la nature et de la tranquillité.
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Date of stay: July 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.



The whole time we stayed at Zen Garden I kept thinking that we were in a small slice of paradise. Rita was out of town when we visited,we had Kirt cook our meals and they were good . He also gave us good advice planning our trip. The cabin was comfortable, it was nice to sleep to the sound of rain, birds, frogs and insects. The river on the property was lovley with a nice swimming hole. I am glad we chose to stay at Zen Garden for the week we were on Dominica.
P.S. This is off subject but avoid LIAT airline at all cost.
P.S. This is off subject but avoid LIAT airline at all cost.
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Date of stay: June 2013
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.


Nous avons passé une nuit à Zen Gardens, en pleine nature, dans la luxuriance d'un magnifique jardin tropical. Le bungalow au bord du ruisseau est une case en bambou, avec des toilettes et douches indépendantes à dix mètres de là. Vraiment paradisiaque! Les nuits sont bruyantes : crapauds, grenouilles et insectes chantent toute la nuit!
L'hôtesse, Rita, nous a préparé un bon repas créole le soir, et un petit déjeuner délicieux avec des fruits locaux. La chienne Miss Peguy et ses compagnons veillaient sur nous...
UNe bonne adresse à retenir, pour qui aime dormir dans la nature.
L'hôtesse, Rita, nous a préparé un bon repas créole le soir, et un petit déjeuner délicieux avec des fruits locaux. La chienne Miss Peguy et ses compagnons veillaient sur nous...
UNe bonne adresse à retenir, pour qui aime dormir dans la nature.
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Date of stay: March 2012Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Room Tip: Nous avons aimé la case située en bas, près de la rivière.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Desrine. Yes, we have a cottage available during those dates. Our landline is currently down due to TS Erika, but we can be reached on our cell phone which is 767-612-5128. One love, Kirk and Rita Bruce
Hi Becky. Sorry, we have a 2 night minimum. Riverstone is nearby, however. Here's their number: (767)449-3713 or 616-7133.
Two of our cottages have a full refrigerator and a small stove. Love Shack, which is the bamboo cottage, and Peace Place, which is the green cottage. The third cottage has a small stove, but no refrigerator as yet.
Hi there. Thanks for your interest in Zen Gardens. I'm really sorry, but we only have accommodations for up to eight people. All the best and one love, Rita Bruce
Hello! Yes, we have a cottage available at that time. Could we please continue our communication at our Facebook page at Zen Gardens Dominica? One love, Rita Bruce
"The Bamboo Love Shack is my favorite, but all of their individual jungle huts will provide a priceless experience in the jungle."Read full review
"If you would like to cook there is a cabin with kitchen facilities, if you would rather someone else do the cooking, just talk with Rita and Kirk, they will assist you in making the perfect choice for your holiday. The sound of the river will lull you to sleep in any cabin here and they are ALL beautiful with comfortable beds and open air breezes."Read full review
LOCATION
CaribbeanDominicaSaint Paul ParishMahaut
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
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Frequently Asked Questions about Zen Gardens
Which popular attractions are close to Zen Gardens?
Nearby attractions include Titou Gorge (7.3 km), Middleham Falls (7.3 km), and Trafalgar Falls (6.2 km).
What are some restaurants close to Zen Gardens?
Conveniently located restaurants include Lacou Melrose House, Ruins Rock Cafe, and Le Petit Paradis Restaurant .