Yearning to be pampered in a jungle hideaway? Itching to hike beneath a fern canopy to a thundering waterfall where you can take a plunge in the cool pool below? Jungle Bay Resort & Spa, a relaxing retreat on the southeast coast of Dominica, in close proximity to limitless adventure, is just the spot.

Dominica is the so-called "Nature Island" of the West Indies, a 29-mile-long playground of mist-enshrouded 4,000-foot peaks and more than 350 rivers that flow from their dense green slopes. Rainforest covers over two-thirds of the island, and at Jungle Bay you get the best of both worlds. While there is plenty of sun and sand at Jungle Bay, it's far from a traditional Caribbean resort. The 55-acre property is nestled on a hillside among almond and white cedar trees. In tribute to its wellness roots, the main stone lodge building has two enormous, airy yoga studios where daily sessions are held. The open-air Pavilion Restaurant specializes in preparing the daily catch by local

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Yearning to be pampered in a jungle hideaway? Itching to hike beneath a fern canopy to a thundering waterfall where you can take a plunge in the cool pool below? Jungle Bay Resort & Spa, a relaxing retreat on the southeast coast of Dominica, in close proximity to limitless adventure, is just the spot.

Dominica is the so-called "Nature Island" of the West Indies, a 29-mile-long playground of mist-enshrouded 4,000-foot peaks and more than 350 rivers that flow from their dense green slopes. Rainforest covers over two-thirds of the island, and at Jungle Bay you get the best of both worlds. While there is plenty of sun and sand at Jungle Bay, it's far from a traditional Caribbean resort. The 55-acre property is nestled on a hillside among almond and white cedar trees. In tribute to its wellness roots, the main stone lodge building has two enormous, airy yoga studios where daily sessions are held. The open-air Pavilion Restaurant specializes in preparing the daily catch by local fishermen and using Caribbean spices grown on the property. It wraps around a stately royal palm and overlooks the volcanic-rock swimming pool and out toward gleaming Pointe Mulâtre Bay. Breakfast will likely include mango, papaya, and coconut (plucked from a tree on the grounds by an enthusiastic resort staff member).

Its 35 private stilt-built cottages are connected to their distant neighbors along footpaths and stone staircases. The cabins are tucked carefully into the jungle-scape, making them feel like cozy tree houses from the inside. They're built entirely of volcanic rock and tropical woods from discarded stone and reclaimed timber (one of the many efforts to make the construction and operation of the resort sustainable). The cabins are sunny and spacious, with sitting areas and roomy platform beds made of white cedar from the few trees that were removed to make way for Jungle Bay. One fun touch is the semi-outdoor showers in each cottage, where scrub-a-dubbing can be accompanied by the whistle of resident hummingbirds. Each cabin also has a big private balcony where hours can be passed lounging and gazing at the ocean or rainforest.

Jungle Bay has a front-row seat to Dominica's phenomenal landscape. Hikers can strike out on their own on numerous nearby hikes, or follow a knowledgeable local guide along the scenic White River up to Victoria Falls, which seems to drop from the sky into an emerald pool 130 feet below. Trekkers also won't want to miss the six-hour walk past the mysterious Valley of Desolation and rugged Titou Gorge en route to Boiling Lake, the second largest thermally active pool in the world. Mountain bikers can zip through local villages, ducking in and out of the dense rainforest along the way. And water lovers can grab their snorkeling gear or sea kayak to get a wide-angle look at the rugged coastline and the steep, tranquil mountains beyond. While out the water they can also get a close-up look at tropical fish and turtles swimming through the pristine waters.

Closer to home, guests can tour Jungle Bay's organic farm and one of the working backyard rum stills. Or there's always the resort's Spa du Soleil's cliffside treatment rooms, where guests experience what Jungle Bay founder Sam Rafael insists is the most unique feature of the resort: the natural soundtrack of the rolling Atlantic surf, 100 feet below. Ambitious resort-goers can combine it all with Jungle Bay's "Amazing Adventure" package, which includes guided hiking, biking, and water sports as well as daily spa treatments and morning yoga.

Heather Hansen is co-author of Disappearing Destinations: 37 Places in Peril and What Can Be Done to Help Save Them and has written for publications including Men's Journal, Outside, and Mother Jones.

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Jungle Bay Resort manages to combine the intimacy of a private seaside hideaway and the convenience and conviviality of an all-inclusive resort. Accommodations are in 35 rustic-chic bungalows built on stilts and nestled in thick tropical foliage. All are spacious, with high sloped roofs, patios (some with ocean view), romantic semi-outdoor showers, a mini-fridge and small radio, but no TV or air-conditioner--most guests leave the windows wide open at night, inviting cool evening breezes and the lulling sounds of waves. The resort offers a well-recommended all-inclusive spa and adventure program, which not only includes meals, but daily massages and group excursions to Dominica's best natural features as well, including hikes to Boiling Lake and snorkeling at Champagne. The outings are a great way to meet other guests and discussions at dinner invariably include a recounting the day's highlights. The resort offers cooking classes and yoga classes as well, and has a pleasant stone pool

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Jungle Bay Resort manages to combine the intimacy of a private seaside hideaway and the convenience and conviviality of an all-inclusive resort. Accommodations are in 35 rustic-chic bungalows built on stilts and nestled in thick tropical foliage. All are spacious, with high sloped roofs, patios (some with ocean view), romantic semi-outdoor showers, a mini-fridge and small radio, but no TV or air-conditioner--most guests leave the windows wide open at night, inviting cool evening breezes and the lulling sounds of waves. The resort offers a well-recommended all-inclusive spa and adventure program, which not only includes meals, but daily massages and group excursions to Dominica's best natural features as well, including hikes to Boiling Lake and snorkeling at Champagne. The outings are a great way to meet other guests and discussions at dinner invariably include a recounting the day's highlights. The resort offers cooking classes and yoga classes as well, and has a pleasant stone pool and sunbathing area. The owners are friendly and attentive, and service by the entire staff is excellent.

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Jungle Bay is tree-house living at its best. Individual wooden cottages are wedged high up in the branches of hillside trees and outfitted with eco-friendly furnishings and chic amenities. On-site frills include a gourmet health-food restaurant, yoga studios, an activities center, a volcanic-rock swimming pool, and a hiking trail through the wooded grounds.

This 55-acre tropical hideaway includes 35 cottages featuring locally-made furniture, private verandas, and semi-outdoor showers. This is a good place to take older teenagers who want to unwind by sleeping late, hiking through the 56-acre sanctuary, and doing yoga. Forget about night-life and focus on swimming in the pool, hiking, and on-site yoga classes.