Flying over Dominica, I could see exactly why this lesser-known Caribbean destination earned the nickname “Nature Island.” My tiny airplane window framed steep hills covered in more shades of green than I thought nature could invent — like someone had cranked the saturation up on the whole island. Unlike other Caribbean luxury resorts, where resorts line the coast like pearls on a string, it felt like Mother Nature was in charge here. Not a single resort appeared in my aerial view.
After landing and standing on the tarmac to admire a rainbow (the first of many during my trip to Dominica), I hopped in the back of a van and made the hourlong journey on winding, bumpy roads to Secret Bay Resort, an exclusive eco-luxury retreat on a cliffside in the jungle.
If you weren’t looking for the resort, you might not even notice it was there. Its 23 villas and open-air Welcome House blend seamlessly into the 50-acre property, which has so little development that it could almost be considered a nature preserve. But the development that does exist is a masterclass in eco-luxury accommodations — thoughtfully designed to coexist with the surrounding environment, offering breathtaking views while laying a gentle hand on the island’s untouched beauty.
Exterior view of the Clifftop Zabuco Villa at Secret Bay Resort.
My jaw dropped when my villa host toured me through my accommodations, a freestanding villa that felt like a romantic treehouse for couples, with sweeping views of the sea, a serene bedroom draped with three walls of windows draped with wispy white curtains, and a private pool that beckoned for dips under a canopy of stars. Little did I know, I was staying in the very villa where Secret Bay’s story began.
“Secret Bay was always a very special place for me, and when the opportunity to buy land came up, the plan was basically to build our family home,” says proprietor Gregor Nassief, who was born and raised in Dominica, climbing the cliffs that now host Secret Bay Resort. He explained that the Zabuco Villa I was staying in was initially intended to be his permanent homestead and came from designs drawn up by renowned Latin American architect Fruto Vivas, the father of his wife, Sandra Vivas, as a wedding gift for the couple.
No wonder it felt romantic — it basically had a love story etched into its foundation.
“Dominica is not a place for mass tourism, and we wanted Secret Bay to reflect the Dominican experience with the seclusion, the privacy, and the very low density. We wanted all the villas to be more homes than hotel rooms to allow the luxury of time, space, and privacy,” explains Nassief. “One of the greatest compliments that I’ve gotten from a guest, which made me feel that the architecture and the concept of the space actually worked, was that it made them remember why they fell in love.”
Nassief still doesn’t have his family home at Secret Bay, but in a way, he’s shared that dream with every couple lucky enough to experience the magic of staying here, reconnecting with one another and with nature itself.
Here’s my review of Secret Bay Resort, an unforgettable hideaway for romance and relaxation in the rainforest of Dominica.
- With just 23 villas on 50 acres, Secret Bay Resort feels extraordinarily private, secluded, and romantic.
- Designed by renowned Latin American architect Fruto Vivas, the romantic villas seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor space and offer panoramic views of Dominica’s peaks and the sparkling sea.
- The resort is home to the longest funicular in the Caribbean, bringing guests 300 linear feet through the coastal jungle.
- It’s a 10-minute drive to Portsmouth and offers access to Caribbean beaches and untouched nature.
The Rooms
No two of Secret Bay’s 23 villas are exactly alike. But whichever of these luxury villas you call home for a few days, you’re in for something special — think expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces, your own private plunge pool, gourmet kitchens (yes, there’s an espresso maker), panoramic ocean views, and complete seclusion. It’s so private that you won’t see or hear another soul, making it feel like you’ve scored a private island getaway.
I stayed in a two-bedroom Zabuco villa crafted according to Vivas’ original vision. The nearly invisible use of steel and concrete, largely concealed behind sustainable Guyanese hardwood, made it feel like the main living area was levitating above my private, temperature-controlled pool and deck.
Upstairs, the wood-paneled bedroom felt like a serene cocoon for slumber after a day of adventures. Gentle, ambient lighting set the mood, while the en suite bathroom had everything for an indulgent wind-down: a soaking tub bathed in moonlight and a rainfall shower stocked with locally made soap. The mattress had just the right level of cradling my body needed to drift off into a deep sleep.
Waking up felt like a memorable moment unto itself: pulling back the airy white curtains to see a rainbow over Portsmouth (a regular occurrence) and stepping barefoot onto the wooden deck for an organic breakfast, freshly prepared in-house by my villa host, as birds patiently waited for a crumb or two. With mornings this blissful, lounging around all day feels like a luxury. Don’t be surprised if you seriously consider canceling all your plans and just hanging around in your private villa.
Food and Drink
If you’re the type who thinks previewing a menu before going to a restaurant ruins the surprise, you’ll love the no-menu concept at Secret Bay Resort’s open-air Zing Zing restaurant. After sitting down and sipping a tropical cocktail, the server will explain exactly what executive chef Aurelien Bulgheroni has cooked up from fresh, seasonal ingredients for your four-course meal. He’s a master at catering to dietary needs, too—all of my vegetarian meals felt thoughtful and were plated like works of art.
Head to Botanica, Secret Bay Resort’s outdoor chef’s table experience, for a more down-to-earth vibe. It’s adjacent to the Botanica Nature Walk, where you can pluck freshly grown herbs and other ingredients for the plant-based entrees created right before you.
Next to the Welcome House, you’ll find Secret Bay Resort’s newest dining option: Bwa Denn. The artsy space houses a mini kombucha brewery that crafts artisanal brews from fruits, flowers, and herbs on the property, along with a la carte dining and fine dining (sans a menu) on the adults-only rooftop. There’s also a mini art gallery with pieces from the owner’s personal collection and rotating works from local artists.
Activities and Amenities
Tibay Beach is the main stretch of sand at Secret Bay Resort. There, you can lounge beneath shady almond trees, go for a swim in the Caribbean Sea, or borrow gear (like kayaks, paddle boards, or snorkeling equipment) for a nautical adventure from the Zamann Watersports Hut. My most memorable experience was taking a guided paddle just around the bend to Secret Beach, which lived up to its namesake as a personal paradise with black-tinged golden sand and warm waters all to myself. From there, you can also take an easy paddle to a hidden sea cave—one of the resort’s quintessential spots for a quick adventure.
Your villa’s private pool is your best option for salt-free swimming, but if you can’t bear to wait for a golf cart ride, you can take a dip in the Gwiyavye’ Lap Pool with a cocktail in hand. Other amenities around the property include a nature walk, a fitness center, a pavilion for yoga and wellness classes, and the longest funicular in the Caribbean.
The Spa
Secret Bay Resort’s Gommier Spa is humble yet deeply relaxing. Choose from a curated list of the usual massages, like relaxation, deep tissue, or hot stone — all using custom-blended local oils, then head to the open-air, treehouse-style spa hut overlooking Tibay Beach for a soothing rubdown. If your skin needs a little TLC, the resort’s signature Gommier facial will leave you glowing.
Family-friendly Offerings
The family-friendly villas at Secret Bay Resort feel like your personal compound, complete with your own pool, a wide selection of board games, books, cable television, Apple TV, Netflix, and tons of fresh fruit and other snacks to keep everyone entertained and happy throughout the day.
Accessibility and Sustainability
Sustainability is at the forefront of Secret Bay Resort’s ethos. The Green Globe-certified property actively composts food waste, grows much of its own food at on-site gardens, and equips each villa with a water filtration system to keep guests hydrated without single-use plastics, which you won’t find anywhere at the resort. The villas and other structures were developed in line with LEED standards and constructed by hand — no heavy machinery involved — strategically to minimize the need for clear-cutting.
How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay
Early birds score big at Secret Bay Resort. The property offers a 35% discount on stays of four nights or more, along with a complimentary dinner for two, if you book a minimum of 180 days in advance.
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