A long, intricately woven narrative can be truly enchanting—especially one that evolves over decades, driven by a bold ambition in luxury hospitality. I often perceive the spirit of such tales the moment I set foot on a property. The isolation or the remarkable quality of the amenities frequently signals that a daring entrepreneur has dedicated their heart to crafting a resort. After visiting more than 80 countries, I’ve encountered a few standout examples that embody these engaging stories, including Three Camel’s Lodge in Mongolia, The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana, and the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Fiji. This past June, I stumbled upon another extraordinary narrative: Secret Bay in Dominica.
The founder, Gregor Nassief, grew up in Dominica as the grandson of Lebanese immigrants who fell in love with the island nearly a century ago. He recounted to me during my visit, “They loved it so much.” From the age of ten, Nassief and his friends explored Secret Bay, enjoying its untouched beach and hunting for grapefruit-sized crabs in the lush jungle. His journey eventually took him to New York City, where he launched a successful international supply chain software company serving Latin America. Yet, despite his global adventures, Dominica remained firmly in his heart. Then, as is often the case with great tales, he discovered that his father was willing to sell him a quarter-acre of land at Secret Bay.
“I immediately knew,” he expressed with enthusiasm. “Secret Bay was my favorite place in the world, a beloved part of my childhood.” In 2011, Nassief’s father-in-law, the renowned Venezuelan architect Fruto Vivas, created plans for a villa as a wedding gift. He later built three more villas, two for his children and one for friends. “The rest is about 17 years of history,” Nassief chuckled. “Turning one acre into five took over a decade, but expanding to 50 acres went much faster.”
Currently, Secret Bay boasts 27 villas perched on the undulating cliffs overlooking Tibay Beach, Secret Beach, and Coconut Beach. Plans for the future include expanding to 42 villas, along with the addition of a new pool, restaurant, and spa. Notably, only 7% of the land will be developed, which is a stark contrast to the typical 20-30% seen in most luxury resorts. “We included a clause in our developer contract: if a tree is cut down without my wife or me approving it, there’s a $15,000 penalty,” Nassief clarified. Thoughtful design has been prioritized for each villa, ensuring minimal disruption to the area’s natural beauty.
This dedication to preserving nature fosters a resort atmosphere that feels both exclusive and intimate. Surrounded by a verdant jungle, I often encountered Sisserou parrots and native iguanas. “That’s part of our vision,” Nassief remarked, “for guests to connect with nature and each other, whether in the seclusion of their villas or out on our beaches, at the bar, or dining at our rooftop restaurant.”
I thoroughly enjoyed both the tranquility of my villa and the lively ambiance of the resort. Staying in the Ti-Fey I villa was a true pleasure. The sunsets from my private pool and outdoor shower were nothing short of spectacular, and I appreciated the well-equipped kitchenette that included a washer and dryer—something many luxury resorts could learn from for their active guests. My villa host, Elina, provided exceptional service, offering fruit, drinks, bug spray, and even making reservations at lightning speed through an iPhone located in the villa.
Throughout the day, I took the delightful open-air funicular from my villa to the resort’s lower level. Bwa Denn, the newest restaurant at Secret Bay, combines gourmet dining with breathtaking views. Under the skillful direction of Executive Chef Aurelien Bulgheroni—whose background includes stints in Bora Bora and Guadeloupe—the menu truly shines. I indulged in cod fritters, lobster ravioli, and mahi mahi risotto, all from an open-air terrace bordered by those splendid trees overlooking Secret Beach. Each evening, I watched as iguanas darted up branches, seemingly appreciating their surroundings and the incredible story of Secret Bay.
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