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Secret Bay Named Travel & Leisure’s #1 Resort in the Caribbean, #25 Hotel in the World 

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The Residences at Secret Bay
IMI Official Partner

The Residences at Secret Bay – Dominica’s crown jewel development and only six-star, all-villa resort –  was just named the #1 Resort in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas in Travel + Leisure’s 2023 ‘World’s Best Awards,’ as well as the #25 hotel in the world in the publication’s ‘100 Favorite Hotels.’

This is the third time in four years that the region’s leading resort that offers a coveted Citizenship by Investment (CBI) real estate investment opportunity tops the list.  Known for its remote locale, private villas with plunge pools, hyper-personalised service, island-to-table dining and no menu concept, chef-driven epicurean culinary experience, sustainability efforts and wellness offerings, Secret Bay has won the hearts of guests seeking an under-the-radar luxury hideaway. 

“We are thrilled to be recognised by Travel + Leisure and its readers as the #1 resort in the Caribbean for the third time,” said Gregor Nassief, proprietor of Secret Bay and The Residences at Secret Bay, and CEO of GEMS Holdings. “I believe that while this accolade further substantiates the Secret Bay experience from a resort and guest perspective, it also augurs well for our investors, including vacation home and fractional buyers, as well as our citizenship investors.”

Dominica also earned the #1 island in the Caribbean, and #8 island in the world, topping the prestigious list for a second year in a row. Further, its CBI programme has been recognized by the Financial Times as the ‘World’s Best Country for Second Citizenship’ six years in a row. Dominica is a haven for adventure travelers seeking a unique vacation that includes hiking and adventure, waterfalls, hot springs and lakes, cultural events and festivals, diving and water sports, whale and dolphin watching and canyoning adventures.

Known as the “Nature Island” for its lush vegetation and sustainable tourism offerings, Dominica has more than 300 miles of hiking trails, 365 rivers, more than 170 bird species, and is home to one of the last indigenous tribes in the world, the Kalinago.

Announced annually, Travel & Leisure’s ‘World’s Best Awards’ are granted to the best islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports and more, as chosen by the public. In the hotels category, readers score their experiences based upon facilities, location, service, food and overall value. 

Since opening in 2011, Secret Bay has been praised for its ability to effortlessly capture the luxury of time and space along with its artful fusion of high design, local craftsmanship, commitment to sustainable development through numerous green and eco-friendly initiatives and its reputation for authentic guest experiences custom-curated to personal preference.

Part of Secret Bay’s elevated experience is delivered in the form of its culinary offerings: the innovative Zing Zing restaurant operates a “no-menu” concept that’s part food-lab and part restaurant, challenging the traditional fine dining restaurant rules, and focuses on a hyper-local and intimate experience that simply cannot be replicated. Similarly, the Gommier Spa, a three-walled, treetop retreat designed especially for couples, focuses on local and sustainably-sourced products for treatments. Other amenities include dedicated villa hosts, on-call concierge, chefs and guides, and two secluded beaches. 

Last month, Secret Bay had its first guests in its new Clifftop Multi-Villa Estates. Situated on the crest of the promontory’s 200-foot cliff with expansive views of the Caribbean Sea and access to three swimmable and secluded beaches, the Clifftop Multi-Villa Estates are architectural masterpieces thoughtfully tucked in among the trees and natural landscape, reaffirming Secret Bay’s commitment to environmental preservation. Each Clifftop Estate features two villas thoughtfully sited so that each has expansive views and ultimate privacy and seclusion.

The addition of these stunning villas increases the resort’s inventory to 16. Four more pre-sold Clifftop Villa Estates are expected to be completed by the end of 2023, with another two estates available for sale carded for November 2024. The villas are available for whole or fractional ownership, with option to include Citizenship by Investment (CBI) and the opportunity for a second passport. 

This year Secret Bay is also unveiling an array of new amenities, including a hillside funicular, garden-to-fork chef’s table experience, elevated decks, art gallery and a kombucha brewery. The new villas, Clifftop enclave and amenities are being introduced as part of the award-winning resorts’ multi-year master plan. This evolution – spread over 40+ acres of coastal land – allows for an array of new amenities, more private villas and the for-sale residence program, all while lowering the resort’s overall density and granting guests the utmost in the luxury of time and space.

In addition to the World’s Best Award recognition, Secret Bay has received numerous accolades, including most recently:  TripAdvisor’s 2023 Travelers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Award Winner, making the resort one of the top 1% of hotels worldwide,” Fodor’s “101 Most Incredible Hotels in the World” 2022, Caribbean Journal’s Top Boutique Hotel 2022, Conde Nast Traveler’s 2022 Reader’s Choice Awards for one of the “Best Resorts in the Caribbean,” and many more.

The Wall Street Journal, the most discerning global business publication, featured The Residences’  highest-priced offering, a $10.3 million compound, and citizenship as an amenity. The Residences were also front and center in United Airlines’ in-flight magazine, Hemispheres, and across multiple UK publications including GQ and Vogue, all highlighting it as a desirable vacation home offering. See more press highlights here.

Whole ownership at The Residences starts at US $1.39 million. Fractional ownership is also available, starting at US $212k. Both ownership models have the option to include Citizenship by Investment. To learn more about The Residences at Secret Bay, please email residences@secretbay.dm. For a consultation, please email cbi@secretbay.dm.