Caribbean Beat Magazine Explores Secret Bay’s Founding Story

We’re honoured to be featured in Caribbean Beat, the in-flight magazine of Caribbean Airlines, in a story exploring the people and philosophy behind what makes Secret Bay so special. 

Writer Caroline Taylor got personal with Secret Bay founder Gregor Nassief and uncovered how  his deep love for art, people, and the natural environment shaped the resort’s creation. 

“I’m driven by wanting to go down the road less traveled, doing something adventurous and different. I want whatever we are doing to be transformative; that the impact we have is real,” – Gregor Nassief speaking to Caribbean Beat magazine.

Shaped by love for Dominica

In the article, Gregor shared with Caroline his original vision for Secret Bay and how his love for his wife, artist Sandra Vivas, shaped the resort’s identity. The pair dreamed of a property designed to exist within, enhance, and preserve the stunning beauty of Dominica, the Nature Island of the Caribbean. 

“When we decided to build at Secret Bay,” Gregor explains, “Sandra and I made a promise that it would look like nothing had changed. And that meant preserving the natural environment… We had clauses in the contracts that if contractors cut a tree, there would be a penalty of [US$5,550].” – Gregor Nassief speaking to Caribbean Beat magazine.

That commitment still defines the Secret Bay experience today. Guests stay in secluded, raised villas hidden in the rainforest canopy, with wide windows open to the breeze that blows off the bright blue Caribbean ocean. It’s an experience shaped by presence, place, and depth of care. 

“We started with four villas in 2011, and now we’re going on 27. That very slow journey allowed us to do things very carefully, very consciously … not the ‘normal’ cut-and-clear, build-everything-at-once approach. I think that’s what has really helped make it a very special place.” – Gregor Nassief speaking to Caribbean Beat magazine.

Built around human connection

Caroline’s feature beautifully captures the relationship between architecture, hospitality, and human connection that makes Secret Bay so unique. The initial inspiration for the property came from Sandra’s father, architect Fruto Vivas, who drew up a blueprint as a wedding gift for the couple. That philosophy of familial connection and love shapes every part of the resort, with thoughtful spaces designed for togetherness, reflection, connectivity, and rest.

Gregor reflects on how Sandra refers to her father’s work as “architenderness.” 

“Fruto’s architecture was a perfect match in terms of preserving the natural environment, letting the outside in,” Nassief remembers. “For me, the luxury of time and space was really critical to the creation of Secret Bay…because his architecture is really about the human interaction with space and each other, and the tenderness of that.” – Gregor Nassief speaking to Caribbean Beat magazine.

Art at Secret Bay

Writer Caroline also explores the role art has played throughout Gregor and Sandra’s lives and how that sensibility has become a crucial part of Secret Bay.

Gregor’s early exposure to Caribbean contemporary artists, thanks to his mother, Haitian artist and poet Gilda Thebaud, helped shape his understanding of art as something lived with rather than simply observed.

“I would see my mum painting, go to her exhibitions … So I was into the art scene from a young age.” – Gregor Nassief speaking to Caribbean Beat magazine.

Secret Bay’s art gallery, Bwa Denn, opened in 2024. For years, Gregor had stored his impressive private art collection all over the globe. 

“But finally, I could bring my art home.” – Gregor Nassief speaking to Caribbean Beat magazine. 

The Bwa Denn collection captivates visitors. “The collection of regional contemporary art is among the largest on Caribbean soil, with over 200 pieces from Barbados, Cuba, Colombia, Dominica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and Venezuela. Many of the artists were rising stars at the time Nassief first acquired their work, and have gone on to international acclaim.” – Caribbean Beat magazine.

The road less travelled

At its heart, Caroline’s article explores Gregor’s story of building something meaningful and doing it differently.

“That very slow journey allowed us to do things very carefully, very consciously.”

“For me, success has always been the people or the clients or the environment that we’re trying to preserve. Those are what matter most to me,”  – Gregor Nassief speaking to Caribbean Beat magazine.

We’d love to welcome you to experience the magic of Secret Bay for yourself, from the beautifully designed villas to Gregor’s thoughtful art collection.