Secret Bay Named Best Hotel in the Caribbean in Travel & Leisure’s 2020 World’s Best Awards

We’re thrilled to announce that Secret Bay has been named the #1 Resort Hotel in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas in Travel + Leisure’s 2020 World’s Best Awards, as well as the #6 Hotel in the World on Travel + Leisure’s “Top 100” list. Our six-star, all-villa rainforest resort has grown internationally renowned for its remote setting, hyper-personalised service and transformative experiences, and we’re excited to see that Travel + Leisure readers are, once again, taking notice of our under-the-radar luxury hideaway.

We decided to sit down with proprietor Gregor Nassief to gain insight into what exactly this title means for Secret Bay and just how our future will be shaped by earning such an acclaimed recognition. Read more, below. 

What does being named the #1 Resort Hotel in the Caribbean, Bermuda & the Bahamas by Travel + Leisure mean for Secret Bay, as well as the #6 Hotel in the World?

When we first opened Secret Bay in 2011, my wife and I — as well as our eight employees — had never worked in hospitality before. It became Dominica’s first luxury property, and with just four villas, probably one of the smallest boutique properties in the world. So, as you can imagine, it was an adventure in every sense. 

But what we were sure we wanted to achieve was an experience that would allow guests to reconnect with nature, themselves and the ones they love. Everything revolved around that. This meant preserving the natural environment; designing villas that would reflect the luxury of time and space; fostering utmost intimacy and privacy; and, above all, providing discreet, six-star service that would go above and beyond our guests’ greatest expectations — every minute of the day.

To earn the #1 spot in the Caribbean in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, as well as the #6 spot on their list of “The Top 100 Hotels in the World,” means that we have achieved what we initially set out to do. And given the disruptive time that the travel industry is now in, this acknowledgment is a reminder that travel inspires and lifts us up, and is a testament to our team’s commitment to delivering truly exceptional experiences. I am immensely proud.

What does the future of Secret Bay look like after earning this top spot?

It seems that now, more than ever, travelers are seeking remote destinations in nature. At Secret Bay, this has been ingrained in our vision since day one and we are forever committed to providing a secluded sanctuary for guests to escape to. 

And although Secret Bay is certainly growing, particularly with the addition of The Residences at Secret Bay, we will become an even lower density property than what exists today, decreasing from 9 percent to 7 percent of the property allocated for development. As such, the tangible sense of intimacy and privacy that we’ve become known for will forever stay intact. 

Beyond this acclaimed recognition, what other wins are you celebrating Secret Bay? 

Despite these uncertain and unprecedented times, we have a lot to celebrate. In addition to this award, we earned a Green Globe Certificate and joined Relais & Châteaux at the end of last year, and we’re gently expanding the resort with four new villas opening this November. 

We may have earned the #1 spot in the Caribbean in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, as well as the #6 spot in the world, but we’ll never stop pushing ourselves to be the best for our beloved guests.