We recently traveled to Secret Bay for what we thought was a weeklong relaxing getaway and ending up on a weeklong expedition! We arrived with only one scheduled plan and ending up filling every day with amazing outdoor adventures thanks to the wonderful work of the Concierge at the resort. From hiking the waterfalls, swimming through Titou Gorge, spearing lionfish, and even swimming with the Sperm Whales (by permit only and she was able to get one last minute for us!) We stayed in Ti-Fey 1 overlooking the bay and Portsmouth. The view from the Villa is breathtaking and can be seen from every location in the Villa...even the showers! The kitchen was fully equipped with everything you would need. Our attendant had our Villa stocked with all the items we had requested and made sure we were set with everything we needed each day for our excursions. The grounds of the resort are maintained so well and filled with the most beautiful landscape. The Villas are all spaced out to where you felt like you were the only one there. Zing Zing is the only restaurant in the resort and we didn't mind that because it is one of the best we've been to. Chef Fabio prepares all local foods and did a superb job. His 4 course prix fixe was delicious and a great choice when you don't want to make any decisions! If you're looking for luxury but in a more secluded rustic setting then Secret Bay is it! Top notch service and accommodations without the stuffiness of most 5 star resorts. …
We had a fantastic stay at Secret Bay in early January. We set out to recharge, reconnect, and relax. This is THE place to do just that, with total seclusion from the outside world --but lots of great support from the incredible staff. Picture this : you wake up every morning to the sounds of waves, seeing the birds fly by your cliff side perch and the smell of breakfast freshly made in your villa ! All you need to do is make your way to the table, and then decide if you'll do "nothing" or go get a couples massage, or private yoga class, talk to the chef about dinner and lounge by the beach or your private plunge pool. We choose Dominica specifically because of its excellent record with COVID. They've had less than 100 cases in the past 10 months, and no active cases when we were visiting. You can get to Dominica by a connecting flight from Barbados --so that means everyone on your plane was tested 3 days before departure, and the same with flight to Dominica. You then have a rapid test on arrival and are kept in a safe bubble within the resort, and tour operators that have been specially vetted. The place is amazing - the owners have created a private paradise that is geared to each individual guest. My suggestion is go! stay as long as your internet connection will allow you to stay away from home, and breathe it all in. This is a gem !…
My wife and I left right after Thanksgiving- what with all the COVID restrictions- it was quite a chore to get there / tested 3 times in 5 days- but it was definitely worth it . The accommodations were fantastic- We stayed in Ti Fey 1 and it was a perfect spot - secluded in the jungle yet having a view of the water. The staff was amazing- so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Meghan was so helpful and intuitive. She actually knew our wants and needs before we did . Lenita was so passionate about her job and gave us great suggestions for our daily excursions. All of our drivers and guides were friendly, very helpful and safety conscious The accommodations were more than we could ask for - The bed was so comfortable/ outdoors shower was a delight , the kitchen was as upscale and professional as you could want and the highlight was our own plunge pool - as relaxing as we could want. The food weather prepared by Meghan for breakfast or the kitchen staff for dinner was delicious. Our daily excursion whether hiking in rain forests with Dr Bird or a “moderate “ hike to the waterfall was a real challenge but a real feeling of accomplishment. We have stayed in luxury resorts all around the world and it was best and most relaxing place we have been in. T…
Summary: If you have a chance to stay here, we absolutely recommend it. Everything about this trip was amazing - the property, food, experiences, and service were all top notch and well worth the price. Even with COVID, we felt so safe about the whole process and trip. We definitely plan on coming back. Villa: We stayed in the Ti-Fey I villa for this trip, it is basically a two-story luxury treehouse with a great view of the on-property beach. This was absolutely one of our parts about the trip - the feeling of being in nature but with luxury amenities. In this open concept villa, we had an amazing deck where we spent our mornings drinking coffee, our own personal/heated pool, all brand new appliances if you wanted to eat in, multiple floor to ceiling windows to take in the view and three different showers (including an outdoor shower and an indoor rain shower. Food: The food was EXCEPTIONAL. We opted for the breakfast and dinner package. For breakfast, our villa attendant (the wonderful Carina) would come at whatever time we asked and prepared us whatever we wanted (usually some sort of eggs with fruit and meat). For dinner, we dined almost every night at Zing Zing (their on-property restaurant) to an ever-changing course listing and surprises from the chef. Every night was a new dish and all delicious. With how secluded the property is, we hardly ever saw any other guests at the restaurant except for Gregor the owner who would always take time to say hello to us! To be honest, they feed you so much that you don't necessarily need to get lunch every single day, however, on excursion days, there are options to have a provided lunch which was great as well (also absolutely recommend getting lunch at Keeping it Reel at Toucari Bay, Captain Don can take you). Service: This was a masterclass in customer service. Everyone on the staff is amazing and it was an absolute pleasure to have them with us. Lenita the guest services manager, Carina our attendant, all of the four drivers (Ryan was our main one), Julius the beach attendant, and the entire staff/kitchen at Zing Zing were so nice, helpful, and attentive. They exceeded the expectations we had going into this vacation. Anything you want/need is available to you. Experiences: We had never heard of Dominica prior to researching for our honeymoon, but are so glad we did, every excursion, experience, and activity planned by the Secret Bay was memorable. We did the hike for Middleham Falls, the Hot Springs, Indian River Tour with Fire, Private Snorkeling, Canyoning down Titou Gorge, Chaudiere Pool, Batibou Beach, Massages at Gommier Spa, and multiple days at their private beach. Middleham Falls is a great little hike that takes you right in the middle of Dominica that ends with a BEAUTIFUL view of the waterfall - it can be a tiny bit challenging due to the elevation changes and slippery steps, but it is worth it. Right after the hike Ryan, our driver and guide, took us to the Hot Springs right up the road which was a great way to relax after the hike (our favorite was spending time in the literally clawfoot tub they have on site with hot spring water flowing into it). The next day we took a tour of the Indian River with the local legend, Fire. He takes you by boat from Secret Bay to the river, pointing everything you need to know about the Portsmouth area, all the local flora and fauna, where the shot different Pirates of the Caribbean scenes, his story growing up in the area, and finally taking you to the local rum bar along the river! Unfortunately, with Covid it was closed, but it was still a very cool experience (he even climbed a tree and brought us down a coconut). For private snorkeling, Captain Don took us near Toucari Bay into very clear, calm water that made it easy for beginner snorkelers like ourselves (we saw so many things!). He also showed us the northern point where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean and then an amazing lobster lunch at Keeping it Reel. Snorkeling was my SO's favorite excursion on the trip! My favorite was canyoning at Titou Gorge. The guys at Extreme Dominica (who do the experience) were great and train you in everything you need to do for rappelling/jumping down the waterfalls. We are not used to physical activities like that, but it was so much fun. The next day we had a combined day of both Chaudiere Pool and Batibou Beach. The ride to Chaudiere Pool is a bit hairy (unpaved, hillside roads, with drops on both sides) but the Secret Bay drivers are absolute professionals who know the roads. If you get a chance definitely go to Batibou Beach, its completely private (you pay $5 USD, but it's worth it) and gorgeous. The Gommier Spa massages were great, typical of any other 5-star resort, but to have them while hearing the waves crash and the nature around you takes you to another level. And every day we didn’t have an excursion, we spent it on the private beach stand up paddle boarding, kayaking to another separate beach, just enjoying the water/view. They have a water sports attendant who provides everything you need and can order lunch/drinks from. COVID-19: We were very concerned about traveling during a pandemic but everything about Dominica/Secret Bay made it as safe as possible. Covid test 24-72 hours before arrival, a rapid Covid test once you arrive at the airport, and another Covid test on your fifth day. Masks (staff at all times and guest’s majority of the time except in villa), daily monitoring of symptoms/temperature, hand sanitizers at all locations, a welcome bag (with masks, hand sanitizer, gloves). Also considering the fact that Secret Bay is open air and very secluded, we felt very safe in this environment.…
My wife and I booked a Ylang Ylang Villa for March break 2020 and it was one of the best decisions we've ever made. Canada started it's lock down for COVID19 the day before we left but we decided to go anyway. We couldn't have picked a better place to be while the world was coming to grips with a global pandemic. The Villa was amazing. An outdoor kitchen overlooking the trees and water. Our own little pool with sun deck. A great room with comfortable bed, modern soaker tub/shower, and great vanity area with lots of light, mirrors, and storage. Waking up to the sounds of the birds and a welcome hello when our hostess came to make our breakfast was wonderful. The food was an important part of the experience. Many new dishes we've never had before made with local fish, plants, and herbs. We highly recommend at least one dinner cooked in your villa by the resort chef. The beach is a short walk away and it's beautiful. Lots of great coral and fish right off the shore. Make sure to bring your mask and fins but if you forget, don't worry. There's a little hut there fully stocked with everything you could ask for, from drinks to sporting equipment etc... I've saved the best for last. The most amazing thing about Secret Bay was the people. The resort manager always making sure everything was OK, our villa hostess who took care of everything we needed, the chef, the beach hut staff, and the grounds maintenance people. All amazing. We also did a rain forest walk, a day trip, and a spear fishing excursion. Everyone was great! It was a crazy time. By the end of our stay we were the only ones left at the resort. Dominica hadn't had any cases of COVID19 while we were there. With all the uncertainty the staff never let us feel like anything was wrong. With everything going on in the world, paradise felt untouched. Thanks to everyone at Secret Bay. We had a great time and can't wait to come back.…
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