By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

It’s almost certainly the most anticipated hotel reopening of 2018 in the Caribbean: Dominica’s iconic Secret Bay.

And the legendary eco-luxe retreat will be unveiling a host of changes and upgrades to the property when it returns in November.

The hotel, which made its debut in the north of Dominica seven years ago, will welcome back guests on Nov. 1 with updated villas, one new villa and a host of new amenities.

“We can’t wait to welcome back our treasured guests, along with new visitors,” said Gregor Nassief, proprietor of Secret Bay, in a statement to Caribbean Journal. “Secret Bay was created to serve as a destination for travelers to discover a hidden slice of paradise, retreat in nature and reconnect with life’s most important moments, and we look forward to offering guests that experience once again in November.”

So what’s on tap?

Villas Zabuco I, II and III and Ylang Ylang I and II are being restored to reflect their original designs and optimized for a “truly luxury experience,” the property says.

Each freestanding villa has its own private plunge pool.

The new on-site restaurant at Secret Bay.

A new, two-story Ti-Féy Villa I is a “nature-meets-luxury architectural masterpiece” perched high atop the resort’s cliffside.

Sustainably built with Guyanese Greenheart hardwood, the 1,356-square-foot retreat boasts one bedroom and two bathrooms, gourmet kitchen, floor-to-ceiling glass doors, outdoor rain shower, private plunge pool and a variety of modern amenities.

The new spa.

The resort will also debut a centrally-located, sit-down restaurant offering seasonal, locally-sourced fare, scenic views and a display kitchen.

The restaurant, Zing Zing, will not have a menu; rather, the chef will prepare seasonal dishes based on patrons’ preferences.

The hotel will continue its trademark private, in-villa dining and personalized pre-stocking services.

A newly constructed yoga, spa and wellness pavilion will serve as a riverside destination for intimate wellness classes and luxurious spa services.

The Gommier Spa will include a private treehouse-style couple’s massage room, while the Bwa Mang Wellness Pavilion will be suspended over the Cario river.

For more, visit Secret Bay.

— CJ