Named the BBC’s top destination to visit in 2025, this extraordinarily beautiful island remains one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets
JUNGLE BAY
A chance to immerse yourself in nature’s splendour is on offer at this eco luxury resort; though it is situated just 20 minutes from the capital of Roseau, this peaceful hideaway will have you feeling like you are a million miles away from civilisation. The villas here, scattered across a hillside that is lush with tropical greenery, are built from locally sourced wood and are arranged in a way that makes them feel gloriously secluded. Covered terraces offer breathtaking views, best admired from the comfort of a well-placed hammock. Activities here focus on wellbeing and nature, with yoga, meditation, bird watching, whale watching and guided walks all on offer, alongside a programme of local excursions presenting a uniquely authentic look at local life. Meanwhile, at Bamboo Spa, guests can indulge in a variety of nature-inspired treatments, including detoxifying rubs and massages, as well as facials, manicures and pedicures. At the heart of the resort is al fresco Calabash Restaurant & Bar, where chef Joanne uses only the freshest farm-to-table and boat-to-plate ingredients for a most memorable Caribbean dining experience. And she shares her skills and insight at weekly cooking classes. A taste of heaven on earth.
junglebaydominica.com
COULIBRI RIDGE
This sleek eco-resort is set on a mountain ridge overlooking Dominica’s south coast in Petit Coulibri. The sustainable, off-grid resort was planned as an eco-sensitive hillside retreat; the hotel itself was built on a south-facing plot to maximise its ability to generate solar power (there are 280 solar batteries, plus two wind turbines, on site). Designed with sustainability at its heart, Coulibri Ridge aims not only to be self-sufficient, but also, eventually, to supply green power to the neighbouring village. And the efforts don’t end there – hundreds of thousands of litres of rainwater are stored in vast cisterns beneath the room blocks, purified, and then used throughout the resort. Meanwhile, lights, taps, and outdoor showers are motion-activated to reduce waste. Over the course of 15 years, what was once a colonial-era citrus plantation has been transformed, with accommodation set in striking modern buildings crafted from volcanic rock mined on the 285-acre property. Guests can choose from studios, lofts, and one-bedroom penthouses, all decorated in a neutral palette inspired by sand and stone, and featuring floor-to-ceiling windows framing dramatic views. There is a bijou spa here, with two treatment areas, an infinity pool with even more mesmerising sea views, a bar with spacious outdoor seating, and a top-notch restaurant with daily changing menus championing ingredients sourced from the hotel’s farm and orchards. Proof, if you needed it, that sustainability and luxury can go hand in hand.
coulibriridge.com
There are two beautiful beaches at Secret Bay, one is reachable only by boatSECRET BAY
Situated on a lush hillside on the island’s north west coast, this sublime six-star all-villa resort, a member of Relais & Châteaux, is regularly voted one of the finest hotels in the Caribbean, and it’s easy to see why. Accommodation is offered in 22 villas set within the stunning surrounds of the coastal jungle, with some accessed via an extraordinary funicular railway. Each boasts its own infinity pool (with views of the sparkling Caribbean Sea), and a discreet villa host who will prepare guests’ breakfast in the privacy of their villa if wished. There are two white sand beaches below – one of which can only be reached by swimming around the headland or arriving by boat – and a watersports centre. Meanwhile, Gommier, the treehouse-like spa, is located on floating platforms in the jungle and offers an array of treatments and wellness experiences. There’s also an open-air gym featuring top-of-the-range self-powered fitness equipment. The newly opened Bwa Denn Kitchen, Brewery and Gallery is home to 100+ Caribbean and Latin American art pieces, local art installations, an island-to-table restaurant, tapas terrace, fullservice bar, kombucha microbrewery and more. This is, truly, paradise found.
secretbay.dm
