By Elena Voss · Luxury Developments Editor
Dominica — the Nature Isle of the Caribbean — is categorically different from its sun-and-sand neighbours. The island's 750-metre peaks, whale-watching season (sperm whales are year-round residents of the nearby deep-water trench), hot springs, and 365 rivers have positioned it as the Caribbean's premier eco-tourism destination. The Cabrits Resort Kempinski, which opened in 2019 on the island's protected Cabrits Peninsula, is the flagship property of that positioning.
Developer: Range Developments
Range Developments — the Caribbean CBI specialist that has also delivered the Park Hyatt St Kitts and the Six Senses La Sagesse in Grenada — brought Kempinski to Dominica through a structure that makes all residential units eligible for Dominica's citizenship by investment programme. Range has an unbroken track record of CBI project delivery: every Range CBI property to date has been approved by its respective government and delivered on schedule.
The Cabrits project includes 151 hotel rooms and suites plus 26 private villas. Post-hurricane Maria (which struck in 2017, before construction), the Dominican government mandated all new tourism construction to Category 5 hurricane standards — a requirement Range complied with fully, at significant additional cost, giving buyers measurable resilience.
Unit Types and Pricing
- Deluxe Villa (1 bed) — From $220,000 (minimum for CBI eligibility), basic unit in the Kempinski managed rental pool.
- Ocean View Villa (2 bed) — $380,000 to $650,000 with private terrace and Kempinski services.
- Private Estate Villa (3–4 bed) — $950,000 to $1.6 million, the resort's largest units with full villa butler service.
CBI eligibility: Dominica's Citizenship by Investment programme is consistently rated by investment migration consultants as the world's best-value CBI passport. Minimum investment for the real estate route is $200,000 plus government fees of approximately $75,000 per family of four. Dominica's passport offers visa-free access to 140+ countries including the UK and Schengen Area. The programme has a strong processing track record with 90–120 day approval timelines.
Amenities and Destination Appeal
Cabrits Resort is set within a 1,076-acre UNESCO World Heritage Site (the Cabrits National Park, home to 18th-century Fort Shirley) giving owners a uniquely protected setting that can never be built out. The resort includes three restaurants, a spa, two pools, a dive school, and access to the Cabrits Marine Reserve snorkelling and diving directly from the beach.
Dominica's Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM) currently accepts only propeller aircraft, with Antigua or Barbados as the primary connection hubs. A new international jet-capable airport was approved by the Dominican government in 2024 and is under construction — its completion will significantly increase accessibility and, with it, property values. Current travel: Miami to Dominica via Antigua takes approximately 5–6 hours.
Verdict: The most cost-effective combination of Kempinski-branded ownership and a legitimate second citizenship available anywhere in the Caribbean. Access limitations are a genuine constraint today, but the new airport changes that calculus significantly when it opens.