Where to stay in the Cayman Islands?!?! An Honest Review:

If you've read my previous post on why I think Grand Cayman is the ultimate family vacation- then you absolutely know why I love this tiny island and all it has to offer! It's a must-visit for anyone who loves the sea and sun. My favorite reason being the clear and tranquil, turquoise waters on seven mile beach! But- that's definitely not the only reason. There's a host of land and water activities to choose from, delicious food and drinks, gourmet restaurants, beautiful sunsets, romance and plenty of sunshine to go around! What's not to love about this island- plus did I mention the locals are super friendly and safety isn't an issue for visitors or locals!

Sooo where should you stay?! In my last post, I talked about my favorite go to spot for "off the beach" accommodations (The Sunshine Suites) In this post, I will focus on a few of my favorite "on the beach" accommodations.

*These resorts are in no particular order- but they are 3 of my favorite hotels on the island*

1.Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort:

Why stay here?! For one- the Beach and then I would say the location.

Need a few more details....

This beautiful resort is set on a stunning stretch of beach, which, in my opinion ranks as the best spot on seven mile beach. I wouldn't call this a chic and luxurious property, but, it definitely tends to lean more on the higher end (especially their prices) and for their overall service and accommodations. This hotel is situated in a great location, because it's right across from shops that are worth a visit. There's a frozen yogurt shop, a liquor store, a Sports Cafe and a few other restaurants which can keep dining costs in Grand Cayman a little more"affordable". Plus, it's with in walking distance to CostUless store, which is their version of a Costco. As for some of the amenities- The swim up bar is a nice touch - adults and kids (my kids love the virgin frozen drinks) love it and the beach bar has the best bartenders! The Hibiscus Spa is super relaxing and the staff is amazing. There's a coffee shop on premise which also happens to make iced coffees- thank goodness : ) and grab to go sandwiches and snacks! The rooms aren't lavish, but nicely decorated in a beachy theme of blue and white and the beds are pretty comfy too. I love the layout of the hotel because you don't have to walk too far to get to the pool or beach area. Personally, I think the bellman are the best at this property, always making you feel welcome and greeting you with a smile. The beach restaurant (Tortuga beach bar and grill) offers some great food options and excellent service too! The pool has a swim up bar and offers shade from the sun in the later afternoon. They have some beach movie nights, a kids club, music in the lobby and offer a beach bbq. We have stayed here often and I absolutely love everything this resort offers!

List of Amenities:

-Kids Club

-Hibiscus Spa

-Cabana Rentals

-Water Sports

-Fitness Area

-Pool

-Concierge

-Beach Service

-Coffee Shop

-Tortuga Beach Bar

-3 Restaurants

***To sum up what I love about this property... is truly the beach scene. There's plenty of loungers all with umbrellas and the beach service is impeccable. They also have smaller chairs to be used in the shallow part of the beach where the sand meets the water- being able to sit in the water and have a drink while bathing in the sun is a no brainer here. The beach at this hotel is pure perfection. I do love this location...especially, being that it's close to some great shops and eateries that will definitely make your overall vacation a better experience!

2.The Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa:

Why stay here?! Well, if your looking for high end... this is it. I would say this resort offers more of a boutique style feel with only 266 rooms. It's also one of the newer upscale properties in Cayman offering impeccable service, style and luxury on seven mile beach.

Need a few more details...

This hotel is absolutely stunning and because of the layout it truly feels more like a luxury boutique style hotel. The Kimpton has thought of all the details to truly make this chic and sophisticated hotel stand out. It definitely boasts more of a younger vibe and is certainly more modern than the Westin or Ritz Carlton Resort. The staff at this resort go above and beyond to make you feel welcomed from the very first minute you arrive. I love the glass of rose they hand out on while your checking in-just makes for a smooth transition while heading to your room. The hotel is beyond gorgeous and I love the layout of the grounds. Rooms are beautiful and modern and all come with a pretty large balcony and these amazing floor to ceiling glass windows offering spectacular views! The spa is phenomenal and the staff are simply amazing. Their beach bar and grill (Coccoloba) is beautiful and has great views of the ocean which includes a structured overhang, so there's no worries when a quick rain cloud comes in. I love all the greenery and flowers around the property- there's so many instagram spots because the foliage is everywhere and it's just gorgeous! They have lots of kid friendly activities (painting, hair braiding etc..) and a splash park. While staying here you might opt for a rental car or you can use their taxi service, being that this property is on the west end of seven mile beach. This resort is truly beautiful and offers exceptional service : )

list of Amenities:

-Beach bar (Coccoloba)

-Coffee shop (where you can also get breakfast and sandwiches)

-The Library cocktail bar

-2 Restaurants

-Kids Camp

-Pool

-Fitness area (honestly, this is so nice)

-Yoga on the lawn

-Bikes to use around the property

-Cabana Rentals

-Water Sports

-Seafire Spa

-Pet-Friendly

-Concierge

***To sum up what I love about this property... is definitely the service, plus their attention to details are really thought out! The staff is attentive and truly service oriented. Something so basic as having a water station may seem ridiculous to talk about, but their water stations actually add a touch of charm throughout this resort. They include a "free" happy hour from 5-6 every day with some apps. They also provide complimentary sunscreen and lotion for all guests to use and get this- diapers are included as well for the pool area! In the afternoon, staff members come around the beach and pool serving snacks like ice pops and cold grapes- Seriously, whats not to love about this resort?!

3. Palm Heights:

Why stay here... If you're looking for a dreamy vacation filled with relaxation, luxury and attentive service packaged in a true boutique hotel, then you've found everything your looking for!

Need a few more details...

Actually, this is Grand Cayman's first all suite boutique property. In my opinion, this hotel is an absolute gem on the island. The Palm Heights is upscale and sophisticated, yet offers unrefined glamour and exceptional service! The aesthetics of this hotel are absolutely gorgeous. The entire staff is outstanding and almost anticipates your every need. The hotel is set on a beautiful part of seven mile beach and the grounds are stunning and flawless! The food and drinks are definitely 5 star quality and their restaurant Tillie's is not to be missed (my hubbies favorite place). The spa and gym at the Garden Club are exceptional and the gym is honestly the best! The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated with comfy beds and pillows and definitely comes well stocked. The hotel is in a central location, being that it's within walking distance to other restaurants and not too far from the Camana Bay area (10 min walk). Most likely you will not need a rental car while staying here unless your looking to explore the island. I love the intimate vibe of this hotel- perfect for couples looking for romance, yet kid-friendly at the same time, Honestly, you may be so in love with the service, food and drinks that you may never venture out at all!!

List of Amenities:

-Spa

-Fitness area

-Water Sports

-Pool

-Pet-Friendly

-Concierge

-Beach Service

-Excursions

-Library/Board Games

-Coconut Club Beach Bar

-Paradise Pizza

-Yashinoki Restaurant

-Tillies Restaurant - serving breakfast, lunch and dinner (food is exceptional)

***To sum up what I love about this property... this isn't your typical hotel chain. It's truly a luxury boutique hotel which focuses on service and attention to detail. They include a "free" happy hour every day with some apps and a signature drink, that's the kind of service you can expect to receive while staying at the Palm Heights! By the time you leave you will feel like you just had the most magical vacation in paradise. The staff will feel like family to you and you will be deciding on when you can return next! To be honest... it is a little pricey, however, it's worth every penny because it's pure perfection!

I hope you enjoyed reading these reviews on my top 3 hotel choices for "on the beach accommodations". I was honest on why I think they are the best places to stay in Grand Cayman when choosing a beach hotel. Yes, they are a little more on the higher end- but most of the hotels in Grand Cayman are. These hotels offer completely different experiences from one another, but in my opinion are all a wonderful options when deciding where to stay!

I'm excited to be visiting a new hotel called Hotel Indigo this summer, It's opening in May of 2024. I will definitely be posting a review on it when I get back!

Cheers 💗 Xo