You no doubt already know all the reasons that the Caribbean is so well-loved, and that it makes a great sunny escape from the UK.
Choosing where to stay needn’t be complicated. An idyllic combination of beaches, island-activities, foodie-havens, rest, relaxation – and of course, weather – these are ten of the reasons The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is an ideal choice for your next sunny getaway.
In partnership with The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.
The LocationThe biggest of the Cayman Islands – a trio of islands located off the coast of Cuba – Grand Cayman is an island that has it all. With a stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, you’ll find the picture-perfect Caribbean beaches to lie back on as you soak up the sun as well as an island rich in biodiversity, and with an abundant wildlife to explore – both at sea and on land. You’ll also discover a foodie-paradise, where Caribbean favourites such as jerk chicken are lovingly prepared alongside Japanese and Italian dishes – best washed down with a rum punch or two. Beaches, exploration and good food? What’s not to love?
The Design
New York-based Champalimaud Design are the team behind the 369 rooms and suites at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, and bring a modern-coastal meets mid-century Caribbean aesthetic to the interiors, blending neutral tones with pops of colour and stand-out striped carpets. Rooms overlooking the ocean are, naturally, some of the best, but the garden and resort-view rooms peering out across the island’s lush greenery offer an equally at-one-with-nature experience. If you really want to go all out, look to Seven South – a 20,000-square-foot, nine-bedroom suite layout – it’s the largest luxury suite offering in all of the Caribbean. In early 2022, the hotel emerged from an extensive renovation: the sea-inspired, cultural and historical references seen in the bedrooms are reflected throughout the rest of the hotel too, in shades reflecting those of the island; think green to match the verdant flora, and sand-like tones to match the beach.
The Fitness Focus
Located in a blue-zone friendly area, it’s no surprise that health and fitness at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is taken seriously. Tennis is a big deal here, with two hard courts, two cushioned TitanTrax courts, and five pickleball courts. Book for a few hours’ practice with friends, or perfect your craft in a session with a qualified instructor. At the hotel’s gym, take part in group fitness classes including circuit training, yoga and aerobics, book a personalised 60-minute training session, or whip up a sweat on the cardio and weight-training machines before taking a cooling dip in one of the hotel’s two swimming pools. Keen golfers should make a beeline to the Greg Norman designed, nine-hole golf course. Most of the holes come with an aquatic challenge (so you’ll really have to think about your swing), and all overlook the sea as well as the numerous yachts docked in the marina next door. This course is only open to members, residents or guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, so you’re guaranteed an exclusive experience.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa
At The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, health and fitness includes a healthy dose of rest, relaxation and recuperation. The Ritz-Carlton Spa, set on an island oasis along the shoreline of Seven Mile Beach is a truly indulgent place to while away a few hours with massage, facials, mani-pedis, and more. We’re fairly confident that once you’ve been for the first time, you’ll be back for more; it’s an almost impossible task to choose from the extensive menu which offers treatments from brands including 111SKIN and ESPA. But, if you really do have to choose just one, make it the 90-minute Gift From The Ocean body wrap – where your therapist will use marine mud and detoxifying algae to nourish and tone your skin, leaving it feeling truly revitalised. Given the spa’s beachside location it would be rude not to use the ocean’s own natural healers, after all. Complete your experience with time in the whirlpool, sauna or steam room.
The Food
While the entire island is a mecca for foodies, the quality and variety of cuisine and dishes at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman shines. Six restaurants serve everything from Japanese sushi and sake at Taikun; an elegant Afternoon Tea menu and exclusive rum and chocolate pairings at high-end Caribbean dining destination, Silver Palm; Caribbean and South American-inspired favours at beachside Saint June; and fresh seafood at the Caribbean’s first and only five-star restaurant in Forbes Travel Guide’s Star Awards, Blue by Eric Ripert. Italian restaurant Andiamo is soon-to-reveal a new look – you heard it here first. Speaking of new dining destinations, don’t miss the upcoming Tea & Couture experience in partnership with acclaimed fashion illustrator, Meagan Morrison, on 19 July 2024. See, we told you there was a lot to love about the dining experiences here, but the foodie-focus goes above and beyond even this…
The Ritz-Carlton Cayman Cookout
Once a year, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman hosts the biggest food festival on the island, The Ritz-Carlton Cayman Cookout and, in 2025, chefs Eric Ripert and José Andres will headline the event, among others. This culinary festival is a favourite in diaries across the Caribbean and beyond, and celebrates the best of local and international food, wine and spirits. The Ritz-Carlton Cayman Cookout attracts some of the world’s top chefs to cook up a storm in the Caribbean; next year these will include: Eric Ripert, who as well as running the hotel’s very own seafood restaurant, Blue, is chef and co-owner of New York restaurant, Le Bernardin; Mawa McQueen, owner and chef at both Mawa’s Kitchen and The Crepe Shack; plus Emmy and James Beard award-winning chef and restaurateur, Andrew Zimmern. Save the dates: in 2025 the event will take place from 15 – 20 January. Book here.
Seven Mile Beach
Though Grand Cayman’s famous Seven Mile Beach may actually be just under seven miles (6.3, apparently), this long stretch of (multi) award-winning coastline is undoubtedly one of the Caribbean’s best, and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman makes the most of its privileged location alongside it. The pure-white sand here is formed from the natural erosion of nearby coral reefs – sink into it for a day of lounging under the Caribbean sun, or take to the water to explore more. Charter a yacht to glide across the surface; splash around on a kayak, raft or water trike; or peek at the abundant marine life who call it home with an afternoon of snorkelling. Seven Mile Beach is also the best place to be on the island come sunset; book a table at the hotel’s beachside restaurant, Saint June, for an elegant evening feasting on dishes such as the freshly-caught local snapper with a coconut sauce, jerk chicken with mango pureé, or Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche served with a citrus tomato sauce and plantain chips.
The Environmental Programme
While The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is undoubtedly located on one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, it has another natural wonder on its doorstep too – direct access to a mangrove forest, something no other hotel on the island can claim. In partnership with legendary French explorer, Jean-Michel Cousteau, The Ritz-Carlton has developed its environmental programme, Ambassadors of the Environment, to showcase the island’s incredible natural beauty. Join the educational experiences, designed for both children and adults, to learn all about the local environment. Discover the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana, found nowhere else in the world; kayak through the mangrove to spot the sea-life living beneath its surface and the birds living in the trees above it; or take a trip into the deep blue with a snorkelling lesson – day or night – off the coast of Seven Mile Beach. Trust us, you’ll learn more than you expect; including the importance of the island’s ecosystem and how you can help protect it, on each and every activity in this fantastic programme.
The Eco-Chic Retreat Package
Building on a commitment to inform, educate and help visitors make meaningful environmental choices, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman’s Eco-Chic Package is a great way to enjoy a more sustainable stay. The offer is extended from now until the 20 December 2024, and as part of it the hotel will offset your carbon footprint on a three-night stay; upgrade you to Ritz-Carlton Club level; offer four, 60-minute treatments at the spa; host you for a cocktail demonstration at Ophelia Bar; and give you USD 1,000 towards resort activities, including mangrove kayaking or tours of the shallow waters at Stingray City – a chance to truly get up close and personal with the rays in their natural habitat. This is sustainable luxury at its very finest. From now until 20 December 2024: book here.
The Weather
No matter the time of year you visit, you’re all but guaranteed sunshine in the Cayman Islands. Boasting 300 days of sunshine a year, visit between November and March to escape the UK winter in favour of some winter sun, and enjoy temperatures that hover around 25°C. The mercury rises ever-so-slightly for the rest of the year, reaching a peak in August at around 30°C, ideal for sun-soaked days spent at the beach. Whether you’re planning for a winter getaway, a springtime soirée or a summer fling, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman hits the spot. All you need to do is pack your bikini, sunscreen and kaftans.
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