The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman – perched on a prime location at Seven Mile Beach – is your answer to a pure, unadulterated fly-and-flop as much as an immersive island getaway.
This sprawling 369-guestroom property has all the perks of a ritzy, mega-hotel – multiple restaurants including Blue by Eric Ripert, a lavish spa, two outdoor pools, a roster of activities – with the intimate feel of a boutique property driven by the staff’s camaraderie. Backdropped by an undulating sea of swaying palm trees, there’s little reason to leave this beach paradise, though you’ll be in for a treat either way.
If the Grand Cayman’s exquisite white-sand beaches weren’t already tantalising enough to lure you to this carefree corner of the Caribbean, this spectacular property will certainly get you giddy with wanderlust.
The Vibe
Palatial yet personable. The entryway sets the tone, a grand, palm-tree lined entrance with friendly doormen who greet you on arrival. Flashes of green are everywhere; a bespoke minty gazpacho tone that’s unique to the property’s island-inspired colour palette. Guests float in and out of the plant-filled Silver Palm Bar and Lounge in crisp linen co-ords, sipping cups of iced latte macchiatos with the gradient still satisfyingly intact. Then there’s the sheer size and scale of the building to take in, exaggerated by the airy, labyrinthine hallways that never feel crowded. Along the way to the elevator, through an elongated gallery space adorned with local art, staff members and families greet each other in a way that’s reminiscent of a big country walk.
The Rooms
Bedrooms are elegant and understated with a nod to the destination’s colourful aesthetic. The interiors, which were redesigned by New York-based Champalimaud Design in 2021, feature natural textures and local art that converge to reflect the Grand Cayman’s rich history. The Cayman’s prized thatched rope, for example, pops up in unexpected places, a natural material that’s sourced from the national Silver Thatch Palm tree. Plump four-poster beds are covered in feather-soft Frette linens, and are strategically positioned for enjoying sea views from bed.
The two-bedroom penthouse residences come with private kitchens, cavernous bathtubs and a sweeping rooftop terrace that’s especially lovely at sunset. Beamed ceilings and light wood panelling conjure the sensation of being on a yacht – just very high up. For immediate access to the beach, the breezy ground-level Ocean Suites are great for families, complete with private kitchens, a well-stocked fridge, jars of sweets and complimentary sailing lessons.
The Food + Drink
After an early morning swim in the sea, breakfast awaits at Seven, where you’ll sample ackee and stuffed mango French toast, or at the Club Lounge where members can help themselves to a generous buffet-style spread with heaps of fresh fruit, buttery pastries, traditional cheeses and a divinely creamy mango yoghurt. For lunch, there’s an assortment of mixed bean salads, flaky callaloo patties and jerk tofu wraps to go with a glass of fizz. Aside from breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Club Lounge offers afternoon tea, hors d’oeuvres and other delightful treats throughout the day.
Closer to the beach you’ll find Saint June, the hotel’s swish beach-side restaurant. The menu includes light mango salads and poke bowls heavy on seafood flavours – such as raw tuna drizzled with Acevichado sauce. And let’s not forget the piña coladas, served in tall sling glasses with rum that floats on top and drips down the sides, plus a fresh pineapple chunk for garnish.
For more seafood, Taikun is the hotel’s atmospherically subdued and sleek sushi restaurant – perfect for date night and getting dressed up. Try to nab a counter spot by the open kitchen to watch the chefs in action, crafting maki from scratch and dodging past each other with exquisite finesse. Expect plates of wagyu beef nigiri, yellowtail maki and spicy tuna tataki, alongside a weighty wine list that can be helpfully whittled down with a staff recommendation. And don’t miss Blue by Eric Ripert, the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant. The multi-course tasting menus merge fresh ingredients with Eric Ripert’s artisanal techniques; pan seared dover sole with truffle and parmesan, lightly seared langoustine – it’s (at least) a three-hour dining extravaganza.
The Little Extras
Rum and chocolate tasting can be arranged with an in-house expert, which brings the distillery experience to you. It’s also an excuse to sample the Grand Cayman’s golden rum, Seven Fathoms, which, we learn, is kept under water for part of the maturation process, along with a few rare spirits. Stick around and try one of the precision-poured rum cocktails at the hotel’s Silver Palm Bar, served in delicate glassware – the Golden Tot, served with a succulent dried mango garnish, is a favourite.
The To-Do List
Where to begin? There’s kayaking through the mangrove wetlands, where you’ll find tiny upside-down jellyfish floating around a sunken boat. Pickleball classes are a fun, high-energy team sport that gets your heart rate up – a golf cart will pick you up from the main lobby and whizz you over to the grounds, where there’s tennis and a nine-hole golf course. Afterward, retreat to one of the swanky cabanas with cushioned daybeds to sink into for hours on end; the personable staff will keep you hydrated with jugs of ice-cold watermelon water, frozen grapes and melon sorbet. It’s impossible for your entire being not to feel lifted after a massage at the spa, which has a menu packed with knot-busting treatments by ESPA and 111SKIN that can be tweaked as required.
Beyond the hotel, the concierge can arrange a luxury boat trip to nearby Stingray City – which isn’t as scary as it sounds. The stingrays will swarm over in droves at first, but don’t worry – they’re like puppies, swimming in between your legs, curious and affectionate. They’ll warm to you even more if you gently pet or feed them chunks of squid. Next stop is Starfish Point, a secluded snorkelling spot with ankle-deep and completely transparent water, teeming with flurries of rainbow-hued fish and red cushion starfish.
All image credit: The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman
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