Forget high finance – with a flourishing culinary scene and natural attractions, the Cayman Islands has plenty to offer tourists, too
There’s a fresh way to see Grand Cayman, the largest and most developed island in this British Overseas Territory, which sits 227 miles south of Cuba. On the 10th floor of Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman, which opened in May, is rooftop lounge and restaurant Pom Pom.
After grabbing a punchy rum julep flavoured with local sage and honey, I head for the rooftop’s terrace to survey the chief reason many travellers come to this low-lying, L-shaped isle – Seven Mile Beach. The stunning white sands are flanked by a string of grand, top-name hotels – Marriott, Westin, Kimpton and Ritz-Carlton – that line up beside the turquoise sea like glitzy stands at a trade show.
With British Airways flying in from Heathrow five times a week, sending clients here is a cinch – although do point out that the flight is via Nassau and takes 12 hours. Driving is on the left and our late Queen still graces the currency, so British travellers should instantly feel at home on this three-isle archipelago, which came under English rule in 1670.
These days, the mood is enjoyably global, with more than 130 nationalities residing here. Although best known as a financial centre, the Cayman Islands is strongly invested in tourism. The strategy is paying dividends; air arrivals from the UK rose 15% to 13,032 last year, compared with 2022, while cruise ship visitors also increased.
All-inclusive resorts are rare and the emphasis is on offering quality holidays with high service standards and bringing nature based experiences to the fore – so much a part of the islands’ identity that when I look inside my passport, I find that the entry stamp features a tiny turtle.
Things to do on Grand Cayman
Beyond lazing by the sea and pool, clients will find much to do on Grand Cayman, including swimming with stingrays and admiring the blooms and endemic blue iguanas at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. There are upmarket stores to explore in Camana Bay, with interesting souvenirs including jewellery made from caymanite, a terracotta-striped semi-precious rock that’s unique to the isles; and Seven Fathoms rum, which has been matured in oak casks lowered into the sea, where the rocking waves and consistent temperature produce impressive results.
Fine alfresco dining options abound, with early reservations advisable for hotspots such as Tillies – famous for its ‘burger, lobster and bubbles’ nights – and Saint June, which specialises in Latin American cuisine.
Foodie events are common and include the annual Taste of Cayman Food and Drink Festival in May – this year’s was headlined by the Black Eyed Peas.
Upcoming events include discounted dining during Restaurant Month in October, which will segue into Cayman Cocktail Week (October 25-November 1) and the Cayman Pirates Fest (November 1-24), which is embraced enthusiastically by locals. If you’re wondering when the Caymans takes a break, everything stops on Sundays, when most shops are closed and many islanders go to church, then brunch, then the beach…
New hotels in the Cayman Islands
With a confident design that includes 282 ocean-view rooms and a bar with eye-catching portraits celebrating two Cayman Airways female pilots, Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman is an impressive addition to Grand Cayman’s accommodation scene. Rates are about 20% less than its neighbouring IHG property, the Kimpton Seafire Resort.
Also new is wellness and activity-focused Vida, which offers 12 apartments with between one and three bedrooms, and is close to the mangrove wilderness of Barkers National Park – a revered spot for kitesurfing.
Four more new-build properties are due in 2025. On Seven Mile Beach, the Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotel & Residences will feature 104 rooms, while the more isolated 100-room Mandarin Oriental Grand Cayman will open on a 27-hectare site near Bodden Town.
In the capital, George Town, Kailani is an 80-suite waterfront property that will be part of Hilton’s boutique style Curio Collection, while the five-star One/GT hotel will feature a luxury rooftop venue called Sky Club.
Lesser-known Cayman Islands
Just a 35-minute flight east, the smaller and much quieter islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman work well as an intriguing day trip or for a few blissful nights away from it all. Rising to a maximum elevation of 43m – the highest point in the archipelago – the former is good for walking, climbing and stargazing and is home to an exquisite nine-room boutique hotel, Le Soleil d’Or Inn, which features a farm and a smart new beach club.
The latter will appeal to birdwatchers, thanks to its 20,000-strong colony of red-footed boobies, while divers will appreciate Bloody Bay Wall, which drops more than 1,800m to the sea floor and is one of the top dive sites in the Caribbean. The petite 14-room Southern Cross Club, with colourful bungalows and an English manager, is the standout beach resort.
Book it:
Exsus offers seven nights’ room‑only at Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa from £3,589, including flights on November 2 and transfers.
exsus.com
Caribtours has seven nights at Ritz‑Carlton Grand Cayman from £4,549 on a room‑only basis. The price includes flights on May 6, 2025, and transfers.
caribtours.co.uk
British Airways flies to Grand Cayman from Heathrow on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Return fares start at £767 in economy.
ba.com
Find out more:visitcaymanislands.com
Ask the expert
Rebecca Bryson, head of sales, Caribtours
“Caribtours offers holidays to Grand Cayman, which is 22 miles long and offers abundant activities. Agents should stress that the island is safe and enjoys a reputation as the culinary capital of the
Caribbean, due to the high standard of its restaurants and the wide variety of cuisines on offer. Other strong selling points are its glorious yearround warmth, natural beauty and underwater thrills.”
PICTURES: Cayman Islands Department of Tourism; Julie Corsetti; Chad Munro