The Grandview Condos Cayman Islands

Located away from the busier stretch of the popular Seven Mile Beach area, Grandview is quiet, relaxing, and laid-back. The units are individually owned, and owners mix with guests on the property. There are also a handful of year-round residents.

With the exception of the beach and pool, the condos lack common areas, and there is no restaurant (unlike at Sunshine Suites, which has one of the islands' top eateries on-site). Most guests hang out in their condo or by the pool at night. There is a small front office where guests can get information or borrow a book or board game.

The grounds are meticulously maintained and lined with palm trees and other greenery. There are outdoor gas grills that are available to guests for free. The condo buildings are painted a sky blue and look a bit dated, although the vibrant color is fitting for a Caribbean destination.

Grandview is ideal for groups or families looking for more space and privacy than can be found in a typical hotel setting. Folks coming for an extended stay (more than a few days) can do well here because of the fully equipped kitchens and washer/dryers in the units.

Grandview is located on the quieter southern end of the Seven Mile Beach area, just south of Treasure Island Resort. It's within easy walking distance to restaurants, and has a beachfront location.

• Five-minute walk to restaurants
• Seven-minute walk to Coconut Joe’s, a popular bar and grill
• Nine-minute walk to La Mer Spa in the Marriott Resort
• Two-minute walk to World Gym
• 14-minute walk to Kirk’s Market, a grocery store
• Eight-minute drive to central Georgetown
• Nine-minute drive to the airport Unlike most hotels on Seven Mile Beach, Grandview is on a quiet side street (it’s called Snooze Lane). You don’t hear street noise and the location makes the atmosphere relaxing and peaceful.

Grandview has 16 vacation condo rentals, each offering an oceanfront or ocean view. Either way, the views from the patios and balconies are impressive, looking out onto the large pool, palm trees, and turquoise blue ocean.

The condos are individually owned and decorated, with similarities in the layout. Some of the units have slightly dated decor, such as floral couches and bedspreads. All are homey and bright; some are even stylish. There are nice personal touches in the units, such as bookshelves filled with books and interesting art and furnishings, like a grandfather clock. Plantana Condominiums on the northern end of Seven Mile Beach offers condos of a similar size and -- in some units -- nicer decor, so it may be worth comparing rates.

The units, each with two bedrooms and two baths, come with fully equipped kitchens featuring full-size refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, and ovens, as well as plates, cups, utensils, and cooking tools. Some kitchens are more updated than others, with granite countertops. Each unit also has a washer and dryer.

The living rooms have ample seating with couches, chairs, and a flat-screen HD TV. There is a dining room table with seating for four or six. The bedrooms have a king bed and two twin beds, although one unit has two sets of bunk beds (good for kiddos).

Grandview has an ocean-view pool large enough to swim laps -- though the shape isn't especially conducive to it. The pool is split into two sections with a walkway in the middle and a hot tub on the side. The edges of the pool are dotted with palm trees but overall the pool area has a lot of concrete. There are plenty of lounge chairs set up around the pool and a scenic gazebo with a table and chairs sits between the pool and beach.

The beach is spacious, without rows of lounge chairs and tables, and feels peaceful and relaxing. Almond and palm trees dot the beach and provide some shade. The water is turquoise blue and clear. However, the entry into the water is rocky. Swimming is possible, but water shoes are recommended. There is also a reef right off of the shore that is excellent for snorkeling. The nearby Villas of the Galleon, a similar but more expensive condo property, has a better beach with no rocks.

The property has tennis courts on-site as well as gas grills for guests to use. There is free Wi-Fi in all of the units.

Grandview is very active on social media and usually communicates with guests before their visit. The staff can arrange to have groceries or wine deliveries already set up in the condo prior to arrival. Management provides 24-hour support and free self-parking is available.