The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Easily the most luxurious hotel on the island, the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman stands out for its array of features and top-notch service. From West Bay Road, a palm-lined driveway leads to a circular entryway, with a bubbling fountain at its center. Handsome mahogany doors open to a grand reception space, with marble floors and an elaborate crystal chandelier. White wood-paneled walls give the space a bright, airy quality, that’s beautifully offset by the recessed mahogany paneled front desks. The decor is traditionally elegant, but pops of ocean-inspired blue and green keep it from feeling stuffy. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, with roaming flip-flop clad vacationers and giggling children. 

The Ritz-Carlton caters to all different kinds of travelers, from vacationing couples and families with kids, to business travelers and convention-goers. The hotel is large enough that each group can peacefully co-exist, but adults may find the hotel a little too family-friendly, especially during the North American summer months, the holiday season, and spring break. Couples and adult-friend groups, especially young 30 and 40-somethings, may prefer the nearby Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, which features newer, trendier decor and a more adult-focused atmosphere. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is located on either side of West Bay Road -- Grand Cayman’s main touristic thoroughfare. One side of the property fronts the stunning Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman’s most famous stretch of sand. The other side, does not. An enclosed pedestrian bridge connects both sides of the property, but potential guests should note that half of the hotel is not beachfront. It's within walking distance of local shops, bars, and restaurants, so a car isn’t necessary, unless you’re planning to explore different parts of the island. Owen Roberts International Airport is roughly an 11-minute drive away.

Widely known as a hub for international banking, Grand Cayman is a prosperous Caribbean island with a diverse population. Expatriates from North America, Europe, and Asia flavor the island with mixed cultural traditions, though many Caymanians, and even a few tourists, lament that the island lacks a strong sense of identity. While many aspects of Grand Cayman resemble Floridian suburbia -- colorful houses, outdoor shopping plazas, waterfront restaurants -- Caymanians are doing what they can to reclaim cultural identity. Travelers looking for more than just a beach vacation are encouraged to visit the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, Pedro St. James National Historic Site, or Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. 

Like the lobby, rooms feel refined and elegant. A sky-blue color palette accented by lime-green and silver tones adds a needed playfulness to the traditionally styled rooms. Chocolate-brown spindled headboards and fresh white linens feel refined, without being overly formal. Flat-screen TVs, work desks, and pillow-topped armchairs round out the look, while thoughtful amenities include Nespresso machines and minibars. Regular Ritz-Carlton guests will recognize the bathrooms’ standardized layout, consisting of granite vanities and double sinks in the center of the rooms, and separate tubs on one side, and rainfall shower stalls and water closets on the other. Furnished terraces are fairly spacious, but views vary across the property and most rooms lack ocean vistas. 

One important factor to note is that the hotel is spread across two separate buildings, on either side of West Bay Road. The two buildings are connected by an indoor pedestrian bridge, but some guests may find walking between the two sides inconvenient. All of the hotel’s entry-level room types, along with some suites are located on the non-beachfront side of the property. These rooms are called “garden view,” “resort view,” or “harbor view.” Rooms and suites named “ocean view,” or “oceanfront,” are, naturally, located on the beachfront side of the property. Aside from direct beach access and ocean views, the beachfront building offers guests easier access to the resort’s main pool, along with two restaurants. The non-beachfront side of the property is home to the hotel lobby, spa, fitness center, and other restaurants. It also has a smaller pool, and offers easier access to the kids' club and golf course. 

The Ritz-Carlton is Grand Cayman’s largest and most amenity-packed resort. It is also one of the island’s most expensive lodging options, and charges a hefty daily resort fee (higher than most other Cayman properties). The resort fee covers Wi-Fi, spa and gym access, and non-motorized water sports. 

Seven Mile Beach is the hotel’s main attraction. The miles-long stretch of sugary white sand is Grand Cayman’s claim to fame, and the section in front of the Ritz-Carlton feels especially nice. The Ritz lacks neighbors on its northern side, so the beach is quieter and sees less foot traffic than other parts nearby. The hotel lines the beach with lounge chairs and rentable cabanas, and beach servers are quick to attend to guests who need tropical drink refills. The crystal clear turquoise water is ideal for swimming and sunbathing. It’s also great for snorkeling and paddleboarding -- the equipment for which is free for resort guests. 

There are two pools on-site. The main and most popular pool fronts Seven Mile Beach and is surrounded by cushioned lounge chairs and white umbrellas, plus it offers picture perfect ocean views. Throughout the day, the pool sees the comings and goings of families, couples, and adult friend groups, all of whom are able to carve out their own space in the water. The second, smaller pool is located on the non-beachfront side of the property, near the golf course. It tends to be quieter than the main pool, and is a nice option for families who want to take advantage of the kids' splash zone, which is adjacent.  

Dining options are a standout thanks to five different, well-reviewed restaurants. The hotel’s most acclaimed dining venue is Blue by Eric Ripert. Blue specializes in multi-course tasting menus that feature an array of local seafood. The venue is swanky, the dress code is elegant, and reservations are essentially required. Additional dinner options include steak and seafood at Seven, Italian at Andiamo, and sushi at Taikun. Bar Jack, the hotel’s all-day poolside restaurant, serves casual fare like sandwiches, salads, tacos, and burgers. The lobby bar, Silver Palm, serves afternoon tea and small plates at night. 

The on-site La Prairie Spa is one of the largest and most luxe spas on the island. Guests have access to the spa’s saunas and steam rooms for free, but speciality treatments like massages, facials, and manicures incur additional charges. Advanced reservations are strongly recommended. Next to the spa, the hotel’s modern fitness center sports state-of-the-art Cybex equipment. Guests can use the fitness center on their own time, or sign up for group exercise classes or private personal training sessions. 

The Ritz-Carlton’s nine-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course is the only golf course on Grand Cayman. It’s only nine holes, so it’s not the best place for those looking for a golf-centric trip, but it’s a beautiful, challenging course for travelers looking to play a few holes. During inclement weather, guests can also check out the pro shop’s golf simulator. 

For families with young children, the Ritz-Carlton is the best resort option on Grand Cayman. The on-site kids' club, Ambassadors of the Environment, is a Jean-Michel Cousteau-backed program that introduces the hotel’s youngest guests to the unique environment and cultural traditions of the Cayman Islands. Kids activities change daily, but options include learning how to snorkel or how to identify sting rays and sea turtles, as well as cooking classes and science experiments. Parents can also take part in different activities with their kids, like glass-bottom boat expeditions and mangrove kayaking, (though these typically incur extra charges). In addition to Ambassadors of the Environment, the hotel has a kiddy splash zone with small waterslides, a basketball court, five tennis courts, an indoor game room with air hockey, ping pong, and video games, and a kitchen studio where families can take part in cooking seminars.