It's Cay-Mahn, not Cayman and it's Fantastic!

I had the pleasure of spending four luxurious nights at The Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, which was perfect in every way. This stunning property effortlessly blends modern design with Caribbean charm. My room was bright and spacious, with sweeping ocean views. The pool area was a great relaxation spot. Every now and then, a Caymanian chicken would stroll by — these quirky birds live in the trees and wander the island, adding a fun touch to paradise! The beach? Simply breathtaking. Clear blue water, soft sand and absolutely no vendors pushing trinkets — just a peaceful, easy and safe feeling.

The highlight of my stay was the spa experience. The massage I received from Paige at the Seafire Spa was nothing short of legendary! She expertly worked on my pain points, leaving me feeling completely renewed. And then there was the magnificent Pina Colada — hands down the most decadent I’ve ever tasted. Imagine your favorite tanning cream, but in a drinkable form! It was the perfect way to kick off my Cayman getaway.

I also had the opportunity to tour the Presidential Suite, which is gorgeous. With its spectacular views and expansive layout, it’s the ideal space for hosting events or indulging in some next-level luxury. Sanam, the Luxury Leisure Sales Manager and flawless hostess, ensured every moment of our stay felt special — she treated us like royalty. Thank you Sanam!

Next, we visited The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, where the lovely Beatrice gave us an unforgettable tour. The lobby is a stunner, and I was immediately captivated by the signature scent they use on the property. The bar area exudes a James Bond vibe — very chic and elegant. The resort has everything you could need, catering to all types of travelers. My favorite, the Two-Bedroom Suite, was a showstopper, and the Penthouse Residence was pure decadence. We even participated in a cooking demonstration and made the quintessential Cayman Rum Cake! The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman is a classic property that always delivers. I've had many happy clients stay there!

Next up was Palm Heights and Tillies, a property full of surprises! It’s super chic and the place to be seen, catering to a hip, in-the-know crowd. Leonardo, the General Manager, created an unforgettable experience for us. The spa and gym are out of this world — perfect for health and wellness enthusiasts. The property has a retro feel, and Tillies, the on-site restaurant, is an absolute blast with fantastic food! It felt like a scene straight out of Fantasy Island — the servers, dressed in impeccable uniforms, delivered flawless service.

Hotel Indigo, the new kid on the block and sister property to Kimpton Seafire, is a beautiful new build with a great pool and a super cool Pom Pom rooftop bar. There’s a fun and creative vibe happening at this hotel. We met a local artist, Cera Tan, whose artwork is displayed throughout the property. Virgil, our knowledgeable host, gave us a tour of the hotel and hosted a delicious breakfast where they served an excellent Croque Madame.

We also visited Vida Grand Cayman and its Nourish Restaurant. If you’re looking for peace and wellness, this is the place. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but the rooms are clean and pristine, and the restaurant offers unique, healthy dishes.

Two independent restaurants I highly recommend on the island are Agua and Tuka East End. Agua is a hotspot in Camana Bay where the locals meet for business lunches and elegant diners by the harbor. Tukka East End is located directly on the beach and way off the beaten path. It serves up some of the island's best comfort food! Go for the Lion Fish tacos and the Lobbie Poutine, made of creamy lobster bisque poured over crispy french fries, grilled with mozzarella cheese & lots of lobster chunks. Did I mention you can also feed these giant pterodactyl-like birds called Frigates on the beach while you're there.

As for excursions, I had the blissful opportunity to swim with the Stingrays and go on a magical Bioluminescence tour. All I can say is WOW! Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. Use Cayman Luxury Charters, Ltd for swimming with the stingrays, and Cayman Kayaks for the Bioluminescence Tour. Tom from Cayman Kayaks had his boat custom-made in South Africa, and his knowledge of the stars will leave you inspired!

Don’t forget to ask the locals about the strength of silver thatch and the island’s long history of turtling. Grand Cayman is rich in stories and truly stands out from other Caribbean islands. It exceeded all my expectations, and I’m already dreaming of when I can return! A HUGE thank you to Tina Hodgson and Julie Obreiter from The Cayman Island Department of Tourism and Miguelina Cepedes from Virtuoso for putting together an outstanding study tour!

Cayman is for every type of traveler and has a variety of hotel options. It's unlike other Caribbean Islands, and it is extremely safe and relaxed.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Cayman Island. In need of further inspiration? Check out Melaynee Basdeo’s guide, An Exquisite Culinary Journey: Unveiling the Delights of the Cayman Cookout at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.