Eye-catching blue iguanas, bioluminescent bays, Silver Thatch palm trees and crystal caves are just a few of the hallmarks of the extraordinary Cayman Islands. And now you can add world-class drinking and dining on the soft sands of Seven Mile Beach. The British Overseas Territory, often referred to as the culinary capital of the Caribbean, hits peak season between mid-December and mid-April, when clear skies and calm seas are the norm.
The Caymans comprise three Islands – Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman – nestled 400 kilometres south of Cuba. Cayman Brac offers unparalleled scuba diving, a laidback island experience and local ‘Cayman Kind’ hospitality; while the less travelled and rustic Little Cayman gives a glimpse into the life of remote Caymanian living (its population hardly eclipses 200 people). But for first-time visitors, Grand Cayman is the place to be. And the ultra-chic Palm Heights, the island’s buzziest boutique hotel which opened in 2019, is the place to stay. With its youthful clientele, Instagrammability (definitely a word by now), and top-notch food and drink offering, Palm Heights is helping to usher in a new era for the Cayman Islands.
Things to See and Do in the Cayman Islands
Rain or shine, you can immerse yourself in the country’s culture at The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands or The National Museum of the Cayman Islands. But for many, aquatic activities from snorkelling to kayaking and paddleboarding tend to dominate. When the conditions are optimal, a boat trip to Stingray City is an unmissable excursion. Sail out to sea and anchor in waist-deep waters (aka Stingray City Sandbar) where playful stingrays eagerly await, ready to eat from the palm of your hand or come for a cuddle, should you decide to embrace them.
To experience more of the local wildlife, the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is home to an array of Caymanian creatures, the highlight being the island’s most exotic resident, the endangered blue iguana.
Camana Bay is a lively waterfront town filled with shops, bars and restaurants, a cinema, and an American-sized supermarket. It’s an example of the significant development that has transformed Grand Cayman in the last decade, and a sign of what’s to come.
Visit in January to align with the world’s most luxurious food festival, Cayman Cookout, where acclaimed Michelin-starred chefs come to play at The Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman for a few days.
Where to eat and drink in the Cayman Islands
It’s difficult to find a bad meal in Grand Cayman, an impressive feat by any standard, but especially so for the Caribbean, where paying obscene resort prices for average food is often the norm. There’s a plethora of options, from the pinnacle of fine dining at Blue by Eric Ripert to more casual options like local favourites Macabuca and Heritage Kitchen.
Ms. Piper’s Kitchen + Garden, a bohemian backyard restaurant tucked behind the Hampton by Hilton hotel, is one of the island’s newest dining spots. Contemporary ‘70s nostalgia is highlighted by sunset-orange-and-pink dinnerware, rattan furniture and other kitschy décor. Luca does Italian exceptionally well, with hand-made pasta, a robust wine selection and noteworthy cocktails; and Union Grill and Bar in Camana Bay offers a range of crowd-pleasing dishes. If budget isn’t an issue, head for sushi at Taikun or to Avecita’s Chef’s Table, one of the island’s most intimate options.
Those who make it to Cayman Brac should visit Le Soleil d’Or. The charming boutique resort is home to twenty acres of botanical gardens, where the property sources the majority of its produce.
There’s never been a better time for drinking in the Cayman Islands, with the cocktail bar scene thriving thanks to a flurry of new openings making waves. Library by the Sea, a high-concept cocktail bar at the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, has attracted bartending talent from some of the world’s best bars, including Lyaness, the Connaught Bar and Swift in London. Other new arrivals include Next Door and Door No. 4. Order the Date Night at Next Door — a delightful mix of cashew butter-washed rum, Armagnac, date syrup, pineapple and banana liqueur and cocoa bitters – and The Kudo Cooler at Door No. 4, a mix of gin, cucumber, saké, local mango leaf cordial, lime, carbonation and mango skin essence. Meanwhile, at The Ritz Carlton, two new bars have debuted after the hotel’s multi-million-dollar renovation: Silver Palm, where rum is paired with chocolate or cigars, and Saint June, a bar-restaurant rolling back the years with its chic ‘70s and ‘80s décor. It’s arguably the sexiest place to drink on the beach.
The can’t-miss occasion, though, is brunch: for Caymanians, the meal is a religion. At Anchor & Den, pay a fixed price and gorge yourself with an overwhelming array of dishes from the lavish buffet. From sushi to sliced-to-order short rib, with bottomless mimosas or local beers. It’s enough to leave even the brunch-loving New Yorker astonished.
Where to Stay in the Cayman Islands
There’s no shortage of luxury hotels, including Palm Heights (read on below for more). The cosy Caribbean Club – home to Luca restaurant – suits families and longer stays thanks to apartment-style suites and villas, plus all of the little details you need to spend a comfortable couple of weeks in paradise.
For some of the best beachfront access, there’s the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, a photogenic spot with top-notch wellness facilities, food and drink offerings and daily activities. And if the serenity of Cayman Brac is calling your name, the breathtaking landscapes found on Le Soleil d’Or are hard to beat.
The Ultimate Drinking Destination
Going out at Palm Heights, you get more than just the drinks; you also get the show. The hotel is teeming with influencers, celebrities, designers, and city-dwellers who have flocked to Grand Cayman specifically for this fashionable institution. It may not be Claridge’s yet, but it’s well on its way to becoming something truly iconic. It just has that energy.
With drinks designed by Pietro Collina (ex-NoMad and Eleven Madison Park), there’s pedigree behind the sumptuous liquids too. Bambi’s is the newest and hottest cocktail lounge on the property, with world-class drinks and DJs spinning. At Coconut Club, the hotel’s casual beachfront cocktail bar, the Martinis are ice cold, the Piña Colada is to die for and the Palm Highballs are scarily drinkable.
