Review of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Nestled in the Caribbean Sea, Grand Cayman is the largest and westernmost of the three Cayman Islands. It is approximately 197 square kilometres, 35 kilometres long and home to over 50,000 residents. On the west side of the island is the stunning Seven Mile Beach, a crescent-shaped stretch of sand on which The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman sits. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is approximately a 15 minute or six kilometre drive from Owen Roberts International Airport or for those who prefer to drop in by helicopter, there is a helipad near the The Courts Tennis Center. 

Off the beaches of Grand Cayman, it is just a three kilometre drive to George Town, surrounded by traditional architecture with duty free shopping for signature brands such as Versace, Tiffany and Gucci. Across the island, the eastern districts of Grand Cayman feature the rare Blue Iguanas at Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, well worth visiting. Other must-see favourites include The National Museum of the Cayman Islands, Rum Point, Pedro St James - the oldest building in Grand Cayman with the best view, Bodden Town, The Turtle Centre and The Mastic Trail for a hike through a subtropical forest.

With the Grand Cayman Penthouse offering an exclusive entertaining space for 22 guests or the finest hotel suite on the island for eight people to overnight, two-bedroom suites with full kitchens and guest rooms with terraces overlooking the ocean, pool or gardens, there are a wide range of differing accommodation offerings available at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. Club Level guests enjoy lounge access with locally inspired experiences. New York-based interior designer, Champalimaud, has recently brought a modern elegant touch to The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, accentuating the island’s landscapes and culture and pairing traditional architectural elegance with a bold, modern concept. 

There are three categories of guest room which are graded according to the view – ocean front, garden and resort view. All the rooms offer around 45 square metres of space with expansive windows to let the sun shine through and 4-square metre personal balconies or 7-square metre terraces with breakfast table and chairs. The room décor is clean, chic and bright with rich mahogany accents, neutral finishes, soothing tones and soft features. 

Each offers spacious marble bathrooms with large soaking tubs, dual vanities and separate stall showers; convenient lighted makeup mirrors and hair dryers; spa-inspired bathrobes; exclusive Asprey bath amenities, Nespresso coffee machines, large flat screen HD TVs, DVD players and a choice of King or two Queen beds. 

Most of the suites offer a choice of one or three bedrooms; a fully equipped chef’s kitchen with grocery shopping available, a separate living room with dining table, sofa and sitting area. There are 22 square metre personal terraces, iPhone docking stations, Bose sound systems and personal assistants to curate itineraries and grocery shopping. 

There is also a wide variety of suite available ranging from the Harbour Suite accommodating two people and offering 89 square metres of living space to the Ocean front with two smaller balconies, Ocean View and Resort View Residential Suites accommodating up to four people with 111 square metre of space to the Opal and Sapphire Residential Suites accommodating up to six people and offering 173 square metres of space. 

The next category up is the two-bedroom suite accommodating four people again with 214 square metres of space, The Ritz-Carlton Suite with 223 square metres of space plus an enormous 65-square metre personal terrace, accommodating up to six people and the enormous Grand Cayman Penthouse with 743 square metres of space, enough to accommodate eight people comfortably. 

The Penthouse on the resort’s top floor accommodates up to eight people in 744 square metres of space and comes complete with three bedrooms; bathrooms; powder rooms; an expansive wraparound outdoor terrace with dining table, fire pit and private outdoor shower; a living room with dining for up to 12 people; an entertainment cinema room with projector screen; a private library and office space; a fully equipped wet bar and a separate butler room and bathroom. 

In this, the largest suite in the Caribbean, luxurious finishes abound and include Perla Quartzite; Elkay & Lacava fixtures; hand-tufted wool carpets; Bolivian rosewood and Volakis floors; teak mosaics; customised convoy cabinetry; leather upholstered walls and touch-driven curtains. Penthouse guests also enjoy airport transportation and VIP arrival and departure services; a dedicated concierge throughout the stay; a private beach cabana; private check in and lift access. 

A mega-space can also be configured with Seven South combining the three-bedroom Grand Cayman Penthouse plus four adjoining two-bedroom suites offering a total of nearly 1,858 square metres of indoor and outdoor living space and sleeping accommodation for up to 18 people. Seven South occupies the entire top floor wing of the resort’s Ocean Tower, offering unparalleled panoramas of the Caribbean Sea. 

For the most discerning guests, The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge offers exclusive access to a dedicated concierge, world class culinary presentations and a warm yet relaxed atmosphere set apart from the main hotel. Located on the third floor, Club guests enjoy dedicated check in and out; personalised service from a dedicated Club Lounge Concierge; complimentary culinary presentations throughout the day; comfortable indoor and outdoor seating and complimentary garment pressing of up to two pieces per day. For Club children, there is a special designated play area and a children’s menu.

In addition to the direct access to Seven Mile Beach and activities offered by Sapphire Watersports including sailing, snorkelling, kayaking, rafts and water toys, the resort offers two outdoor pools – one a spectacular kidney shaped pool overlooking the beach surrounded by sun loungers and cabanas - and an ocean front soaking tub. The other, smaller pool is located near the golf course and is quieter than the main pool so perfect for families. Private water excursions can also be booked to enjoy the Caribbean Sea aboard either a 27-foot Boston Whaler or a 36-foot Power Catamaran. Other options include visiting Stingray City Sandbar, Starfish Point and a coral reef.

For kiddies, Starfish Cay waterpark offers cool blasts of water and splash pools, interactive water nozzles and gentle water slides. Families can also take advantage of the Ritz Kids and the Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment programmes to encourage young guests to explore and better understand the world around them. Friendly competition can be had with the state-of-the-art Wave Game Room (with its video and board games, tennis, air hockey and more) and basketball and tennis courts.

Designed by Greg Norman, the nine-hole course at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grand Cayman offers challenging play amid breathtaking natural beauty. The resort Golf Club also offers a pro shop, tournament conditioning, customised instruction and equipment rental. 

The Fitness Center is located close to the La Prairie Spa and offers a fully equipped circuit training room and comprehensive fitness equipment and facilities including whirlpool, steam room and sauna. There is a range of group fitness classes available with personal training sessions available on request.

Enjoy luxury Swiss skin care at the exclusive 1,858-square metre La Prairie spa with facials that blend luxurious ingredients including caviar and gold with technology designed to bring visible results. There are also a number of body therapies that harness the healing power of marine plants and other natural elements. Signature treatments include La Prairie Signature Caviar Massage, the pampering La Prairie Signature Facial and the Total Escape which includes a Swedish massage, a Signature Facial and The Perfect Manicure and Pedicure.

For tennis fiends, The Courts at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman includes three red clay courts, two hard courts and two Pickleball courts plus the island’s only tennis apparel and equipment shop. Guests may also book private lessons, group lessons, cardio tennis, Ladies’ Clinic and the Junior Academy.

The resort also features a wide range of retail boutiques and The Gallery, an enclosed art walk exhibiting and selling the work of Cayman’s local artists.

Seven Mile Beach is the kind of setting that most people dream about when thinking of the Caribbean. This newly refreshed chic resort with its plethora of facilities to suit every taste is perfect for those on business in this financial hot spot or on holiday with or without the family. 

It is easy to imagine walking hand in hand along the soft coral sands of the beach beneath a cerulean Caribbean sky, eating an Eric Ripert designed banquet, swimming with stingrays or indulging in an exclusive body scrub with diamond powder at the La Prairie Spa. Nothing here seems out or the ordinary or impossible – every whim can be swiftly answered by the unflappable and wonderfully efficient, smiling staff. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman offers six very different bars and restaurants at the property.

The signature restaurant is Blue by Eric Ripert*. This celebrated chef is renowned for his culinary excellence with his New York restaurant Le Bernardin and his Grand Cayman restaurant is the Caribbean’s only AAA Five Diamond restaurant. Blue specialises in tasting menus that highlight local seafood and offers an impressive wine list with more than 700 fine wines from around the world. The restaurant also features two private dining room to host up to 40 guests. 

Classic Italian fare meets casual Caribbean at Andiamo restaurant located on the water. The al fresco kitchen celebrates homemade favourites – freshly made pasta, pizza and delicately grilled dishes on a breezy terrace overlooking the resort’s winding waterways. There is homemade gelato, not to be missed Parmesan Truffle French Fries and flavourful bruschetta.

Seven is named for Seven Mile Beach and blends a touch of Ritz-Carlton elegance with a dash of Caribbean flair. Enjoy breakfast in the light filled dining room or on the terrace overlooking the sea. In the evening, enjoy a steak and seafood menu featuring Niman Ranch All-Natural Beef and a wine list featuring over 350 selections. The bar features classic and Caribbean-inspired cocktails accompanied by a Cuban cigar selection.

Taikun* fuses the finest grade of sushi with authentic ingredients from the freshest Sashimi to savoury Signature Rolls with real wasabi grated tableside. Taikun is Grand Cayman’s finest gourmet sushi lounge and features the largest sake selection.

Bar Jack* is named for the silvery reef fish and offers Cayman’s best sunset vantage point, poised right at the widest stretch of Seven Mile Beach. Enjoy Caribbean favourites during the day and into the evening from the Chef’s grill then watch the sun go down with a cocktail or two. Casual meals are served on the terrace, poolside or on Seven Mile Beach.

Silver Palm* is an elegant, wood panelled space with soaring arched windows with views over the waterways and fairways, punctuated with lush tropical blooms. Named for the Cayman Island’s national tree, Silver Palm features island-inspired and handcrafted cocktails, an extensive premium-aged rum selection, speciality mojitos and premium spirits alongside a selection of Caribbean cigars. There is live DJ entertainment on Friday evenings with live music on Saturdays. A Little Cayman Kid’s Tea is served here for kiddies aged from six to twelve featuring finger sandwiches, pastries and a variety of beverages. 

*Taikan, Blue by Eric Ripert, Silver Palm and Bar Jack are temporarily closed for the season.

Sustain. Protect. Experience. These are the principles that guide The Ritz-Carlton Environmental Responsibility strategy and goals including reducing energy and water consumption; increasing local and organic dining options by partnering with local farmers, growers and seafood purveyors; sourcing environmentally preferred products; empowering their hotel development partners to build green hotels and engaging and inspiring their employees and guests in conservation efforts.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is focused on integrating environmental sustainability throughout their business, including architecture and construction, hotel operations and procurement. A comprehensive set of initiatives and practices are in place, designed to reduce energy use, water consumption and waste while database and monitoring systems help them track consumption and monitor progress against goals. 

The brand ensures that the guest experience reflects their commitment to environmental responsibility through multiple avenues including their linen and terry refresh programme, their Ritz Kids programme created in collaboration with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society; their sustainably sourced seafood programme and their Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary managed golf courses. Their partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment offers guests the unique opportunity to learn more about the diverse ecosystems and cultural traditions that exist around their hotels and resorts.

Specifically at Grand Cayman, there are three Impact Experiences available including Turtle-Walking (to learn more about this fascinating creature and to join the team in walking to the nest areas and helping to ensure their safety); Mangrove Restoration (planting a mangrove plant to regenerate and to provide the perfect nursery for many reef creatures and marine birds) and Sir Turtle School Programme, (participating in education sessions, helping assemble lunch boxes, back to school backpacks or emergency kits and or design greetings and birthday cards for children). Any of the school programme activities will make a difference to the community and local charities.)