6 Best Shopping in Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands

Nicknamed Blue Plaza for its azure hue, Galleria Plaza features several galleries and exotic home-accessories stores dealing in rugs or Indonesian furnishings, as well as more moderate souvenir shops hawking T-shirts and swimwear.

Formerly the Books and Books store, this sprawling bookstore is a literary haven with two entire rooms devoted to kids with toys, educational games, and books from toddler to YA; twice-weekly story and craft time keep them occupied while parents browse. Starbucks is also next door.

This gallery more than fulfilled one of the resort's conditions upon securing rights to build, which was to commission local artists and artisans to help decorate the public spaces. The corridor-cum-bridge spanning West Bay Road became a gallery where Chris Christian of Cayman Traditional Arts curates quarterly exhibitions of Cayman's finest (there are also theme shows devoted to photography and local kids' art). Each piece is for sale; CTA or the hotel will mediate the negotiations between artist and buyer at a favorable commission.

This mall has branches of Tortuga Rum and Blackbeard's Liquor, Polo Ralph Lauren, and another Kirk Freeport (this location is particularly noteworthy for china and crystal, from Kosta Boda to Baccarat, as well as a second La Parfumerie). You'll also find ATMs galore so you can withdraw cash.

Dubbed Pink Plaza for reasons that become obvious upon approach, West Shore offers upscale boutiques and galleries (tenants range from Chicken! Chicken! to Treasure Tee).