6 Best Hotels in Cayman Islands

These neighboring, beachfront sister complexes offer condos with one to four bedrooms, all individually owned and decorated. Brac Caribbean overlooks the sea; Carib Sands overlooks the water across an extensive pool area. The nattily nautical Captain's Table restaurant and poolside bar at Brac Caribbean is a popular hangout; Carib Sands now offers in-room or beachfront spa services, as well as rock climbing and yoga packages. The Sands grounds are particularly pretty, with buttonwood and ficus "fences" and fragrant oleander bushes buzzing with butterflies. The units here tend to be more vivid though often configured in unconventional ways with occasionally narrow or boxy rooms. Many have nice touches such as French doors opening to the beach, hand-painted mirrors, and walk-in closets. Numbers 111 and 114 are particularly stylish digs with splendid views. Brac Caribbean units (most reserved for long-term rentals) feature a more flowing layout but more generic decor.

This attractive, pink-brick, colonnaded condo development sitting between the Bluff and the southeast coastal ironshore caters to climbers, who scale the Bluff's sheer face, as well as divers, who appreciate the good shore diving right off the property. Spacious two-bedroom units favor soft seashell colors, beach photos, and frilly touches (Aubusson-style rugs, shell-embedded mirrors, painted wooden fish) and have full open kitchens including a dishwasher, as well as a sleeper sofa and washer/dryer. Units 104 and 106 have particularly fine views. A private shore-dive entrance with a shower and rinse tank is at the cabana/pool area, slung with hammocks and offering breathtaking views of the Bluff and beach. There's a three-night minimum. You can rent from a variety of websites, including Expedia and Trivago, but the resort itself has no website.

What was once a no-frills hotel has transformed to a breezy Hilton property with an ideal location, next to the Marriott and near numerous shops, restaurants, and bars. Suites range from studios to two-bedrooms, with amenities including free hot breakfast each day, free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a water sports concierge, a daily afternoon poolside snack, and a shuttle to nearby beaches, parks, and clubs. The rooms have a bright and airy feel and the on-property restaurant, Ms. Piper's, serves a popular weekend brunch. The sea is a short walk away, and the hotel offers excellent facilities and should please families or groups (units contain sleeper sofas) who want to save on meals.

Cozy, sunny, one-bedroom units with beachfront terraces and hammocks are simply but immaculately appointed with rattan furnishings, marine artwork, painted driftwood, and bright abstract fabrics. Stylish contemporary touches include flat-screen TVs. If you tire of cooking in the well-equipped kitchen, fine island-style food (not to mention the island's only real bar) is steps away at the nutty, nautically themed Hungry Iguana (affectionately dubbed "The Iggy") restaurant. Conch Club Divers provides transfers and offers good service despite being off-site; room/dive packages are a sensational value.

Understated good taste informs every aspect of this lavish lakeside retreat, from the waterfall pool, hot tub, and screened-in patio overlooking the bird-filled lagoon to the carved hardwood furnishings, tatted linens, ornately embroidered pillows, and scrumptious breakfasts (to-die-for bread-and-butter pudding and sticky toffee soufflé). Some rooms have romantic touches like four-poster or canopy beds and jetted tubs. Even the sole room sans balcony, Poinciana, has windows overlooking the water. There's an honor bar, and guests have kitchen privileges (with their own shelf in the refrigerator). Families will appreciate the self-sufficient two-bedroom apartment that sleeps six (with an extra futon) and features jaw-dropping vistas from the rooftop terrace, accessed via a charming spiral staircase.

This affordable, intimate, Mediterranean-style seaside inn has roomy one-bedroom apartments and a pool overlooking a narrow beach with good snorkeling. You can find basic supplies some 10 minutes west at a shopping center in Savannah (a rental car is included in rates). The apartments enchant with arcaded balconies, beamed ceilings, black-iron grillwork, vivid throw rugs, and stylish artworks. The two-bedroom condos next door have a washer/dryer and dishwasher. The meticulous attention to detail is exceptional, from the high-thread-count sheets to the basket of suntan lotions in the lobby for forgetful guests. Other nice touches include world phones for rent at cheap fixed rates; complimentary use of kayaks, rafts, and snorkeling gear; and fantastic packages.