33 Best Hotels in Cayman Islands

Casual elegance prevails throughout this exceedingly well-run time-share property, which straddles a 600-foot beach on less hectic East End. Each villa has a roomy terrace facing the sea; two-bedroom units can be partitioned, but even the studio has Wi-Fi, microwave, and fridge. Every year brings improvements: advance online check-in, hurricane-guarantee policy, spa and gym, the only place offering power-assisted snorkeling on DPVs (dive propulsion vehicles), and daily car rentals. The resort is almost obsessively maintained. You always see a smiling staffer with a paintbrush or hedge clippers. This cordial and mellow yet efficient service is a major selling point, though there's often a subtle sales pitch for non-owners. Kids love when concierges conduct regular fish feedings at the dock and local artisans demonstrate techniques. The famous Barefoot Man performs his lighthearted country-calypso songs about Caribbean life at Tides on Thursday, luring lively locals.

This gleaming boutique facility has a striking lobby with aquariums, infinity pool, and contemporary trattoria, Luca. Enormous three-bedroom units occupy a plantation-style seven-story "tower," offering beach views. Behind are two three-story buildings with oceanfront units. No expense was spared to appeal to the style conscious; luxury-brand players are represented from Villeroy & Boch china to Gilchrist & Soames toiletries. Kitchens have curved granite bars and stainless-steel appliances, including both regular and convection ovens. The decor, refurbished in 2017, seamlessly fuses classic (coffered ceilings, polished hardwood furnishings, glass-and-iron tables, Italian marble accents throughout) with contemporary convenience (free Wi-Fi, iPod stations, plasma TV/DVD, washer/dryer). Nice touches include wraparound balconies in many units, oversize jetted tubs, and walk-in his-and-hers closets. Personal assistants, trainers, chefs, nannies, and the like can be arranged.

The hottest boutique hotel on Seven Mile Beach gives off the vibe of a billionaire best friend's home rather than a typical Caribbean resort, and it's a refreshing change of pace. The buttercup-yellow umbrellas dotted out front compliment its modern, art deco vibe, which may remind you of 1970s-era South Beach. In between its Coconut Club bar and Tillies restaurant, two hot spots on the West Bay Road strip, you'll find a rectangular pool leading out to the ocean like a gigantic wedding aisle framed by towering palms. Wellness buffs can participate in regular nature retreats and sunset rooftop yoga. That's not all: secret gardens, a Jacuzzi, personal trainers on tap, and view of the glimmering Caribbean from each suite have helped the hotel make its very stylish mark.

This 144-acre, exquisitely manicured resort offers unparalleled luxury and service infused with a sense of place, with works by local artists and craftspeople. The resort took the opportunity of the nearly two-year shutdown to pour CI$50 million of improvements into the property. It is anchored by a seven-story behemoth that faces Seven Mile Beach on the west and the North Sound on the east. Top chef Eric Ripert created one of the eateries, Greg Norman designed the golf course, La Prairie operates the sybaritic spa, and the Ambassadors of the Environment children's program was created by none other than Jean-Michel Cousteau. Despite its glam romantic trappings, the resort is family friendly, offering movie screenings poolside and stargazing with astronomers, and incorporating Caymanian culture into the estimable kids' club activities. The spacious rooms have been given a refresh blending modern coastal and midcentury British Caribbean styles with local artwork and are outfitted with high-tech conveniences.

Little Cayman's first resort was founded in the 1950s as a private fishing club by the CEO of Sears-Roebuck and the CFO of General Motors, and its focus is still on fishing and diving in a barefoot luxury environment. The adventure and casually elegant motifs are struck in the semi-open lobby with African masks, trophy game fish, hand-painted cabinets, and a magnificent indoor-outdoor bar. Psychedelically hued duplex cottages sit on Little Cayman's most spectacular white-sand beach, with views of the uninhabited Owen Island and romantic private outdoor showers. Rooms feature a monochrome color scheme enlivened by vivid throw pillows and local art, bamboo accents, and hardwood furniture, including several four-poster beds. Some have separate living rooms and indoor-outdoor showers; the newest incorporate ecologically sound aspects such as gray-watered gardens and solar-heated water. Dive services are superb—set your gear up once and the rest is done for you during your stay. Creative mixologists hold sway at the delightful bar, and the food is exceptional, served in various venues, including an air-conditioned split-level dining room with panoramic views. The resort is Green Globe certified.

The handsomely designed, well-equipped Westin offers something for everyone, from conventioneers to honeymooners and families, not to mention what the hospitality industry calls "location, location, location." You can walk on a perfect beach or luxuriate in a cabana, enjoy the sumptuous spa, sweat in the state-of-the-art fitness club, get wet with a Red Sail Sports branch, dine at the estimable Beach House, lounge in Grand Cayman's largest freshwater pool (with an ocean view to boot), or loll in the suave piano lounge after dark. The sophisticated room decor includes rich hardwood furnishings and granite-clad bathrooms with pampering showers. The Westin-brand signatures have been subtly tailored to the tropics: local rum cakes are the turndown treats, a "run concierge" leads jogs at cooler times of day, craft demonstrations from glassblowing to thatch-weaving are offered, and the kids' club includes piratical skits and scavenger hunts teaching Cayman history.

These two-bedroom condos are cramped compared with otherwise newer compounds, but fully equipped, modernized, scrupulously clean, and—most important—affordable (at least for garden-view apartments). Many have an odd, if versatile, L-shape layout, though owners adapt the space ingeniously into "dens" with trundle beds, extra TV rooms, or offices. The showcase units are 12 (marvelous views), 14, and 15. The peace and little extras make the Anchorage a safe port of call for any family.

One of the older condo complexes, ABC is scrupulously maintained, quiet, and affordable. Three coral-color, three-story buildings surround lovely landscaping fronting an uncrowded stretch of sand dotted with inviting palapas and palm trees for shade. Each condo—some split-level—looks smack onto the water from its spacious screened-in patio or balcony. Most have sofa beds, and management will provide cribs; the only downside for families is that the beach can be rocky in spots. Units vary according to individual owners' whims: some have refined wrought-iron four-poster beds and beveled glass. Unit 7 is exceedingly handsome, with hand-painted shelves and cabinets, antique doors, and window frames hung as artwork. A two-bedroom unit costs only CI$50 more than the one-bedroom.

Beachcomber rose phoenix-like after Hurricane Ivan as a glam high-rise with 40 spacious two- to four-bedroom condos (roughly 24 in the rental pool). The decor is high end, the amenities and appliances high-tech, and there's free underground parking, long distance calls to North America, and Wi-Fi; HDTV with DVD; a washer/dryer; and a dishwasher. The beach is gorgeous, and the location is ideal (walking distance to groceries and restaurants). It compares favorably to neighbors Caribbean Club and Meridian.

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.

Popular with divers, this well-run eco-friendly resort features a beautiful sandy beach shaded by sea-grape trees slung with hammocks and a sizable free-form pool. The dock is illuminated at night, attracting stingrays, tarpon, and other creatures to entertain you on your after-dinner stroll. The motel-style rooms are simple but spotless, with handsome hardwood furnishings, striking cast-iron accents, and granite-clad baths. The second-floor and end units (Nos. 118–121 and 219–221) offer the best views; 10 stylish junior suites include microwave, dual showerheads, leather recliners, and flat-screen TV. There's a day spa and library with video games and board games for use in bad weather. Even the buffet-style food is surprisingly good. The friendly crowd tends to be older, with a handful of honeymooners and a few small meetings and vacationing families in summer.

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.

With its two- and three-bedroom condos, this enduring favorite on the peaceful northern end of Seven Mile Beach is a find for families. Snorkeling is superb right offshore, and the beach is free of rocks. The parrot-green lawn fronting the sand is so perfectly maintained you could play croquet, and tennis courts and a large pool also tempt active types. Thatched cabanas and a gazebo offer shade. Living rooms and kitchens are enormous; the decor generally favors soft seashell colors of pink, mint, and baby blue, with nautical artworks aplenty. The complex is pretty quiet overall, but the north building units are quietest. Units 8 and 10 (the latter a particularly good value for families as its "den" has two twin beds) are among the stunners opening onto the beach; only the pricier three-bedroom units offer beach views.

These ultramodern, luxurious, three-bedroom condos are Little Cayman's nicest units, though only five are usually included in the rental pool. Each comes fully equipped, from kitchen to bedroom, with Italian marble, Turkish tiles, etched-glass doors, elegant accents such as arches and crown moldings, state-of-the-art gadgetry from rainfall showerheads to flat-screen TVs, upscale furnishings such as four-poster beds, and patios or balconies with scintillating water views. The complex has an outdoor pool with waterfall and Jacuzzi along the beachfront, as well as a dock with inviting hammocks. Guests can use the amenities and sign up for a meal plan at Little Cayman Beach Resort, under the same ownership, which is about a five-minute walk from The Club. Some residences can be locked off into one- and two-bedroom units.

This tranquil, congenial getaway run by the admirable Ocean Frontiers scuba operation would steer even nondivers in the right direction, from the powder-blue buildings elevated on stilts with white columns and trim to the interiors' contrasting granite accents and sparkling white-tile floors with luscious lemon, tomato, and peach walls and vivid marine photos. Smallish but spotless units---ranging from one to three bedrooms---contain nearly every modern comfort: a full kitchen with dishwasher, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen HDTV, jetted tub, cell phone (pay only for calls), and washer/dryer. The emphasis is on activity and the environment. Aside from the dive boats and superior snorkeling around the dock, bikes, kayaks, paddleboats, and kiteboards are available, as are tours and instruction; the owners developed an even more eco-friendly, high-end annex across the road. There's a casual restaurant-grill called Eagle Rays (with nightly events by the pool, including grilled lionfish after a cull) and a grocery–pizza parlor just down the road.

In the shadow of the Ritz-Carlton, this exclusive enclave still shines by offering understated barefoot luxury, stellar service, and huge three-bedroom condos. Elegant touches include beveled-glass doors, granite-clad kitchens and bathrooms (with stylish raised basins), deco-inspired art, and arched Palladian windows. Top-floor units have the finest views. Many have four-poster beds and oversize jetted tubs, but all have Wi-Fi, a washer/dryer, screened-in sunbathing patio, and flat-screen TV/DVD. The annual attention to detail is exemplary (whether expanding the TV channel selection, adding a state-of-the-art fitness center, or converting the infinity pool to gentle salt water), and management can arrange anything from a babysitter to a chef.

This older but upgraded complex of all oceanfront suites sits at the north end of Seven Mile Beach, 6 miles from George Town, with fabulous snorkeling in the protected waters of nearby Cemetery Reef. Tennis courts, a large pool with hot tub, and sizable screened-in private porches add to the appeal. Kids 12 and under stay free, making it popular with families. The open layout enhances the spaciousness, though guest bedrooms are generally cramped and second bathrooms are shower-only. All units (except studios, rented only in low season and not recommended) have a washer/dryer. Decor varies according to the owner's taste; Unit 23 is particularly smart, with wonderful island photos and granite accents. Units 32–40 are also top of the line.

The soaring, stylish marble lobby (with exquisite art glass and majestic stingray bas-relief sculpture) sets a "beach house" tone for this bustling property. Large adjoining rooms are ideal for families; all have tiny balconies, hardwood furniture, pullout sofas, and smallish bathrooms. The beach, pool, beach bar, sunglasses concierge, sunburn relief stations, and Red Sail dive center with water toys fill every nautical need. Add a serene spa, lovely lush tropical courtyard and turtle lagoon, clever man-made reef, and solid restaurants using local ingredients as much as possible, and you never need to leave the property (despite the on-site car rental agency). When you do, it's a short walk to more restaurants and stores.

Grand view, indeed: all 69 two- and three-bedroom units (sadly only 20 are generally in the rental pool) look smack onto the Caribbean and the beach past splendidly maintained gardens. Little painted sandals climbing the office door set the laid-back tone. Decor varies wildly but favors soft pastels and marine motifs. First-rate amenities include huge kitchens, washer/dryers, and screened-in patios; larger families will also appreciate the sofa beds and the children-under-12-stay-free policy. Snorkeling here is excellent, the beach is long (if narrow), and the location is ideal for walking into George Town or the most bustling part of Seven Mile Beach. Guests receive a discount at nearby King's Gym.

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.

With its lush grounds and a rugged coastline as a backdrop, Le Soleil d'Or calls itself as "a Caribbean Farm Inn," and that's exactly what it is. Surrounding the two main buildings, which house eight rooms oozing Caribbean charm, are 20 acres of botanical gardens. The beachside farm-to-table destination prides itself on its fresh, home-grown ingredients in the meals served in the on-site restaurant and sublime seaside views.

This two-story hotel, the island's largest, offers modern facilities in a boutique setting. The stylishly contemporary rooms include flat-screen TVs, curved shower rods, malachite-and-marble accents, and carved Honduran hardwood furnishings. They overlook either the pool area or the ocean (the latter are quieter, especially the 300 block, farthest from the occasionally raucous Beach Nuts Bar, where divers congregate). A full-service spa offers massages using mostly marine-based ingredients, as well as hair and nail treatments. Surprisingly good meals are generally served buffet-style in a handsomely renovated dining room. Diving packages represent excellent value. The resort is gradually upgrading various areas, experimenting with ecofriendly practices such as using green chemicals, and planning an expansion. But island warmth remains: the children of beloved Bracker Linton "Mr. T" Tibbetts—an inspiring self-made millionaire who was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his passionate efforts to promote tourism while preserving Caymanian heritage—still have a hand in management.

The lavish landscaping and neo-Edwardian architecture with gables, Palladian windows, and grillwork balconies set an understated opulent tone that carries over to the interior—curved enclosed patios larger than many apartments, traditional decor favoring hardwood furnishings, four-poster beds, carved-wood chandeliers, and antique maps. Master bedrooms overlook the beach; their bathrooms have sunken tubs and separate showers. End units offer the most spectacular views (though there's not a bad patio seat in the house). Welcome extras include a well-equipped gym, free Wi-Fi, and a washer/dryer in each unit.

Morritt's Tortuga Club and Resort offers 146 well-maintained, fully equipped, mostly time-share units, albeit many lacking beach views and/or access (the best and priciest are branded "The Londoner" and "Grand Resort"). The more-than-adequate activities and amenities include two appealing restaurants, a day spa, the respected Tortuga Divers outfit, and Red Sail Sports. It's right next door to the Reef Resort.

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.

Plantana is exceedingly lush, set on a stunning stretch of sand with smashing views of the leviathan ships lumbering into George Town and permeated with the sounds of surf and birdsong. The 49 individually decorated one-to-three-bedroom units are fully outfitted (including washer/dryers and Wi-Fi) and handsomely appointed, with designs running from contemporary to colonial or even Asian inspired.

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.

Silver Sands is an older compound that anchors the quieter northernmost end of Seven Mile Beach, with terrific snorkeling off the spectacular sweep of glittering sand. Most of the 42 units have balconies with fabulous views; second-floor units with vaulted ceilings are preferable.

This amiable seaside dive-oriented resort is on the ironshore south of George Town, close enough for a short trip to stores and restaurants yet far enough to feel secluded. The rooms are simple, and the decor and condition vary wildly, though all now have flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi (which works best from balconies). Rotating works by leading international marine photographers are displayed throughout the guest rooms and public spaces. The hotel also completed upgrades during the COVID-19 shutdown, giving rooms a refresh and upgrading the a/c, furniture, and pool loungers. Good diving and a homey atmosphere are the main attractions here. A terrific reef is just steps from the rooms. The thatched-roof My Bar is tremendously popular, especially at sunset, and the famous Cathy Church's Underwater Photo Centre and Gallery rounds out the island's most comprehensive diving services.