Cayman Islands accommodations
Cayman Islands accommodations welcome you to a destination also known as “The Caymans”. Known for its 7-mile beach, turquoise waters, white sand, parks, ponds, bays, points, waterfront restaurants, snorkeling, scuba diving, sport fishing, endangered iguanas, seabirds, red-footed boobies, sea turtles and stingrays, Cayman Islands is located about 270 miles westward of both Cuba and Jamaica. A British Overseas Territory, the Cayman Islands consist of 3 islands, Grand Cayman (largest), Cayman Brac and Little Cayman (smallest).
Grand Cayman main attractions: Cayman Turtle Centre (wildlife park), Camana Bay (retail/entertainment district), Peppers Bar and Grill (Caribbean restaurant), Stingray City Cayman Islands (sandbar tourist attraction), Tukka East End (restaurant), Cracked Conch Restaurant & Macabuca Tiki Bar, Casanova Restaurant (Italian restaurant), Cayman Crystal Caves (tourist attraction), Seven Mile Beach (coral-sand, snorkeling, swimming, resorts, bars), Smith’s Barcadere (sandy cove, snorkeling, picnic tables, showers, restrooms), Spirit of the West (tour operator), Coccoloba Bar (Mexican restaurant), Governors Beach (white-sand, snorkeling, picnicking), Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park (wildlife park), Lobster Pot (seafood restaurant), Pedro St James (tourist attraction), Cayman Spirits Co. (brewery), Czech Inn Grill (restaurant), Tillies (restaurant), Bàcaro (restaurant), Calypso Grill Cayman (seafood restaurant), Spotts Public Beach, Ristorante Pappagallo (restaurant), Cayman Islands National Museum (museum), Starfish Point (tourist attraction), The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (art museum), Cemetery Beach (long-sandy, snorkeling, beach glass, picnics, shady trees), Cayman Islands Brewery Ltd (brewery)
Cayman Brac points of interest: Pioneer Bakery, Brac Scuba Shack (dive shop), Cayman Brac Lighthouse (tourist attraction), Bat Cave (tourist attraction), Great Cave (tourist attraction)
Little Cayman: Point Of Sand (beach pavilion), Hungry Iguana Restaurant, Seahorse Boutique & Coffee Shop
Cayman Islands main airport: Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA)
Airport car rental agencies: Budget of Grand Cayman, Europcar Grand Cayman, Firefly Rental Car Grand Cayman
Keep in mind that Cayman Airways is the only airline that operates between Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, with no ferry service.
Named after rum barrels that once washed up along its shoreline, Rum Point is one of the Caribbean’s most picturesque beaches / snorkeling areas. Starfish Point, home to shallow-water starfish, is in the vicinity of Rum Point. A popular yet secluded recreational spot, Stingray City consists of a series of shallow sandbars in Grand Cayman’s North Sound. Snorkelers may encounter / swim with southern stingrays at Stingray City. Relative to other Caribbean getaways, The Caymans tend to be more expensive. Cayman Islands, where sandals and sunscreen are essential items, offer more of a laid-back setting than an energetic nightlife scene. On Cayman Islands, cars travel on the left-hand side of the road, currency is the Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD) and the drinking age is 18 years old. USDs are accepted readily as well. Cayman Islands accommodations are some of the Caribbean’s best. Before we get to Cayman Islands accommodations, let’s take a look at some more background information on the area to help you along the way.
A lack of archaeological evidence suggests that prior to European arrival, Cayman Islands was uninhabited. During his final voyage to the Americas, Christopher Columbus is thought to have been the first European to sight the islands on May 10, 1503. Columbus named the new islands “Las Tortugas” in honor of the large turtle population discovered there. In turn, the turtles were hunted to near-extinction. Also present on the islands were caimans, a type of alligatoroid. Thus, the islands were referred to as “Caimanas” or “Caymanes”, and eventually were so-named. Following Columbus, no immediate colonization ensued. However, a variety of settlers arrived on the islands such as pirates, Cromwell deserters and shipwrecked sailors. Legendary pirate Blackbeard, whose real name was Edward Teach, was known to operate in Cayman Islands waters. As legend goes, treasure buried by Blackbeard still rests somewhere in a Cayman Brac cave. In 1586, Sir Francis Drake visited the islands briefly. Grand Cayman’s first permanent inhabitant, Isaac Bodden, was born on the island sometime around 1661. Bodden was the grandson of an original settler, who is thought to be one of Cromwell’s deserters involved in the British capture of Jamaica from Spain circa 1655. The 1670 Treaty of Madrid resulted in England’s formal control of Cayman Islands and Jamaica. During the 1730s, a permanent English-speaking population, along with the introduction of slaves by way of Scottish colonial administrator and governor of Jamaica Robert Hunter, appeared. A famous event in Cayman Islands’ history was the Wreck of the Ten Sail, an East End shipwreck that occurred on February 8, 1794. During the shipwreck, Caymanians rescued crews from ten merchant ships to include HMS Convert. In 1802, the islands’ first census tallied a total population of 933 on Grand Cayman, with 545 being slaves. The British Parliament’s Slavery Abolition Act in 1833 abolished slavery in the Cayman Islands. A dependency of the Crown Colony of Jamaica, Cayman Islands was officially declared on June 22, 1863. Cayman Islands became a separate Crown colony following Jamaica’s independence as a Commonwealth realm. In 1952, Owen Roberts International Airport opened, and a tourism boom ensued. Following Jamaica’s Independence in 1962, Cayman Islands came under direct British rule, though the islands historically have been a tax-exempt destination. In 1972, a new constitution was written, and Cayman Islands was granted a large degree of internal autonomy. Hurricane Ivan caused 2 deaths and $4.61 billion in damages on Cayman Islands in 2004.
Home to around 88,000 “Caymanians”, Cayman Islands is the largest (by population) self-governing British Overseas Territory. Over 100 square miles in total area, the territory is part of the Western Caribbean zone and Greater Antilles. The Cayman Islands’ government is a Parliamentary dependency under a constitutional monarchy, meaning that is does not possess full political independence or sovereignty as a sovereign state. Cayman Islands’ capital, George Town, has a population of around 40,000. Around 70% of the islands’ population identifies as Christian. Naturally, English is the territory’s official language. In 2019, The Caymans’ GDP totaled around $4.78 billion. Caymanians, as well as Cayman Islands companies, enjoy zero direct taxation. Apart from tourism, shipping is also a key economic contributor. Home to a tropical wet and dry climate, The Caymans’ average high temperature remains in the 80s degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. The islands’ rainiest months are September and October. Although rare, hurricane landfall is entirely possible, with Ivan being the last hurricane to hit land in 2004. Hurricane season occurs from June to November. Additional points of interest are George Town, Heroes Square , Mastic Trail, Pedro St. James Castle, East End Light, Hell and Truman Bodden Sports Complex. Local foods include seafood, coconut shrimp, jerk chicken, turtle soup and stew. The Caymans’ unofficial national dish is cassava (heavy cake, margarine, vanilla, boiled coconut milk, brown sugar, spices, grated cassava). Fun drinks are rum punch, daiquiris, piña coladas, bikini martinis and the seven mile breeze (local vodka, cranberry / grapefruit juices, over ice, garnished with lime). The Mudslide frozen drink (vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup) originates from Rum Point circa the 1970s. With some background information on the area, we’re ready for Cayman Islands accommodations that will help make for an outstanding experience.
The Locale Hotel
455 West Bay Rd, KY1-1209 George Town
Peppers Bar & Grill
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, à la carte, continental or American breakfast, outdoor swimming pool, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, tea / coffee makers, safety deposit boxes, hairdryers, 24-hour front desk, luggage storage space, facilities for disabled guests, free parking
Nearby restaurants / pubs: Cimboco (restaurant), The Burger Shack, Chicken! Chicken! (restaurant), Bonfire Urban Kitchen, Al La Kebab, Caribos 7 Sausasian (restaurant), Treats Restaurant, Craft Food & Beverage Co. (gastropub)
Nearby misc.: Havana Cigar Bar, Mariposa Cabaret, Cafe del Sol (coffee shop), Little Tortuga Liquors, Focus Hair and Beauty Salon, Bliss Yoga, Cayman Scents (gift shop), Divers Supply, Chelsea’s Bar (pool billiard club), Kennedy Gallery (art gallery), Seven Mile Beach Post Office, Be Well Pharmacy
Within feet:
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- Peppers Bar & Grill
- Seven Mile Beach
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Within 2.7 miles:
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- Dart Family Park
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Within 7 miles:
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- Water Cay Park
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The Locale Hotel is 2.3 miles from Owen Roberts International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Family Suite): $683
Cost per person (six people): $113
Regal Beach Club
West Bay Road 431, KY1-1202 George Town
Seven Mile Beach | The Wharf Restaurant & Bar
Apartment amenities: outdoor swimming pool, sea views, patio, whirlpool, fitness center, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, fully-equipped kitchens, coffee machines, free on-site parking
Also in the area: The Locale Hotel
Within feet:
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- Seven Mile Beach
- The Wharf Restaurant & Bar
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Within 1.1 miles:
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- Kirk Market and Fosters Food Fair IGA Market
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Within 1.6 miles:
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- Copper Falls Steakhouse
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Regal Beach Club is 2.3 miles from Owen Roberts International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Penthouse Apartment): $1,794
Cost per person (seven people): $256
Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa
60 Tanager Way, KY1-9008 West Bay
West Bay
Resort amenities: beachside bar & grill, restaurant, bar, private beach area, year-round outdoor pool, sea views, sun terrace, spa center, fitness center, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, tea / coffee makers, 24-hour front desk, free bicycle usage, facilities for disabled guests, free on-site parking
Nearby restaurants / bars: Morgan’s Seafood Restaurant, Coccoloba (Mexican restaurant), Bacaro (restaurant), Bonny Moon Beach Club (restaurant), Calico Jacks Bar & Grill, Jungle Bar & Lounge, Pom Pom (bar)
Nearby misc: GC’s Liquor Depot, Cayman Turtle Divers, KAABOO Cayman (festival), Dexter’s FantaSea Tours, Acquarius Sea Tours, Six Senses Cayman Adventures, George’s Watersports, Sail with Friends, Island Splash Water Sports, Cobalt Custom Charters
Within feet:
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- West Bay
- Seven Mile Beach
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Within 2.3 miles:
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- Laguna Del Mar
- Scholars Park
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Within 2.8 miles:
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- West Bay Beach
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Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa is 4.2 miles from Owen Roberts International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Two-Bedroom Presidential Suite): $1,779
Cost per person (six people): $296
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, KY1-1209 George Town
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Grand Cayman
Hotel amenities: 6 restaurants, bar, snack bar, outdoor pool, sea views, terraces, balconies, spa, hot tub, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, desks, concierge services, tennis court, on-site shops, facilities for disabled guests, free on-site parking
Nearby restaurants / bars: The Falls Steakhouse, Luca Restaurant (Italian restaurant), Good Mood Food Co. (restaurant), Yoshi Sushi, Edoardo’s (Italian restaurant), Blue by Eric Ripert (restaurant), Andiamo (restaurant), Seven (restaurant), Sunshine Grill, Legendz Bar and Grille, Bar Jack, Barolo Bar
Nearby misc.: Island Naturals Cafe, Cost-U-Less (supermarket), Foster’s Supermarket, Tortuga Liquors, Glamorous Hair Studio, Man Cave (hair salon), Beautiful Nails & Day Spa (nail salon), Governors Square (shopping mall), NKY Fashion, The Funky Monkey (clothing store), Kirk Freeport (duty-free store), Ageless Body Cayman (wellness center), The Da Vinci Wellness Centre, Karv Gym, Living The Dream Divers, Governors Beach, St. Matthew’s University
Within feet:
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- The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Grand Cayman
- Seven Mile Beach
- Laguna Del Mar
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Within 1.9 miles:
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- George Town
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Within 7 miles:
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- Water Cay Park
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The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is 2.7 miles from Owen Roberts International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Three-Bedroom Suite): $6,605
Cost per person (eight people): $825
Bodden Town Beach House
Bodden Town Road 588, KY1-1102 Bodden Town
Bodden Town
Beach House amenities: 3 bedrooms, sea views, patio, barbecue, garden, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, fully-equipped kitchen, tea / coffee makers, washing machine, tumble dryer, free on-site parking
Nearby: Czech Inn Grill (restaurant), Everglo Bar & Restaurant, Blissful Touch (massage therapist)
Within feet:
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- Bodden Town
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Within 5 miles:
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- Spotts Beach
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Within 6 miles:
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- Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park
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Bodden Town Beach House is 8 miles from Owen Roberts International Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $1,588
Cost per person (twelve people): $132
Palm Heights
747 West Bay Road, KY1-1110 George Town
Tillies | Ragazzi
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, Full English/Irish, American or vegetarian breakfast, nightclub, private beach area, 2 swimming pools, sea views, terrace, garden, hot tub, fitness center, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, tea / coffee makers, mini-bars, 24-hour front desk with English, Spanish, French and Italian-speaking staff, free bike usage, table tennis, water sports facilities, free private parking
Nearby restaurants: Lauren’s (Italian restaurant), Wok-n-Roll (Asian restaurant), Blue Cilantro (restaurant), Saltwater Grill (restaurant), Fresh Kitchen & Coffee, PD’s Sports Bar & Grill
Nearby misc.: The Wine Cellar, Big Daddy’s Liquor Store, Smoothie King, Buy Smart (discount store), The Grand Pavilion (business center), Waterman Cayman Surf Co
Within feet:
Within 2.2 miles:
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- Heroes Square
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Within 3.3 miles:
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- Dart Family Park
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Palm Heights is 2.7 miles from Owen Roberts International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Superior Suite): $7,463
Cost per person (four people): $1,865
Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman
32 Seafire Way, KY1-1301
Governors Creek
Resort amenities: multiple restaurants, bar, continental / American breakfast, private beach area, outdoor swimming pool, balconies, fitness center, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, desks, 24-hour front desk, currency exchange, ATM, concierge service, private parking, facilitates for disabled guests, shuttle service
Also in the area: Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa
Within feet:
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- Governors Creek
- Seven Mile Beach
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Within 2.5 miles:
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- Jacksons Pond
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Within 4.5 miles:
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- Boatswains Beach
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Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman is 5 miles from Owen Roberts International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (One-Bedroom Suite with Two Queen Beds and Ocean View): $1,521
Cost per person (six people): $253
Le Soleil D’or
2147 South Side Road , KY2-2001 Cayman Brac
Cayman Brac
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, à la carte / American breakfast, private beach area, 3 swimming pools, sea views, terraces, balconies, garden, fitness center, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, coffee machines, electric tea pots, safety deposit boxes, desks, tennis court, free shuttle service
Nearby: The Farm Restaurant
Within feet:
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- Cayman Brac
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Within 7 miles:
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- The Bluff Mountain
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Within 18 miles:
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- Hungry Iguana Restaurant & Bar
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Le Soleil D’or is 4.9 miles from Charles Kirkconnell International Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $547
One Canal Point Villas
Canal Point Drive, KY1-1206 Upper Land
Casa 43 | Luca | Lloyd’s Smokehouse
Villa amenities: private beach area, pool with a view, sea / garden views, terrace, balconies, garden, hot tub, fitness center, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, fully-equipped kitchens, coffee machines, kettles, washing machines, hairdryers, picnic area, free private parking
Also in the area: The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
Within feet:
Within 5 miles:
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- Scholars Park
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One Canal Point Villas is 3.6 miles from Owen Roberts International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Two-Bedroom Villa): $543
Cost per person (four people): $135
Black Urchin Boutique Resort
1264 Bodden Town Road, KY1-1003 Belford Estates
Meagre Bay Pond
Hotel amenities: private beach area, bar, infinity pool, sea views, terrace, balconies, barbecue facilities, garden, yoga & fitness classes, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, fully-equipped kitchens, coffee machines, kettles, bathrobes, free private parking, shuttle service
Also in the area: Bodden Town Beach House
Within feet:
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- Meagre Bay Pond
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Within 5 miles:
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- Frank Sound Community Park
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Within 12 miles:
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- Dart Park
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Black Urchin Boutique Resort is 9 miles from Owen Roberts International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Deluxe Suite with Sea View): $9,874
Cost per person (eighteen people): $548
Club Suites at Rum Point
2166 Rum Point Drive, KY1-1202
Starfish Point
Suite amenities: outdoor swimming pool, sea views, terraces, balconies, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, fully-equipped kitchens, walk-in showers, free on-site parking
Within feet:
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- Starfish Point
- Rum Point Beach
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Within 6 miles:
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- Mastic Trail
- Old Man Bay Playfield
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Within 9 miles:
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- Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park
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Club Suites at Rum Point is 26 miles from Owen Roberts International Airport.
So there they are, Cayman Islands accommodations that will help make for an incredible trip. We hope you have found this information valuable and most importantly, that you enjoy your time in the Caribbean!