Where to Stay in Grand Cayman Island ✔️ 3 Best Areas

Welcome to the scuba divers paradise: Grand Cayman Island! Located South of Cuba, Grand Cayman is the largest of the Cayman Islands, and home to the capital, George Town, is located. If gorgeous sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and a serene atmosphere sound appealing, it’s time to start looking into where to stay in Grand Cayman. 

I wanted to make the decision process easier for you, so I compared the island’s different areas and created a list of the 3 best places to stay in Grand Cayman. 

Up front, I can tell you that the best area to stay in Grand Cayman is Seven Mile Beach, with its stunning sandy shore, amazing resorts, and great selection of beach bars and restaurants. 

To make things even simpler for you, I handpicked the best hotels in each of the recommended areas, so all you need to do is decide on the dates and make your booking. 

Once you’ve made a decision, make reservations immediately, and ensure you book at least a few months in advance… Everyone wants a spot in paradise!

NOTE: the Cayman Islands are a luxurious vacation spot, so don’t expect to find any budget hotels. In this post, I provide hotel recommendations in the luxury and mid-range categories, but there are no budget hotels or hostels. However, if you’re traveling to Grand Cayman on a budget, check out the bonus section, where you’ll find some budget-friendly holiday homes. 

Ready? Let’s go!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Want to book now? Here are the best Grand Cayman hotels situated in Seven Mile Beach:

Here’s a map with the 3 best areas featured in this post to help you visualize them:

1. Seven Mile Beach – where to stay for the first time

The famous Seven Mile Beach (which is actually 5.5 miles / 9 km long) lies on the island’s Western shore and is the best place to stay in Grand Cayman if you’re visiting for the first time. Staying here means that you’ll enjoy one of the most stunning beaches you’ll ever see, lounge in the numerous bars, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the area. 

While you stay here, you can spend your days on the beach, endlessly swimming and sunbathing. And if you were wondering about what is the best area to stay in Grand Cayman for snorkeling, well, Seven Mile Beach is the best choice for that, too. 

It’s just a short 10-minute drive from George Town city center and is one of the most stunning beaches you will see! Seven Mile Beach has its own town just across from the sand, with nice restaurants and bars, crazy nightclubs, shops, and Camana Bay.

I know for sure that you’ll be hungry after a long day at the beach, so I suggest you check out Peppers Bar and Grill (map), where you can try authentic Caribbean food while listening to pleasant live music. And if you want something a bit more upscale, then head to Luca’s (map) and indulge in their delicious Italian specialties. 

Christopher Columbus discovered the Cayman Islands in 1503, on his last trip to the Americas, and initially called them ‘Las Tortugas’ due to the large number of turtles swimming in the waters surrounding the islands. 

One of the top things to do during your time in Seven Mile Beach is explore Camana Bay (map), THE retail and entertainment district on Grand Cayman. This is where you’ll find many amazing shops and restaurants, and it’s definitely the best area to stay on Grand Cayman if shopping is your thing. 

Finally, you absolutely have to make the 10-min drive to George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands. It’s a great place to explore, so you may wonder why I don’t recommend you stay there. Well, the answer is simple – there aren’t any accommodations that match our criteria, and I want you to get the best of the best! 

TIP: I highly recommend you rent a car for the duration of your stay on Grand Cayman Island and explore all the different parts of the island – the drives between most destinations are short and I can guarantee you will have loads of fun! 

Walking on the shores of Seven Mile Beach is an unforgettable experience. For this reason, it has become one of the most popular spots in the islands and is home to many luxurious hotels and local restaurants… the perfect choice if you spare no expense! But make sure to book early, as these are the best of the best hotels!

Luxury (US$400 and up)

• The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman – this luxurious beachfront resort provides access to an amazing outdoor pool, a hot tub, a tennis court, and a spa and wellness center. Other amenities include an on-site shop and an award-winning restaurant. 
• Grand Cayman Marriott Resort – an oceanfront resort with a pool overlooking the water, an inner courtyard with a turtle lagoon and seating areas, and as many as 4 restaurants serving international cuisine and delicious cocktails. 

Mid-range (US$250 – US$400)

• Hampton by Hilton – just a short walk away from Seven Mile Beach, this 3-star hotel offers accommodation in air-conditioned rooms that provide rooms over tropical gardens, plus access to a pool and a restaurant. 
• Seven Mile Beach Resort – guests at the Seven Mile Beach Resort can use the free shuttle bus to get to the nearest beach, relax in the outdoor hot tub or the swimming pool, and benefit from free private parking and Wi-Fi. 

2. West Bay – where to stay in Grand Cayman with family

Heading up Seven Mile Beach to its Northern tip, you will reach West Bay in just 12 minutes by car. This is a more peaceful residential area, perfect for families that want to avoid tourist crowds. In fact, here, you’ll find stunning deserted beaches, many restaurants where you can enjoy the best local cuisine, and countless fun activities. 

From horseback riding on beautiful beaches to kitesurfing in Barkers National Park (map) and wading with turtles in the Cayman Turtle Centre, there’s enough to keep the whole family entertained.

If you feel up for something out of the ordinary, I encourage you to visit the Hell, Grand Cayman (map), a very cool area that has unusual limestone rock formations, spread over an area the size of a football field. There are also a couple of gift shops in the area, so it’s the perfect place to get a souvenir from your Grand Cayman adventure. 

As I promised, this is the best part of Grand Cayman to stay for the local cuisine, and I actually have a couple of places to recommend to you: the Cracked Conch (map), which, besides the delicious Caribbean dishes, provides unbeatable ocean views, and Calypso Grill Cayman (map), offering a more upscale take on the local cuisine. 

You can’t have the full West Bay experience without going for a swim with dolphins! Head to Dolphin’s Cove and book your dolphin swimming experience – it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with dolphins in their natural habitat. 

Although less expensive than George Town or Seven Mile Beach, West Bay still has a more exclusive vibe. However, it’s totally worth it if you can enjoy quieter beaches from lovely homes, condominiums, or even dive resorts right next to the sea.

Luxury (US$450 and up)

• Kimpton Seafire Resort – as one of the best Grand Cayman resorts, the Kimpton boasts stunning decor, a full-service spa, a fitness center, and a year-round outdoor pool. Guests will enjoy the private beach area and the 3 restaurants on-site. 
• Sunshine Suites Resort – this upscale hotel is a short walking distance away from the beach and offers access to an outdoor pool surrounded by sun loungers. The poolside Caribbean restaurant serves delicious meals throughout the day. 

Mid-range (US$190 – US$450)

• Holiday Inn Resort Grand Cayman – this oceanfront resort features a swimming pool, a large tropical garden, a restaurant, and water sports facilities. During your stay, you can also hit the 18-hole golf course right next to the hotel. 
• The Grand Caymanian Resort – facilities at this 3-star resort include a fitness center, an outdoor pool with a pool bar, and a restaurant, while each of the rooms and suites on the property has an en suite bathroom and a private balcony or a patio. 

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3. North Side & East End – best area for a quiet stay

The East End & North Side of Grand Cayman Island, each situated a 50-minute drive away from Seven Mile Beach (in opposite directions), are the perfect choice if you are looking for a more secluded beach vacation. Offering beautiful blue waters, colorful tropical fish, and a quiet atmosphere with very few people around you… this feels like a true paradise!

Here, you can discover so many unspoiled beaches where you can have picnics in total peace in front of incredible sea views. Otherwise, there are several very good restaurants along the coastline. But if you’re looking for some excitement, you’ll also be spoiled for choice with countless water sports and dive sites available on the beaches.

Rum Point (map), located on the picturesque North side of the island, is famous for its laid-back atmosphere and is the ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling, or just relaxing on the beach hammocks or under shady trees. Take the time to check out Starfish Point (map), a small beach where you can observe starfish just off the shore. 

Being less developed than Cayman’s Western side, East End maintains a small neighborhood feel and is home to some of the friendliest residents on the island! Everything you need to disconnect with the world and reconnect with yourself!

From the East End, you can easily explore Gun Bay (map) and go for a meal at one of the island’s most unique restaurants, Tukka East End (map), where you can try Australian food with a Caribbean twist. 

If you drive in the opposite direction of Gun Bay, meaning you keep going South instead of East, you’ll reach The Blowholes (map), openings in the rocky shoreline where the sea water rushes through in blasts to create the blowhole effect. Further South, you’ll reach Half Moon Bay (map), a great place to stop and enjoy the scenery. 

If you decide to stay either on the North Side or in the East End, you should definitely rent a car, as these areas cover large portions of the island, so you can’t explore on foot. If you have your own vehicle, you can visit Bodden Town, the former capital of the Caymans, and stop anywhere along the shore and explore some lesser-known parts of the island. 

On this side of the island, there aren’t as many hotels as in Seven Mile Beach or West Bay, so I only found a couple of good options to recommend. However, if you do want a quiet stay, this will be a great perk, as you won’t be bothered by crowds of tourists, and you can enjoy the peace and quiet. 

Luxury (US$350 and up)

• Wyndham Reef Resort – situated on the East End of Grand Cayman, this beachfront resort provides easy access to a private white sand beach, a variety of fun water sports and activities, and is home to the only coffee shop on this part of the island. 
• Ocean Paradise – this aparthotel is located on the North Side of Grand Cayman and provides accommodation in fully equipped houses, as well as access to a pool, a garden, and a fully furnished terrace. 

👑 Luxury price:	$550
💵 Mid-range:	$350
💰 Accommodation prices:	High
📍 Best area:	Seven Mile Beach
🛎️ Best luxury hotel:	The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
🧳 Best mid-range hotel:	Hampton by Hilton

BONUS: The best holiday homes in Grand Cayman

If you are the type of person who loves to keep the privacy and comfort of having your own space on a holiday, then you should opt for an amazing apartment or a holiday home! There’s nothing better than to share some quality time with your family, friends, or couple in dreamy houses while also saving some money.

Grand Cayman offers beautiful holiday homes right on the beach, where you can start your day with a view of the ocean, breathe the sea breeze while having breakfast, or splash into the crystal-clear water of the Cayman Islands! Sounds like a dream… but you can make it come true!

Let’s take a look at these incredible options, ranging from most to least expensive: 

• 2 Bedroom Condo ($$$) – this upscale apartment is situated on Seven Mile Beach and can accommodate up to 4 people, and provides access to several pools, one of which is a dedicated kids’ pool and one that boasts a swim-up bar. 
• Oceanfront – on 7 Mile Beach ($$$) – an upscale holiday home on Seven Mile Beach with 1 bedroom and a living room with a comfy sofa bed, suitable for up to 4 people, featuring a screened porch perfect for outdoor dining. 
• Full Apt w/Kitchen ($$) – this apartment is situated in the lovely Bodden Town on the island’s North Side and has a fully-equipped kitchen and 1 bath, plus provides quick access to a private sandy beach. 
• Vitamin Sea ($$) – this 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom house is located in Coral Bay Village, just a few minutes away from George Town and the airport. Guests get access to a pool and a tennis court free of charge. 
• Cayman Imperial Suite ($) – nestled in a quiet part of West Bay, this suite has a private entrance, a comfy bedroom, a small but functional kitchenette, and a small dining area – perfect for a couple’s getaway. 
• Beautiful Tree Frog Apartment ($) – located in the South Sound neighborhood near George Town, right across the street from the ocean, and has a private entrance, a kitchenette, and a spacious bedroom. 

FAQs about lodging in Grand Cayman

Final thoughts on where to stay in Grand Cayman

We came to the end of our sunny vacation through the largest of the Cayman Islands, and by now, you should have an idea of where to stay in Grand Cayman. I hope that this guide has helped you decide which part of Grand Cayman is best for your travel preference and that you’ve already booked your stay. 

Still unable to decide on the? Let me recommend my 2 favorite hotels, both situated on Seven Mile Beach, the best area to stay on Grand Cayman:

• The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman – a gorgeous luxury resort with direct beach access and a great pool
• Hampton by Hilton – this hotel is just a short walk away from the beach and boasts an amazing on-site restaurant

Regardless of where you want to stay on Grand Cayman, book quickly – this is a super popular destination, and there aren’t hotels to meet all the demand. And trust me, you don’t want to give up your spot on this island. 

In case you have questions about your trip to Grand Cayman, leave a comment below – I’ll be happy to get back to you! 

Have an amazing trip,

Elena

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