WITH CAYMAN AIRWAYS’ NONSTOP FLIGHTS FROM THE WEST COAST TO GRAND CAYMAN, TREAT YOURSELF TO CULINARY DELIGHTS, WELLNESS AND SERENITY FOR A FULL WEEK.
The bluest of blue in water and sky is the backdrop to the quiet and refined luxury and wellness vibe of the Cayman Islands. There is no shortage of hospitality, good food, crystal clear water, sunny days or options for wellness on the islands. Known for culinary excellence, natural beauty, diverse marine life and an inviting culture, it is the perfect escape for anyone. Recently, as a female solo traveler, I found it safe and accommodating, receiving a warm welcome wherever I went. Surrounded by other solo travelers, families and couples of all ages, it is a multi-cultural melting pot of tourists, locals and service professionals, or whomever else you may meet, while traveling the islands.
With nonstop flights out from LAX on Sundays, it has never been easier to be somewhere in less than six hours. Cayman Airways offers the only direct flight from the West Coast to the Cayman Islands.
Partnered with a nonstop return flight on Saturdays, you can spend a full week in this gem of the Caribbean. “Caymankind” is a way of life that permeates throughout the country, and the airline crew embodies this kindness with friendliness, patience and superior customer service. Business class accommodations provide an even more elevated level of service.
As part of the airline’s signature, the Cayman Islands’ national carrier immediately invites travelers into their unique culture with carefully curated touches. Complimentary rum punch is available to kick off the Caribbean experience. For other inflight, over-21 beverages, Cayman Airways has partnered with local brewing company Caybrew to officially launch an on-board beer served exclusively to their airline travelers. After months of literal sky-high research and 35,000-feet taste tests, the beer was added to the beverage lineup at the end of May. Meal and beverage service is provided in both business and economy classes with Caymanian-influenced cuisine.
Cayman Airways also makes it easy to navigate via flights between the islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman for overnight trips or day visits during your week’s stay.
The Sir Turtle Rewards program offers a range of benefits and exclusive perks, including access to the lounge at Grand Cayman’s airport. The lounge is proud to present a design and cozy atmosphere that reflects the heritage — geometric wall tiles, sea colors and lighting enhance the ambience of the islands’ beauty. Images of Cayman landscapes throughout provide a soothing, relaxing atmosphere while members and business class passengers wait for their departure.
This nonstop convenience on Cayman Airways is the only way to travel to the Cayman Islands for a full week of enjoying one of the most beautiful spots on earth.
Visiting the Islands
GRAND CAYMAN
Grand Cayman is the most populated island. With a population of more than 80,000 residents, it is also the busiest of the three islands. At 22 miles long and 76 square miles overall, there are an abundance of activities and accommodations available while visiting.
WHERE TO STAY
Cayman Islands is located in the West Bay district on Grand Cayman, a mostly residential part of the island. This is a tranquil, waterfront, boutique hotel, located close to the natural beauty of Barker’s Beach, with 9 units, ranging from studios to spacious two- and three-bedroom suites, each with a private bathroom, comprising a total of 17 available bedrooms. In the suites, full kitchens are available with state- of-the-art appliances.
With bespoke concierge service, the secluded hotel was welcoming, serene, and it felt like home during the entire trip. With a commitment to sustainability, guests are provided with reusable water bottles, and filtered water machines are located throughout the hotel, as well as compost bins in each kitchen. With a focus also on wellness, each unit comes equipped with yoga mats and a set of weights. The indoor/outdoor structure provides breathtaking water views, including on the Movement Deck where Pilates, yoga and movement classes are offered on a regular rotation schedule. The pool and hot tub are perfect for lounging away the days. (It’s also a quick walk down to the sea.)
VIDA works in partnership with Beacon Farms for healthy foods, and the on-site Nourish restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, and also offers evening cooking classes. Having attended a cooking class, it was a room filled with both guests and locals alike who wanted to be a part of this popular four-course dinner paired with wine or spirit tasting. This boutique spot is a favorite on the island for a calming, wellness retreat. Romantic packages are also available. Whether you stay here the entire time or divide your week’s stay among a few local hotels, VIDA is a must include while visiting Cayman. Other places to stay on the island include hotels located on renowned Seven Mile Beach including Hotel Indigo, a larger, design-forward boutique resort with 282-rooms, including 38 suites. With rooms complete with water views, it is a short walk down to the beach, or the friendly, accommodating staff is ready to escort you on an extremely short golf cart ride to the sea.
Two pools are available, as well as a Jacuzzi surrounded by swaying palm trees. With a range of eateries showcasing culinary delights, the hotel’s star of the show is the only roof- top restaurant/bar on the island—Pom Pom, named after the Caribbean flower. Offering South American-inspired plates, which are easy to share, the food is plentiful, healthy and delicious. Hotel Indigo prides itself on being the “neighborhood hotel” where both locals and guests mingle. It is elevated luxury with an approachable, down-to-earth vibe. There are more than 400 pieces of art throughout the hotel, including ceiling murals, all made by Caribbean and Caymanian artists reflecting Cayman culture. The sister property, also just a short golf cart ride away, Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa offers 264 guest rooms and suites, and a full, luxurious spa where tranquility and wellness take on a whole new meaning. The spa is an 8,500-square-foot facility featuring seven treatment rooms, a Turkish hammam, a grand soaking tub and a steam room.
Grand Cayman Marriott Resort, also located on Seven Mile Beach, offers 301 newly renovated rooms and suites, and is extremely family friendly. At this oceanfront property, you can dive into the stunning blue waters of the Cayman Islands, while turtles lounge and play in the courtyard pond. The on- site restaurants offer fresh food with island appeal touches. Also on Seven Mile Beach is The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, the only Forbes Triple Five-Star Hotel in the Caribbean, which offers an array of world-class amenities. The resort features 369 guest rooms and six on-site restaurants including Blue by Eric Ripert, Seven, Andiamo Circolo Sportivo, Taikun, Silver Palm, and Saint June, which provides breathtaking views with its ocean-front dining and live music.
WHERE TO EAT
When dining outside the hotels, there is no shortage of delicious food. A quick golf cart ride away from Hotel Indigo is Bonny Moon, a soulful beach club on the storied sands that were once home to Calico Jacks, where icons like George Clooney and Sean Connery had gathered. This reimagined beachfront escape honors the fearless spirit of Anne Bonny, the female pirate who defied superstition (women on boats were considered bad luck) and sailed alongside Calico Jack. Rooted in legacy, Bonny Moon radiates nostalgic charm and a bohemian spirit.
With bold, globally inspired dishes, handcrafted cocktails, and musical rhythm from sunset to late-night DJ sets, it’s where both locals and travelers come together to get lost in the magic of it all. It’s worth a taxi ride or drive out a few extra minutes to experience rum tasting with spirits only available in Cayman at Thatch and Barrel, a charming oceanside restaurant with gorgeous views on the historic grounds of Pedro St. James
With locally sourced ingredients and a menu inspired by Caymanian and Caribbean flavors, the food is farm-to-table, with both indoor and outdoor seating.
Ristorante Pappagallo is a renowned Italian restaurant (across the road from Vida Cayman) that serves up homemade pastas, sauces, breads and desserts, and offers more than 400 wines on the menu. The restaurant is set on a serene lagoon with many dining rooms, including one that is home to a screened-in area where the restaurant’s parrots reside.
WHERE TO ACTIVITY
Barkers National Park is a protected area that offers hiking, kitesurfing, horseback riding and ATV rides. The Cayman Turtle Centre is a premier conservation facility where you can see turtles, crocodiles and birds. Stingray City is where you can swim with stingrays on a sandbar in the water to feed them and interact with them; people from all over the world come to experience this amazing interaction. Famed Seven Mile Beach offers literally seven miles of soft sand and blue, crystal clear water for relaxation, sunbathing and swimming. Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is a 65-acre botanical garden where you can see rare blue iguanas and beautiful botanicals. And Cayman is known for its spectacular diving and snorkeling in its crystal clear water, and bird watching in the skies.
CAYMAN BRAC & LITTLE CAYMAN
Both of the smaller islands, known as the Sister Islands, are a short plane ride away from Grand Cayman with Cayman Airways Express. Spanning about 38 square miles, Cayman Brac is home to about 1900 residents. This island is a do-not- miss, whether it is for an overnight trip or longer. And on this must-see island is the must-stay spot of Le Soleil d’Or, a boutique resort set on a 20-acre farm with the most unique blend of luxury, simplicity, sustainability, service and peace. The Manor House features four en-suite guest rooms sharing a gourmet kitchen, game room, and main gathering living room area. The Beach Club Studio, down the street from the main property, and close to the Beach Club restaurant, offers direct access to the ocean. The Coast House across the street is a large studio with a private pool right on the water. And The Farmhouse is a three-bedroom villa located on the actual farm, with its own private kitchen and terrace.
Set on a farm, the on-property restaurant is true farm-to-table, and serves up the freshest, most delicious food made from in-season fruit and vegetables, alongside fresh eggs, chicken and beef. Most guests make their next stay’s reservation before they leave to ensure a spot on the calendar. This is the type of place that creates lasting memories. The farm also offers tours (whether you stay at the hotel or not) and many tourists and locals alike walk the land to experience the fresh produce. On Mondays, they host a Farmers Market for the locals to buy fresh produce at lower prices. This is a true community. The island itself has only a handful of bars, restaurants, grocery stores and one small historical museum (which is a must).
There are hiking trails for nature lovers, plentiful bird watching, and a light house at the very end of the island. The bluffs here are the main draw — offering stunning views up to 140 feet above sea level. The other island, Little Cayman, is the smallest and most tranquil of the three islands. Spanning only about 10 square miles, it is home to approximately 200 residents and known for its natural beauty. With Cayman Airways and nonstop LAX flights, it is a restful and rewarding experience for the soul to take a trip to the Cayman Islands. Spending a week in the country as solo traveler was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I stepped onto Cayman Airways’ plane to arriving in the Cayman Islands, I was greeted with warmth and hospitality by the locals.
A FILM DESTINATION
The beautiful Cayman Islands provides the perfect backdrop for both scripted and unscripted film projects. The mission of the Cayman Islands Film Commission (CIFC) is to promote the country as a premier destination for film, television, music video and advertising productions. CIFC’s goal is to connect with the next generation of filmmakers who are looking for a beautiful, natural, safe environment to create their motion picture art. With the aim of attracting these international productions and stimulate the local economy, the Cayman Islands Government offers a competitive cash rebate to eligible productions. Cayman Airways offers nonstop flights to Grand Cayman from LAX, making it simple for producers and their film crews to discover the beauty of the islands as the perfect filming location.
The islands felt incredibly safe, a testament to the global reputation as one of the top luxury destinations in the Caribbean, and I quickly made connections with friendly people who shared their stories and local tips. Whether I was exploring the beautiful beaches, hiking the bluff, or enjoying a delicious meal at a local restaurant, I always felt welcomed and at ease. The Cayman Islands is the perfect destination for anyone seeking adventure, relaxation, and a sense of community. Cayman Airways has made it seamless to have a perfect getaway for good food, wellness and serenity.
For more on the Cayman Islands, click here.
