Arriving at Grand Cayman Marriott Resort in the Cayman Islands was a languid bloom. As I breezed past the two-story stingray sculpture art that dominates the light-bathed entry, I passed the front desk into an open-plan, multipurpose space. During my stay, it took on an impressive number of forms: bar, coffee shop, lounge, restaurant and breakout space.
Although it was lovely to linger, there was ocean to see. To get there, I traversed the lush, palm-bedecked courtyard, where a fountained pond houses swimming turtles who pose, flippers extended, atop the rocks — so still they’re easily mistaken as statues themselves (the hotel staff jokingly referred to it as “turtle yoga”). Then, the showstopper appears: the Caribbean Sea, right out the resort’s “back door.”
Returning guests who remember several yards of white sand fronting the hotel — at the southern end of the famed Seven Mile Beach — will find themselves in for a shock: It’s covered in crystal-clear aquamarine surf, which laps right up against the concrete retaining wall and the remains of the staircase that once led to the beach.
Erosion has been an issue on the beach for years, but it kicked into high gear when Hurricane Ian passed near the island in 2022. The Cayman Islands government has plans to refurbish the beach, but without any guarantee of immediate relief, the hotel must carry on without one — it has even removed the word “beach” from the property name and removed all outdated beachfront photos from its website.
Instead, the focus is now more on hospitality and guestroom renovations, and the results are charming.
Rooms and suites were upgraded as part of a recent renovation.
Credit: 2024 Marriott InternationalGuestrooms at Grand Cayman Marriott Resort
Room renovations began in early 2023 and are nearing completion. Decor is bright and airy — with shades of white, sand and turquoise, along with flashes of orange — and all rooms features balconies with seating. Mattresses were upgraded to true kings and queens (some hotels have smaller versions), and there are plenty of outlets for devices. Shower-tub combos have been replaced with step-in showers, and in the rooms that retain bathtubs, there are now larger soaking tubs.
Grand Cayman Marriott Resort is also redesigning its junior suites to make the living areas more separate, as well as adding a new room type: four Family Suites will have bunk beds in addition to a king bed, plus additional storage and space. There will also be two new one-bedroom Ocean Suites on the fourth and fifth floors, featuring a separate living space.
If clients aren't hopping in the sea, the property's oceanfront pool offers similarly lovely views.
Credit: 2024 Marriot InternationalRestaurants, Bars and Activities at Grand Cayman Marriott Resort
On the hospitality side, there’s a steady parade of activities and theme evenings. Featuring an international expat culinary staff, the hotel offers options such as Nikkei Night in main restaurant Anchor & Den, where on Saturday evenings, there’s a menu of Japanese-Peruvian fusion. Standouts include scallop and wagyu beef nigiri, both torched tableside; fresh tuna wrapped around foie gras; and beef kushiyaki, served on a mini-tabletop grill over a bed of smoking sage.
On Friday nights, Anchor & Den offers Rockin’ Ramen, with beats from the resident DJ. Sundays are for Wanderlust Brunch, with international flavors such as Spanish charcuterie and bottomless bubbles. Select Saturday afternoons bring the Mad Tea Party, with classic teas and those from local Cayman Island experts. Each themed event draws locals as well as guests.
Anchor & Den serves a multitude of purposes, in fact: There’s a morning coffee bar, offering fresh pastries and grab-and-go throughout the day, and its dining room is also the hotel’s three-meal restaurant. It’s also a bar and lounge — a focal point for the hotel beverage program, developed by the hotel team in collaboration with world-renowned mixologist David Rios. Rios also worked with Cayman Spirits Co. to create the hotel’s signature Citrus Blossom Gin — perfect in a gin and tonic.
The hotel’s oceanfront Veranda restaurant also has theme nights. There’s Lobster Night on Wednesdays, Asado Fridays (with Argentine-style grilling on an Asado Grill) and Simply Fish Sundays. The regular menu here is also delightful; one highlight is the crusted corvina fish with breadfruit fondant and beurre blanc. It’s deceptively simple, but so well-constructed that it won chef Yuvraj Sawant Marriott’s internal Masters of the Craft Award for the Caribbean and Latin America division.
Clients can choose from a list of treatments at the resort's spa, Botanika Union.
Credit: 2024 Marriott InternationalOther On-Site Amenities
The hotel additionally has a small-but-mighty spa, Botanika Union, which offers facials, body scrubs and wraps, massages and nail services. At the oceanfront pool, staff work hard, finding and dressing loungers with towels when requested — a level of service typically only found at luxury-tier properties. For guests who do step directly into the ocean, water shoes are advised: The bottom is rather rocky, but the swim out to some lovely floating trampolines is worth the effort.
Grand Cayman Marriott Resort may not have a beach, but that makes it no less of a vacation destination. Heartfelt service and craftsmanship is clearly demonstrated in the renovation — not only in the guestrooms, but also in the food and beverage programs, and in the utterly gracious, genuine service from the veteran staff.
