Grand Cayman is one of our favorite Caribbean destinations. However, it can get expensive if you're paying cash for the entire trip. Here are our favorite points hotels in Grand Cayman.
Grand Cayman, the largest of the three Cayman Islands are located in the Western-Caribbean, just west of Jamaica in the Caribbean Sea. While you may think of the Caymans as a tax haven, this self-governing British Overseas Territory is a very popular tourist destination.
Most of the popular hotels are on Seven-Mile Beach, which is on the western-side of the island, and features crystal-clear water, and perfect, soft-sandy beaches. I've been to Grand Cayman over a dozen times, and have used points for every single stay. Here are my favorite options for staying in Grand Cayman using your points:
Located on Seven-Mile Beach, the Westin Grand Cayman is our favorite hotel in Grand Cayman. This property is our favorite because of how good of a deal it is using Marriott Points (more on this below). The entire hotel was recently renovated, and has a modern feel.
While there are no suites at this property, there are nine-unique room types, which feature a mixture of Ocean View, and "Island View." Of course, I'd choose the ocean view rooms if you have the choice. Additionally, I'd try to avoid rooms on the ground-floor as these have patios that are accessible directly from the pool area.
This property features three dining options onsite, including a full-service restaurant (Ferdinands), a poolside restaurant (Tortugas), and a Coffee Shop (Cayman Coffee Company). As a Marriott Platinum Elite or higher, you'll receive a full-breakfast buffet for two at Tortugas, which is one of the best Caribbean hotel breakfasts I've had. However, if breakfast isn't included in your stay, I'd highly recommend walking across the street to Eats Cafe, which is one of the best breakfasts I've had.
While rooms here start at about 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points/night, you can get a great deal if you use points during peak times, including Christmas week (where rooms can cost over $2,000/night). You'll likely get the best cash rate during off-peak times, which in the Caribbean is generally summer, due to the extreme heat, and chance of hurricanes.
The Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa is also located on Seven-Mile Beach, just north of the Westin, and comes in as a close second. This property, which opened in 2016 brings a modern & luxurious feel to the Cayman Islands. This property won the #1 Cayman Island Hotel by US News & World Report in 2023, and I'd certainly believe it.
This hotel features a grand lobby, with fresh & modern rooms. There are multiple dining options at the resort, including a full-service restaurant (where IHG Diamond members can get free Breakfast). Additionally, there are multiple pools on-property including 2 jacuzzis. If you're looking to sit at the beach, the you can rent cabanas or umbrella's from the hotel, which they'll set up for you.
This property costs 70,000 IHG OneRewards Points per night, which can be a great deal, depending on your timing. Like the Westin, during peak travel-dates (Winter), this can be a great way to burn some of your IHG points, while during the summer months, you may be better off paying cash, with rates starting at $750/night. This property has an $80/night resort fee.
The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman is a great hotel for travelers looking for a luxury experience and have the points (or cash) to spend. The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman is consistently rated one of the best resorts in the Caribbean, however, often when we've been there it's been extremely crowded, which resulted in long-lines, and a very crowded beach. We generally prefer to stay at the Westin, however, the rooms and amenities at the Ritz are undoubtedly the nicest on the island (at least for points-accepting hotels).
At the same property as the Hotel, there's also a Ritz Carlton Residences at Grand Cayman, which share the same amenities, including the pool, the tennis courts, basketball courts, etc. There are multiple on-property restaurants including one by chef, Eric Ripert, best known for 3-Michelin Starred Le Bernedin in New York. Ripert also holds an annual "Cayman Cookout" event, typically in the middle of January every year, which is a great way to experience sun, surf, sand, and great food.
If you've read anything about the property, you know it's luxurious, and it's prices reflect that. Rooms here generally start at 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points or about $1,000/night, and can occasionally be even more than that. Unless you are traveling off-peak, the Kimpton or the Ritz generally provide better value, however the Ritz is a great option for the luxury traveler looking for an upscale points hotel.
It's worth noting, that we would most definitely pass on the Marriott Grand Cayman. While still located on Seven-Mile Beach, this property has unfortunately seen the effects of climate change and beach erosion. This property is on the southern tip of Seven-Mile Beach, and quite literally does not have a beach. The pool is located atop a sea-wall that they've built. Additionally, the location is very inconvenient from the rest of Seven-Mile beach, including all of the best restaurants. While this property is located near Caymana Bay, a new shopping & dining development, we would skip this property as the others provide a much better stay.
Grand Cayman is one of our favorite Caribbean destinations, for good reason. With a plethora of options to use your points & miles, along with the beautiful beaches, the Caymans are a great place to go for a weekend getaway or a longer-beach retreat. To find the best Points & Cash availability, use AwardTravel Hotels!
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Grand Cayman, the largest of the three Cayman Islands are located in the Western-Caribbean, just west of Jamaica in the Caribbean Sea. While you may think of the Caymans as a tax haven, this self-governing British Overseas Territory is a very popular tourist destination.
Most of the popular hotels are on Seven-Mile Beach, which is on the western-side of the island, and features crystal-clear water, and perfect, soft-sandy beaches. I've been to Grand Cayman over a dozen times, and have used points for every single stay. Here are my favorite options for staying in Grand Cayman using your points:
Located on Seven-Mile Beach, the Westin Grand Cayman is our favorite hotel in Grand Cayman. This property is our favorite because of how good of a deal it is using Marriott Points (more on this below). The entire hotel was recently renovated, and has a modern feel.
While there are no suites at this property, there are nine-unique room types, which feature a mixture of Ocean View, and "Island View." Of course, I'd choose the ocean view rooms if you have the choice. Additionally, I'd try to avoid rooms on the ground-floor as these have patios that are accessible directly from the pool area.
This property features three dining options onsite, including a full-service restaurant (Ferdinands), a poolside restaurant (Tortugas), and a Coffee Shop (Cayman Coffee Company). As a Marriott Platinum Elite or higher, you'll receive a full-breakfast buffet for two at Tortugas, which is one of the best Caribbean hotel breakfasts I've had. However, if breakfast isn't included in your stay, I'd highly recommend walking across the street to Eats Cafe, which is one of the best breakfasts I've had.
While rooms here start at about 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points/night, you can get a great deal if you use points during peak times, including Christmas week (where rooms can cost over $2,000/night). You'll likely get the best cash rate during off-peak times, which in the Caribbean is generally summer, due to the extreme heat, and chance of hurricanes.
The Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa is also located on Seven-Mile Beach, just north of the Westin, and comes in as a close second. This property, which opened in 2016 brings a modern & luxurious feel to the Cayman Islands. This property won the #1 Cayman Island Hotel by US News & World Report in 2023, and I'd certainly believe it.
This hotel features a grand lobby, with fresh & modern rooms. There are multiple dining options at the resort, including a full-service restaurant (where IHG Diamond members can get free Breakfast). Additionally, there are multiple pools on-property including 2 jacuzzis. If you're looking to sit at the beach, the you can rent cabanas or umbrella's from the hotel, which they'll set up for you.
This property costs 70,000 IHG OneRewards Points per night, which can be a great deal, depending on your timing. Like the Westin, during peak travel-dates (Winter), this can be a great way to burn some of your IHG points, while during the summer months, you may be better off paying cash, with rates starting at $750/night. This property has an $80/night resort fee.
The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman is a great hotel for travelers looking for a luxury experience and have the points (or cash) to spend. The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman is consistently rated one of the best resorts in the Caribbean, however, often when we've been there it's been extremely crowded, which resulted in long-lines, and a very crowded beach. We generally prefer to stay at the Westin, however, the rooms and amenities at the Ritz are undoubtedly the nicest on the island (at least for points-accepting hotels).
At the same property as the Hotel, there's also a Ritz Carlton Residences at Grand Cayman, which share the same amenities, including the pool, the tennis courts, basketball courts, etc. There are multiple on-property restaurants including one by chef, Eric Ripert, best known for 3-Michelin Starred Le Bernedin in New York. Ripert also holds an annual "Cayman Cookout" event, typically in the middle of January every year, which is a great way to experience sun, surf, sand, and great food.
If you've read anything about the property, you know it's luxurious, and it's prices reflect that. Rooms here generally start at 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points or about $1,000/night, and can occasionally be even more than that. Unless you are traveling off-peak, the Kimpton or the Ritz generally provide better value, however the Ritz is a great option for the luxury traveler looking for an upscale points hotel.
It's worth noting, that we would most definitely pass on the Marriott Grand Cayman. While still located on Seven-Mile Beach, this property has unfortunately seen the effects of climate change and beach erosion. This property is on the southern tip of Seven-Mile Beach, and quite literally does not have a beach. The pool is located atop a sea-wall that they've built. Additionally, the location is very inconvenient from the rest of Seven-Mile beach, including all of the best restaurants. While this property is located near Caymana Bay, a new shopping & dining development, we would skip this property as the others provide a much better stay.
Grand Cayman is one of our favorite Caribbean destinations, for good reason. With a plethora of options to use your points & miles, along with the beautiful beaches, the Caymans are a great place to go for a weekend getaway or a longer-beach retreat. To find the best Points & Cash availability, use AwardTravel Hotels!
