Sophisticated and elegant doesn’t have to mean stuffy, and one of my favorite places in the world, the Caribbean Club Condominium Hotel on Grand Cayman Island’s Seven Mile Beach, proves this beyond any doubt. I recently had a chance to visit this superb luxury property, the most exclusive hotel on Grand Cayman, and was as impressed as ever with the surroundings and the experience.
Of course, the Caribbean Club’s enviable location on Seven Mile Beach, considered by many to be the best beach in the Caribbean, is spectacular all by itself. The hotel takes full advantage of its location with spacious balconies adjacent to each suite overlooking the soft, sandy beach and the impossibly blue ocean beyond, perfect for enjoying morning coffee, a sunset cocktail and everything in between. Below is a beautiful infinity edge swimming pool steps from the beach and equipped with lounge chairs and whispering palm trees. While the surroundings are luxurious, the vibe is casual and playful, just the way I like it.
You can enjoy any number of the activities Grand Cayman is best known for, including diving, sailing, swimming and just relaxing from the Caribbean Club. The hotel’s spacious suites range from one to three bedrooms to accommodate everyone from couples to large families. In addition to a large indoor and outdoor living space, appointed with sophisticated by comfortable furnishings, each suite features a large, modern kitchen, perfect for preparing your own favorite island delicacies. A visit to Luca, the property’s restaurant, however, is a must. I enjoyed a beautiful brunch at Luca with a wide variety of expertly crafted treats accompanied by all-you-can-drink champagne.
There are other ways to relax on Grand Cayman than sitting by the pool or on the exquisite Seven Mile Beach and I was able to enjoy one of them on this trip. The Cayman Spirits Company produces its distinctive Seven Fathoms Premium Cayman Islands Rum in the traditional West Indian way, using a copper pot still and aging its rum in bourbon casks. What sets Seven Fathoms rum apart, however, is that the aging is done only after the casks are lowered 42 feet, or seven fathoms, beneath the waves off the Cayman coast. Although Seven Fathoms rum can be enjoyed anywhere, my favorite way to enjoy it is on the way down the waterslide at the Margaritaville swim-up bar.
