Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa

Opened in November 2016, the Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa is the first new resort to be built on the island in a decade. The atmosphere here feels like that of a friend’s house, where the decor is stylish, yet comfortable. The trendy lobby, with its cobalt hues and glossy surfaces, gives way to a cozier library, where seagrass-paneled walls are lined with Caribbean memorabilia. Every morning, guests gather in the library to grab free coffee and tea, while each evening, staff members host free wine tastings, which encourage guests to mingle in the shared space. 

Of Grand Cayman’s resort style hotels -- namely the Ritz Carlton, the Westin, and the Marriott -- the Kimpton is undoubtedly the trendiest. Its chic style attracts lots of young vacationers, from couples and honeymooners to friend groups and solo travelers. It also sees a fair share of business travelers and convention-goers, thanks to its 20,000 square feet of well-equipped event space. While the Kimpton has family-friendly features, like a kids' club and multi-bedroom suites, littles ones aren’t catered to here, and the atmosphere tends to be on the quieter side. The island’s best hotel for little ones is the nearby Ritz Carlton. 

The Kimpton Seafire is located on Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman’s most famous stretch of sand. The Seven Mile Beach resort area is where most of the island’s hotels, restaurants, and tourist-oriented services are located. Though the Kimpton is located on Seven Mile Beach, it’s slightly removed from all the action. The hotel doesn’t have any immediate neighbors, which keeps the atmosphere quiet, and foot-traffic minimal. The hotel is technically within walking distance of a few nearby hotels and restaurants, though most travelers will probably find it convenient to rent a car or travel by taxi. The Kimpton is a 15-minute drive from Owen Roberts International Airport. 

Widely known as a hub for international banking, Grand Cayman is a prosperous Caribbean island with a diverse population. Expatriates from North America, Europe, and Asia flavor the island with mixed cultural traditions, though many Caymanians, and even a few tourists, lament that the island lacks a strong sense of identity. While many aspects of Grand Cayman resemble Floridian suburbia -- colorful houses, outdoor shopping plazas, waterfront restaurants -- Caymanians are doing what they can to reclaim cultural identity. Travelers looking for more than just a beach vacation are encouraged to visit the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, Pedro St. James National Historic Site, or Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. 

Instead of typical Caribbean blues and greens, rooms at the Kimpton feature bold shades of coral and chocolate brown. Bright-pink accents, like throw pillows, beverage trays, and desk lamps, give rooms a sense of playfulness, while a mix of modern and traditional decorative pieces create a unique aesthetic. White wood-paneled walls provide colonial Caribbean charm that beautifully offsets the contemporary lacquered furniture (including carved canopy beds) and ombré drapery. Blonde engineered wood floors seamlessly run from bedrooms to bathrooms, where guests are treated to walk-in showers and basin-style soaking tubs -- some with peak-a-boo windows that overlook the ocean. Rooms are packed with quality amenities, including multiple charging ports, minibars, and eco-friendly toiletries, plus closets have thoughtful extras like umbrellas, yoga mats, and borrowable beach bags. Glass-paneled outdoor balconies have contemporary lounge-like seating, and almost all rooms have ocean views, even if they do not face Seven Mile Beach. 

The Kimpton has a variety of room types, from standard guests rooms with one king or two double beds, to spacious multi-bedroom suites. A few Family Suites even have bunk beds for kids. For families or groups traveling together, the resort’s spacious bungalows offer separate living and sleeping areas, with full kitchens and large outdoor patios. The bungalows are located next to the resort pool, and are a few steps from the beach, where bungalow guests are treated to specially reserved lounge chairs daily.  

The Kimpton isn’t a huge resort, but it packs a lot of nice features into its compact frame. While the pool and beach are certainly the main attractions, the Kimpton’s spa is one of the best on the island, and its dining scene is memorable. The hotel’s 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space is attractive for business travelers and wedding celebrants. The Aurea Ballroom can accommodate up to 500 people with banquet seating, and several outdoor lawns can be privatized for different functions. 

Travelers should be made aware of the hotel’s hefty daily resort fee, which was $70 during our visit. It’s pricey, but covers a lot of amenities, such as Wi-Fi, non-motorized water sports, valet parking, loaner bikes, daily fitness classes, and pet-friendliness (no size limit). Additionally, evening wine hours and morning coffee are provided for free.

A few steps down from the lobby, the Kimpton’s two-tiered, question mark-shaped pool stretches towards the beach, culminating in a stunning infinity edge that overlooks a grassy lawn. The pool scene is subdued -- ideal for sunbathers looking to relax -- and often populated by young couples and friend groups in their 30s and 40s. While the Kimpton is certainly family-friendly, there aren’t tons of kids splashing around and the atmosphere never gets rowdy. Pool servers attend to guests occupying the bright-red lounge chairs and private cabanas. 

Just beyond the pool, the grassy lawn gives way to Grand Cayman’s famed Seven Mile Beach, a pristine stretch of coastline known for its electric blue water and powdery white sand. The beach in front of the Kimpton is long and wide, and gently slopes towards the calm water. It’s an ideal spot for swimming and sunbathing. Since the Kimpton is somewhat separated from the rest of the Seven Mile Beach resort strip, its stretch of beach feels quieter and more secluded than that of the Ritz, Westin, and Marriott. 

Technically, the Kimpton Seafire has two restaurants: Ave and Coccoloba. However, its third dining experience Avecita, is open seasonally within Ave, the main restaurant. Ave (the Spanish word for bird, not the abbreviation of avenue) is a stunning, light-filled space that overlooks Seven Mile Beach. The restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner, and has both indoor and outdoor seating. Breakfast features both buffet and a la carte options (try the chef’s take on the cronut), while the a la carte dinner menu highlights local ingredients with Mediterranean preparations. 

Avecita is more of a culinary experience than a dining venue. Located within Ave, Avecita offers one seating per night -- 10 seats are available at the chef’s counter, where guests can watch as chefs prepare a five-course tasting menu. An additional 30 seats are available at communal style tables, where guests can order off the a la carte tapas menu. Avecita’s menus change frequently, and the dining experience is only available seasonally. Though when it is open, Avecita is one of the island’s most coveted reservations, so advanced planning is highly recommended. 

Casual beachfront restaurant Coccoloba is open for lunch and dinner, and features a Caribbean/Mexican inspired menu of tacos and fresh seafood. It’s a popular spot for sunset margaritas and ceviche, and attracts locals and visitors with its happening atmosphere. Additionally, the Kimpton has an all-day coffee shop called “The Pantry” that serves excellent java, grab-and-go sandwiches, pastries, and snacks. 

The Seafire Spa is a destination all its own. Located on the hotel’s lower level, the spa feels like an underground escape, with dark, soothing interiors and impeccable style. Contemporary decor is highlighted by water features, native foliage, and gorgeous mosaic tile displays (the Turkish hamman is a highlight). The Seafire Spa has a varied spa menu, with offerings ranging from facials and body scrubs to massages and aromatherapy treatments. The spa also has a full-service salon for hair, nail, and waxing treatments. The Kimpton’s fitness center is not part of the spa. Instead, it’s located in an airy room that faces the beach (though most ocean views are obscured by surrounding foliage). The gym is small, but it has modern Cybex cardio and strength-training equipment, and free weights. The hotel also offers free daily fitness classes such as beach yoga. 

The Kimpton’s chic decor and trendy dining scene attract romantics and young friend groups more than families with little ones. But the Kimpton has a few nice benefits for families. Several Family Suites have bunk beds for kids, and the hotel’s spacious bungalows are ideal for families or groups traveling together. Kids 5 and younger eat free with their parents at any of the on-site restaurants, and the Kimpton’s kids' club, Camp Seafire, offers regularly scheduled activities for children ages 4 to12. Note that the kids' club incurs additional fees.