Only The Best Travel
Aitutaki has gained the ‘Oceania’s Primary Island Place 2022’ from Planet Vacation Awards (WTA), beating Bora Bora, French Polynesia, who has held the title for the past a few many years. Earth Vacation Awards (WTA) unveiled its winners in the Oceania group last 7 days, …
Miffy the bunny’s initial trip was a single of requirement. When his proprietor Sami Chen relocated to New York from Taiwan in 2018, she couldn’t bear to depart her fluffy companion behind. After she was settled, Miffy adopted with a pet journey corporation. “He arrived …
Long considered the very definition of a tropical paradise, the Cayman Islands is made up of three small islands—Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac—known for gorgeous beaches and top-notch diving spots.
The island nation also holds the reputation as the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean,” and though this alliterative moniker may be self-appointed, you’ll find a bounty of tasty island specialties like fried red snapper, conch fritters, and turtle stew—all typically available at your hotel’s in-house restaurant.
With delicious cuisine, technicolor sunsets, abundant outdoor and aquatic adventure—not to mention a wealth of R&R in the sun and sand—Cayman vacations all but promise a smorgasbord of tropical pleasures. To plan your next trip, these are some of the top hotels and resorts across the Cayman Islands.
At Westin Grand Cayman the beach is mere steps away.
Courtesy of Westin Grand Cayman
Location: Grand Cayman
Book Now: Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa
At the Westin Grand Cayman, guests can alternate between hanging out at the largest freshwater pool in the Cayman Islands and swimming off the famous Seven Mile Beach located steps from the hotel lobby. The resort has plenty of places to lay out and soak in the ample Caribbean sun.
The resort underwent a massive renovation in 2017. All 343 updated guest rooms include nautical-themed navy blue carpeting, oversized abstract artwork above the beds, and sleek, modern bathrooms. Start your day with breakfast at Ferdinand’s which includes a standard buffet with waffles, bacon, and an array of pastries. Some culinary standouts are the lamb chops and crab cakes at the hotel’s beachfront Beach House restaurant and the sushi and ceviche at woto, the resort’s new Asian restaurant.
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is the Grand Dame of the shore.
Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton
Location: Grand Cayman
Book Now: The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
in 2021, the Ritz-Carlton, the island’s “grand dame,” polished up with an expansive restoration, resulting in newly reimagined guest rooms and suites with soaring four-poster beds, marble bathrooms, and rich wood furniture. Amenities include six restaurants, a golf club, a water park, and a kids club.
The resort’s crown jewel is Blue by Eric Ripert. This signature restaurant serves six- and seven-course tasting menus alongside an extensive 700-bottle wine portfolio. The resort’s two towers are connected by a walkway—the Resort Tower and Ocean Tower; the latter has guest rooms with terraces overlooking Seven Mile Beach. The resort is what you’d expect from a Ritz-Carlton: elegant furnishings, top-notch service, and excellent food.
Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa offers no shortage of luxurious fun in the sun.
Courtesy of Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa
Location: Grand Cayman
Book Now: Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa
Kimpton brand hotels and resorts are known for their design-forward properties, and the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa doesn’t disappoint. Visitors can expect guest rooms with velvet armchairs, stylish hanging wicker seats, and bright orange throw pillows. Most of the 264 rooms and suites have balconies with direct views of Seven Mile Beach, and guests can also opt for freestanding villas or bungalows near the sand.
The resort feels cozy but has lots of amenities, including an 8,500-square-foot spa, a kids camp for ages 5–12, and a water park. Outside, guests can Jet Ski or book a sunset sail on the resort’s own 36-foot catamaran aptly named Seafire. And there’s no shortage of good dining options. Head to Coccoloba for piña coladas and chicken tinga tacos or score a seat at the dining counter at Avecita for the chef’s special tasting menu.
Palm Heights offers a fun, unique decor drawn straight out of the 1970s.
Location: Grand Cayman
Book Now: Palm Heights
One of the latest additions to the Seven Mile Beach shoreline, Palm Heights is a trendy boutique resort with a bohemian ’70s theme. The attention to detail is impressive, with the hotel lounge featuring 1970s-style furniture decked with ’70s-era magazines and books. The resort houses a mere 52 suites, each of which boasts an ocean view to take full advantage of the beachfront location.
The property has four restaurants, including Tillie’s, a local favorite for long lunches, and Paradise Pizza, an outpost for brick oven pizza in a backyard setting. The hotel also has an artists’ residency program and hosts DJs, dancers, and visual artists who create a piece of work while there. On site, guests can enjoy the beach and pool, or the concierge can arrange for activities like horseback riding, scuba diving, and helicopter tours.
Talk about a room with a view.
Courtesy Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort
Location: Grand Cayman
Book Now: Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort
This Grand Cayman staple has a clean, natural aesthetic and the guest rooms feature classic Caribbean decor like light turquoise walls and contrasting dark wood furniture. Most of the 295 guest rooms at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort have fantastic views of Seven Mile Beach.
The hotel offers babysitting services, a kids club, and one- and two-bedroom suites with a seating area and a dining table for six. There are four restaurants and lounges; the most popular is Anchor & Den, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an eclectic international menu of dragon rolls, pad thai, housemade ravioli, and seafood paella.
For those times when you want superior privacy.
Courtesy of Botanica Cayman
Location: Grand Cayman
Book Now: Botanica Cayman
Botanica Cayman is a family-owned property on Grand Cayman that includes 14 luxury cottages. Accommodations start at 600 square feet for the Queen Cottage and max out at 1,200 square feet for the two-bedroom Deluxe Cottage. The gorgeous white-washed cottages include fully equipped kitchens, and the living areas are minimalist and come with sleeper sofas and rustic wood furniture. The bedrooms feature ecofriendly details like bamboo sheets and mattresses.
Guests can laze by the pool or enjoy meals in the private courtyard adjacent to their cottage. When you’re ready to head to Seven Mile Beach—a few minutes away—the property has complimentary beach chairs, umbrellas, and snorkel gear.
Caribbean Club leans into refinement and luxury.
Courtesy of Caribbean Club
Location: Grand Cayman
Book Now: Caribbean Club
For those in search of supreme privacy, Caribbean Club provides 37 one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites with open floor plans and fully equipped kitchens. The guest rooms have a warm, classic decor with beige upholstered furniture, leather armchairs, and floral area rugs. Ideal for long-term travel, the suites come with washers and dryers and daily housekeeping is included.
In addition to its direct access to Seven Mile Beach, the property offers a shared pool with a waterfall, and access to beach cabanas is included. The suites are a hit with return travelers, and past guests rave about the property’s attentive service. The main restaurant, Luca, has an Italian seafood menu for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Standouts include the lobster ravioli (made in-house) and the pan-seared yellowfish tuna.
Southern Cross Club is sustainable and secluded.
Courtesy of Southern Cross Club
Location: Little Cayman
Book Now: Southern Cross Club
Located on Little Cayman—the smallest of the three islands that make up the Cayman Islands—Southern Cross Club is a collection of 14 beach cottages perched on 900 feet of white-sand beach. Guests will need to take a short flight from George Town to Blossom Village via Cayman Airways, which offers four flight options a day. The brightly colored cottages have cool tile flooring, updated furniture, and wide windows that overlook the private beach. Select cottages have outdoor showers, and the secluded honeymoon suite on the eastern edge of the resort has French doors off the primary bedroom that lead to an expansive deck ideal for watching sunsets.
Southern Cross Club has also been designated as a “Green Globe Certified’’ property thanks to its commitment to minimizing air emissions while leveraging more efficient water and energy systems. The resort has an indoor/outdoor restaurant and offers a meal package that includes a buffet-style breakfast and lunch in addition to an à la carte dinner.
Take in the view from the beach-side infinity pool.
Courtesy of Rum Point Club Residences
Location: Grand Cayman
Book Now: Rum Point Club Residences
Numerous accommodations on Cayman Island are condos and beachfront apartments, and Rum Point Club Residences offers guests the comforts of staying in a one-, two-, three-, or four-bedroom residence combined with the services of a high-end resort. Tucked away in Cayman’s quiet North Side, the residences offer king-size beds, floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedrooms, and furnished, covered balconies.
Guests can have their kitchens stocked before arrival, dine at the resort’s restaurant—RPC Restaurant and Bar—or enjoy meals prepared by the resort’s private chef. Other amenities include a beachfront infinity pool, a luxurious spa, and a fitness center with personal training sessions. The concierge can also arrange local excursions to the nearby Crystal Coves, Stingray City, or to Cayman’s bioluminescent bay.
Le Soleil d’Or practically glows with romance.
Courtesy of Le Soleil d’Or
Location: Cayman Brac
Book Now: Le Soleil d’Or
A mix of rugged and bohemian, Le Soleil d’Or is a sustainable farm-to-table estate on Cayman Brac, five miles east of Little Cayman. Only 12 miles long, Cayman Brac is full of limestone caves and verdant hiking trails along with Cayman’s signature white beaches, making Le Soleil d’Or a prime property for those seeking outdoor adventure.
Le Soleil d’Or translates to “the golden sun,” and the resort’s breezy studios and beach cottages (plus a three-bedroom house) all make outstanding use of the Caribbean’s abundance of sunshine. The star is the 20-acre farm where the on-site restaurant sources its fresh, seasonal ingredients. Though it feels like a remote hideaway, the resort also includes such amenities as daily housekeeping, Wi-Fi, a shared oceanfront pool, and a daily breakfast with fresh fruit from the property farm. The resort has a knowledgeable concierge to arrange activities like snorkeling, hiking, and rock climbing around Cayman Brac.
All-inclusive, total relaxation.
Courtesy of Wyndham Reef Resort
Location: Grand Cayman
Book Now: Wyndham Reef Resort
The Wyndham Reef Resort is one of the few properties on Grand Cayman with an all-inclusive option, and for stays longer than five nights the resort offers a customizable all-inclusive plan with meals, water activities, and premium alcohol add-ons. There are 152 beachfront condos; the largest is a two-bedroom suite with a living and dining room, ensuring plenty of space for families to spread out.
Families can also take advantage of the in-room babysitting services, kids pool, and nightly entertainment. The resort offers a daily activity schedule with bird and fish feeding opportunities, arts and crafts, bingo, and movie nights. For travelers looking to have everything in one place, the Wyndham Reef Resort provides a hassle-free vacation.
A new report showed how the travel and tourism industries could engage in a significant function in halting and reversing the destruction of mother nature. The “‘Nature Good Vacation & Tourism” report from the Entire world Journey & Tourism Council (WTTC) was released in advance …
We adore travelling, but we hate the wearisome activity of packing that goes along with it. If you neglect a essential product, you can expect to be dissatisfied and compelled to look for for the closest retailer to your spot. If you overpack, you danger …
Joy Hwang
Joy Hwang
Vacationing on the island of Hilton Head, known for white sand beaches and warm waters teeming with dolphins, evokes a sense of nostalgia even for first time visitors. The South Carolina island’s Lowcountry marshes, majestic live oaks dripping in Spanish moss and famed red and white striped lighthouse recall a bygone era. The southern paradise also offers a little something for everyone. Golfers can play on one of the island’s many manicured courses, while water lovers can go paddle boarding on a lagoon or jet skiing on the ocean.
There are a wide range of hotels to choose from too including beachfront resorts, villas and condos. Don’t expect the over-the-top glamour that comes with a five-star stay in nearby Kiawah or Charleston. Hilton Head does low-key luxury best, and that’s part of the magic. So, slow down, and consider planning a stay at one of the 10 best hotels, resorts and rental houses on Hilton Head Island.
Joy Hwang
The ocean view from a Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort villa.
COURTESY
Priceline
Who Will Love It: Golfers and families looking for a vacation rental with the amenities of a resort
All-Star Amenities: Three championship PGA golf courses; Toptracer driving range; 23 clay tennis courts; Palmetto Dunes Buggy; near Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina
What Not To Miss: Sunset drinks and dinner at the Dunes House; wine dinner at Alexanders; a bike ride around the lagoon
The name Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort is a bit of a misnomer. The collection of rental properties—including one to four-bedroom rental homes, newly updated vacation villas and condos—are spread across 2,000 acres in the heart of Hilton Head Island. There’s a minimum three-night stay in the Palmetto Dunes community, but the wide variety of accommodation options make the resort a smart choice for families and groups. Serious sports enthusiasts will also find plenty to do with three championship golf courses including a public par-70 George Fazio Course and private Arthur Hills-designed course. A full-service marina, massive tennis center with 23 clay courts and over 50 miles of paved bike trails add to the unique vacation community’s draw. Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort also has a lagoon for kayaking or canoeing.
Guests can make reservations at Alexanders Restaurant and Wine Bar, which hosts regular wine dinners and cooking demonstrations, or go fast casual at the Woody Wagon food truck and beachfront the Dunes House.
Joy Hwang
The picturesque pool at the Westin Hilton Head Island.
COURTESY
Priceline
Who Will Love It: Families looking for beachfront access, good restaurants and plenty of pool time
All-Star Amenities: Heavenly Spa by Westin; award-winning tennis and pickleball facilities; seaside painting classes; on-site bike rentals for exploring the island; cabanas and daybeds by the pool; access to the Port Royal Golf and Racquet Club
What Not To Miss: The new Lowcountry Adventure Package includes boat trips to nearby islands and bike rides around town
Stretching along the quieter northern part of Hilton Head, the Westin Hilton Head Island—featuring modern design and coastal-chic décor—is an ideal getaway for the whole family. Parents will love the multiple dining options—the Westin has four restaurants—and cozying up with a glass of wine by the fire pits at night. Kids can frolic in the family-friendly pool and play on the soft sand beach just out front. Guest rooms have balconies with stunning ocean and island views.
A true resort, the Westin also has a Heavenly Spa offering soothing treatments and guests get access and complimentary transportation to the scenic Port Royal Plantation Golf and Racquet Club nearby.
Joy Hwang
The Sea Pines Resort’s beach club places guests of the Inn and Club at Harbour Town within steps of the sand.
The Sea Pines Resort
Priceline
Who Will Love It: Couples looking for a romantic getaway
All-Star Amenities: Infinity edge pool; access to Harbour Town Golf Links and Sea Pines Beach Club; seasonal beach concierge service
What Not To Miss: A game of golf at the revered Harbour Town Golf Links at the Sea Pines Resort; exploring the Sea Pines Resort Forest Preserve on horseback
On the southern end of the island, the Inn and Club at Harbour Town—set along 5,000 oceanfront acres—has been the luxury hotel of choice for couples and luxury travelers visiting Hilton Head for more than 50 years. The country club style hotel has 60 elegant guest rooms and a relaxed beachfront setting.
Perhaps the hotel’s biggest perk is access to the revered Harbour Town Golf Links at the Sea Pines Resort golf course which has views of the Harbour Town lighthouse and some of the most challenging holes in golf. The Sea Pines Resort offers a host of activities for couples who don’t golf as well such as horseback riding on the resort’s 605 acre preserve, tennis or pickleball and a beach club.
The resort’s upscale American grill restaurant Links is one of the most romantic on the island with golf course views, caviar service, jumbo lump crab cakes and signature cocktails like the Southern Gentleman with pecan infused Markers Mark.
Joy Hwang
The Montage Palmetto Bluff is the epitome of southern elegance.
COURTESY
Priceline
Who Will Love It: Travelers and honeymooners looking for a truly luxe southern stay
All-Star Amenities: Bowling alley; adults only pool; complimentary bicycles for exploring
What Not To Miss: A guided bike ride through the property; a boat ride down the May River at sunset; a decadent treat at the s’mores cart
The Montage Palmetto Bluff—just a 10-minute drive from Hilton Head in Bluffton—is in a league of its own when it comes to luxury hotel offerings in the Lowcountry. The hotel is on a 20,000 acre preserve on the May River and feels more like a village than a hotel with Colonial architecture including two stately chapels (the Montage Palmetto Bluff is a wonderful choice for an elegant wedding) and a range of accommodation options. The 170 guest rooms, suites and cottages are nestled between century-old oak trees. This is a five-star stay to be sure with guest rooms featuring marble bathrooms with double vanities, deep soaking tubs and separate showers and the sense of place amenities the Montage brand is known for.
From the bowling alley to the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course to the gorgeous riverfront marina and boat landing, there’s no end to the activities. Spa Montage has wellness instructors and specialists, and the hotel’s naturalist is always on hand to take guests on a tour of the property and explain the history of the Lowcountry. Guests can set out to explore the preserve on their own by bike Montage-style with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and a picnic in hand.
Joy Hwang
The Marriott is on a prime swath of Hilton Head beachfront.
COURTESY
Priceline
Who Will Love It: Business travelers; groups on team-building retreats
All-Star Amenities: Beach access; indoor and outdoor pools; restaurants and bars; tennis complex; meeting rooms and event spaces
What Not To Miss: Beachfront dining at Ocean Blu Café
Travelers looking to mix business with pleasure will find a good fit in the Hilton Head Marriott Resort and Spa. The hotel has 46,000 square feet of meeting space and a conference center as well as a prime stretch of white sand beach.
Between training sessions and board meetings guests can break for indoor and outdoor pool time, a game of tennis or teeing off at nearby PGA Palmetto Dunes Golf Club. Indulgent spa treatments like an invigorating body scrub are a reservation away at Spa Soleil. Dining options draw inspiration from the ocean including the seafood restaurant Blue and the breezy oceanfront bar and lounge Liquid.
A serene courtyard at Sweetgrass Inn at Hilton Head Health.
COURTESY
Priceline
Who Will Love It: Health and wellness seekers; solo travelers
All-Star Amenities: Fitness center; True Restaurant
What Not To Miss: A sunrise walk on the beach and treatment at Indigo Spa
Hilton Head Health, lovingly referred to by locals as H3, is the island’s only all-inclusive holistic health and wellness retreat and offers everything from weight loss weekends to seven-day Living Well retreats. If you’re enrolled in a program at Hilton Head Health, you’ll be able to book a room at the property’s Sweetgrass Inn.
The elevated lodging has 30 comfortable and relaxing guest rooms and a spa specializing in restorative and holistic treatments like deep tissue massages. The resort’s True Restaurant serves nutritious dishes that never lack in flavor like lobster tacos and quinoa encrusted salmon. Guests can learn how to make the same dishes at home in H3’s state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen. Guests can treat themselves to daily beach walks, pool classes, water sports, oceanfront yoga and meditation.
Joy Hwang
The views from the Omni’s adult pool are most beautiful at dusk.
COURTESY
Priceline
Who Will Love It: Families and groups of friends that like to stay active
All-Star Amenities: Ocean Tides Spa; Championship Golf Course; three swimming pools; beachfront hot tubs; studio hotel suites with mini kitchenettes
What Not To Miss: The zero-entry resort pool and kayaking or paddle boarding in the lagoon
Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort’s three swimming pools set the tone for a relaxing retreat with plenty of beach and water time. The pools include a shallow family-friendly pool with a kids splash pad and a triangular adults-only pool and hot tub with views of grass-covered sand dunes and the ocean. The hotel boasts large oceanfront rooms, suites and mini-studios, while many come with kitchenettes and balconies.
Guests staying at the Omni are also granted access to the Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort community and its 11-mile lagoon system, bike trails, massive tennis and pickleball complex and three PGA championship golf courses.
Guests will find it difficult to leave the manicured confines of the Omni with the Ocean Tides Spa offering sea-inspired treatments and one of the best steakhouses on the island HH Prime steakhouse serving savory New York strips, fresh seafood and decadent desserts.
Joy Hwang
A junior suite at Beach House Resort.
COURTESY
Priceline
Who Will Love It: Beach lovers looking for barefoot luxury and a central location
All-Star Amenities: Beach access; lagoon pool; live music and drinks at the Tiki Hut
What Not To Miss: Lowcountry cuisine at the Porch; live music and drinks at Tiki Hut
The Beach House Resort’s central location next to Coligny Beach places guests in the heart of the Hilton Head action. Guests can stroll to the Coligny shopping center for boutique hopping and entertainment like movies and concerts. The Beach House Resort is also a hub of activity with a lagoon style swimming pool and the beloved beachfront watering hole Tiki Hut, which often has live music and serves frosty drinks beneath a palapa. Order a signature bourbon flight or a southern specialty like shrimp and grits at the Porch and settle into the low-key, toes-in-the-sand luxury that Hilton Head is known for. The resort’s 202 guest rooms with ocean views and private patios are also appropriately beachy with a coastal-inspired color palette.
Guest rooms at Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island are clean and modern.
COURTESY
Priceline
Who Will Love It: Families and pet lovers looking for a tropical escape
All-Star Amenities: Lagoon-style swimming pool; kids club, pet-friendly rooms for a fee; three restaurants
What Not To Miss: Lounging in a hammock beneath towering palm trees
Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island has a beautiful beachfront location and large contemporary guest rooms with balconies or patios for inhaling the fresh sea breezes drifting off the Atlantic. Set among lush Lowcountry landscaping and lagoons, Sonesta feels more like a tropical getaway than other resorts on the island. Grown-ups can enjoy treatments at Arum Spa or lounge quietly at the adults only pool while the kids check out the supervised Just Us Kids program.
While a luxury stay on every level, the resort is also pet-friendly so travelers can bring their four-legged friends along for an additional fee. Pet amenities include a dog bed, waterproof mats, bowls and treats, so pet parents hardly need to bring a thing.
This luxe Airbnb near the beach can sleep 12.
Airbnb
Airbnb
Who Will Love It: Families; groups of friends
All-Star Amenities: Private backyard pool; cozy fire pit; close to the beach; access to the Sea Pines Beach Club
What Not To Miss: Enjoying the sunset over the Calibogue Sound from the deck
This Lowcountry oasis is in the gated Sea Pines Resort community less than 50 steps to the beach. Featuring five bedrooms and five and a half baths, there’s more than enough space to accommodate large families and groups comfortably, and there are large spaces for gathering including two living rooms. The first floor living room has a wet bar while a great room on the second floor has a cathedral ceiling.
The house can easily be a refuge for remote work, but it will be hard to buckle down when there’s so much fun to be had. The Sea Pines Beach Resort has hiking trails, a beach club and boating, fishing and watersports at South Beach Marina. After a full day, the entire group can unwind with a dip in the pool or a glass of wine around the fire pit.
I am a Lowcountry local by way of New York City. After spending many years visiting South Carolina, I fell in love with the idyllic locale and decided to make it permanent. I’m currently based in Beaufort, South Carolina about 40-minutes from Hilton Head Island where I love eating, drinking and exploring. I’ve traveled to all seven continents, and you can follow my travels on Instagram @pinktravelproject.