Vacation in a Dreamy ‘Summer House’ at the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort

Much like your own personal beach house, the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort is a place best spent with family or friends enjoying the island’s never-ending summer. It’s also a place that makes you feel like a friend. From the moment I checked in and was shown to my room, the smiling staff remembered my name and took the time to get to know me.

Photo: Grand Cayman Marriott Resort

The Grand Cayman Marriott Resort is currently undergoing renovations to enhance its guest rooms. Renovations are projected to be completed in March 2024.

I had the opportunity to experience one of the newly transformed rooms, which feature a sleek design in calming blue and sand tones. The inspiration behind this aesthetic comes from the natural beauty of the islands, with a focus on the surrounding beaches and the sea. Each room has either a private balcony or patio, providing guests with a relaxing outdoor space to enjoy. Seventy-five percent of the rooms are equipped with walk-in showers while the remaining 25 percent feature bathtubs, catering to various preferences.

Photo: Grand Cayman Marriott Resort

To embrace the Summer House feel, guests can choose between various spacious accommodations depending on their group size. As part of the resort’s renovations, Junior Suites are being upgraded to include partitions, carving out space to lounge and adding to the homey feel. New one-bedroom Ocean Suites have dedicated living space. For even larger parties, the resort is incorporating four new Family Suites into its layout, which feature a king bed for parents and bunk beds for kids.

To be more environmentally conscious, the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort is implementing eco-friendly practices. The hotel has replaced the small toiletry bottles with larger refillable ones, contributing to the reduction of plastic waste. Additionally, the rooms are now equipped with a water pitcher instead of individual plastic bottles. Each floor has a water station, allowing guests to access filtered water and reduce their reliance on disposable bottles.

Photo: Grand Cayman Marriott Resort

The Grand Cayman Marriott Resort has two restaurants: Anchor & Den and Veranda. Anchor & Den is the resort’s main restaurant. It’s located on the ground floor next to the lobby and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Situated on the waterfront, Veranda is open exclusively for dinner, creating the perfect place for a special alfresco evening meal.

One of my favorite things about the restaurants at the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort was their theme nights, which feature a variety of global cuisines. On Wednesdays, Veranda hosts a lobster night that includes a three-course lobster dinner. Fridays are asado night at Veranda. The chefs begin cooking meat and vegetables on an Argentinian-style grill built over an open-flame fire pit a few hours before the restaurant opens. I recommend getting the asado platter for two, so you can try a bit of everything, as well as the empanadas made with housemade dough. Another themed night I attended at Anchor & Den was inspired by Zarautz, a coastal town in Spain, which served Basque cuisine accompanied by a flamenco show.

When you need a pick-me-up throughout the day, you can stop by Anchor & Den for coffee, made using a special blend. Anchor & Den also makes its own gin and has an extensive, heavily gin-based, cocktail menu. Elsewhere, the resort’s Vista Bar allows you to grab a refreshing drink to enjoy by the pool or while admiring the sunset at one of its waterfront tables.

Water sports, massages, and more

Photo: Grand Cayman Marriott Resort

Amenities are an important part of any resort stay. For some travelers, the perfect island getaway means never leaving the hotel, and the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort offers a wide range of complimentary activities to keep you entertained throughout your stay. You can rent kayaks and explore the beautiful waters, participate in poolside yoga classes, attend food and beverage classes, enjoy movie nights, attend bonfires with s’mores, and more.

In addition to facilitating kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and other outdoor activities on Seven Mile Beach a short walk from the rooms, the resort has a pool and hot tub that keep you in close proximity to the Caribbean Sea. Both are particularly enjoyable during sunset soaks. Kid-specific activities – including games, crafts, and treasure hunts – can be arranged at the kids’ club. The resort also offers complimentary bike rentals.

Photo: Grand Cayman Marriott Resort

Whether you spend the day exploring the island on two wheels, or simple lounging by the pool, the Botanika Union Spa is available for massages, facials, mani-pedis, and restorative moments in the relaxation room. Creative treatments include a manuka honey moisture drench, healing lava shells massage, prenatal rest and renew therapy, and wild lime scalp therapy. The resort’s on-site fitness center is open all hours of the day and night.

Photo: Matt Murph/Shutterstock

If you’re interested in exploring Grand Cayman, I recommend taking advantage of the resort’s complimentary bikes. Just remember to bike on the left side of the road. You can cycle to Seven Mile Beach, explore the shops at Camana Bay, or visit Georgetown, the island’s capital. All are conveniently located close to the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort.

I chose to spend one particularly memorable day with Red Sail Tours. The company arranged a pick-up and drop-off right at the hotel and included a visit to the Stingray City Sandbar, Starfish Point, and Coral Reef where we snorkeled. The highlight of my trip was definitely kissing a stingray – and now that I’ve kissed one, I’m looking forward to seven years of luck.

Photo: Grand Cayman Marriott Resort

To get to Grand Cayman Marriott Resort, fly into ​​Owen Roberts International Airport. From there, the resort is a quick 15-minute taxi ride away.

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