heaven
Forget high finance – with a flourishing culinary scene and natural attractions, the Cayman Islands has plenty to offer tourists too, writes Nigel Tisdall
DESTINATIONS CAYMAN ISLANDS | CARIBBEAN
t
here’s a fresh way to see Grand Cayman, the largest and most
developed island in this British Overseas Territory, which sits 227 miles south of Cuba. On the 10th floor of Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman, which opened in May, is rooftop lounge and restaurant Pom Pom. After grabbing a punchy rum julep flavoured with local sage and honey, I head for the rooftop’s terrace to survey the chief reason many travellers come to this low-lying, L-shaped isle – Seven Mile Beach. The stunning white sands are flanked by a string of grand, top-name hotels – Marriott, Westin, Kimpton and Ritz-Carlton – that line up beside the turquoise sea like glitzy stands at a trade show. With British Airways flying
in from Heathrow five times a week, sending clients here is a cinch – although do point out that the flight is via Nassau and takes 12 hours. Driving is on the left and our late Queen still graces the currency, so British travellers
should instantly feel at home on this three-isle archipelago, which came under English rule in 1670. These days, the mood is enjoyably global, with more than 130 nationalities residing here. Although best known as a financial centre, the Cayman Islands is strongly invested in tourism. The strategy is paying dividends; air arrivals from the UK rose 15% to 13,032 last year, compared with 2022, while cruise ship visitors also increased. All-inclusive resorts are rare and the emphasis is on offering quality holidays with high service standards and bringing nature- based experiences to the fore – so much a part of the islands’ identity that when I look inside my passport, I find that the entry stamp features a tiny turtle.
GRAND ADVENTURES Beyond lazing by the sea and pool, clients will find much to do on Grand Cayman, including swimming with stingrays and admiring the blooms and endemic blue iguanas at the ²
travelweekly.co.uk 26 SEPTEMBER 2024 35
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