Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman vs Kimpton Seafire | Honest Luxury Resort Review
By Kate Van Dell for Sebastian Luxe Travel
I have stayed at both the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman and the Kimpton Seafire. They are both technically luxury resorts, but they deliver very different vacations. The Kimpton is the fun, stylish friend you love to go out with. The Ritz is the one you marry.
Kimpton Seafire: Stylish, Modern, and Social
The Kimpton is colorful and buzzy. The lobby has energy, the pool scene feels social, and Coccoloba (their beachfront taco and margarita bar) is one of the best casual spots on Seven Mile Beach. The rooms are big and fresh, and if you are there with older kids or friends, you will be happy. It is lively, stylish, and relaxed.
Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman: Easy Luxury for Families
The food at Seafire is good. The food at the Ritz-Carlton is great. Especially breakfast. That matters. When you are on vacation with kids, or even with your own tired self, starting the day with service that feels like someone read your mind is everything.
At the Ritz, cappuccinos appear, fruit is perfect, and pancakes land in front of your child before he even asks. You sit looking at water so turquoise it feels computer generated, while your child is inhaling waffles like he is in a food challenge, and you think, I might actually be thriving.
The beach at the Ritz is flawless. Powdery sand is raked daily. The water is calm, clear, and beautiful. Service is so seamless you do not even realize you wanted a towel or an umbrella adjustment until it is done. There are two pools, one quiet and one lively, plus a splash pad that kids love while you sip a frozen drink.
Ambassadors of the Environment: A Ritz-Carlton Highlight
This is not babysitting. Ambassadors of the Environment is a program run by naturalists with PhDs in subjects like sharks and coral reefs, who also happen to be some of the kindest people.
It is à la carte, with kids and family activities like mangrove kayaking, snorkeling, iguana spotting, and sand dune ecology lessons. You drop your child off expecting crafts and pick them up mid lecture on coral ecosystems. Pro tip: book activities early if you are visiting during peak holiday weeks.
Best Restaurants on Seven Mile Beach
The Seafire has Coccoloba, which is excellent for casual tacos and margaritas with your feet in the sand. But at the Ritz, you do not just enjoy the restaurants, you remember them.
Taikun: Possibly the best sushi I have ever had. Full disclosure, I have not been to Japan yet, but this sushi has stayed in my head longer than most romantic comedies.
Andiamo: Open air Italian by the canal, relaxed and family friendly. Around 5 p.m. the staff feeds leftover food to the enormous carp at the dock. Kids love it.
Luca: Sleek Italian next door to the Ritz, with warm service and a sunset view that demands another bottle of wine.
Tillie’s: At Palm Heights, and always a highlight. Long, chic lunches while our son plays in the sand next to the table. Everything is delicious.
Regazzi: Some nights the move is ordering pizza delivered to your room, eating it on the balcony, and watching the sunset.
If walking to excellent restaurants on the beach without having to go back and change is important to you, stay at the Ritz. It is one of the best perks.
Must Do Grand Cayman Activities
Stingray City with Red Sail Sports: Waist deep water, gentle stingrays, Starfish Point, snorkeling. It is touristy in the best way. Even my not easily impressed husband admitted it was worth it.
Spa at the Ritz: Book the marine algae wrap. I walked out six inches taller and one personality lighter.
Which Grand Cayman Resort Is Best for You
Stay at the Kimpton Seafire if you want modern design, a lively atmosphere, and a social vibe. It is ideal for couples, friends, or families with older kids. Coccoloba is a highlight, and the contemporary style feels fresh.
Stay at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman if you want an easy, seamless luxury vacation where every detail is handled. The breakfast is legendary, the beach is flawless, the Ambassadors of the Environment program is extraordinary, and you can walk to some of the best restaurants on Seven Mile Beach straight from your lounge chair.
Both resorts are on Seven Mile Beach and both have excellent service. The difference is in the details. And in Grand Cayman, those details make all the difference.
And if you can afford to level up, go to Palm Heights. But that is another blog post