Cayman Dreams
Among the stylish resorts lining the palm-fringed sands of Seven Mile Beach, the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman is home to the Silver Rain La Prairie spa, offering the kind of top-quality pampering that makes it the best in the Caribbean for some well-earned TLC
And the indulgence doesn’t stop there. The combination of local spices, delicious seafood and award-winning fine dining means there’s food to tempt every taste. Relax with a rum punch by the water’s edge before tucking into the freshest fish at one of the string of seafront restaurants. Or discover the modern bistros and gourmet Caribbean-inspired menus at the chic Camana Bay development, with its entertainment hub, wine specialist, observation tower and shops.
For more retail therapy head to capital George Town, where the pastel-coloured buildings house the island’s own rum distillery, as well as an array of upmarket boutiques. With Duty Free price-tags, it’s hard to resist treating yourself to some of the world’s most sought-after designer brands, along with jewellery, watches and art.
Here, a mix of over 100 nationalities gives the islands their vibrant multicultural atmosphere, guaranteeing a welcome as warm as the weather and service that’s as faultless as the views from the stunning beaches.
For the Caymanians, their pride in their beautiful home means environmental conservation is as important as ensuring you have the perfect holiday.
As well as rare orchids and protected butterflies at the lushly beautiful QEII Botanic Park you can marvel at Grand Cayman’s famous blue iguanas which have been rescued from the brink of extinction. And a marine preservation programme to save the coral reefs from lionfish means you’ll find this specially prepared delicacy on menus around the island.
A short flight away, laid-back Cayman Brac and unspoiled Little Cayman offer their own unique sights, with colonies of rare birds on both sister islands. For sheer escapism, tiny Little Cayman has fewer than 150 inhabitants, easily outnumbered by their own population of iguanas, which all have right of way over the occasional car cruising along the single main road.
Away from dry land, explore the spectacular underwater world where colourful corals teem with exotic fish of every rainbow shade. Pull on a snorkel and discover the wreck of the USS Kittiwake off Grand Cayman, a fascinating artificial reef where silvery shoals weave through the open doors.
Why not learn to dive in the place where recreational scuba diving first started? The warm waters are perfect for beginners, with marine parks in sight of sandy beaches. And experienced divers will find one of the world’s best sites at Little Cayman, an adrenaline-fuelled sheer descent down Bloody Bay Wall.
The final highlight? Having the chance to swim with friendly stingrays, which congregate on a shallow sandbar to wait for company and a few handfuls of squid. A family favourite, it’s just one of Cayman’s child-friendly experiences that parents will love as much as their kids.
As the sun sets, the light glittering pinkly on the waves, relax in a hammock made for two. This tropical paradise is a couple’s dream, from hidden coves where you can enjoy some quiet time together to cocktails and a romantic dinner for two at one of the island’s glamorous spots.
So whether you’re looking for a luxurious beach getaway, stylish pampering, or the chance to get ahead of the crowd and discover these cosmopolitan Caribbean islands for yourself, the convenient morning flight will deliver you in time for a cocktail at sundown.
Reaching Grand Cayman couldn’t be easier with direct flights from Heathrow with British Airways. For free, impartial advice on planning a holiday call Cayman Concierge on 020 7491 7771 (office hours) or email: [email protected]
For more information visit caymanislands.co.uk
To win a free holiday to the Cayman Islands go to:
http://www.standard.co.uk/esrewards/indulge-yourself-in-the-cayman-islands-8548753.html