The Westin Grand Cayman: Sunrise Yoga, Sunset Rum Punch, and the Dreamiest Beach

If you’ve ever considered a trip to the Cayman Islands, you’ve likely come across The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa. It’s one of the island’s most iconic properties — and after spending a long weekend there, I think it lives up to the hype.

When I head to the Caribbean, I usually lean toward all-inclusives. I like to kick back, not worry about a bill, and soak in the sun without budgeting my frozen mojitos. But with many all-inclusives, you often sacrifice food and drink quality for convenience.

This property delivered great service, delicious food, and a vibe that felt upscale but not pretentious. From sunrise yoga on the beach to poolside happy hour, it offered an ideal balance between relaxing and lively. Before this trip, I mainly associated Westin with convention or airport hotels, but this resort raised the bar. The brand’s wellness theme was everywhere, from fitness classes to the bedside lavender sleep balm.

Oh, and it just happens to be smack in the middle of one of the most beautiful stretches of sand on Earth: Seven Mile Beach. And yes, it’s every bit as dreamy as the name suggests.

Booking the Westin Grand Cayman

Cash rates at the Westin vary by season, typically ranging from about $600 per night before taxes and fees to over $1,000 during peak times. The high season runs from December through April, while summer and fall tend to offer lower rates. Although summer and fall are technically hurricane season, Grand Cayman is usually less impacted than neighboring Caribbean islands.

If you’ve got Marriott Bonvoy® points, this is a great redemption option. Most nights fall between 80,000 and 100,000 points, as shown here with our points-search tool, Daily Drop Pro.

Booking five nights with points? Your fifth night is free, thanks to Marriott’s “stay for five, pay for four” perk, which grants you a free night for every five consecutive nights you redeem points. This brings down the average cost significantly.

To maximize your stay or boost your Marriott Bonvoy points balance, you’ll want to pick up a co-branded Marriott card like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Both of these cards earn 6x points per dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. While you can also transfer American Express® Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards to Marriott, we generally don’t recommend doing so as it typically yields poor value.

Don’t have elite status and want extra perks like complimentary breakfast, early check-in, and late checkout? If you have a higher-end American Express card like The Platinum Card® from American Express or American Express® Gold Card, or are booking through an eligible travel advisor, you can unlock those benefits through the Amex Hotel Collection (minimum two-night stay required) or Marriott Luminous program. Either option might include a $100 property credit and other upgrades, depending on availability.

It’s worth noting that the nearby Grand Cayman Marriott Resort is often a bit cheaper on points and offers a smaller, more boutique feel. However, the Westin is directly on the prime stretch of Seven Mile Beach (and you really can’t beat that).

Here’s a pro tip not publicly advertised: If you stay at the nearby Sunshine Suites Resort (owned by the same group), you still get access to the Westin’s beach and pool. It’s currently undergoing a full renovation (reopening later in 2025), but I got a preview, and the rooms looked bright, colorful, and modern. It’s not a part of Marriott yet, but it felt like a promising, lower-cost alternative if you want to stay nearby without compromising location or amenities.

Location

The Westin Grand Cayman is located directly on Seven Mile Beach, less than a 15-minute drive from the GCM airport. It’s right by The Ritz-Carlton and adjacent to the Governor’s Mansion — and if that doesn’t tell you how good the location is, I don’t know what will.

This area is walkable and safe, with Bird scooters (I was surprised to see these on the island!) and public bikes available for rent right outside the hotel. You’re tucked far enough away from the more crowded bar and restaurant clusters to keep things peaceful, but close enough to venture out whenever the mood strikes.

The beach here is soft, white, and wide. The water is crystal clear and calm. It’s one of the nicest stretches of sand I’ve ever set foot on, with zero seaweed or rocks in sight.

And the sunsets were unreal — it was the first time I witnessed the green flash phenomenon.

Property and Grounds

The hotel wraps around a lush, palm-filled courtyard with two hot tubs and the largest freshwater pool on the island (soon to be converted to saltwater to meet Marriott’s brand standards). 

On the pool deck, you’ll find lawn games, a lively swim-up bar, and plenty of loungers. 

There’s even a double-decker cabana — something I’d never seen before. Cabana rentals typically start around $150 and can run up to $450 per day, depending on size and season.

It’s upscale without being stuffy. Families, honeymooners, and solo travelers all looked equally comfortable during my visit. There are even roosters that occasionally strut by while you lounge (learn more about how they ended up all over the island here).

Service was attentive, and if you’re lounging poolside or beachfront, you can press a button to order food or drinks right from your chair. 💅

Amenities and Things to Do

This resort offers far more than just a pretty beach. Whether you’re looking to move, relax, or explore, you’ll find something to do every day. 

While the hotel no longer has a kids club, there are daily activities geared toward younger guests, such as sandcastle competitions, kids scavenger hunts, family game night, ping pong tournaments, cookie decorating, and movie nights on the beach.

Resort fee inclusions

That $75 nightly resort fee I mentioned includes:

• 💆‍♀️ Access to the Hibiscus Spa’s steam room and sauna

• 💪 Daily fitness classes (RunWestin, F45 training, aqua fitness, meditation, beach yoga, and more)

• 🤿 Complimentary snorkel gear and paddleboard clinics

• 🛜 Wi-Fi

• 📸 Use of underwater cameras

• 🏖️ Ocean Aqua loungers 

• 🏐 Daily games and activities

• 🍟 Kids under four eat free from Ferdinand’s children’s menu

The fitness center was accessible 24 hours a day and never got too crowded.

Activities and Excursions

Right on the property, you’ll find a Red Sail Sports booth, which can help you book off-site excursions. During my stay, I took a catamaran trip, which included a stop at the Stingray City Sandbar (where I kissed a stingray for seven years of good luck!) and another at a coral reef for snorkeling. It was a half-day adventure that felt equal parts relaxing and adventurous.

Other activities you can book include:

• Jet skiing

• Kayaking

• Banana boat rides

• Sunset sailing

• Scuba diving

If you're looking to explore Grand Cayman beyond the sand, the hotel concierge can also help arrange island tours and other excursions, such as to Crystal Caves.

Food and Drink Options

This was one of the most pleasant surprises. At many beach resorts, you’re trapped into eating overpriced food that’s just... fine. Not here. The Westin’s restaurants were genuinely good (even locals come to eat), and considering two of the island’s biggest events — Cayman Cookout and Taste of Cayman — are centered around food, I should’ve known the culinary bar would be high.

Just note: the hotel automatically adds an 18% service charge to all bills.

🍳 Ferdinand’s

This is the resort’s main restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Sunday brunch (around $100 USD per person) is a big draw with locals and features everything from fresh seafood and carving stations to sushi and Champagne. 

The standard breakfast buffet runs around $40, and if you load up, you might even be able to skip lunch (though you probably won’t want to).

A la carte breakfast is also available, though the menu largely overlaps with the buffet. 

🍔 Tortuga Beach Grill

Tortuga is your go-to for lunch by the pool or a casual dinner. The menu includes tacos, burgers, salads, poke bowls, and pizza. Most dishes range from $20 to $30, plus the 18% service charge.

🦞 The Beach House

This is the resort’s more upscale oceanfront restaurant. Expect elevated Caribbean and seafood dishes like butter-poached lobster, seared yellowfin tuna, and braised short ribs — all with ocean views. 

I also got to try their private “Toes in the Sand” experience, which was a highlight of the trip. Great for a special occasion or just “celebrating life,” as the other couple enjoying the experience put it.

🍣 Woto

My personal favorite. This small sushi spot serves beautifully plated rolls, poke, and ceviche. 

I went back twice three times because it was that good. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and surprisingly creative. 

There are also sushi, poke, and ceviche cocktail (and mocktail) pairings, which I thought were unique.

☕ Cayman Coffee Exchange

If you need a quick breakfast or a mid-afternoon caffeine boost, this grab-and-go café has you covered. The menu includes smoothies, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, pastries, and gelato. It’s also one of the most affordable options at the resort. I grabbed a picnic brunch here before an excursion, and the air-conditioned seating (with outlets!) made it a solid remote work spot.

🍸 Catboat Bar

This is the hotel’s lobby bar and main hub for evening entertainment. It offers a long list of classic and creative drinks, as well as small plates.

The hotel also hosts themed dinners throughout the week, like Spanish Paella Night on Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, Asian Street Food Wednesdays, Cayman Nights on Thursdays, and Friday Beach BBQs. Most are relatively reasonably priced at around $30 to $35 and offer a fun, low-lift dinner option without needing to leave the resort.

You can check out all of the hotel’s menus (with prices) right here.

Room service is also available, though I didn’t try it during my stay.

Rooms

Rooms here are exactly what you want from a beach resort: bright, clean, and outfitted with everything you need. I stayed in the “Ocean Pool View” room with a king bed, sofa bed, and balcony…

…and the view? Picture-perfect.

All king rooms include a sofa bed, while double rooms do not, and rollaway beds aren’t available. The bed itself was super comfortable, though if you run hot at night, be ready to crank the AC a bit since the Westin Heavenly duvet is thickkk.

The “Sleep Well” lavender balm by the bed was a thoughtful touch, and a nod to the resort’s wellness theme.

Other room highlights included waterproof wristband room keys, a mini fridge, and plenty of outlets. Nightly turndown service is available for elites or upon request and came with a mini rum cake.

Some rooms face the road or courtyard, so be sure to book an ocean view room if that’s important to you. The partial ocean view rooms didn’t look bad either.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a Caribbean resort that nails the balance between comfort, location, and quality food, without being too over-the-top, the Westin Grand Cayman hits the mark.

Yes, it’s pricey. But you can unlock some value if you can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, stack credit card perks, or travel during the shoulder season.

The Cayman Islands are generally a more upscale destination, but you get what you pay for: pristine beaches, amazing food, safe surroundings, and friendly (English-speaking) locals.

I never felt trapped or isolated on the property. Unlike some larger resorts (ahem, Atlantis), the Westin doesn’t feel like a resort factory. You can walk to nearby restaurants, hop on a Bird scooter, or just chill on-site with everything you need within reach.

Whether you’re flying solo, traveling as a couple, or bringing the family, this is a place that works for almost everyone. Just be sure to set your alarm at least once for beach yoga and don’t miss happy hour rum punch.