Sierrastyle's Luxury Living - 54

The Caribbean - Cayman Style frozen Pink Sand Beach from Balboa’s Lounge,
located at nearby Marriott Beach Resort, will not disappoint. The friendly
lobby bar is best known, however, for its 101 Martinis and a splendid
selection of tapas. Travel into town for more fine dining options. The
Bacchus Wine Bar serves exceptional Spanish tapas; Casanova’s offers
authentic Italian cuisine with an ocean view; the touristy Margaritaville
of Jimmy Buffet fame offers pub fare for parrotheads, and the Paradise Bar
& Grill serves a fine mix of American and Caribbean flavors. It’s no
surprise that the seafood is excellent no matter where you land in Grand
Cayman, from the shrimp taco stand to the five-star restaurant. I was
lucky enough to have a fisherman grill up a piece of swordfish on the
waterfront dock – a treat like no other. The crowd-weary will do best to
remember that Grand Cayman is a cruise ship destination and one of the
largest ports of call for the Caribbean cruise industry. One can still be
anonymous in Grand Cayman, but usually under the cover of a large
beachside umbrella or an underwater snorkel. If crowds don’t bother you,
then head into George Town, the island’s capital city, where shopping is
the order of the day. There are excellent discounts on everything from rum
and chocolate to designer handbags. This blatant nod to commerce has earned
the island its notorious local tag: “Brand Cayman.” For those who like
to marry kitsch with history, stop by the Conch Shell House in George
Town, which is constructed entirely from more than 4,000 mollusk shells.
The historic Pedro St. James Great House is nearby and also worth a visit.
Architecture lovers should not miss the 19th century Old Courts Building at
Hog Sty Bay Waterfront. The building, an archive of island history, houses
the Cayman Islands National Museum. Don’t be surprised if Caymanian
locals tell you to go to Hell – a cluster of black limestone formations
in West Bay to be specific. There are many rumors as to how Hell got its
name, the most popular being that the Ritz-Carlton Ritz-Carlton tennis
center; a fully-equipped gym facility; five restaurants two by none other
than culinary star Eric Ripert ; and Silver Rain, a first-class spa
designed by La Prairie. With perks at the ready, it is no surprise the
RitzCarlton received the prestigious World Travel Award as “Grand
Cayman’s Leading Hotel.” If you plan to indulge, do it here. Even
though it takes an extended walk to go anywhere in the hotel, it hardly
matters. The resort’s interior spaces are open and breezy, and the
décor consists of dark woods and citrusy colors. Upon check-in, I
couldn’t help but notice the hotel’s all-encompassing quietness. The
only discernable sound was the cooing from retreating spa-goers on their
way to a beach ham- mock. Open courtyards feature a series of ponds,
fountains and tropical flora and fauna; I even spotted random butterflies
in the hallways and more than one meandering sidewalk turtle. When
choosing an accommodation, opt for an ocean view. You’ll shell out
handsomely but will be rewarded with a sensational view of Seven Mile
Beach. That night, resting in the most comfortable bed I have ever had the
pleasure of sleeping in, it was clear that I had made the right choice.
Award-winning Caribbean cuisine is accessible everywhere. Open-air canopy
dining is definitely a form of tropical medicine. If you’re partial to
fruity drinks that quickly capsize a planned afternoon, the 54
Sierrastyle's Luxury Living March/April 2007
Sierrastyle's Luxury Living

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