The return of a legend: The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman re-opens

black and white decor in ocean suite at Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman
730 565 Pauline Brettell
  • 4
The return of a legend: The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman re-opens

Emerging from an extensive renovation, The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman celebrated the 16th anniversary of opening its doors in the Cayman Islands in style, with newly imagined spaces and designs. We take a closer look…

black and white decor in ocean suite at Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman has opened the doors on its beautifully reimagined interiors, brought to life by Champalimaud Design, and featuring a refined new design which has been inspired by the rich history and diverse cultural influences of the Cayman Islands. Blending modern coastal elegance with mid-century British Caribbean style, the completely renovated spaces reflect an updated colour palette featuring the deep blues of Cayman’s night sky, lively shades of green inspired by the islands’ botanical wonders, the whites and beiges of the island’s smooth sands, and the sparkling shades of turquoise found in the Caribbean Sea. Textured inlays and crisp borders accentuate the Neoclassical architecture, leading guests through their journey to new discoveries.

sea blue corridor at ritz-Carlton grand Cayman

Image credit: The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

“We are thrilled to once again welcome guests to The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, one of our most beloved resort properties in the Caribbean,” said Donna McNamara, Vice President and Global Brand Leader for The Ritz-Carlton. “The reimagined look and feel of the resort is an outstanding example of The Ritz-Carlton brand’s design ethos, which is to provide our guests with a refined and modern experience that is also reflective of what makes a destination unique.”

Enclosed behind majestic, ebonised wood arches is the lobby and lounge area, welcoming guests into a comfortable environment that invites connection. Similarly, the guestrooms and suites nod to the destination’s history with the rugged sophistication of British West Indian style while paying homage to the island’s colourful present and bright future with purposefully chosen artworks, fixtures, and rich natural textures. The incorporation of indigenous and inspired materials further connects guests to the beauty of Cayman. Retaining its spirit, the resort’s iconic Silver Palm Lounge features completely new interiors and a custom-built hardwood cabinet, which will offer guests a collection of indulgent discoveries from rare rums to premium hand-rolled cigars of the Caribbean and sweet and delightful chocolates created from the region’s finest cacao.

In addition to the public spaces and guest accommodations, the resort’s meeting spaces which are known to host Grand Cayman’s grandest galas and corporate groups from around the globe were updated as well. These palatial spaces were reimagined in luminous neutrals from cream to Champagne, with rich, warm accents on the soaring ceilings and rope detailing in the wall coverings. The pre-function area evokes a classic thatch pattern while the ballroom deconstructs those designs into a beautiful field of woven elements. Light fixtures transpose undersea life to the to the ceiling, with sculptural coral colonies of organic forms with each dome a unique shape, just like in nature.

“December 15 marks the beginning of an exciting next chapter in the history of our resort. With guests at the centre of all that we do, we are thrilled to introduce them to our newly reimagined resort,” said Marc Langevin, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. “Our forward-looking ownership group, Dart, invested heartily into our treasured property, the result of which will now be visible for guests to enjoy. Seeing the pause in travel as an opportunity, we are grateful that Dart took advantage of this time to expand the original renovation plan, manifesting a cohesive and modern property suited to the demands of today’s most sophisticated travellers. Working alongside the talented team from Champalimaud, we have together created a resort, which though virtually brand new, maintains the charm of the beloved original and we are excited to welcome our valued guests back to The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.”

An enclave of relaxation and effortless elegance, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is a Forbes Five-Star resort, which offers unparalleled service and thoughtful amenities. Much like the Cayman Islands itself, the resort’s innovative new design blends worldly influence with the one-of-a kind character of Cayman, resulting in an elevated yet spirited tapestry. Wholly unique in the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands is a respite of sophistication, comfort, quality, and luxury, created through the celebration of its diverse residents, stewardship of its natural beauty, and culture of mutual respect.

Located in prime position on the island, and set within 144 beautifully manicured acres, from the sparkling waters of the North Sound, to the white sands of world-famous Seven Mile Beach, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman has flung open the doors of all its 369 luxuriously appointed guestrooms with its inspired new look, as it reclaims its allure as a destination set to create meaningful memories and exceptional experiences for its guests.

> Since you’re here, why not find out more about The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko?

Main image credit: The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Pauline Brettell / 21.12.2021

Share

  • 4

You might also like

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.