Kimpton Seafire Resort Review, Grand Cayman

The Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa is the newest hotel on the Grand Cayman island, and, my many accounts is one of the nicest hotels on the island. Staying at this hotel, I was able to use a free new hotel night that’s given to Kimpton Inner Circle members – for every new hotel they open, you’re given a free night, and with rates at this hotel seeming to be always above $500 USD, a free night is certainly a welcome thing. This Kimpton Seafire Resort review should give you a pretty good idea of why I think it’s one of the nicest properties on the island, and one of the nicest in the Kimpton system.

Getting to the hotel from the airport will run you around $35 USD, and there’s really no other way of getting here. The hotel is located directly on Seven Mile Beach, but is secluded – there’s really not a ton of restaurants or anything nearby, unless you plan to take a cab or drive around the island. As far as walking distance options, it’s pretty much what’s available at the hotel.

Walking into the hotel, I was asked for my name, and within a matter of moments, a manager came out to great me, thanking me for being an Inner Circle member. I was given a complimentary glass of champagne, and was told to take a seat on the coach while they proceeded with the check-in formalities behind the front desk. This was one of the best check-in experiences I’ve had at a Kimpton Hotel as an Inner Circle.

I was given an upgrade to a one-bedroom ocean front suite, which I’ll explain more about in a bit…but, oh, boy…this was terrific. The resort fee at this hotel is an obscene $60 a night. It does included unlimited non motorized water sports, but also “includes” many amenities that would otherwise be free at other Kimpton hotels – including the evening wine hour, internet, etc. Personally, I found this $60 fee to be too much. Especially for someone that doesn’t want to take advantage of any activities, it’s really excessive.

The lobby is enormous, with plenty of seats and areas to gather.

I was escorted personally up to my room, located on the 6th floor. As I was let in, this room was absolutely ginormous. It was spacious, open, well-lit and had the most stunning view.

Heading into the room was a small bathroom, then a full kitchen and dining room table, with a large den-like seating area beyond.

The bedroom was large, and had a full sized bed facing the open water outside.

The bathroom was the size of a small bedroom, and featured a tub, 2 sinks, shower and separate toilet room.

This room really was just stunning. I didn’t want to leave and got a restful night of sleep with the windows open.

Outside, the hotel has a large property, with a large pool just outside the main building, and then beyond a pathway is the beach, with tons of lounge chairs and cabanas.

As I mentioned, all non motorized sports are included on the water, and I did avail myself of a sailboat and kayak – but, to be frank, that’s more because I felt I had to because I wanted to get my money’s worth of the fee. There was an instructor that put up with me for a good two hours while I clumsily flipped the sailboat, so at least the staff are patient. 🙂

I did have dinner and lunch onsite at Coccoloba, a beachside bar and grill with Mexican and Caribbean favorites. It’s overpriced for sure, but you do pay for a nice view.

Overall, this is a really well worth it property. It felt clean, new, and the Inner Circle privileges seemed plentiful, especially with the ocean front suite (it’s worth noting that my friend Lee stayed a day after I did and did not get upgraded as an Inner Circle member, so I don’t know if there wasn’t any availability or that the scoop was).

This hotel does have high room rates and the resort fee is higher than most places I’ve seen, so you want to be cautious of that if staying here. Personally, I’d only use my free nights here and would avoid paying the traditionally several hundred dollar rates. That said, it’s a very nice hotel and would be my go-to spot for coming back to Grand Cayman. To stay at the Kimpton Seafire for free, get an IHG Rewards Credit card, where you’re given an annual free night to use at any IHG property, which includes Kimpton.