Destinations

Luxury Without Attitude

Luxury without the attitude. That’s what the Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa – the Cayman Islands’ first new property in more than a decade — is all about, reports PressToday’s Ashley Rochefort, who’s having a first hand look at both the resort and the destination this week.

Welcoming its first guests in November 2016, the brand new Seafire is changing the way luxury accommodation is delivered. Customer reviews since opening have praised personal connections between staff and guests.

As Steven Andre, Seafire general manager explains, “it’s about tying in what’s special about Kimpton with what’s special about Grand Cayman.”

Based in San Francisco, Kimpton Hotels owns a total of 65 properties around the world, but Seafire is their first in the Caribbean.

“It’s a fantastic property,” says Raymond Mathias, business development manager, Canada, Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. “It’s the first resort to open in Cayman since the Ritz Carlton, and it’s spurred a lot of local interest and pride.”

The Kimpton brand offered Cayman developers a unique culture they wanted to bring to the island. And for Kimpton, the existing infrastructure – excellent beach, safety, air access, existing clientele, tourism office support – set them up for success.

Like most other Cayman properties, the Seafire attracts affluent and corporate travellers. But what sets it apart is the stunning design, warm, colourful, and contemporary with whimsical art and inviting seating vignettes are around every corner, and the attention to detail, from the nightly turn-down service to the genuinely friendly staff to the tablet in every room listing the resort’s activities and facilities to the cloud-like beds and linens.

The property boasts lush grounds (some of the best on the island), nine private bungalows, a multi-level pool deck, fitness centre, full-service spa, beach bar, and complimentary water activities.

It has three restaurants including Ave and Avecita which was named one of CNN’s best new restaurants of 2017. Order the ceviche, it will change your life. And of course, all of this is set against the turquoise waters and white sand of the famous Seven Mile Beach.

The Seafire is named after the Cayman Islands cotton candy coloured skies at sunset.

“It’s that special time in the evening where the sun hits the water and the sky lights on fire,” describes Andre. A beautiful, but fleeting experience that encourages travellers to “remember to take a moment and embrace what’s in front of you.”

Rates vary throughout the year, but right now an island-wide promotion is offering up to 45% on travel between June 1 and Sept. 4. At the Kimpton, reserve four or more nights and enjoy the fourth night free.

Both Air Canada and WestJet offer direct service from Toronto.

Become a Cayman Specialist at http://www.caymanrewards.com and earn cash for bookings.

For more information on the Seafire, visit http://www.seafireresortandspa.com and for more on Summer Only In Cayman, visit http://www.visitcaymanislands.ca.