Welcome to the Kimpton Seafire Resort! Located on the iconic Seven Mile Beach of Grand Cayman and situated just mere steps from the soft, powdery sands  and with a variety of dining options to satisfy every craving, the Kimpton Seafire promises an unforgettable getaway. Join me as I share my firsthand experience of this beachfront paradise, where relaxation meets adventure in the most delightful way.

Location and How To Get There 

The Kimpton Seafire sits on Grand Cayman, a picturesque island with a multitude of international flights every day, making it a breeze to reach from the continental United States. My hop from Atlanta clocked in at just over 2 hours. They have just implemented a new automated passport screening procedure, that while not completely flawless (if one’s acting up, hop to another), it did make the  immigration process a whole lot smoother.

After breezing through immigration and customs, I was ready for the typical Caribbean hustle to grab a taxi. Surprisingly, that wasn’t the case at all. Hang a right after customs toward ground transportation, and there are attendants ready to flag down your ride. Unexpectedly awesome, right? A short 15-minute cab ride to the resort set me back $36, a far cry from the $120 Kimpton asked for their private transportation service.

Check in process

 I received a warm welcome straight from the cab, with staff helping with luggage and escorting me directly to check-in. A delightful welcome drink of prosecco was offered, a sure fire way to get a great first impression from me. The staff was incredibly friendly, acknowledging my Platinum status by offering a $15 “Raid The Bar”  credit and a room upgrade.

Afterwards, I was given a quick tour of the property, pointing out key areas like restaurants and bars along with their operating hours. They even asked if I needed access to my luggage to freshen up before enjoying the facilities. 

One tip worth noting if you stay at Kimptons, is keeping tabs on their social media in the weeks and months proceeding your stay. They periodically release “secret passwords’ that if mentioned at check-in will grant you a bonus gift – on this occasion it was a nice can of sparkling wine in a gift bag! I have known people get all sorts of things, from room upgrades and food credits so it’s worth researching beforehand – a simple search on hotel forums will also likely show you. 

Despite arriving at noon and the room not being ready, they asked how I preferred to be notified – via email, text, or call. I opted for email, as I wasn’t sure about phone reception. I headed over to the pool bar and grabbed a couple of drinks while I waited for my room. The staff were very attentive, and the pool bar area was incredibly relaxing and set amongst beautifully manicured gardens – I was in no way discouraged that I had to spend a couple of hours here. 

When my email arrived notifying me that my room was ready, I headed back to reception to pick up my key, which I have to mention here are wooden cards – something I had never seen before.

Initial impressions truly do set the stage for an exceptional experience, and in this case, they were nothing short of remarkable. From the outset, the greeting was warmly welcoming, the check-in process was seamless, and the staff’s attentiveness immediately exceeded my expectations.

Rooms and Suites

We were fortunately upgraded to a premium spa oceanfront room which had stunning views of the grounds and ocean beyond. The room had two queen beds with very comfortable mattresses, side tables with a multitude of different charging ports (which was very well received on my end as I usually travel with a lot of electronics!) and a handy set of light controls by the side of each bed – a feature I never knew I needed before! The fact that you can control every light in the room without leaving your bed was such a unique feature! 

Our room came with a small kitchenette which had a modern coffee machine, Brita filter and a double drawer refrigerator, of which one drawer was filled with mini bar items available for purchase. The second drawer was empty, which was a nice touch, as I like to bring and make my own drinks. There is an ice machine at the end of each corridor and an ice bucket in each room (once arriving to my room, the staff offered to fill my ice bucket up). 

In the living area there is a large flat screen television, a set of drawers and large wardrobe, complete with yoga mat, umbrellas and robes for you to use during your stay. In the console beneath the TV there is also another selection of mini-bar items such as chocolates, nuts and candies. There is a desk in the corner, again with a large selection of charging ports. 

The bathroom was very modern, featuring both a shower and a bath, a separate toilet and double vanity sinks. There was a large selection of complimentary toiletries such as soaps, shower caps, razors, body wash, shampoo, lotion and conditioner. This room was also equipped with a night light function, another feature that I was pleasantly surprised by how useful it was. 

The balcony was perhaps my favourite aspect of the room, with sweeping views over the resort and the shimmery blue ocean in the background, it’s no secret that I spent many hours out here.  There was a large sectional sofa outside and another chair to relax in. 

Food and Drink 

The food we had at Kimpton Seafire was nothing short of exceptional. Despite the heavy price tag on a lot of items for the most part it is definitely worth the money. 

There are two restaurants in the main building – Ave, a Mediterranean restaurant specialising in seafood and steaks, and Avecita, a premium restaurant which aims to deliver a unique culinary experience through Spanish cuisine. Reservations are required for both of these restaurants, however they are not needed for breakfast. 

Coccoloba was definitely my favourite restaurant on the property – it serves Mexican cuisine and is situated right on the beach. If you happen to stay over a Tuesday, I highly recommend you choose to dine here on that day as they put on a rather special “Taco Tuesday” with traditional live music and a number of margaritas and tacos at a reduced price. It’s a great atmosphere and was definitely our best night during our stay. I highly recommend the guacamole – it’s the best I have ever tasted!

There is also Seafire Pantry located just off the main lobby which offers various snacks, drinks, coffees and other specialty drinks and sandwiches made to order. I grabbed breakfast here a few times when I chose to forego a sit down affair in the morning. 

There are a couple of additional bars on the property – one by the pool where you can also order snacks and meals from, which I believe comes from a simplified menu of Cocolaba. “Library by the sea” is the other bar in the main building, right by reception which offers an impressive array of liquors and specialty cocktails all the while set in a magnificent library space. 

Facilities 

The facilities at the Kimpton Seafire are nothing short of impressive. The grounds are meticulously maintained, boasting two pools – one exclusively for residents – ensuring ample space for relaxation. What’s more, you’ll find convenient sunscreen stations and refreshing iced water stations scattered throughout the property.

But it’s the thoughtful touches that truly set the Kimpton Seafire apart. All of the pool towels are equipped with handy pockets that stick to the back of your sun chair, ensuring your towel never blows away or slips down. The umbrellas that are positioned between each lounger have a red flag clip attached to them, whereby you simply turn the flag upwards when you would like to place an order for food or drinks to the attentive staff, be it on the beach or by the pool. 

For those seeking a little extra comfort, cabanas are available for a fee, providing a private oasis by the pool complete with coolers and electric fans. 

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, staff members make regular rounds with complimentary snacks and drinks like refreshing mango iced tea and frozen grapes.

It’s worth mentioning here that the resort welcomes both kids and pets, yet it manages to maintain a balanced atmosphere without feeling overcrowded with children or dogs. One common concern at pet-friendly hotels is the potential for dog waste on the grounds, but I was pleasantly surprised not to encounter this issue even once during my stay.

Activities 

As with the current trends in the hotel industry, the Kimpton Seafire comes with a $80 daily resort fee that is unfortunately unavoidable even if you have status with IHG or paid using points. However it does come with a lot more inclusions that many of this caliber fail to utilise, and so during my stay I made an effort to take advantage of most of the perks that come with the fee, of which it includes 

• Use of non-motorised water sports, including kayaks, stand up paddle boards, water tricycles (which are so fun – a must try!)
• Daily fitness classes, from yoga to box fit and ocean spinning, there’s a hige selection to choose from – the schedule can be found on the QR code they give you at check in 
• Daily Wine Hour at reception – from 5-6pm every day the area in front of the pantry transforms into a wine bar and guests are invited to enjoy complimentary wine during this hour – there is a choice of red or white and they are both equally delicious. There’s usually some sort of appetizer to sample as well during this time. For the kids, there is a selection of Capri Suns and fruit snacks. 
• Morning Coffee and Tea Station – this is in the same place the wine happy hour is set up and although you have a coffee machine in your room, the coffee served here is far superior and there is a choice of various milks (both dairy and plant based), syrups and sugar/sweetener to really customise your brew. For the kids, there is a hot chocolate station complete with all the toppings – whipped cream, marshmallows, etc. 
• Free wifi throughout the property
• Daily Filtered Water

In addition to the activities available onsite, the front desk is more than happy to assist guests with other tours and excursions around the island – a trip to Stingray City is a must!

Service

Having experienced Kimpton resorts before, I anticipated a high standard for this esteemed property in Grand Cayman. However, upon arrival, my expectations were not only met but surpassed. From the seamless check-in process to the attentive beach staff and meticulous housekeeping, every interaction with the staff exemplified exceptional hospitality and service.

Throughout my stay, I enjoyed twice-daily maid service. The standard housekeeping occurred during the day, made even more convenient by the electronic buttons beside each room’s door. These buttons allowed me to signal when I was ready for housekeeping or preferred not to be disturbed, avoiding the awkward interruptions that can occur at other hotels.

Additionally, the nightly turndown service was a delightful touch. Alongside the usual tidying up, it included a special treat left on the pillow, a bottle of filtered water conveniently placed by the bedside, and all decorative pillows neatly stowed away in the closet. In addition, mood lighting was selected, the curtains were drawn, and any used clothing was neatly folded and placed in laundry bags—a clever and thoughtful gesture!

A Note About the IHG One Rewards Program

The Kimpton Seafire is part of the One Rewards program, which means not only do you earn IHG points and qualifying nights during your stay, but you can also USE IHG points to book a stay here. At the time of writing it is 70,000 points per night in a standard room, however if you are a One Rewards member, you get the fourth night free, enabling you to book for 4 nights for just 210,000 points – an absolute steal given that in peak season some of the entry level rooms sell for $1500 a night! 

The IHG One Rewards Premier credit card is one of my “bread and butter” cards that never leaves my wallet, and one that comes with an exceptional sign up bonus, an annual free night certificate, and platinum status which grants room upgrades (reason in itself to obtain!) – I have used this card and the points earned on it to stay at bucket list hotels across the world, including the Kimpton Seafire and two of the Intercontinental hotels in Bora Bora. I’m going to leave a link here for the card (affiliate link) if you’re interested in staying at properties like this for free!

Closing Remarks 

My experience at the Kimpton Seafire in Grand Cayman was truly exceptional. Honestly, it’s difficult for me to pinpoint any downsides during my stay, and I tend to be quite discerning! From the resort’s idyllic location on the pristine white sand beach to the incredibly attentive staff, delectable cuisine, and flawlessly designed rooms, it truly embodies the essence of a luxurious, high-class resort. If I had to nitpick, the only downside would be the rather steep resort fee – but hey, you can’t have it all, right?

Ready to book Kimpton Seafire? Click here!

You can find out more about my stay on my “Grand Cayman” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.

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