Seven Mile Beach is the best area to stay in for most tourists visiting Grand Cayman. However, there are exceptions that we will cover in this article.
Which part of Grand Cayman is best?
The answer to this question depends on what you are looking for.
In general, the Seven Mile Beach area is the best place to stay if you are a tourist.
Most shops, restaurants, hotels, condos and activities are located on or near Seven Mile Beach. If you stay in a different area, then you will be further away from all of these fun spots.
What is new for places to stay in Grand Cayman in 2026?
George Town: ONE | GT officially opened on Goring Avenue in George Town in May 2026. The 10-storey building has 97 hotel suites, a rooftop restaurant and an infinity-edge pool, making it a new option if you want to stay in town rather than on the beach (Cayman Compass).
Seven Mile Beach: The 382-room Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Resort & Spa is due to open in late 2026. In September 2026, Hyatt’s booking system was taking reservations from 28 November 2026, with ocean-view rooms from about US$1,767 per night plus an $85 nightly resort fee (Caribbean Journal). Opening dates for new hotels can change, so check directly with the hotel.
East End: The former Wyndham Reef Resort ended its Wyndham affiliation on 6 April 2026 and now operates independently as The Reef Beach Resort (The Reef Beach Resort).
Taxes: Wherever you stay, licensed hotels, condos and vacation rentals must charge a 13% Tourist Accommodation Tax on the room rate (Cayman Islands Department of Tourism). In 2025, the islands had 8,475 rooms in total (Cayman Islands Department of Tourism).
Which side of Grand Cayman is best?
There are two main sides to Grand Cayman: west-side and east-side.
Most tourists stay on the west-side of Grand Cayman. Seven Mile Beach is located on the west-coast of Grand Cayman.
The east-side has less people and development. There are a couple resorts on the east-side such as the Morritt’s & The Reef Beach Resort (formerly the Wyndham Reef Resort).
We recommend that you stay on the west-side of the island when you vacation to Grand Cayman because there are more things to do on the west-side.
What is the best area to stay in Grand Cayman for snorkeling?
There are more snorkel spots on the west-side of Grand Cayman compared to the east-side.
If you are a tourist that likes to snorkel from shore, then you should stay on the west-side of Grand Cayman.
Check out our article where we review the top 25 snorkel spots in Grand Cayman.
The best snorkel spots in Grand Cayman can only be reached by boat. Most of the companies that offer boat snorkel tours to these spots depart from the west-side of Grand Cayman.
What is the best location to stay in Grand Cayman for families?
Seven Mile Beach is the best location to stay for families because there are more activities to do in this area.
If you have kids in your family, then they most likely will want to stay somewhere where there are lots of things to do.
Grand Cayman is very safe for tourists, meaning that families can stay almost anywhere without having issues.
Minerva Private is a company that manages luxury properties in the Cayman Islands. They manage properties that are popular with families that vacation in the Cayman Islands.
Which part of Grand Cayman is most beautiful?
There are lots of beautiful spots in Grand Cayman, but Seven Mile Beach is the most beautiful.
There are consistently calm waters on Seven Mile Beach. This beach is famous for its white sand and Caribbean ambience.
Which area of Grand Cayman is the most quiet and secluded?
The north-side of Grand Cayman (near Rum Point) has many private villas along the coast that you can rent during your vacation.
These villas are very secluded, and offer a level of luxury that can’t be matched. Lots of families choose to rent private villas on the north-side of Grand Cayman instead of staying in a hotel or condo on Seven Mile Beach.
The issue with staying on the north-side of Grand Cayman is that it is far away from restaurants, shops & most activities. There are still some condo complexes on Seven Mile Beach that offer a secluded experience without being far away.
Final thoughts
Seven Mile Beach (SMB) is the best place to stay in Grand Cayman for tourists.
SMB has the best combination of location and beauty. Staying directly on SMB can be expensive, so if you are on a budget, then you can stay in the SMB area and not directly on the beach itself.
If you are looking for things to do during your vacation, then check out our article where we review the 25 best things to do in Grand Cayman.
Banner photo: RoadTripWarrior via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0.
