The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman

Chances are, in the Cayman Islands neither you nor your money are looking for unpredictability. It’s not exactly the adventure tourism capital of the world, but an impossibly tranquil island idyll that’s frankly much better suited to the luxury operators of the world — so it was only a matter of time before we saw something like the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman.

Locations don’t get much more prime than this Ritz-Carlton’s, occupying 144 acres along Seven Mile Beach, between the ocean and the lagoon. With 370-odd rooms, it’s no use trying to keep a low profile — this place is unapologetically luxe, but without lapsing into ostentatiousness. Which is admirable, as they’d have plenty to crow about: the pools, the tennis courts, the spa, all top-of-the-line.

It’s not just banking that the Caymans are famous for, but the diving as well, and the Ritz-Carlton makes the most of it with an environmental education program by Jean-Michel Cousteau. There’s also a Greg Norman golf course, if that’s more your brand of outdoor activity, and a Nick Bollettieri tennis program. And with Blue, a restaurant by Eric Ripert, the parade of big names continues — it’s clear Ritz-Carlton takes the Caymans seriously enough to field the full first team.