Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa

Hands up if you thought that the first overseas expansion for Kimpton, the American boutique-hotel brand, would be in the Cayman Islands. But here it is, on Grand Cayman’s legendary Seven Mile Beach. And the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa isn’t just a departure from their typical geography, it’s also a new level of luxury for a group that made its name with a string of comfortable yet attainable boutique hotels.

It’s also a surprisingly elegant and refined look for Kimpton, which makes sense, as Grand Cayman is, shall we say, a moneyed destination, in more ways than one. The clean-lined, visually minimalist guest rooms are pure luxury, and the suites offer extra space and astonishing ocean views.

And while the food scene is a weakness for some Caribbean destinations, Grand Cayman has undergone something of a culinary renaissance, with a nascent locavore movement (no mean feat for a small island) and plenty of interest from international chefs as well. Here the Seafire’s multiple restaurants and bars operate at a level that’s on par with many a more established foodie destination — all delivered with a distinctive Cayman accent.