Grand Cayman Getaway: Beautiful Beaches, Luxury Resorts and Nonstop Flights from Austin
Discover why Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa is the perfect Caribbean destination for a chic, effortless summer vacation—just three hours away on Cayman Airways
The best vacations are the ones that feel effortless from the moment they begin. Our recent family trip to Grand Cayman was exactly that — a combination of convenience, luxury, adventure and downtime.
Why Grand Cayman Is Easier Than Ever to Reach from Austin
For Central Texans, getting to the Caribbean has traditionally consisted of navigating connecting flights and long travel days. This summer, however, a new seasonal nonstop route on Cayman Airways made the island feel surprisingly close. Departing on Sundays through mid-August from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the three-hour flight transformed the vacation into an easy escape.
Where to Stay: Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa on Seven Mile Beach
After arriving at Owen Roberts International Airport, it took just minutes to reach Seven Mile Beach, where we checked into the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, a Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond destination. The resort struck the perfect balance between contemporary luxury and relaxed island living. Its chic, open-air design features stunning views of the Caribbean at nearly every turn.
This award-winning resort is designed to appeal equally to couples, multi-generational travelers and families with children of all ages.
“Luxury and family don’t always go hand in hand,” says Yann Gillet, Area General Manager for the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa and Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman. “Our goal is to create a place where the kids can enjoy the beach and all the activities while the parents can still have a romantic dinner or a relaxing evening together.”
For families, Seafire checks every box. Spacious guest rooms with private balconies, multiple pools, and one of the island’s most beautiful stretches of beach means there is never a shortage of ways to spend the day. Young children can enjoy a fun splash pad water park playground at the resort or guided Camp Seafire activities. Our family of adults and teens chose to spend most of our time happily unstructured, alternating between the pool, kayaking, beach walks, and simply appreciating the slower pace of “island time” that Grand Cayman encourages.
Visiting Grand Cayman with Family
Families can fill their days with snorkeling, paddleboarding, jet skiing, going on wildlife encounters, and shopping excursions, or do absolutely nothing beyond settling into a beach chair with a good book. In fact, Gillet believes diversity is one of the island’s greatest strengths.
“Grand Cayman isn’t your typical Caribbean island where you stay at your resort the entire time. We encourage our guests to explore — to rent a car, discover the restaurants, visit Camana Bay, and experience the island. That’s what makes Cayman unique.”
When you are ready to go exploring beyond the resort, the island may be just 22 miles long, but it offers several notable experiences. Plus, its safety and compact size makes getting around easy, whether by rental car or taxi.
Popular Grand Cayman Attractions
No attraction is more iconic than Stingray City, where visitors can wade into clear, waist-deep water to pet, feed, and even kiss friendly southern stingrays — a Grand Cayman tradition said to bring good luck. You can book various tours to Stingray City from the Seafire with Red Sail Sports.
Nature lovers will enjoy the Cayman Crystal Caves, where guided tours descend into dramatic limestone caves filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and other striking rock formations shaped over thousands of years.
Families could also make time for the Cayman Turtle Center where interactive exhibits and close-up encounters offer an educational look at the island’s sea turtle conservation efforts.
For people who would like to explore below the surface, the Ex-USS Kittiwake is one of the Caribbean’s premier dive and snorkel sites. The intentionally sunken Navy vessel has become a vibrant artificial reef teeming with tropical fish, colorful sponges, and other marine life.
Back on land, Camana Bay offers a mix of waterfront dining and shopping where you can also climb a 75-foot observation tower for panoramic island views.
Dining at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa
Grand Cayman has earned a reputation as the culinary capital of the Caribbean, and the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa lives up to that distinction with an impressive collection of dining experiences — all within steps of your room.
The resort’s signature restaurant, Ave, offers an elevated menu of coastal Mediterranean cuisine, showcasing fresh local seafood and island-grown produce in an airy dining room. Our family enjoyed amazing service and a truly spectacular dinner at Ave one evening, as well as an indulgent brunch that has us fueled for a day in the sun.
For a more intimate evening, Avecita delivers a theatrical chef’s counter experience featuring Spanish tapas-inspired tasting menus and expertly paired wines.
The resort’s beachfront restaurant, Coccoloba, was a family favorite for its casual vibe and coastal Mexican flavors, such as ceviche and tacos, and we highly recommend sipping their popular Piña Colada. On a Tuesday evening, we were delighted to listen to live music on the patio at sunset while guests danced in the sand.
The focus on fresh ingredients, apparent at each of the Seafire restaurants, begins close to home. “Many of our fruits and vegetables come from local farms, including organizations that help people rebuild their lives through agriculture,” says Gillet. “We believe that when you support the community, it comes back to you.”
An award-winning cocktail bar
One of the most inspiring evenings came after dinner one night at Library by the Sea. Consistently recognized among the Caribbean’s top cocktail bars — and included on North America’s 50 Best Bars list — its literary-inspired menu transforms every drink into a fully immersive experience, complete with inventive presentations and unexpected culinary touches. In a sophisticated setting full of books and literary works, the space is full of interesting treasures as well as a vast collection of vintage spirits. Upon ordering, the bar staff explains how every ingredient in each inventive cocktail ties to a page in their menu — which reads more like an art book full of beautiful original illustrations.
“Library by the Sea is much more than a cocktail bar,” says Gillet. “Every drink tells a story, and our team has created an experience that’s as much about the journey as it is the cocktail itself.”
More Noteworthy Dining in Grand Cayman
The culinary options don’t end at Seafire. Just a short stroll — or complimentary golf cart ride away — neighboring Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman expands the choices further with six additional restaurants and bars. Highlights include Pom Pom, the island’s highest rooftop restaurant and lounge, known for its panoramic views and Latin-inspired cocktails, as well as RASA, an intimate chef-driven tasting experience, alongside Catalina, Milkberry, and other casual dining options.
And for a relaxed afternoon by the water, Bonny Moon Beach Club, located just steps from Seafire, is the perfect spot to settle in with a frozen cocktail, pizzas and other beachside bites while appreciating the island’s laid-back atmosphere.
Another stand-out dining experience is just a short taxi ride away at Tillies, located at the boutique hotel, Palm Heights. This refined experience features the flavors of the Greater Antilles paired with waterfront views.
An easy summer escape
The beautiful blue water, the powder-soft sand, and the chic resort certainly exceeded expectations, but it was also the ease of the experience that made this getaway so terrific. The new nonstop flight removed the usual travel-day stress, giving us more time to actually enjoy our vacation together, swimming in the Caribbean, and watching spectacular sunsets over Seven Mile Beach. Grand Cayman delivered exactly what we hoped for: a perfect escape where luxury never felt fussy.
Travel Details:
Cayman Airways operates their seasonal, nonstop route between Austin and Grand Cayman through August 16, 2026. The flights arrive and depart weekly on Sundays. Starting on December 20, 2026, Cayman Airways will operate the Austin service through August 29, 2027, adding Wednesday flights during the summer season. You can view current schedules and book flights on www.caymanairways.com.
Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa offers a variety of guest rooms and suites along with 3 private multi-room bungalows. You can learn more and book a stay at www.seafireresortandspa.com.
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