A Luxurious Golf Getaway to Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman

Hello fellow golf enthusiasts! If you're seeking the perfect blend of luxury, pristine greens, and Caribbean charm, look no further than the Grand Cayman's Ritz-Carlton resort. Nestled in one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, this golf vacation promises an unforgettable experience. Let's dive into why this resort and its golf course are a must-play for any avid golfer.

The Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman

Some of the best golf courses in the Caribbean and is the perfect place for a relaxing and luxurious vacation. From luxurious suites to gourmet restaurants and relaxing spa treatments, this breathtaking resort has everything you need for a relaxing golf vacation. We recommend the Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman for the following reasons:

• One of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Seven Mile Beach, can be seen from your room's balcony or terrace. The resort's 369 rooms, spread out across its 144 acres, are decorated in a stylish fusion of contemporary coastal aesthetics and vintage British Caribbean flair.

• Golfing at the resort's Greg Norman–designed course is the pinnacle of golfing excellence. The North Sound provides a stunning backdrop for the nine holes of this course, which also boasts challenging fairways and beautiful water features. In addition to taking lessons from PGA pros, you can practice your swing on an indoor simulator.

• The resort features five restaurants, one of which, Blue by Eric Ripert, is the only AAA Five-Diamond restaurant in the Caribbean. The chef's love of the sea inspired this menu, which features an abundance of fresh, locally sourced seafood paired with carefully selected vintages. Andiamo serves casual Italian fare, Taikun serves sushi and sake, and Silver Palm and Saint June specialize in Caribbean-themed cocktails and bar bites.

• La Prairie Spa at the resort is a haven of health and beauty where you can spoil yourself. Massages, facials, body wraps, manicures, pedicures, and more are just some of the services you can get at this spa. You can unwind in the spa's whirlpools, saunas, and steam rooms.

• The resort's Ambassadors of the Environment program, created by Jean-Michel Cousteau, is a great way to learn about the history and culture of Grand Cayman. Activities like snorkelling, kayaking, hiking, stargazing, and more are available to participants of all ages and interests. The island's history, culture, and ecology can all be explored with the help of knowledgeable guides.

• The resort's Starfish Cay water park, Oculus glass bottom boat, interactive culinary studio, tennis centre, and retail shops are all great places to spend time with friends and family. This resort has something fun for everyone.

If you're looking to make the most of your golf vacation, look no further than the Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman. Reserve your room now to see for yourself why this resort is regarded as a crown jewel of the Caribbean.

Why the Golf Course is a Must-Play

It was designed by Greg Norman, a legendary golfer and course architect, and features water hazards, bunkers, and views of the North Sound, making it both challenging and beautiful.

It's a part of the Ritz-Carlton, a resort with high-end lodgings, restaurants, a spa, and more. The beach, the water park, the glass-bottom boat ride, and the conservation effort are all available to guests as well.

You can play golf in peace and quiet because it is reserved for guests and members of the Ritz-Carlton only. You can also play multiple rounds in a single day by booking tee times in advance.

The greens, fairways, and tee boxes are all in pristine condition, and the course as a whole is meticulously cared for. The pro shop has gear for rent and instructional services for those interested.

The round is made more interesting and memorable by the course's island-green par-3 18th hole.

How Hard is it to Get Tee Times

The difficulty of getting tee times at Grand Cayman's golf courses may depend on things like the time of year, the time of day, the course's availability, and the player's membership status. Here are some general tips to help you plan your golf trip:

• The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grand Cayman has nine holes and is only open to guests and members of the Ritz-Carlton. You can call +1 (345) 815-6500 or book tee times online. Individuals and businesses can join the course for a season or for the whole year. Membership benefits include early access to booking tee times, discounts on green fees and merchandise, free use of the driving range and simulator, and invitations to special events.

• The public can play on the North Sound Club's 18-hole course. You can call +1 (345) 947-4653 or book tee times online. The course has different membership packages and rates for both locals and tourists. These include unlimited golf, discounts on green fees and merchandise, free use of the driving range and practice facilities, and access to clubs with which the course has reciprocal agreements.

• From December to April, when the weather is dry and sunny, is the best time to play golf on Grand Cayman. Getting tee times may be harder during this time, especially in the mornings and on the weekends. You might want to book your tee times far in advance or go for twilight rates in the afternoon.

• From May to November, when the weather is hot and humid and there is a greater chance of rain and hurricanes, Grand Cayman is not a good place to play golf. During this time, there may be fewer tourists and golfers on the island, making it easier to get tee times. You might also get special deals and green fees that are lower.

Getting to the Resort from the Airport

The Ritz-Carlton is close to Owen Roberts International Airport and only a short drive away. You can easily get to the resort by arranging for a private transfer or renting a car.

Car Rental Availability

Whether or not you can rent a car in Grand Cayman may depend on the time of year, where you want to go, and what kind of car you want to rent. KAYAK says that if you want to get a better price on your rental car, you should book it at least 4 weeks before your trip. You can also find cheaper rates at places outside of airports, which are about 15% cheaper than airports.

Budget, Hertz, National, Enterprise, Alamo, and Avis are some of the biggest car rental companies in Grand Cayman. You can call or look at their websites to compare prices and availability. You can also check out local car rental companies like Andy's Car Rental, Coconut Car Rentals, or Marshall's Rent-A-Car.

You will need a valid driver's license from your home country and a credit card to rent a car in Grand Cayman. You may also need to buy a visitor's driving permit, which costs $20 and is good for six months. You can get one at the police station or from the car rental company. If your license is not in English, you should also have proof of insurance and an International Driving Permit.

Remember to drive on the left side of the road in Grand Cayman and to pay attention to the speed limits and traffic signs. All passengers must wear seatbelts, and children under two must be in a car seat. You should also try not to drive at night or when it's raining or snowing, because some roads may not be well lit or may be flooded.

Nightlife

Grand Cayman's nightlife is a great way to enjoy the island's lively culture and fun things to do. You can find something to fit your mood and taste, whether you want live music, dancing, cocktails, or cigars. Here are some of the best things to do in Grand Cayman at night:

• If you like wine, you should go to the West Indies Wine Company or the Tasting Room, where you can try wines from all over the world in a cozy and elegant setting. You can also buy bottles and other things to take home.

• If you want to dance all night, you can go to the Lodge Cayman or the Obar Nightclub, where you can hear DJ mixes of the latest hits. Legendz and Backroom also have live music and karaoke, so you can sing along to your favourite songs.

• If you want a more relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere, you can go to Club Havana or Stogies, where you can enjoy a fine cigar and a drink in a stylish and comfortable lounge. You can also watch comedy shows or listen to piano music at these places.

• If you want to have some fun and try something new, you can join a bar, club, or pub tour. On these tours, you can visit different places where people go out at night and meet new people. You can also enjoy the island's spirit and flavour at the GT Outpost or the Lazy Lizard, where you can try some local rum.

Grand Cayman's nightlife has something for everyone, no matter what they're looking for. You can also look on Tripadvisor or Explore Cayman for more information and reviews about the nightlife in Grand Cayman. Have fun and keep yourself safe!

Local Cuisine Choices

If you want to eat local food in Grand Cayman, you have a lot of options. Grand Cayman is known for its tasty and varied food, which comes from the Caribbean, Britain, the United States, and other places. Fresh seafood, meat, vegetables, fruits, spices, and sauces are used to make a wide range of dishes. Here are some of the best Grand Cayman food options:

• The national dish of Grand Cayman is Green Turtle Stew, which is made with tender turtle meat, cassava, potatoes, onions, and peppers. It is a hearty stew with a lot of flavour that can be eaten with rice, beans, plantains, or lettuce.

• Conch Stew: Conch is a kind of sea snail that lives in the coral reefs around the island. Cooking it with coconut milk, tomatoes, onion, garlic, thyme, and hot pepper makes it taste and feel more delicate. It is a popular dish that can be found in a lot of restaurants and food trucks.

• Fish Rundown: This is a traditional dish made with fish cooked in a coconut milk sauce with onion, scallion, thyme, allspice, and Scotch bonnet pepper. The sauce gets thicker when it boils until it "runs down" or gets smaller. The fish can be snapper, grouper, or mahi-mahi, or any other fish caught in the area.

• The lion fish is an invasive species that threatens the coral reefs and native fish. It goes by the name "fish with breadfruit salad." But it is also a tasty and sustainable seafood that can be cooked in many different ways. One of the most common ways is to fry it and serve it with a salad made with breadfruit, a starchy fruit that tastes like potato when cooked.

• Coconut Shrimp: To make this simple but tasty dish, shrimp are covered in shredded coconut and fried until golden and crispy. Usually, they come with a sweet and sour sauce made from mango, pineapple, or orange.

• Lobster is a delicious food that can be enjoyed in many different ways in Grand Cayman. You can get grilled lobster tail with garlic butter, lobster thermidor with cheese sauce, lobster bisque with cream and sherry, or lobster salad with avocado and citrus dressing.

• Heavy Cake, also called Cassava Cake, is a dense and moist cake made with cassava root, coconut milk, brown sugar, spices, and raisins. It is baked until golden and then cut into squares. It's a traditional dessert that can be eaten as a snack or after a meal.

• The first Mudslide Cocktail was made in Grand Cayman at the Wreck Bar at Rum Point. It is a creamy and boozy drink. It is made with vodka, Irish cream liqueur, coffee liqueur, and either ice cream or cream. It is mixed until smooth and served in a tall glass with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

These are some of the local foods you should try while you are in Grand Cayman. Tripadvisor and Explore Cayman are good places to learn more about the restaurants and dishes and read reviews of them. Bon appetit! 😋

What to Do Off the Beaten Path

Near the Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman, there are many off-the-beaten-path things to do. Here are some of the best ideas I can think of:

• Visit the Cayman Crystal Caves, which are a beautiful natural wonder with underground pools, stalactites, and stalagmites. You can go on a tour with a guide and learn about the caves' history and how they were formed.

• Explore the 4.5-mile Mastic Trail, which goes through Grand Cayman's oldest and largest continuous dry forest. You can see orchids, parrots, and blue iguanas, among other plants and animals that live there.

• The Kittiwake Shipwreck is an old US Navy submarine rescue ship that was sunk in 2011 to make an artificial reef. You can snorkel or dive there. You can see the inside and outside of the ship, as well as turtles, rays, and fish in the water.

• At Bio Bay, you can see the phenomenon of bioluminescence. At night, tiny organisms in the water make the lagoon glow blue-green. You can paddleboard, kayak, or swim in the water and be amazed by the magic.

• Heritage Kitchen is a family-run restaurant where you can try authentic Caymanian food like turtle stew, conch fritters, and fish rundown. You can also enjoy the view of the ocean and the helpful staff.

These are some off-the-beaten-path things to do in Grand Cayman near the Ritz-Carlton. You can learn more about these activities and read reviews about them on Tripadvisor or Explore Cayman.

How Far Does Your Dollar Go

Grand Cayman is a stunning Caribbean island with a wide variety of fun things to do. But your US dollar might not go very far there, as it is one of the world's most expensive travel destinations.

The Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD) is tied to the US Dollar at a rate of 1 USD = 0.82 KYD, but the cost of living in Grand Cayman is 40% higher than in the US, as reported by Expatistan. The value of your dollar will be reduced relative to the local currency, and prices will be higher than in the United States.

A basic lunch menu in the financial district will set you back CI$20 (US$24), while a fast food combo will set you back CI$11 (US$13) and a bottle of wine will set you back CI$27 (US$33).

Local Events or Festivals

Grand Cayman is a lively island with a lot of things to do and see, both for tourists and people who live there. Throughout the year, there are many events and festivals that celebrate the history, food, music, art, and nature of the island. Here are some of the best local events and festivals near the Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman:

• Pirates Week is a celebration that lasts for a week every November. It includes a parade, fireworks, a reenactment of pirates landing in the town harbour, and island-wide heritage days that show off the island's history, produce, and food made by locals.

• Cayman Cookout is a culinary extravaganza that takes place every January at the Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman. Chefs like Eric Ripert, José Andrés, and Emeril Lagasse, who are known all over the world, are there. There will be cooking demos, wine tastings, dinners, beach parties, and more at the event.

• Batabano Carnival is a colourful party that happens every May. It is based on the Caribbean carnival tradition. There will be a costume parade, live music, dancing, food stands, and performances from different cultures.

• The Cayman Islands International Fishing Tournament is a fun and competitive event that takes place every April. Anglers from all over the world come to take part. The biggest marlin, tuna, wahoo, and dolphin caught at the event will win cash prizes.

• Taste of Cayman is a tasty and fun event that happens every February. It shows off the best food and drinks on the island. Over 40 restaurants and bars will have samples of their best dishes and drinks at the event.

You can learn more about these events and read reviews of them on Tripadvisor or Explore Cayman.

Sample Itinerary from Toronto, Canada

Day 1: Travel to Grand Cayman

• Fly from Toronto to Grand Cayman (4 hours, $221 CAD per person)

• Take a taxi to the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman (10 minutes, $18 CAD per taxi)

• Check in at the hotel ($299 CAD per night for a double-occupancy room)

• Have dinner at Seven ($60 CAD per person)

• Relax at Silver Palm ($12 CAD per drink)

Day 2: Golf at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club

• Have breakfast at Andiamo ($18 CAD per person)

• Play golf at the hotel’s golf club (18 holes, $300 CAD per person for green fees and cart rental)

• Have lunch at Taikun ($40 CAD per person)

• Enjoy 2 hours of downtime at the beach, the pool, or the spa at the hotel

• Have dinner at Blue ($120 CAD per person)

• Relax at Saint June ($15 CAD per drink)

Day 3: Golf at The North Sound Club

• Have breakfast at Andiamo ($18 CAD per person)

• Take a taxi to The North Sound Club (15 minutes, $25 CAD per taxi)

• Play golf at The North Sound Club (18 holes, $200 CAD per person for green fees and cart rental)

• Have lunch at The Brasserie ($35 CAD per person)

• Take a taxi back to the hotel (15 minutes, $25 CAD per taxi)

• Enjoy 2 hours of downtime at the beach, the pool, or the spa at the hotel

• Have dinner at Andiamo ($40 CAD per person)

• Relax at Silver Palm ($12 CAD per drink)

Day 4: Golf at The Britannia Golf Course

• Have breakfast at Andiamo ($18 CAD per person)

• Take a taxi to The Britannia Golf Course (10 minutes, $20 CAD per taxi)

• Play golf at The Britannia Golf Course (18 holes, $200 CAD per person for green fees and cart rental)

• Have lunch at The Wharf ($45 CAD per person)

• Take a taxi back to the hotel (10 minutes, $20 CAD per taxi)

• Enjoy 2 hours of downtime at the beach, the pool, or the spa at the hotel

• Have dinner at Seven ($60 CAD per person)

• Relax at Saint June ($15 CAD per drink)

Day 5: Golf at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club

• Have breakfast at Andiamo ($18 CAD per person)

• Play golf at the hotel’s golf club (18 holes, $300 CAD per person for green fees and cart rental)

• Have lunch at Blue ($120 CAD per person)

• Enjoy 2 hours of downtime at the beach, the pool, or the spa at the hotel

• Have dinner at Taikun ($40 CAD per person)

• Relax at Silver Palm ($12 CAD per drink)

Day 6: Snorkel or Dive at Bio Bay

• Have breakfast at Andiamo ($18 CAD per person)

• Take a taxi to Rum Point (45 minutes, $60 CAD per taxi)

• Snorkel or dive at Bio Bay with Cayman Kayaks ($75 CAD per person for snorkeling, $150 CAD per person for diving)

• Have lunch at Rum Point Club ($35 CAD per person)

• Take a taxi back to the hotel (45 minutes, $60 CAD per taxi)

• Enjoy 2 hours of downtime at the beach, the pool, or the spa at the hotel

• Have dinner at Andiamo ($40 CAD per person)

• Relax at Silver Palm ($12 CAD per drink)

Day 7: Golf at The North Sound Club

• Have breakfast at Andiamo ($18 CAD per person)

• Take a taxi to The North Sound Club (15 minutes, $25 CAD per taxi)

• Play golf at The North Sound Club (18 holes, $200 CAD per person for green fees and cart rental)

• Have lunch at The Brasserie ($35 CAD per person)

• Take a taxi back to the hotel (15 minutes, $25 CAD per taxi)

• Enjoy 2 hours of downtime at the beach, the pool, or the spa at the hotel

• Have dinner at Blue ($120 CAD per person)

• Relax at Saint June ($15 CAD per drink)

Day 8: Visit the Cayman Crystal Caves

• Have breakfast at Andiamo ($18 CAD per person)

• Take a taxi to Old Man Bay (30 minutes, $40 CAD per taxi)

• Visit the Cayman Crystal Caves with Cayman Crystal Caves Tours ($50 CAD per person for a guided tour)

• Have lunch at Over The Edge ($30 CAD per person)

• Take a taxi back to the hotel (30 minutes, $40 CAD per taxi)

• Enjoy 2 hours of downtime at the beach, the pool, or the spa at the hotel

• Have dinner at Andiamo ($40 CAD per person)

• Relax at Silver Palm ($12 CAD per drink)

Day 9: Travel back to Toronto

• Have breakfast at Andiamo ($18 CAD per person)

• Take a taxi to Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) (10 minutes, $18 CAD per taxi)

• Fly back to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on a direct flight (4 hours, $221 CAD per person)

This is the end of your golf trip to the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman from Toronto, Canada. I hope you had a wonderful time and enjoyed playing golf, snorkeling, diving, hiking, and visiting the caves. I also hope you liked the hotel, the restaurants, and the bars that I suggested for you.

Here is a budget chart that includes all the costs for your trip, such as travel, hotel, golf, meals, entertainment, taxis, and alcohol. The total cost for your trip is $6,374 CAD per person. You can adjust the budget according to your preferences and needs.

I hope this itinerary and budget chart help you plan your golf trip to the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman from Toronto, Canada.