The Cayman Islands are set to make 2025 an unforgettable year with the launch of new luxury hotels and a diverse lineup of key events. From the debut of high-end properties, including the highly anticipated Grand Hyatt, to the return of beloved annual celebrations like the Cayman Cookout in January and Cayman Art Week in May, the islands continue to expand their appeal for both luxury seekers and culture enthusiasts. Whether indulging in the islands' growing culinary scene or celebrating the vibrant arts and culture, 2025 promises to be an exciting year in the Cayman Islands.

New Hotels in the Cayman Islands for 2025

In 2025, the island’s luxury hotel scene will reach new heights with the debut of multiple brand-new properties. Seven Mile Beach will gain another 10-storey hotel in mid-2025 with the opening of the 354-room Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotel & Residences. The property will comprise 190 hotel guest rooms, 88 condo-hotel rooms, and one, two and three-bedroom condo-hotel suites. Boasting six restaurants, a 12,000-square foot destination spa and fitness centre, three swimming pools, beach cabanas, a screening room, indoor meeting space and a Camp Hyatt kids’ club, the Grand Hyatt will be the only other five-star international hotel brand in Cayman after The Ritz-Carlton, which opened in 2005. ONE | GT is a new luxury development in the Cayman Islands, combining modern urban living with Caribbean flair. Featuring suites and residences with stunning views, the property offers resort-style amenities, including a rooftop SKY Club, signature restaurant, private gym, and lagoon pool. With flexible ownership and rental options, ONE | GT is a prime investment and lifestyle opportunity, designed for both short-term stays and long-term living.

Set to open in 2025, Kailani, a Curio Collection by Hilton, will be the first of its kind in the Cayman Islands, blending high design, holistic experiences, and sustainable practices. Perfectly located between George Town and Seven Mile Beach, this beachfront hotel offers a stylish, amenity-rich estate for both business and leisure travellers. Developed by NCB Group, Kailani will provide an authentic local feel with the trusted quality of Hilton, delivering a unique mix of luxury and sustainability.

Looking Ahead, New Openings for 2026

Further exciting developments for 2025 and beyond include the Mandarin Oriental Grand Cayman, a 67-acre beachfront resort at St. James Point featuring 100 hotel rooms, 89 residences, over 700 feet of white-sand beach, and a protected swimming cove. The resort will offer multiple pools, including an adults-only option, a five-star spa, wellness centre, kids' club, and diverse dining experiences such as the Ocean Grill and a signature restaurant with an exhibition kitchen and wood-fired pizza oven. In East End, the Barefoot Beach Eco-Resort will bring 89 solar-powered cottages, a restaurant, bar, spa, and pool to a 10-acre site focused on sustainability. Also coming is Barkers Beach Resort, a luxury five-storey hotel with 20 exclusive rooms in West Bay.

Key Events in 2025

The Cayman Islands offer something for every day of the year; we've highlighted some of the must-see events happening throughout 2025.

Cayman Cookout | 15-20 January

Marking its 16th anniversary, the Cayman Cookout returns from January 15-20, 2025, as one of the world’s premier festivals for food, wine, and spirits enthusiasts. The event is hosted by Chef Éric Ripert, owner of Blue by Éric Ripert, the only restaurant in Grand Cayman to earn the AAA Five Diamond Award. Held at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, the event promises a weekend of sensory indulgence, featuring renowned chefs and extraordinary culinary experiences against the stunning backdrop of Grand Cayman. Highlights include Wednesday’s Welcome Reception, Thursday’s Barefoot BBQ, Friday’s Discover Cayman, Saturday’s After Glow Celebration, and Sunday’s Rum & Robusto and Farewell Jazz Lounge. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman—recently honoured as the Caribbean’s first and only Forbes Triple Five-Star resort—provides the perfect setting for this unforgettable event, celebrating excellence in service, culinary artistry, and spa experiences. Caymancookout.com

Taste of Cayman | April 2025

Travellers arriving in the Cayman Islands this April are in for a treat of the senses as Taste of Cayman returns, offering a vibrant weekend of food, live music, and entertainment. In 2024, the festival welcomed over 13,000 attendees and featured headliners Black Eyed Peas alongside talented local Caymanian artists. This year, the event promises to be even bigger and better, showcasing the island's diverse cuisine and rich culture in an unforgettable celebration. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore the Cayman Islands' dynamic food scene. Tasteofcayman.org

Cayman Art Week | 20-25 May

More than 150 artists participated in Cayman Art Week 2024, with exhibits showcased at 42 venues across all three Cayman Islands—a clear testament to the thriving local art scene. With 2025 shaping up to be even more impressive, the event continues to grow as a vibrant celebration of Caymanian creativity. From 20-25 May, Cayman Art Week (CAW) takes up its annual place in the events calendar with its week-long curated programme of gallery tours and open studios around the Cayman Islands. The event is designed to celebrate and encourage the collection of Caymanian art. CAW offers unparalleled access to over 30 art venues, providing an opportunity to showcase exhibitions and host a range of discussions to local and international audiences. Caymanartweek.com

Batabano Cayman Carnival | May

An explosion of Caribbean music, dancing and costumes, the annual Batabano Cayman Carnival celebrates the Cayman Islands’ multicultural history and diversity of music. An eye-popping fiesta, the carnival is well known throughout the Caribbean and attracts thousands of locals and tourists alike. Caymancarnival.com

CayMAS Carnival | June

CayMAS Carnival takes place over a whole wonderful weekend in June and event-goers can expect an all-encompassing complete Carnival weekend. Including steel pan, Soca Monarch, Parade and a host of fetes and parties for both locals and visitors alike, it’s a not-to-be-missed event on the Caymans calendar. www.caymas.ky

National Iguana Awareness Day | 8 September

The Cayman Islands proudly highlights its ongoing commitment to wildlife conservation, particularly the remarkable recovery of the endangered Blue Iguana. Once teetering on the brink of extinction, with fewer than 30 left in the wild in 2002, the species has made a dramatic comeback. Today, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Cayman Islands National Trust, over 1,700 Blue Iguanas have been successfully reintroduced into their natural habitat.

One such initiative that has helped the species thrive is the Blue Iguana Gardens project, which encourages local residents to create feeding sanctuaries on their land, supporting both captive and wild iguanas.

Visitors can witness the incredible Blue Iguanas up close at the Blue Iguana Conservation facility within the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, where entry fees help fund ongoing conservation efforts. National Iguana Awareness Day celebrates this dedication to the Cayman Islands’ wildlife and the growing success of efforts to protect it for future generations.

Cayman Islands Restaurant Month | September

Cayman Islands Restaurant Month is an annual celebration of the Cayman Islands Food scene with local restaurants offering set lunch and dinner menus at fixed prices giving diner the opportunity to indulge in good food at an incredible value.

Cayman Cocktail Week | October

Visitors to the Cayman Islands will be spoilt for choice when it comes to cocktails. In fact, the destination celebrates its vibrant cocktail culture each October with Cayman Cocktail Week. The iconic Mudslide, believed to have been created in the 1970s at the Wreck Bar on Grand Cayman’s Rum Point, marked the beginning of a flourishing cocktail scene. In recent years, several exceptional bars have emerged, attracting top bartenders from some of the world’s finest establishments. Caymancocktailweek.com

Cayman Pirates Fest | November

A swashbuckling good time for all three Islands, the annual Pirates Fest, complete with mock-pirate ‘invasion’, music, street dancing, competitions, local food and drink, children’s day, sea swims and firework displays, has been running for over 40 years and attracts some 35,000 patrons. The event kicks off in September with district Heritage Days, but the main event is in November, when even a Pirate Pooch Parade takes place, as well as a Turtle Release in celebration of the Cayman Islands’ work in conservation through the Cayman Turtle Centre. Piratesfestcayman.com

Gimistory | November/December

Storytelling is one of humanity’s oldest art forms, and Gimistory brings this tradition to life with storytellers from around the world. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, the annual festival, curated by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, showcases stories that illuminate diverse heritages, explore myths and legends, and captivate audiences with humour and drama. Gimistory is a vibrant celebration of the art of communication, connecting cultures through the timeless power of storytelling. artscayman.org/gimistory

About the Cayman Islands

Located south of Miami and a short hop from Cuba, the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands is a premium holiday destination where laidback discovery awaits. Ideal for adventurous travellers, nature-lovers, diving aficionados and those looking to relax and unwind on world-class beaches, there’s as much thrill as there is chill. Friendly and hassle-free, with no all-inclusives, the trio of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac islands provide the perfect off-the-beaten-path experience. Voted best diving and best culinary destination in the Caribbean, and with incredible wildlife and mouth watering cuisine to boot, last year British Airways welcomed a fifth weekly direct flight from London Heathrow.

Media Contact

Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

Email: pr@caymanislands.ky