Holiday Inn Resort Grand Cayman

The Holiday Inn Resort’s white exterior has a bit of an older look, but the lobby is bright and contemporary with sleek white benches and bold blue walls. A long path lined with landscaped greenery leads from the lobby toward the restaurant and pool. The hotel’s well-maintained facilities are more than satisfactory, but the rocky beach is a let-down. Rates at mid-range properties on the opposite coast, like Comfort Suites Seven Mile Beach, are usually somewhat higher, but the beach is significantly nicer than the one at the Holiday Inn.

The pool is the center of the action, but even here, the atmosphere is subdued and family-friendly. The suites with sofa beds and kitchens are a great choice for families, while the relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices attract a fair share of couples. Many guests take advantage of the hotel’s free shuttle service to reach better beaches and dining options, and as a result, the property is often pretty quiet during the day.  

The Holiday Inn Resort is set in Crystal Harbor, on the east side of the island. It’s located down a long, winding side street off Esterly Tibbetts Highway, beyond the North Sound Golf Club. And the property backs onto a hard, rocky beach. There aren’t really any dining options or attractions within walking distance, although the hotel does provide periodic shuttle service during the day. In the evening, however, guests without rental cars will need to rely on pricey taxis to get around the island. It’s under a 10-minute drive to Seven Mile Beach, as well as to the shops and restaurants of Camana Bay. The airport and the capital of George Town are both around 15 minutes away by car.

Guest rooms at the Holiday Inn Resort are inviting, but predictably generic and a bit dated. Blue-accented throw pillows and artwork pair nicely with crisp white bed linens and dark wood furniture. Tall cabinets with microwaves and mini-fridges sit beside dressers topped with flat-screen TVs. Rooms also include free Wi-Fi, coffeemakers, as well as small sitting areas with round tables and one or two comfy chairs. Small balconies with plastic patio furniture offer views of the nearby golf club, the pool, the waters of North Sound, or the hotel’s leafy grounds.

Large bathrooms are bland, with round sinks, light wood cabinets, and dark countertops. All include shower/tub combos, as well as Bath and Body Works bath products. Suites offer separate living areas with sofa beds, washers and dryers, and full kitchens with ovens, dishwashers, and ample cookware. 

The Holiday Inn features a large outdoor pool, surrounded by a concrete sundeck and some lounge chairs. There’s a small, square kiddie pool. The hotel buildings form a U-shape around the pool, with a grassy lawn bridging the space between them. There’s also a modest pool bar with wooden tables and chairs.

The hotel backs onto a pretty stretch of coastline with palm trees and a wooden pier. The terrain is quite firm and rocky with a thin layer of sand, so it doesn’t look or feel like a true beach. This shoreline area features a hodgepodge collection of lounge chairs, hammocks, and tables for guests, along with a few palapa shelters.

The hotel’s restaurant, Blue Iguana Grill, is a cookie-cutter mid-range hotel restaurant, with a large indoor dining area as well as a few outdoor tables overlooking the pool. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant offers a mix of American-style fare and local dishes.

There’s a tiny fitness center with a treadmill, elliptical machine, and stationary bikes. A tennis court is found in front of the hotel building, across the parking lot, and there’s also a basic meeting room. The lobby features a snack and souvenir shop, a no-frills business center with a single PC, and a kids’ activity room with a flat-screen TV and some board games. Free shuttle service is offered regularly throughout the day, with stops in George Town and at attractions like Camana Bay. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and there’s free parking on-site.