The Cayman Islands Has a New, High-Tech Boutique Hotel
By Alexander Britell
What has quickly become one of the Caribbean’s hottest hotel markets has added another new property to its portfolio.
The Cayman Islands has welcomed the debut of a new boutique hotel called Locale, Grand Cayman, a 42-room boutique set in the heart of the popular Seven Mile Beach corridor.
The project is by HHG Advisory Services, part of a company that has also developed Grand Cayman’s Margaritaville Beach Resort and the in-construction Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman.
The hotel is a new kind of offering for Cayman and for the Caribbean at large, aiming to be a “hybrid between comfort and productivity for the ultimate live, play and work experience,” according to the company.
It’s also decidedly high tech, from Smart TVs in the rooms to ultra-fast Wi-Fi to an Alexa-powered personal assistant concierge in every room.
“You won’t find any overpriced mini bars or dull common spaces here,” said Howard Sitzer, co-founder of HHG Advisory Services. “Perfect for work and play, our rooms have a distinct personality interconnected by a common mindset which encourages guests to ‘live local, stay Locale.’”
The hotel has a mix of “King Lofts,” which include king-sized beds, living areas, 55-inch smart televisions, modern bathrooms, kitchenettes and a lofted seating area “to work or lounge,” along with “double queen” rooms that feature two beds, a kitchenette and a 55-inch screen.
The rooms also feature bay window seating, high-definition TV and mini fridges and microwaves.
The menu at the Bonfire Urban Italian eatery.
The new launch is part of a wider global hospitality trend toward locally-focused, millennial-friendly hotels aimed at fostering more of a “community” mindset.
“Our shared common spaces with fast free Wi-Fi and open plan design tie our community together,” said Michael Wilkings, co-founder of HHG Advisory Services.
That includes the “Hangout” lobby, featuring everything from glasses of wine at the end of the day to a library nook.
The hotel also includes a pool, outdoor fitness equipment, “beach kits” with inflatable chairs and towels and free daily breakfast at the hotel’s on-site Bonfire Urban Italian Kitchen, which serves up “affordable gourmet-casual Italian cuisine.”
The property is a five-minute walk from Seven Mile Beach.
For more, visit Locale.
— CJ
