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