Palm Heights: The Cayman Art Form of Slow Days

Along the pristine shores of Seven Mile Beach, Palm Heights in Grand Cayman emerges as a sanctuary where design meets the tranquil embrace of nature. The sun spills golden light over pristine sands, while guests spend their afternoons lounging under swaying palms immersed by the natural aromas of salt and coconut. This all-suite boutique hotel, opened in 2019 and conceived by the visionary Gabriella Khalil, draws inspiration from the vibrant aesthetics of the 1970s, enveloping guests in an eclectic tapestry of global décor and artistry. Each of its fifty-two individually styled suites is a portal into a world where vintage elegance and Caribbean glamour reign supreme. Here, every corner whispers tales of creativity and nostalgia, inviting visitors to lose themselves in a harmonious blend of luxury and laid-back charm.

 

The allure of Palm Heights extends beyond its striking architecture; it lies in the warm social atmosphere that envelops each guest. It is no surprise that this space has been coined Instagram’s favorite hotel, ranking top spot among the ultimate cool-girl destinations. Charli XCX, Gigi and Bella Hadid, and Julia Sarr-Jamois are just some of the cool girls in question, with those iconic yellow sun loungers with matching towels making a subtle but repetitive appearance in all of our favorite girls’ IG dumps.

 

Under the attentive guidance of concierge Bambi, each day offers a bespoke catalog of programming with a large selection of dining experiences, activities, and treats to choose from. I spent my week being spoilt for choice with luxurious fun, from an evening spent at the outdoor film club, accompanied by popcorn and dinner from Paradise Pizza, to a wine tasting at the Coconut Lounge with rich offerings of French red and white. The hotel thrives on cultivating connections among its patrons while encouraging them to slow down and savor life’s simple pleasures. Be it enjoying the many instruments in their newly opened music room or lounging by one of Garden Club’s seven pools, there is an undeniable sense that time here is meant to be cherished.

 

Luxury is truly a well-earned term to describe this hotel. There are several things I found to be particularly impressive and worth noting. When I got to my room, I was offered a pillow menu with a range of different pillow types and scents to choose from. On top of this, my room was given a daily clean and a nightly turndown service. This meant that when I came back to my room in the evening after a hard day of tanning and sipping $12 smoothies (the ‘antioxidant’ gets a very special shout-out), the lamps were on, curtains were drawn, and some delicious treat was presented on my countertop. This ranged from homemade body scrub to tropical meringue sandwiches, each paired with a personalized note. The service and attention to detail by the staff were some of the best I’d ever experienced. Most of those I came into contact with greeted me on a first-name basis and caught up with me as if I were a good friend. Each day at 5 pm a cocktail hour was held, offering their cocktail of the day, paired with a delicious spread of sushi, fresh vegetables, tempura, and dips. All to be enjoyed as the most incredible sunsets played out before rolling waves.

 

I ventured out of the hotel in search of some locals and a true sense of the culture of the island and happened upon a group of fishermen. Fishing is a common profession on the island, with the demand for fresh fish being high with both hotels and locals. I was told fishermen sometimes have to sail up to 12 miles away from the shore, and what they bring back is largely up to chance, with each day bringing a new menu of catches. I met a captain, whom he mentioned the ladies referred to as King Solomon, lounging under his washing line at the back of his boat. He told me that he lived in Honduras but regularly traveled to the Caymans for commercial fishing. I also befriended a local named Steph, who had grown up on the island and wanted to take me to meet his friend from school, Peter. Peter very kindly let me take a look into his coconut water company, a very hands-on trade where he harvests coconuts daily with the help of his workers and supplies fresh coconut water to the island. An operation that mainly takes place at his home, with a pickup truck filled with coconuts parked in the driveway and hundreds more covering the surrounding grass and concrete floors. An ex-boxing champion turned coconut farmer, Peter had told me he had begun training again and had big plans to make a return to the ring soon.

 

Palm Heights’ design philosophy not only enhances the visual appeal but also transforms this hotel into a collaborative space for artists, musicians, and chefs—an oasis for like-minded individuals seeking inspiration. I was befriended by resident DJ, Key from New York, who wholly encompassed the aforementioned cool-girl aesthetic. Extravagant sunglasses, beautiful bikini sets, long flowing hair, and days spent reading and lapping up the Cayman Sun, with evenings spent playing for Palm Heights guests. On my last night at Palm Heights, Key played a set for the Twilight Spa at the Garden Club. A tailored mix of Snoh Aalegra, Sade, and SZA fused with eclectic and electric sonics. I enjoyed this sexy and serene mix whilst getting a head and neck massage, followed by a large detox juice, another complimentary offering from Palm Heights’ weekly programming. Key mentioned that she had made a lot of contacts as well as positively adopting the Cayman way of life into her days and approach to curating her music; she was excited to see what was next for her after her 6-month residency came to an end. The residencies at Palm Heights focus on accommodating and nurturing talent, with an approach to giving back to and collaborating with the culture and community of the Caymans.

 

I do have to say, I almost didn’t make it to Palm Heights! So I must mention a very important travel tip! If you have a layover at any airport in America, make sure you have an ESTA; this can take up to 72 hours to come through, and you will be denied entry into the States without one. Luckily for me, the travel gods wanted me to experience this once-in-a-lifetime trip, and I was able to get one within two hours of applying at my gate. This is not the kind of intense, nail-biting experience I would recommend to anyone though. So I guess I’ll make it two travel tips: always arrive at the airport with at least 2.5 hours to spare!

 

Whilst at Palm Heights, I was introduced to the word Limin by a friend, a term regularly used in the Caribbean; it means to hang around, enjoy the scene, and just be. I found it fitting that I would discover this term whilst in this tranquil oasis, and as dusk painted the sky in hues of lavender and rose, it truly felt as if Limin was a term that had been born in the Caymans and raised in this hotel.

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Book your luxury stay at Palm Heights and check out their residency program here.