8 Ways To Relax At Margaritaville Beach Resort Grand Cayman

This casual, family-friendly Caribbean property continues the mellow, music-and-margaritas-by-the-pool vibe of singer Jimmy Buffett’s growing hospitality empire.

Parrotheads, as loyal fans of musician-turned-entrepreneur Jimmy Buffett are known, now have 13 Margaritaville resorts and hotels to escape to when they want to wear flip-flops and eat a cheeseburger in paradise — and nine more are in the works. The 285-room Margaritaville Beach Resort Grand Cayman is one of them, a welcoming outpost on the southern end of Seven Mile Beach that offers easy access to activities and local dining.

Plus, the property has a variety of restaurants and some of the lowest rates on Grand Cayman in high season (December to March). Here are eight ways to relax at Margaritaville Beach Resort Grand Cayman.

Appreciate the Fun Design Details

Although the Grand Cayman resort wasn't a new build like some Margaritaville properties — the resort's white stucco exterior and layout are clear giveaways — the rooms nevertheless feel fresh and contemporary with lots of clever design details: whale tail faucet fixtures (not quite "fins to the left, fins to the right" but a cute touch); a bathroom light fixture that resembles an airplane propeller; bedside lamps made of driftwood; compass motifs and a map-top coffee table; two vibrant turquoise wooden chairs on the balcony; stencils of parrots and palm trees; and colorful artwork that channels Key West and the Caribbean.

Better still, the beds are super comfortable and are topped with a white duvet subtly embossed with, yes, parrots. And there's also complimentary Wi-Fi and a 55-inch flat-screen TV for when relaxation means catching a game or catching up on your favorite series.

Be a Regular at Happy Hour

It doesn't have to be 5 o'clock somewhere to enjoy Happy Hour prices at any of the on-property bars or restaurants. There's a Happy Hour at the License to Chill Bar most days of the week from plus daily Happy Hours at It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere and Eating House 1503 (5-9pm) — and check the monthly activities calendar lets you know about drink specials, such as 50 percent off wine by the glass or 30 percent off rum cocktails.

Float Your Cares Away in the Cove

This resort isn't actually beachfront — but it has something that makes it appealing to relaxation lovers: a super-calm private cove. Margaritaville itself is set back several hundred yards from the water (only about 10 percent of its rooms have partial ocean views) and it shares access with Sunset Cove condos to a small but private beach where a breakwater creates a little oasis of pool-like aquamarine sea water.

Lined with chaises and umbrellas, it's a great spot for a meditative early morning or sunset float; it's also a carefree afternoon play area for families with smaller kids.

Try the Onsite Restaurants

Arrive hungry because Margaritaville's eateries include one by Hawaii's best-known restaurateurs. Chef Roy Yamaguchi added Eating House 1503 to his extensive portfolio in 2018, tweaking his Eating House 1849 concept to pay homage to the discovery of the Cayman Islands in 1503. The restaurant features a menu that celebrates Yamaguchi's Japanese and Hawaiian roots with his signature sushi rolls, Szechuan baby back ribs, green papaya salad and other classics, as well as nods to the Caribbean in conch fritters, jerk-style half roast chicken and seasonal specials. Eating House 1503 also serves breakfast.

Other onsite options include Spread, a coffee bar/wine bar/cocktail lounge serving artisanal sandwiches and salads in partnership with chef Sean Brasel of Miami's Meat Market, and Frank & Lola's, specializing in 10-inch pizzas and homemade ice cream.

Swim-Up to the It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Bar

The resort has four pools, including a quiet adult's only pool located in a courtyard overlooked by pool view rooms, but the most social is one that offers swim-up seating at the al fresco It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill. On days when the hot midday sun makes you want to stay in the water, you can swim-up, order lunch (and a Perfect Margarita, of course) and keep cool.

Enjoy an In-Room Massage or Private Yoga Session

There's no spa at the resort — but there is an on-site Fins Up! fitness — and Margaritaville has partnered with Perfectly Pampered Cayman to bring a massage therapist to you. Enjoy a 30- 60- or 90-minute Swedish, Aromatherapy or Deep Tissue Massage in your room. If yoga's your preferred way to relax, the resort can also arrange a private morning session with an instructor from Cayman Yoga Club.

Listen to Live Music

There's always some kind of feel-good music being piped in around the resort, but depending on the time of year, you can also enjoy local bands performing in the lobby several nights a week or a DJ spinning live on property. There's also a Caribbean Night every Saturday, featuring steel drum music and island barbecue at It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere.

Explore the Island

Whether you borrow a few of the resort's Margaritaville branded bikes, book a Thrifty car rental to explore Grand Cayman by land (just remember, they drive on the left here), or sign up for a catamaran adventure to Stingray City with Red Sail Sports (there's a desk in the lobby), so much of the island is easily accessible from the resort.

That includes famed Seven Mile Beach, so if you love a good stroll in the sand, make a left out of Margaritaville's lobby, walk about five minutes until you come to Piper Way, make another left and the beach (which is actually only 6.3 miles long) will be straight ahead.