Tucked away in the West Bay on Sea Fan Drive, Cobalt Coast is only 15 minutes from the swirl of popular Seven Mile Beach, but it feels like a world apart. Walk through the shady breezeway and you’ll see the sun reflecting on the sea on the other end and, more likely than not, Arie, the Dutch-born owner with the piercing blue eyes who will greet you with a knowing grin.

With an owner whose calling is clearly hospitality, every detail of this cozy, elegant inn has been carefully planned, from the dive-perfect location to the classic Caribbean-inspired structure. The spacious rooms with large windows are decked out in Finnish textiles and European fixtures.


The inn sits on the bay’s Ironshore, just in front of the dramatic North Wall—an ideal location for shore diving and snorkeling. There is a full service dive operation, Divetech, at the hotel and it's not surprising that most guests are divers who come to experience the unique underwater landscapes of Grand Cayman. Though there is no beach access into the water—swimmers enter the water from the resort’s ocean dock—there is an ample stretch of sand between the inn and the shore where there are always umbrellas, and comfortable lounges that invite sunbathing.

There are plenty of different dive packages and room options explained in detail on the website. Dive for 4 days or a week, and choose from a variety of room options. They range from large rooms and suites to villas. The hotel rooms and one- or two-bedroom suites have one king or two double beds per bedroom as well as AC, TV, fridge, coffee machine, telephone, and a safe; the suites also have a living rooms with a queen-size sofa bed and the two villas have fully equipped kitchens.
 
Duppies, the open-air restaurant and bar, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in addition to plenty of light fare during the day. The 3-course continental evening meal is a good deal. The chef prepares ceviche from the best of the local fishermen's daily catches. The staff is always friendly and helpful, and Colin, a bartender with an Irish brogue, will tell you how to find the best snorkeling beaches where you are most likely to encounter sea turtles.

You can book an all-inclusive package as well, which includes transportation to and from the airport. Accommodations such as these, with upscale resort amenities, attract a wide range of clients and about a third of the guests are non-divers. This is also a Green Globe certified eco-lodge on the cutting-edge of green initiatives, and it is a favorite of international travelers of the green persuasion.