Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa

Sir Turtle Turns Fifty

The islands’ logo embodies Caymanian history, culture, and sense of fun

If you’ve ever come to Grand Cayman by air, you’ve no doubt noticed the whimsical turtle in piratical togs whose image graces Cayman Airways planes. His name is Sir Turtle, and 2013 marks his 50^th anniversary as the unofficial mascot of the Cayman Islands. Sir Turtle’s history is a typically Caymanian story, one that we at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa think you will enjoy sharing with your kids.

Sea turtles once were so abundant around the Caymans that, when Columbus happened upon the islands during his fourth voyage in 1503, he named them Las Tortugas, Spanish for “The Turtles.” Over the following centuries, turtles remained an important resource for the islands’ settlers, becoming an integral part of the community culture. By the early 1960s, when the Caymans were emerging as a vacation destination, a turtle was the natural choice for a tourism logo. Local hotel and restaurant entrepreneur Suzy Soto had only just arrived in the Caymans when she took on creating the design; she dressed the turtle in pirate’s garb, thus working the Caymans’ beloved pirate lore into the logo as well. Ms. Soto nicknamed the image “Sir Turtle,” and the name stuck. He began appearing everywhere, including on Cayman Airways planes (with the addition of a flying ace’s scarf). Nowadays, Sir Turtle is likely to make appearances at all sorts of Cayman activities, from the processions of Pirates Week to celebrations for local schoolchildren.

If you and your family would like to find out more about Sir Turtle and his real-life counterparts while you are staying with us at The Westin Grand Cayman, our concierges will be happy to assist. Also make sure to visit the official Sir Turtle Turns 50 page of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism website for more information – as well as some fun activities for your kids!

Dancing and Parading in the Streets

Cayman Carnival Batabano brings colorful costumed fun to Grand Cayman

Carnival, Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday … celebrations historically tied to Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent in the Catholic liturgical calendar, are wildly popular throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. But we at the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa feel you haven’t done Carnival until you have done it Cayman style, at Cayman Carnival Batabano.

The Caymans influence starts with the name: “batabano” is a Caymanian term for the characteristic tracks sea turtles leave in the sand when they lay their eggs on our shores. Next you’ll notice our Carnival’s family-friendliness, with separate kids’ and adults’ celebrations for maximum enjoyment by both age-groups. The youth event, known as Cayman Carnival Junior Batabano, will be held this year on April 27, and features a children’s parade and costume contest as well as music, face painting, mask decorating and food stalls.

The adult Batabano celebration, marking its 30^th anniversary this year, starts on May 1^st with a series of parties, concerts, and other festivities, culminating in a grand parade on the 4^th complete with stilt walkers, acrobats, limbo dancers, masqueraders, and floats. The parade morphs into a street party as the evening wears on, with live music by DJ’s, local artists, and visiting headliners to keep you dancing all night long.

The Batabano organizers give as their mission statement the goal of embracing all ethnicities through an annual celebration of life that transcends all boundaries – social, economic, cultural, and religious – to truly unite as one. We can’t think of a more inspiring reason for throwing such an excellent island-wide party! The Westin Grand Cayman hopes you will make a point of experiencing this unique cultural event if you will be visiting with us then, and will be happy to help you with arrangements to attend.

Laughter with a Local Flavor

Cayman’s Rundown festival serves up comedy with lots of satirical spice

Most of our readers will be familiar with the phrase “giving someone the rundown,” which means briefing them on the latest news. Many who have visited the Caribbean previously will also know that “rundown” is a delicious island stew, in which an assortment of vegetables and fish are simmered in a sweet but incendiary mixture of coconut milk and scotch bonnet peppers. But we at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa insist you haven’t gotten the full rundown until you’ve seen Rundown – an annual comedy revue that has been making Caymanians roar with laughter for over 20 years.

Produced by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF), Rundown is a smorgasbord of humor, satire, skits and song, poking fun at all manner of local current events and culture. This year’s edition is written and directed by Henry Muttoo, Artistic Director of the CNCF, and features a cast comprising a Who’s Who of island actors and musicians. Topics range from local political races to beloved sports teams to interactions between Cayman’s many resident ethnic groups as well as visiting tourists – but the jibes are all friendly rather than barbed, in the spirit of friends laughing at their own foibles. This spicy-yet-sweet approach has made Rundown one of the most popular stage productions in the Cayman Islands.

Rundown 2013 will be performed at CNCF’s Harquail Theatre from April 25 through May 12. This popular show is prone to sell out, so if you would like to attend a performance while you are staying here at The Westin Grand Cayman, we advise you to look into purchasing your tickets in advance. For more information or to reserve your tickets, visit the CNCF website. Our concierges will also be happy to help with arrangements for you to take in the uniquely Caymanian comedy experience.

Destination: Fashion

Haute Couture stars during Cayman Islands Fashion Week

While Grand Cayman’s reputation as a luxury vacation destination is by now well-established, its emergence as a center of couture fashion is still underway. One of the newest showcases for this burgeoning fashion scene is Cayman Islands Fashion Week, coming up this year on April 25 through 28. Though this event has only been in existence since 2010, it has already attracted the attention of the worldwide fashion industry – and we at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa think it is a must-see for any of our fashion-conscious guests.

Originally named the Cayman Fashion Solstice, Fashion Week was created with the purpose of promoting the Cayman Islands as a fashion and lifestyle destination. This year’s edition brings not only the name change, but also a shift in date from late November to April. Events include a Culture & Style Welcome Party on Thursday April 25^th, the “MyStyle” Soiree on the 26^th, and numerous other outings and celebrations, culminating with the 2013 Runway Fashion Show on Saturday April 27^th at the Island Air Hangar. Twelve designers from London, New York, Africa, Dubai, the Caribbean and our very own Cayman Islands will show off their creations, including the popular celebrity designer Indashio. Performing hosting duties this year is America’s Next Top Model third cycle winner, actress and TV host Eva Marcille.

As Cayman Islands Fashion Week has become very popular, we advise you to secure your tickets in advance – especially if you want VIP ticket access. For further information, you can visit Cayman Islands Fashion Week’s website or its Facebook page. Our concierges at The Westin Grand Cayman can also assist you with these arrangements, as well as giving you tips on other island attractions to make your fashionable vacation complete.

Fighting the Lionfish Invasion

Caymanian divers rise to the challenge of this environmental threat

A red lionfish with spines fully deployed. Photo by Rebekah Gibson.

Alarm swept the Caymans a few years ago when ecologists reported the first sightings of a deceptively beautiful invader known as the red lionfish. Native to Indo-Pacific waters, lionfish are equipped with long spines tipped with a toxin that can make even healthy adult humans profoundly ill. They’re voracious feeders, prolific breeders, and have virtually no predators here outside their natural range; their explosive population growth raised fears that they could wreak havoc on the Caymans’ entire reef ecosystem. So resourceful local divers have been fighting back with typical Caymanian pragmatism, by hunting the lionfish every chance they get. And we at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa are proud to report that our Director of Sales, Melina Forla, is involved in these efforts.

The Cayman Department of Environment officially sanctions, licenses and trains these hunters in safe techniques. Divers use spears to hunt the fish, and protective containers to hold their catch. Lionfish, ironically, are tasty eating once those nasty spines are snipped off; Caymanian chefs have been quick to support the culling efforts by putting them on their menus, and a fundraiser cookbook has even been published. The local diving community, for its part, has risen to the challenge with gusto: one typical recent lionfish-hunting tournament brought in over 1,000 pounds of lionfish.

Long-time diver Sue Morrison gives a thumbs-up after spearing a lionfish.

Behind these divers’ enthusiasm is a deeply-felt responsibility for their beloved reefs. As one long-time diver, Rebekah Gibson, says, “Like me, every one of the people I dive with in the Cayman Islands feels as though we have inadvertently become ambassadors and protectors of our beautiful underwater world.” And Melina Forla adds, “It is hard work, exciting and has its risks but it’s a way that we are able to help to protect the marine life.” Best of all, their vigilance is actually making a significant dent in the local lionfish boom, as well as serving as a model for other Caribbean islands facing this same issue.

While lionfish hunting is restricted to Cayman residents only, visitors are welcome to observe licensed hunters go about this important work. We invite our guests here at The Westin Grand Cayman to speak with our concierges about how they can get involved – as well as where they can go to support the cause by dining on this tasty invader!

Long-time diver Sue Morrison gives a thumbs-up after spearing a lionfish

The Best Gets Even Better

Unveiling the Results of Our Multi-Million-Dollar Renovation

We’ve been quietly working away at it for months now. In fact, you may have even stayed with us and not noticed, since we were scrupulously careful to keep all sawdust and hardhats hidden from view. But now all is complete and we are proud to announce it to the world: The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa has just completed a multi-million-dollar “make-better,” refreshing every aspect of our award-winning facility from bathrooms to beach service.

Highlights of the resort-wide renovations:

• The Leo A Daly design team, led by Pat Miller and Kathy Armstrong, created a relaxed island atmosphere that rejuvenates resort guests throughout their stay, using an eclectic mix of natural materials in soft blues and whites for a bright island glow. Our renovated lobby now projects a Caribbean bungalow atmosphere.

• Guest rooms and suites have been revamped with new furniture, granite vanities, flat-screen plasma televisions, artwork, carpeting, Westin Heavenly Bed® linens and duvets, plush towels and Heavenly bath amenities. Guest bathrooms now feature polished marble flooring and striking snapshots by local photographer Patty Hinz.

• Our freshwater swimming pool has been upgraded with a new surface and lighting, plus additional poolside cabanas to round out our new Pool & Beach Experience, offering activities such as Paddleboard Yoga, Water Aerobics and Children's Fitness programs.

• We enhanced our Fitness Center with new equipment, flooring and fresh paint. Our renowned meeting and banquet space were updated with modern carpeting and painting as well.

• Our new Beach Ambassadors pamper guests from the moment they set foot on the property – from placing lounge chairs at sun worshippers' desired spots, to serving up creative frozen drink and beach grill orders.

We can’t wait to show off the refreshed Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa to all our friends, old and new. To come check out the renovation yourself, please call (345) 945-3800 or visit our website.

 

Our New Culinary Artist in Residence

Introducing our award-winning new Executive Chef, Michael Farrell

New Orleans and Grand Cayman may be separated by some 900 miles of ocean, but the two places have a lot more in common than people may realize. They share many cultural commonalities, so much so that New Orleans has been referred to as the northernmost Caribbean city. And now New Orleans and Grand Cayman have one more commonality: Michael Farrell, who has just relocated from New Orleans to become the new Executive Chef of The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa.

Chef Farrell has been pleasing diners and restaurant critics across the United States for a good 25 years, winning recognition from such authorities as the James Beard Foundation, Wine Spectator, bon appétit and DiRoNA. Since 2009, his culinary gifts have been bestowed on New Orleans, a city which shares with Grand Cayman a deep appreciation of fine cuisine. Le Meritage and Bistreaux, the two restaurants he founded in the Crescent City, have won numerous accolades, Le Meritage for Farrell’s take on Southern Coastal cuisine, and Bistreaux for a menu he has dubbed “inspired comfort food.”

Chef Farrell is excited to be bringing his style of New Orleans Southern Coastal cuisine to the Caymans, and to our signature restaurants Casa Havana and Ferdinand’s as well as our poolside and beachside dining offerings. He’s purchasing only the freshest ingredients from local Caymanian farmers and fishermen, incorporating coastal options such as oysters and caviar from the Gulf, and delicacies like spiny lobster from neighboring islands.

“Food is an edible art,” Chef Farrell has said. “When executed properly it can caress all five senses. Like great art, food sustains and inspires us.” All of us at the Westin Grand Cayman look forward to sharing Chef Farrell’s edible art inspirations with our guests and the entire Cayman Island culinary scene.

Red Sky at Night, Artists’ Delight

Cayfest revamps this year's schedule to present a February evening of arts

Photo: artscayman.org

We seafaring Caymanians have great affection for the old weather-lore saying “red sky at night, sailor’s delight,” as it predicts smooth sailing and good times. So it is only fitting that when the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) decided to rearrange its beloved Cayfest arts festival and move it from April to February, it seemed only natural to name the new main attraction “Red Sky at Night.” And we here at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa can’t wait to see it!

The Red Sky at Night Festival, on Saturday February 23, is a one-evening crystallization of everything the Caymans has to offer in the way of performing and visual arts. CNCF has made a great effort to reach out to all Caymanians to participate, seeking singers, dancers, actors, storytellers, musicians, painters, photographers, culinary artists, craftspeople, and more. All of these artists will take over the CNCF’s F.J. Harquail Cultural Center for the evening, presenting live performances and exhibits throughout the center’s grounds.

More performances will be happening indoors in the center’s theaters, along with films by Caribbean filmmakers. An especially exciting feature of the Festival will be a tree-decorating competition: local Caymanian organizations will transform the trees on the Center’s grounds with designs that convey the groups’ mission and message.

For visitors to the Caymans, Cayfest’s Red Sky at Night Festival provides an opportunity to experience innumerable facets of our nation’s culture and our people’s creativity, all in one place on one night. We here at the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa feel this festival will greatly enrich your vacation time with us – and will also be a whole lot of fun! For further details, visit the CNCF’s webpage about the festival, or speak with one of our concierges, who will be glad to help with arrangements for you to attend.

The Rat Pack Rides Again

Gala fundraiser presents a night of classic Vegas glamour for a good cause

In just a few short weeks, just down the road from The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa, the legendary Rat Pack will live again, in a gala evening of comedy, song, dining, and dancing – all for a worthy cause. And if you’ll be staying with us at that time and play your cards right, you could get in on a piece of the action!

The Red Dress Oscar Gala, now in its sixth year, is a massively-popular fundraiser for the Cayman Heart Fund – and this time the organizers have outdone themselves. Taking place on Friday night, February 8, at the Marriot Ballroom, this year’s edition of the Gala will feature a respected Rat Pack tribute act flown in from the United States, presenting skilled interpretations of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. Local favorites the Sea ‘N B Band will provide backup to this trio’s act of song and smart-aleckery, as well as music for dancing. Guests are encouraged to dress up as their favorite movie stars; best-dressed couple will win airline tickets and a three-night stay in Miami, Florida courtesy of Cayman Airways and Hard Rock Cafe. Best of all, proceeds benefit the vital mission of the Cayman Heart Fund, as they work to fight heart disease in the Caymanian population.

We at the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa think this would be a particularly wonderful event for you, our guests – you get to experience a unique evening of entertainment that will be a highlight of your vacation, while also feeling good about giving back to your island hosts. Tickets for this event are going fast, so be sure to contact the Cayman Heart Fund right away at caymanheartfund@gmail.com or 345-916-6324. Or speak with one of our concierges to help you make arrangements.

Photo: Chad Kainz

The Unity Sand Ceremony

Add a beautiful touch of the Caymans to your seaside wedding celebration

Photo: Madeleine Ball

When you celebrate your wedding here at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa, we are certain that the beauty of our beachside setting will make memories you and your families will cherish for years to come. To add a tangible element of our gorgeous beach to your ceremony, as well as a meaningful Caymanesque keepsake, we can think of no better symbol than the Unity Sand Ceremony.

The Unity Sand Ceremony has much in common with other Unity Ceremonies that have become popular additions to wedding celebrations, but instead of two candle flames becoming one, the Sand Ceremony uses sand as its symbolic elements. The usual method is to have a small, appropriately-decorated table set up bearing an attractive glass Unity Vase, plus two smaller containers of sand, each dyed a distinct color to symbolize the bride and groom. Accompanied by suitable readings from the officiant or other members of the wedding party, the bride and groom pour their colored sand into the Unity Vase. The two colors of sand blend together inseparably, symbolizing the blended lives of the couple joined together in love and harmony.

The Sand Ceremony is an especially significant ritual for blended families – children from a previous marriage can take part, adding colored sands of their own, to demonstrate how they too are now blended into the loving unity of the new family. And to symbolize that this union took place on the sands of Grand Cayman, one can even layer some pure white sand from Seven Mile Beach into the Unity vase.

Our wedding planners at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa will be happy to assist you with the arrangements for a Unity Sand Ceremony, and every other detail that will make your wedding a perfect occasion. We look forward to serving you!