Home Local New hotel to focus on ‘wellness, adventure and sustainability’

VIDA has opened near Barkers national park. - Photo: Vida

New hotel to focus on ‘wellness, adventure and sustainability’

2 April 2024

A new luxury boutique hotel has opened on the northwestern tip of Grand Cayman and the Compass took a sneak peak behind its doors.

Situated on the edge of Barkers national park, Vida is perhaps the first resort on the island to focus on the “wellness” tourism sector, which is one of its “three pillars” alongside sustainability and adventure.

Yoga, reiki, meditation and workout classes will all be offered by local professionals who also work for private studios or who offer their own classes.

The 'studio apartments' - or one bed hotel rooms - come equipped with yoga mats and composting bins — The ‘studio apartments’ – or one bed hotel rooms – come equipped with yoga mats and composting bins. – Photo: @cortezvernon

And for the more adventurous, there are horse rides into the national park, ATV treks across the sand, guided tours of mangrove forests, kiteboarding and freediving.

The new building, designed by architect Derek Serpell, includes 12 one-, two-, and three-bedroom, individually designed suites that “combine sustainable architecture with elegant, contemporary design”, the hotel says.

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Manager Milly Serpell explained: “Vida is a very special place. It was essential to support our surrounding ecological systems; local trees have been painstakingly protected during the building process, allowing wildlife to remain and flourish.”

“The overall feel is personal and relaxed, with an emphasis on wellbeing, and we look forward to welcoming locals to our wellness, adventure, retreat, and food and beverage offerings.”

The smaller rooms have a kitchenette - pictured - and the larger ones have a full range of cooking appliances. A private chef is also available. — The smaller rooms have a kitchenette – pictured – and the larger ones have a full range of cooking appliances. A private chef is also available.

Artwork in the rooms has all been sourced from local artists.

The two bedrooms suites have large living areas — The two-bedroom suites have large living areas.

The hotel has a pool, a stillness deck for relaxation, an indoor gym and an ocean facing, open-air movement deck.

All the artwork in guest suites is by local artists including Jo Austin, Susanna Snowden, Julie Corsetti, Ren Seffer and Dan Ward.

Vida commissioned Pam and Marc Laurenson of STOAK’D Art to create something unique to be installed in the lobby.

The master bedroom in the three-bedroom suite. – Photo: @cortezvernon

The rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors look out over the ocean.

Yoga classes will be offered on the beach or on the movement deck.

Other local partnerships include working closely with Beacon Farms who will be receiving all Vida’s green waste for compost and providing fruit and vegetables to Nourish, its in-house restaurant.

Nourish is led by award-winning local chef Maureen ‘Mo’ Cubbon, whose menu is inspired by the islands’ bounty, providing a high-quality, whole-ingredient classic menu with contemporary twists.

Operations manager Natalia Radchenko said, “Vida will be about us knowing our guests, ensuring that the connections and experiences they make while on the island will leave them with memories that will last forever.”