Words by Ruchika Verma
At first glance you’ll be transported to the pages of Ernest Hemingway’s Islands in the Stream, where Thomas Hudson’s gaze lingers over the emerald expanse of Cayo Guillermo as he whispers “See how green she is and full of promise?” – and full of promise she was.
Cayo Guillermo lives up to its literary allure, with its pristine white sands and shimmering hues of blue and green that stretch as far as the eye can see. For me, it’s a sight reminiscent of only one other destination in the world; the Maldives. Admist this natural beauty, you’ll find the Kempinski Cayo Guillermo Resort, a hidden gem that is nestled in a setting that seems handpicked for perfection, with its secluded shores and limited number of surrounding resorts.
As I embraced the barefoot island nature and sank my toes into the soft, white sand, with a mojito raised to the crystal-clear turquoise waters, I immediately understood why this destination was Hemmingway’s inspiration and playground.
Hotel
Debuting onto Cuba’s shores in 2017, the Kempinski brand unfurled the tapestry of luxury hospitality in Havana, igniting a flame across the island. Continuing this legacy, the unveiling of the Kempinski Cayo Guillermo Resort in 2020 heralded a new epoch of extravagance in Cuba, marking the island’s first non-all-inclusive beach retreat coupled with the island’s first overwater villas, following the footsteps of those found in the Maldives.
The concept of Kempinski Cayo Guillermo is simple: Barefoot luxury. As you step into the open-air lobby, the lingering scent of the ocean paired with a symphony of grandeur and understated sophistication envelops you, setting the stage for your stay. The architectural design echoes the hues of the natural surroundings, with the dark wood panelling of the high ceilings complementing the turquoise tiled flooring, giving it a rustic yet contemporary flair. It represents a breath of modernity in Cuba, where each corner of the resort features this refreshingly minimalist contemporary design.
This beachfront resort benefits from multiple restaurants and bars, a spa, an activities centre, and a fully-equipped gym and tennis court, the perfect blend to escape the city and truly enjoy a secluded beach retreat.
Rooms and suites
The 245 rooms and suites radiate thoughtful design, with the cool blue panelling and rich dark brown hues dancing elegantly against whitewashed walls, all bathed in the gentle glow of natural light streaming through expansive balcony windows. At the centre lies the plush king-size bed providing a front-row seat to nature’s nightly spectacle as the Caribbean sky transforms into a canvas of pink and orange hues at dusk. The bathroom is a sanctuary in itself, with beige and rose accents replacing the whitewashed walls to evoke a sense of tranquillity, featuring both a deep marble bathtub and a separate rainfall shower.
For the ultimate indulgence and guaranteed privacy, booking one of the seven overwater villas is a necessity. Resembling the iconic structures of the Maldives, these thatched-roof villas perch gracefully over crystal-clear blue waters, each boasting an infinity pool that offers endless vistas of the shimmering sea, creating an idyllic, secluded oasis.
Inside, the pearly white interiors spanning 134 sqm, accented by chocolate-toned frames, exude modern elegance. However, the true pièce de resistance is the freestanding white bathtub perfectly poised in front of the window, enticing you to immerse yourself in pure relaxation while soaking in breath-taking views. While I unfortunately couldn’t experience the overwater villas due to emergency repairs on the walkway during my stay, I had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of their beauty and cannot wait to return to fully immerse myself in this one-of-a-kind luxury experience in Cuba.
Food and drink
Indulging in a sumptuous breakfast is a cherished ritual for me, and the Kempinski Cayo Guillermo served this up on a silver platter. Their breakfast offerings combined classic a la carte delights with tantalising local specialties; from savoury temptations that awake the palate to the sweet crescendo of French crepes adorned with decadent streams of golden nectar, I couldn’t help but succumb to the temptation of both options each day.
Recognising there aren’t many restaurants in the vicinity, the Kempinski Cayo Guillermo offers three distinct restaurants for lunch and dinner, ranging from casual to fine dining experiences. Each venue provides a varied menu and being nestled by the sea, it comes as no surprise that seafood takes centre stage, with a bounty of ocean treasures showcased in every menu.
My culinary voyage continued throughout the day with the subtle umami notes of the tuna tartare that left me craving for more, followed by the local prawns bathed in a unique blend of local spice that danced upon my tongue. Seafood aficionados are also in for a royal treat as the crowned king of the ocean makes a prominent appearance in various delectable forms, whether it’s the richness of lobster bisque, the simplicity of lobster spaghetti, or the succulent grilled lobster. And no culinary journey would be complete without a sweet finale. The velvety essence of chocolate truffles enveloped me in a blissful haze of indulgence, leaving me utterly content.
As the evening transitioned into nightfall, the options for a nightcap were equally tempting. Whether it was the ambient charm of Las Dunas lobby bar, the sophistication of Hemingway cigar bar and lounge, or the soulful notes of the jazz bar, there was a perfect potion awaiting to lull me into a restful night’s sleep. While my usual poison is a Negroni, when in Cuba it’s a crime not to sample one of the intoxicating rum-based cocktails – they are sinfully delicious!
To do
The ritual of soaking in the warm rays whilst immersing myself in a captivating novel and letting time slip away was enough to pass my days in Cayo Guillermo. But if the allure of the sun-soaked pages isn’t quite your cup of tea, there are plenty of other activities on offer at the resort, ranging from snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters to setting sail on a catamaran excursion, where the horizon becomes your playground.
If you prefer to keep your feet firmly planted on solid ground, you can challenge your travel companion to a friendly match at the resort’s tennis court, keep yourself fit at the well-equipped on-site gym, or surrender yourself to the serene embrace of the spa sanctuary.
In a nutshell
The Kempinski Cayo Guillermo experience goes beyond mere accommodation; it’s a journey into tranquillity where every moment is crafted to perfection. As I savoured each sip of my drink and let the gentle sea breeze caress my skin, I knew that this was more than just a vacation – it was a rendezvous with paradise itself, in a country I’d least expect to find this level of luxury.
Factbox
Rooms can be booked from £125 pppn.
Address: Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski Cuba, Crta. Cayo Guillermo Km. 56 (final), Cayo Guillermo, 69400, Cuba
Phone: +53 33 31 05 00
Email: reservations.cayoguillermo@kempinski.com
Website: kempinski.com/en/cayo-guillermo-resort
Ruchika Verma is a freelance travel writer from London. She is also a renewable energy lawyer at one of the world’s leading renewable energy infrastructure companies. Follow her on Instagram @wandering_ruchika and read more of her travels on wanderingruchika.com.
