Butterflies, Breadfruit & Bougainvilleas

“I have the hard part, because I have to grow all the things she uses in the kitchen,” says Harvey Stephenson, referring to his wife Betty and their Grand Cayman Island agri-tourism enterprise, The Retreat at Lookout. “This keeps me healthy.”

You’d be healthy, too, if you grew all your own food—breadfruit, melons, lemons and limes, plantains, pumpkin, scallions, eggplant, passionfruit, coconuts, sugar cane—just an example of some of the farm-grown delights appearing on the menu at this hidden 20-acre retreat near Bodden Town, on the east side of Grand Cayman Island.

Unspoiled orchards and tropical gardens surround a small enclave of eight rooms (and one self-contained unit) nestled among gazebos and terraces, pond, a plant nursery and a swimming pool. This little slice of Caymanian heaven caters to nature-lovers who want to veer away from the regular tourist route.

“Nothing makes Harvey more proud than showing guests around the gardens and orchards,” says Lookout Sales and Marketing Manager Lisa Butcher. “There is a real pride and warmth about The Retreat, and guests really notice. Everyone says that the best part of their stay is meeting Betty and Harvey. They are like celebrities!”

With the beach at Bodden Town 15 minutes away, most guests rent a car, which then also allows for short hops to George Town, Camana Bay, Stingray City, the Turtle Farm, the Farmer’s Market, Smith Cove, Rum Point or Seven Mile Beach. Bodden Town has deep historical roots, having once been Grand Cayman’s first capital and home to Pedro Castle, the island’s oldest building (circa 1635). The region still trades in stories of Blackbeard and buried treasure.

But back to the food. Guests embrace the freshness of callaloo, ginger, watermelon, basil and breadfruit harvested every day. Breakfast at the hotel is said to be the best on the island, no doubt due to the short distance the ingredients have to travel. Other delights include saltfish and ackee, with pairings of ripe plantain and johnny cakes with mango or sea grape jam.

If only your local Booster Juice had access to trees like this: Find five types of mangos, lime, sweet sop, soursop, custard apple, cashew, ackee, white grape, passion fruit, pineapple, guavas, roseapple, avocado, jackfruit and malay apple. Fresh herbs include basil, tumeric, thyme, cilantro, parsley, lemongrass, marjoram, oregano, ginger, mint, thyme and rosemary—truly the whole spice rack.

“The most rewarding part of the place is sharing a different side of Grand Cayman with guests,” says Butcher. “It’s wonderful to see our guests get to try so many different fruits, juices and dishes at breakfast in the morning. Often we get emails when guests return home, asking about recipes.”

It all boils down to true Caribbean hospitality, combining the best of the region’s many culinary influences.

The Retreat at Lookout, 521 Lookout Road, Bodden Town, Grand Cayman.Tel: 001-705-719-9144. Write to them at reservations@retreatatlookout.com.