Next week the Best of Cayman Islands 2026 winners will receive their awards during a celebration at Grand Old House.
Dozens of businesses from across the island received Gold and Silver medals in various categories, with the results announced at the end of August.
The awards are determined through public nominations and cover a wide range of sectors, from Home and Garden, and Food and Beverage to Law, Real Estate and Financial Services.
Here, Cayman Independent has put the spotlight on four winners to find out what makes them shine.
Vanity Salon and Spa
Four Golds: Facial, Hair Salon, Lash Extension, Nail Salon
Two Silver: Hair Removal, Spa
Vanity Salon and Spa offers a range of beauty services, including hair styling, facials, nails and hair removal.
The salon, in Midtown Plaza, George Town, was established almost 40 years ago and is now owned by Mileidy Rodriguez.
Rodriguez joined when she was just 20 years old, and after ten years was able to buy the salon.
“Going from a young stylist behind the chair to becoming the owner has been a very special journey for me,” she told Cayman Independent.
Winning four Golds and two Silvers in the Best of Cayman Islands Awards means a huge amount to the team, Rodriguez explains.
“It feels like a reflection of the love and support we’ve received from our clients and the Cayman community over the years.
“After so many hours behind the chair doing what we love – helping people look beautiful, feel confident and leave happy – it is incredibly rewarding to receive this recognition.”
Rodriguez believes the atmosphere at the salon and the relationships her team has built sets them apart.
“The salon is always busy, happy and full of good energy. We genuinely enjoy working together and doing what we love,” she said.
“For us, it’s not just about providing a service; we want every client to have a wonderful experience and feel good from the moment they walk through our doors.”
For more on Vanity Salon and Spa visit vanity.ky
Ristorante Pappagallo
Five Golds: Fine Dining Restaurant, Italian Restaurant, Romantic Restaurant, Special Occasion Restaurant, Brunch
Italian eatery Ristorante Pappagallo has been a popular part of the Grand Cayman food scene since it was built from scratch in 1985.
The restaurant is situated on a 14-acre bird sanctuary overlooking a natural saltwater lagoon and constructed out of bamboo, mahogany, wicker and thatch to blend in with its natural surroundings.
Current owner Vico Testori said the team was “ecstatic and incredibly honoured” by this year’s results.
“Winning five Gold Awards was very special for all of us and a wonderful recognition of the hard work our team puts in every day,” he told Cayman Independent.
Testori said the accolades were extra meaningful because they were decided by the public.
“Knowing that both our local and overseas guests took the time to vote for us tells us that what we are doing is appreciated, and that is probably the greatest compliment we could receive,” he explained.
Asked what makes the restaurant stand out from the crowd, Testori said: “I would say consistency, hard work and warm hospitality have always been at the heart of Pappagallo.
“We genuinely care about our guests and try to make everyone who walks through our doors feel welcome.
“Of course, great food is important, but ultimately, we want people to leave having had a great experience and wanting to come back. I think that philosophy has helped us endure for so many years.”
Restaurante Pappagallo has been closed since 6 September for a refresh, but is reopening on 26 September.
For more on the restaurant visit pappagallo.ky
Complete Maintenance Ltd
Two Golds: House Painters, Property Management
Two Silvers: Residential/Professional Cleaning, General Contractor
Complete Maintenance Ltd offers a range of interior construction and renovation services, from small projects to taking an interior from the gutting stage through to the completed space.
The Cayman firm was set up in 2019 by husband-and-wife team Davion and Stephanie Foster. Davion had worked in maintenance, management and construction, while Stephanie came from a background in accounting and architecture.
“We recognised that by combining those different skill sets, we could create a company that approached interior construction from both the creative/design side and the practical construction and project-delivery side,” Stephanie explained.
She said being a smaller, boutique company, it has been extremely rewarding to be recognised alongside some of the larger and more established firms in the industry.
“It reinforces for us that you do not necessarily have to be the biggest company to make an impact.”
Stephanie believes their “hands-on, personal approach” sets them apart.
“Our clients are not simply another job number; we take the time to understand what they are trying to achieve and pay very close attention to the details that bring their vision together.”
She said the Best of Cayman Islands awards feel particularly special because they “represent recognition from the people we ultimately work for – our clients and our community”.
“To receive four awards in our very first year of being nominated is something we are extremely proud of, and it motivates us to continue raising the standard of our work,” she added.
For more on Complete Maintenance Ltd visit completemaintenanceky.com
Cayman Travel Services
One Gold: Travel Agent
Established in 1980, Cayman Travel Services is another long-serving Grand Cayman company.
The firm, in Sheddon Road, George Town, has grown and evolved over the years, serving multiple generations of leisure and business travellers.
General manager Mindy Scott-Hennings said winning the Best of Cayman Islands award was “incredibly meaningful” for the team.
“We have been fortunate to win Gold every year since the Best of Cayman competition began four years ago, and to receive that recognition consistently means a great deal to our entire team.
“After 46 years in business, knowing that Cayman continues to choose and support us is something we are extremely proud of.”
Scott-Hennings believes the company’s success has much to do with the staff and the “extraordinary amount of experience” within the team.
“Several of our staff have spent 30 or even 40 years in the travel industry, and that knowledge is invaluable,” she explained.
“Travel has become increasingly complex, and our clients know they can call us and speak to someone who understands not just how to make a booking, but how to find the best fares and routings, navigate complicated ticketing and visa requirements, and help when something doesn’t go according to plan.”
She said Cayman Travel Services also have longstanding relationships with many of the major airlines and travel suppliers, which can be “extremely valuable” when a client needs assistance with a schedule change, cancellation, waiver or refund.
For more on the firm visit caymantravel.ky.
The Best of Cayman Awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, 1 October between 4pm and 7pm.
