It's listed as a Guest House in the phone book, and called a Tropical Inn as well—don't be confused, it's both. There are 4 guest rooms with bathrooms en-suite on the 2nd floor of the original Caribbean house, giving it the feel of a B&B. Downstairs is a full-kitchen, a spacious dining room, and another common room to share with other guests. A handful of other buildings are part of the inn, with 2 one-bedroom garden suites available that offer a private entrance. There is even a 4-bedroom apartment fully kitted out with a well-stocked kitchen.

Eldemire is a family name, and the inn is still family owned. Originally opened in 1977 by the late Erma Bodden-Eldemire, a born and raised Caymanian from George Town, it was the first Government Licensed Guest House in the Cayman Islands. Erma’s daughter "Tootie" Eldemire is now the matriarch, a quirky, congenial host who some might call eccentric. She’s great at helping guests navigate the area, and she’s a wealth of information about otherwise hidden treasures. Her niece,  Nicki Eldemire, owns a stable on Barker’s Beach on the north west coast and she can direct you there for horse-back riding on the beach—a real treat!

She will tell you that her prices are the lowest on the island, and she’s right. She tends the lovely gardens with flowering trees, the tiny pool, and chooses the lime and coral tropical colors that give the place a cheerful, communal ambiance both inside and out. It's not fancy but it feels like home.

Just a mile outside of George Town, the inn is popular with a varied bunch of international and solo travelers mixing with students and groups—there are special group rates.