My husband is a keen diver and has his eye on the Cayman Islands for early next year. As it's me who'll actually be "on" the island for most of the time, is there much to see, and more importantly for me, are there any smart luxury hotels there? Kylie Dryden, Nottingham

Sunday Times expert Richard Green responds: The star attractions are indeed underwater, but there are a few diversions on Grand Cayman itself, and a few top-notch hotels too.

The little capital at George Town, at the south end of Seven Mile Beach is a pleasant place, with some old-world charm and lots of shopping, eating and drinking options. North of George Town, at West Quay, is the Cayman Turtle Farm, and nearby is Hell, a diddy hamlet which lives off people using its post office for the postmark.

Along the south coast is a former 18th Century mansion called Pedro St James, which is a museum on the island's history. Opposite on the North shore is Rum Point, where you'll find the low key The Wreck Bar ­ a great place for sundowners away from the main tourist area.

The most luxurious hotel on the island is The Ritz Carlton; a 345-room five star set in 144 acres of land on Seven Mile Beach. Rooms are brightly coloured and have balconies, and the resort has a fine beach, large pool, seven restaurants (including Blue, by Eric Ripert, which has outstanding seafood), and the first La Prairie Spa in the Caribbean. Tropical Sky (0870 9079 605) has a week here from £1,566pp room only, with flights from Heathrow.

Or a stroll up the beach is the Westin Casuarina, with 336 rooms, three restaurants, a large pool, and Hibiscus Spa. It's perhaps not as grand as the Ritz Carlton, but still a great place for a week on a terrific beach. Caribtours (020 7751 0660) has a week from £1,799pp, room only, with flights from Heathrow.

Or try Kuoni (01306 747 002). For more information, visit www.caymanislands.co.uk, or try Cayman Islands (Bradt Guides, £12.95), and Cayman Islands Insight Pocket Guide (£7.99, www.insightguides.com).

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