btramont

We are planning on going to the Cayman's for Thanksgiving and wanted to stay on the east side at The Reef. We will be traveling with teenagers and with elementary aged kids. I really don't want the hoopla of SMB, but still want enough to keep us busy. Would this be a good alternative to the SMB area?

doug_stallings

If you are looking for a quieter place, then this might be a good option. You'll need to rent a car so you can get to restaurants and activities, but the beach here is pretty good. The only drawback is that it's a long drive (at least 30 minutes) to much of anything else on the island. But the resort itself is very nice, and if you get a larger unit it's more like an apartment with a kitchen. I like this place a lot (I've stayed here before, though a long time back.)

virginia

yes. the reef is great - huge beach. lots of activities planned by resort offered daily.
you should know that the resort is near nothing except a tiny mall with one shop (plus grocery, liquor & soso bakery) and morritts resorts.
you will need a car if you plan to go do anything.
you should try to include a morning walk through the botanical gardens.
go to rum point for an afternoon (not on sunday it's closed) of beach & snorkeling. they have a great beach bar and beach grill. tons of picnic tables with shade.
drive on around the east end (from the reef) to find the blow holes on a windy day - marked by rudimentry sign on island side of road.
do plan to take a day & go over to georgetown. shopping galore, fun restaurants (guy harvey is my fav). i did not really care for the turtle farm - i have swum with to many in the ocean and was uncomfortable seeing them in small tanks, and knowing some will be used for food.
you are near ocean frontiers and red sail sports so look at both on line for excursions you might like to take.
the reef has a tuesday/friday afternoon trip to stingray city which i strongly recommend.

luvtotravl

The Reef Resort is our favorite place to stay in Grand Cayman (we now own 4 weeks in winter at the Reef and 2 weeks at Morritts Grand Resort so we are east end people!). We used to stay on 7MB but much prefer the more "island feel" of the east end. Our kids are never bored, and we usually stay for 2 weeks at a time. They have great pools, hot tubs, volleyball (beach & pool), tennis courts, basketball hoop, etc, in addition to excellent snorkeling right out in front of the resorts. Our girls enjoy riding bikes as well, and stopping along the way to look for shells. Get a car and spend a day in the 7MB/Georgetown area, and a day at Rum Point, so you can see all sides of Grand Cayman. I can't imagine that you won't have a wonderful time! Last winter we did "swim with the dolphins" too (please don't hate us!) and had a great time.

btramont

Thanks for all of your suggestions. It sounds as if we will have plenty to keep us busy!

SunLvr

Unless you plan on buying into their resort, stay away from the sales pitch and Mr. Penn. Enjoy your vacation and don't be lured into anything with gifts.

Good luck.