We've just spent a week on Grand Cayman for the fifth time in about 25 years; this time with our son, his wife and two-year-old grandson. A great time! We were lucky to find the Villas of the Galleon condos the first time and have never looked back. The first time, the Villas were between the Holiday Inn and a vacant lot. Now they're between the Westin and the Ritz-Carlton, right on the best part of the best beach. They're upscale, well-kept and well-run, still by the same manager we first met 25 years ago. No pool, but hey, you're at the beach!

We toured the Ritz-Carlton and got lost. We thought it overblown and pretentious. The hotel itself is on the wrong side of a busy highway (though you can traverse a long, cavernous covered bridge over it). Individual cabana chairs line the beach row upon row. It looked difficult to glimpse the water from the second row on back.

We had a better impression of the Westin. Smaller but not too small, right on the beach and with plenty of amenities, it appealed to us far more. Beaches on Cayman are open, by the way, although some are demarcated with a rope you can just step over.

No ax to grind, just our impressions of three properties right next to each other. For us the Villas of the Galleon will always be the choice. The Ocean View units actually do have a good view and are just steps from the Ocean Front units.

P.S. Sorry, no nightlife, sightseeing or shopping tips. We skipped Georgetown and the cruise passengers. We didn't go anywhere but to that great beach.