Grand Cayman trip review
Mar 24th, 2008, 08:41 AM
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Grand Cayman trip review
We recently returned from Grand Cayman, staying at the Westin Hotel. Thanks to the postings on this site we received excellent travel information. Just passing on our comments to others planning trips there in future.
The Westin was a great choice. The hotel is on the beach side of the main road that goes along Seven Mile Beach. This road is very busy at times, and can be difficult to cross the street. The Westin is a smaller complex than The Ritz-Carlton down the street. At the Westin, getting to the beach from your hotel room is a short walk –not a hike, like at the Ritz. Our third floor room was clean, the beds were very comfortable, and our reservation was in order with a view of the ocean and of the street side. The staff was helpful and friendly. Even though there were several groups meeting there, we never felt overwhelmed with crowds of people. The beach and the water were beautiful. Seven mile beach had everything you could want—water sports, snorkeling, a beach bar & café at our hotel, and all in a quiet setting on the sand. The pool area centered a crowd more with small children.
We ate at some wonderful restaurants starting with the Westin’s Tortuga beach café. Tortuga’s had a nice menu with some different sandwiches and regular cuisine. At Eats Café (across the street from Westin) our son had quick, good, and reasonable priced breakfast every day and some very good lunches. My husband and I would just grab a quick coffee at the Westin’s coffee bar café and enjoy sitting at the pool area in the morning. We enjoyed our coffee with a rum cake treat left the night before by the maid. We had excellent meals at Luca –the fusilli with chicken and Parma ham in white truffle oil was very good. This restaurant is not noisy (like the Wharf restaurant), the prices were reasonable and I would definitely go there again. Periwinkle at the Ritz had excellent food at a reasonable price. Our reservations were at 8pm (next time go at 8:30 restaurant is much quieter) and the place was filled with families who had small noisy children. It is located next to a lagoon that had a foul odor that would waft at times through the restaurant. The wind must have shifted because by 9pm we didn’t notice the odor anymore. We had the best Paella at Hemmingways. This is an excellent and quiet restaurant. WE also had good meals at the Reef Grill at Royal Palms. If you dine at Deckers Grill and Lounge, ask to be seated inside. Outside has too much road noise. My husband had a good Sea Bass with risotto/lobster dish. My son and I had the ravioli with lobster that had too much sauce on it. We were able to walk to all these restaurants, except we drove to the Reef Grill.
On the way to Rum point we stopped for lunch at Over the Edge. My husband had the codfish & Ackee dish. It was good but very pungent—definitely need a beer with it.
We did the Red Sail Sports trip to Stingray City and snorkeling to reef. It was a good tour and they included a lunch that was nice.
The turtle farm is okay. I think it is over priced. We paid $54 for three adult tickets. If you have small children this would be nice stop to see and hold a green sea turtle. The tour was about 30mins.
If you like their beer, make a stop at the Caybrew brewery in Red Bay. We enjoyed a free beer and an informative tour.
We rented a car for two days from Avis at the Westin. I think next time we will rent for 1 day. I hope this helps folks that are planning trips.
The Westin was a great choice. The hotel is on the beach side of the main road that goes along Seven Mile Beach. This road is very busy at times, and can be difficult to cross the street. The Westin is a smaller complex than The Ritz-Carlton down the street. At the Westin, getting to the beach from your hotel room is a short walk –not a hike, like at the Ritz. Our third floor room was clean, the beds were very comfortable, and our reservation was in order with a view of the ocean and of the street side. The staff was helpful and friendly. Even though there were several groups meeting there, we never felt overwhelmed with crowds of people. The beach and the water were beautiful. Seven mile beach had everything you could want—water sports, snorkeling, a beach bar & café at our hotel, and all in a quiet setting on the sand. The pool area centered a crowd more with small children.
We ate at some wonderful restaurants starting with the Westin’s Tortuga beach café. Tortuga’s had a nice menu with some different sandwiches and regular cuisine. At Eats Café (across the street from Westin) our son had quick, good, and reasonable priced breakfast every day and some very good lunches. My husband and I would just grab a quick coffee at the Westin’s coffee bar café and enjoy sitting at the pool area in the morning. We enjoyed our coffee with a rum cake treat left the night before by the maid. We had excellent meals at Luca –the fusilli with chicken and Parma ham in white truffle oil was very good. This restaurant is not noisy (like the Wharf restaurant), the prices were reasonable and I would definitely go there again. Periwinkle at the Ritz had excellent food at a reasonable price. Our reservations were at 8pm (next time go at 8:30 restaurant is much quieter) and the place was filled with families who had small noisy children. It is located next to a lagoon that had a foul odor that would waft at times through the restaurant. The wind must have shifted because by 9pm we didn’t notice the odor anymore. We had the best Paella at Hemmingways. This is an excellent and quiet restaurant. WE also had good meals at the Reef Grill at Royal Palms. If you dine at Deckers Grill and Lounge, ask to be seated inside. Outside has too much road noise. My husband had a good Sea Bass with risotto/lobster dish. My son and I had the ravioli with lobster that had too much sauce on it. We were able to walk to all these restaurants, except we drove to the Reef Grill.
On the way to Rum point we stopped for lunch at Over the Edge. My husband had the codfish & Ackee dish. It was good but very pungent—definitely need a beer with it.
We did the Red Sail Sports trip to Stingray City and snorkeling to reef. It was a good tour and they included a lunch that was nice.
The turtle farm is okay. I think it is over priced. We paid $54 for three adult tickets. If you have small children this would be nice stop to see and hold a green sea turtle. The tour was about 30mins.
If you like their beer, make a stop at the Caybrew brewery in Red Bay. We enjoyed a free beer and an informative tour.
We rented a car for two days from Avis at the Westin. I think next time we will rent for 1 day. I hope this helps folks that are planning trips.
Mar 25th, 2008, 05:45 PM
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Nice report!
I have to agree that the Reef has good food - their pizza is some of the best that I have ever had! We had a goat cheese pizza that was simply to die for!
Haven't had a chance to check out Eats yet (not sure why - I've been here a month already!), but really do want to try Perriwinkles.
Were you hear this past week? Lots of kids around - I think because of spring break. Not sure how many small kids will be around when school gets back in.
I have to agree that the Reef has good food - their pizza is some of the best that I have ever had! We had a goat cheese pizza that was simply to die for!
Haven't had a chance to check out Eats yet (not sure why - I've been here a month already!), but really do want to try Perriwinkles.
Were you hear this past week? Lots of kids around - I think because of spring break. Not sure how many small kids will be around when school gets back in.
Jan 24th, 2009, 01:47 PM
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Cambee, thanks for your trip report which I just came across today. I am trying to plan our trip for 2010 & your report has helped.We are looking for a luxurious beachfront hotel/resort/condo w/ great pools on 7MB. Do you think Westin wld be a good choice? Recommendations?
Jan 24th, 2009, 04:54 PM
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OceanBreeze1,
Check out www.caymanvacations.com. Look at the condos in central Seven Mile Beach. Same stretch of beach as the Westin and many are new more luxurious properties.
Check out www.caymanvacations.com. Look at the condos in central Seven Mile Beach. Same stretch of beach as the Westin and many are new more luxurious properties.
