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I am planning a trip using my Starwood points and looking to go to either Grand Cayman or Aruba, staying in the Westin. We are not big scuba divers nor are we big gamblers. Which island would you recommend? Thanks in advance for your help!
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Starwood Points - Grand Cayman or Aruba??
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It really depends on what type of vacation you are looking for. Both Islands are quite different.
The beach at the Westin in Aruba is not that great. It's gets lots of complaints of excessive wind since it's sits further out than the other hotels on that strip of Palm Beach.
Grand Cayman is good for snorkeling. Food and drinks in Grand Cayman will be more expensive. There are many more resturants in all price ranges in Aruba. 7 Mile Beach in Grand Cayman is fabulous. Palm Beach and Eagle Beach in Aruba are good also, but not as good as Grand Cayman.
Can you list some of the more specific things you are wanting to see/do?
Well, I am going with my boyfriend and really we would just like a nice relaxing vacation. Some time sitting on the beach, maybe a catamaran trip one day, perhaps renting a car and exploring one day, but mainly just enjoying a sunny location and being together. Is one more romantic than another? Hope this helps some!!
You can do both in either destination. Aruba has several resturants that offers romantic on the beach dining. Next to Cozumel, Grand Cayman was our second favorite destination until we went to Aruba. We are more active on vacation, so we liked the many resturants, bars and nightlife offered. We didn't find so much in Grand Cayman after 9pm. That was before they built Margaritaville though.
If you interested check out our pictures and see if one looks better to you than the other.
http://community.webshots.com.user.kvrlvn
Also, might check some booking sites and see the difference in price ranges. That's always a deal breaker for me. From the US Grand Cayman is much closer to get to than Aruba. I would rent a car in Grand Cayman. Rum Point is a must see. Aruba has a great and inexpensive bus system. Cabs are convenient and not so expensive. If you pick a hotel along Palm Beach, across the street from the strip of hotels is manys restuants, bars and a shopping complex.
We stayed at the marriotts on both islands, but agree with above that the Westin aruba juts out and is therefore much more windy than other hotel beaches in aruba.
We liked both islands and enjoyed our stay in each. Yes Aruba will have more nightlife, but if you are there to relax on the beach, then go to GC because your beach at the westin GC will be nicer and less windy.
We found food on both islands to be good and would return to either island for a vacation. GC is quieter at night and the people were friendlier. (Aruba was friendly too, but for some reason,I found the people on GC to be the friendliest and most helpful.)