Hello everyone!

I'm still trying to decide where to go in March with my husband and 2 yr. old daughter. Cayman is definitely in the running, and I'm looking into hotel locations/prices/etc.
Considering we will have a young child with us and aren't planning on doing lots of fancy restaurants or late-night outings, should we try to stay on 7 mile beach or somewhere (Reef Resort?) on the eastern side of the island?

Thank you!

Even if you aren't doing a lot of fancy restaurants I stil recommend the seven mile beach area-and that is where a lot of the restaurants are-fancy and non-fancy. It would just mean a lot less driving to go out to eat.
Also with a young child there will be times that you will need to stop at the grocery store. Again, you will be far closer to that kind of stuff.

It all depends on the type of vacation you are looking for. If you want a "get away from it all" vacation, the east end is for you. There is grocery store right across the street from the two resorts so that's not a problem. However, if you want a vacation that's more like in the US, but with a pristine beach, then choose 7MB. The Reef Resort condo's are perfect for a little one, because as they nap, you can be out on your ocean front balcony. I can answer specific questions on the Reef Resort, or on the 7MB area. We stayed at hotels and a condo there too, but we prefer the Reef Resort.

My daughter lived at a hotel on 7MB while taking a college course (Marriott), and she couldn't wait to get to the Reef Resort to have a more "island" type of experience.

Yes, I definitely want a room with a balcony. It will be great to sit outside while the little one naps or in the evening after she goes to bed.

Thank you both for your responses! I think we want something as stree-free as possible. I guess that means different things to different people. For me, I want to be away from the crowds, but I don't want to feel like I'm in the middle of nowhere...a grocery store nearby is a plus when you have a toddler!

Luvtotravl: Are the balconies at Reef Resort shared, or does each room have its own? I've been reading Tripadvisor reviews and am a little confused about this.

Thanks!

The balconies or patios are not shared at the Reef.
Check this out:
http://www.thereef.com/en/accommodat...ortLayout.html

Thank you CaymanSue! Good info.

The problem we found with the Reef Resort is that there is only one place to eat and you had to drive quite a way to get to another restaurant... too far to souvenir or other shopping or anything else.. unless all you plan to do is stay on the beach and prepare your meals in the room.

We stay near Rum Point when in the Caymans and often head toward the East End for dinner. We stay in a condo or house but never make dinner.

I don't know if it is still current but go to goto http://www.caymanrestaurants.com/ then click on map for a list and map of the restaurants on GC. Click on the word area for each.

Ocean's Edge is our fav laid back place to eat (Section D #15). Like it so well we usually go there at least twice.

One place not on the map is the Driftwood. Don't think they serve food normally (it's a bar) but when we were there on Sunday's they have a great BBQ with good food and a lot of fun for the whole family. Don't get there late or they won't have all items left.

Also goto http://www.caymangoodtaste.com/ Again, I don't know if it is current. This site does not have as many listed. On this site, they are only listing 2 for the East End and Ocean's Edge is not on there. Perhaps they don't qualify, advertise there, or something.

Cayman Sue, Is Portifino's still at the East End? Is Ocean's Edge still open? Does the Driftwood still do the BBQ?

It's been a couple years since I've been to GC but there was a good grocery store right across from the Reef Resort.

7 Mile Beach is great but we really love the other side of the island. It is so laid back and fun. There is not a lot of traffic and getting around is easy.

The Reef is very nice and has many conveniences.

If you would like something where you would feel more like you have a private home right on a deserted beach take a look at the Sea Lodges on the North Side. They are a 10-15 minute walk down the beach to Rum Point. They aren't right for everyone but we love them. Also check out North Point condos - they are gorgeous. These do not have a restaurant on site.

http://www.goin2travel.com/vacation-property/9999.htm
http://www.caymanhaven.com/
There are some listed at http://www.goin2travel.com/cayman.htm or do a web search

The ones at the Kaibo Yacht Club also look very nice and there is a restaurant there.

Thanks for all of the restaurant info! We definitely want to go out to eat for dinner, but we're fine with making breakfast and lunch in the room.
From the Cayman restaurants webiste, it looks like there are four places to eat over on the East End. Are these the kinds of places where one could bring a toddler?

If we do end up going with 7MB, my biggest concern is that the beach will be crowded. Anyone been to Cayman in March?

Thank you to everyone who has responded!

There are several places to eat within an easy drive of the Reef. Portofino's is 5 minutes, Over the Edge is 10 minutes. Vivene's Kitchen close by. Next door is David's at Morritt's. Lighthouse and South Coast Bar & Grill in Breakers, Rum Point (main restaurant to be open in November). Kaibo Yacht Club.

And there is a Foster's grocery store right across the street.

But, alas, no more Driftwood. The property was sold last summer and the bar closed it's doors on July 17.

We were there in March last year or the year before duing son's college spring break and we wandered over to parts of 7MB a couple times. Crowded - guess that depends on where you are staying and your defintion.

My thoughts are that the beach is never crowded like I've seen on Aruba or Virginia Beach. But if you are staying at a large hotel, the beach can be pretty crowded.

We went over to, I think it was the Marriott's beach (is that the one way up at the end?). (It's across the main road from the hotel). It is open to the public if you pay like $10 per chair. Cruise ships were in and several people from them came up. It was pretty full but it wasn't like you had to step on people to get around.

Beaches in Cayman are public up to the high water mark.

Just a reply re: the balconies at Reef Resort, you have your own but the balcony of the room next door is very open to yours. There is a railing between them but that's about it. Other than being slightly staggered there is nothing to allow for privacy if that matters to you.

The Reef Resort balconies are completely private if you rent a 2 BR unit, and are staggered if you rent the 1 BR or suite. (the 2 BR units are made up of the 1 BR + the suite) It depends on which building you are in as far as how separated they are if you only rent a 1 BR or suite. Some are off-set and have a wall/planter between them, others are off-set and have a railing between them.

CaymanSue is right on regarding restaurants, we never feel that there aren't enough choices nearby. Also, the Reef has a great Caribbean BQ on Monday nights on the beachfront patio, Morritt's has the fire eater dinner show, etc. We LOVE Portofino's. Any of these are appropriate for a 2 yr old.

There is a "beach locker dive shop" at the Reef Resort that has some souvenirs, but there is a nice new gift shop across the street by the grocery store. We also enjoy the gift shop at Rum Point, however, for serious shopping we go to George Town(on a light cruise ship day).

Thanks for all of the great information! I'm leaning towards the Reef Resort instead of 7MB.

The East End tends to be windier and rougher than the other sides of the island.

Trish

7 MB is great for a few days, but for a week, East End all the way.
Over the Edge and Portofino are great places for for dinners out or you could eat at Reef Resort. You could probably sign up for a buffet at Morritts, next to Reef Resort. I vote for the Reef Resort for you. I'm an owner at Morritts and it is great value for me but the Reef has the better rooms!

East End is a great place to hang out and your little one won't be in the ocean anyways-it is a bit calmer on 7 MB.

I have been trying to find out about beaches in GC and eveyone in this thread seems so knowledgeable. So I apologize breaking in with a different type of question. Are there any beaches in CG that have shells (not big ones), just some shells that I could collect? All the beaches I have been to had smooth sand and few shells.

There are more shells on the east end of Grand Cayman, but we have never found many shells in the 7MB area. However, the beach isn't like Florida or other places that are full of shells. The island's beaches are mostly pristine white sand, with shells in area's of the island where there is a break in the reef (i.e. more waves). We love to take a walk in the early morning to look for shells, and are never disappointed in the east end.