Cayman Islands vs. St. John's
 

I am planning my next year's vacation. After 3 trips to Caneel Bay, St John's and loving it I thought it might be wise to explore other parts of the Carribean. I have chosen a Grand Cayman and Little Cayman combo. By comparison to St. John's will I be disappointed?

I have not chosen the Cayman's as a destination as I much prefer the ambience of St. John and most tell me, for the most part, it doesn't come close to St. John or the other low rise causal intimate luxury resorts on other islands! I have also been told that my perception of the Caymens of all tall high rises, lots of people, timeshares, etc is not characteristic of the entire island group! If you don't expect Caneel and don't expect St. John but are into a "new" experience, I don't know how you could be disappointed. Years and years went by and Caneel and Little Dix were benchmarks for me (as well as St. John and Virgin Gorda). Then I got brave and explored and have found some absolutely wonderful spots that far exceed the "new" Caneel and Little Dix. And found some that were not up to par - but it was still good trying them and seeing the rest of the Caribb! At least you have a good benchmark established and you will be pleasantly surprised most of the time! Hard to beat those 7 beautiful beaches on property, the wonderful Northshore beaches and the Nat'l Park on St. John tho!!

There areno high risers on Grand Cayman. There is a five story building limit. Even with that, all of th e condos are 3 stories. The only 5 story structure is The Marriott, Westin and Hyatt. <BR>Also, there are only 3 time share complexes that I know of on the entire island: Planatation Village, Grand Caymanian, and Morritts. <BR>Georgetown downtown gets crowded when cruise ships land but there are miles of quiet beaches. The whole north 2 miles or so of 7 mile beach are not crowded at all. Plus, 7 mile beach is so wide in parts that it never feels too crowded to me. Only in front of the Hyatt, Marriott, and Westin to some dgree.

Gee Karen...I've seen you post many times, from a FIRST HAND perspective, that things are "elbow to elbow" in Grand Cayman--and now you admit you haven't been there. You need to stop dispensing advice based on heresay. I'm wondering how many of the places you slam you've actually been. I hope people are cautious about your so called "advice". <BR> <BR>Diane, Grand Cayman is more Americanized than others (though no night-life like Aruba) but it's worth the trip. Seven mile beach is stunning and the water is a snorkeling paradise. Swimming with the rays is also a good experience. Little Cayman is going to be more like your own private island; it's not commercial. Enjoy it. I don't think you'd be disappointed in such beautiful islands.

Dear Observant, You don't live up to your "anonymous" signature ... but I clearly stated that my perception of Grand Caymans was just that! Not once did I say I hadn't been there but I have not chosen it for a "destination" because of certain perceptions and experiences passing thru! I do know what I saw!! BTW, 5-stories is highrise in my book. If you need a elevator to get to the beach, it's a highrise! (And now don't try to rationalize that you can do 5-flights of stairs to the beach! LOL) Even 3 is one too many in my book! But enuf, small people who can't post their name have small minds!! BTW, I find it much more pleasing to swim with rays and other sea life while they are out at sea! Much better than going to the amusement park where I have to pay to "swim" with captive sealife!

The single story structures on Caneel Bay, in MY opinion, resemble old BARNS!! I'll take Cayman's 3 or 5-story structures ANY day!!!

Old Mike is back!! LOL Work must be kinda slow so he has time for the 'puter ... wonder if his boss knows this time!! LOL (right, Mike?) Maybe this time he won't get "personal" ... but when you read his posts, make sure you understand he is out trying to incite me!! It's old history and pretty funny too!!

I have been to both St. John (stayed at Caneel Bay) and Grand Cayman (stayed at Turtle Nest Inn in Boddentown) and I loved them both ... although they are very different and you should not go to Grand Cayman expecting St. John. Grand Cayman is definitely more developed ... I would probably avoid it during peak tourist times. We went the last week in April and actually found most of Seven Mile Beach (except for in front of the Westin and Hyatt) essentially empty! I loved being able to walk the beach for miles ... the sand is like white baby powder and the water is incredibly clear and tourquoise blue! The snorkeling was incredible ... don't miss Stingray City sandbar. We went on Capt. Dexter's catamarran snorkeling trip. (I also heard that Capt. Marvin's trips are good.) Be sure to find out the maximum number of people on the trip ... there was only 12 on ours. It makes a big difference to the enjoyment of the experience. We also enjoyed the ambience of staying at the Turtle Nest Inn in Boddentown ... only a 20 minute drive from Georgetown. This is a small inn (only 8 units) right on the beach with a pool. There was great snorkeling off the reef off TNI and many times we had their beach and pool to ourselves! (This did not come near "breaking the bank" like staying at Caneel Bay did.) Grand Cayman is not hilly or mountainous like St. John, so the inner part of the island is not very scenic, but we just loved Seven Mile Beach, Rum Point, snorkeling around the island, and staying at TNI. There is also a good selection of restaurants with great food (although expensive) ... we found most to be relatively casual. I would not describe the route along 7MB as lined with high rises ... I don't believe they can build higher than the causarina trees. You get a totally different perspective once you are on the beach than driving along the road ... It is really beautiful along the beach. I would definitely go back to the TNI, however if I were to stay on 7MB, I would probably stay in one of the condo units north of the Westin. There is quite a bit of traffic around Georgetown during rush hours ... plan driving to avoid this. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Karen, you wouldn't know me if I used my real name and home mailing address so what of it. That hardly means I have a small mind (while we're hurling insults I think you're a retired school teacher, public school system of course). I'm just stating that you dispense advice as if you've been there and that's misleading. If you haven't been somewhere, don't deter others under the guise of an experienced visitor. Many use this forum to make travel decisions and depend on those that have actual experience---heresay doesn't count. When you have legit advice, fine (such as your "Aruba is too windy & the S/Thomas 'hood should be everyone's destination") but don't try to be a know-it-all. You're also too defensive; lay off the caffeine, read an anger management book, and try to make some friends. :)

LOL ... wrong again!! Retired public school teacher - WRONG!! LOL Wish I were - they have great pensions!! Wrong also about St. Thomas should be everyone's destination! WRONG!! WRONG!! That I have never been to the Cayman's!! WRONG!!! (I haven't chosen to stay there!) Three strikes - you are OUT!! (By the way, I do teach anger management - wanna short course?) And bet I never got reported to the boss for nasty comments using the company 'puter nor banned from a site!! LOL

Karen, I'm not out to "get" anybody -- or you! I'm simply stating my opinion regarding the post, and it's quite a VALID one! I'm also self-employed, so I have no intention of banning myself from my own computer, thank you very much!!

Thanks to all who gave thoughtful replies. I have decided to go to both Grand and Little Cayman. My problem upon discovering a place I really like, I tend to bind myself to it and fail to discover many of the other wonderful places that exist. <BR>Diane

It is exciting when one finally decides to branch out! Hard to do when one finds a great place and is quite comfortable with it! Go, enjoy and be sure to let us know how they compare for you!!

My husband and I visited Grand Cayman about 9 years ago and repeated last summer with our 11 and 8 yr old children. stayed at Victoria House which is a small 2 story , with maybe 15 condos. Very clean and well maintained. We bought groceries and "cooked" most meals and ate on the beautiful beach, watching sunsets, turtles, etc. We went in July and found the beach almost deserted. This is the best snorkling of anywhere we have been (Maui, Kaui, Cancun, Cozumel, St. Marteen, or St. Barts). We will go back! Hope this helps

I visited Grand Cayman a few years ago and found it just beautiful! We stayed at the Grand Hyatt Regency and had a terrific experience there. The beach is across the street and perfect. Be adventurous and try something different.

Diane: You will not be disappointed in <BR>your decision to do the Caymans. G.C. <BR>is much different than St. John(I've <BR>spent considerable time on both(our <BR>family owns a unit at Aqua Bay on Seven <BR>Mile Beach & my cousin owns on St.John, <BR>Gifft Hill Rd.(at which I've spent many <BR>weeks over the years). You know St. J, <BR>so I'll just tell you the differences <BR>from my perspective: I love long <BR>stretches of beach on which you can walk <BR>for miles & Seven Mile Beach is just <BR>that. Our place is at the northern end <BR>near Cemetary Reef and I love the walk <BR>of about 2-1/2 miles to the Hyatt pool- <BR>side bar for a late afternoon cocktail. <BR>Seven Mile beach is and I repeat, never <BR>crowded & I've been there during many <BR>winter holiday seasons, including Easter <BR>The dining is a notch above St. John & <BR>St. Thomas with prices about the same. <BR>I'd say the snorkelling is about equal <BR>in both areas, although diving is far <BR>superior in G.C. due to the many wrecks <BR>(some 180 at last count) within a short <BR>distance from the shore(by boat). I <BR>haven't been to Little Cayman, but Cay- <BR>man Brac is a hiker's paradise. One big <BR>difference on the downside: G.C. is as <BR>flat as a pancake whereas in the V.I's <BR>you have the beauty of the lush hills <BR>rising right off the beach and of the <BR>other islands close by. I love both <BR>spots, but if forced to choose, I'd say <BR>G.C.(I love long beach walks, I live on <BR>(actually two blocks off) a five mile <BR>long beach on the Atlantic Ocean) and <BR>there seems to be more to do on GC than <BR>on St. J. You can E-mail me directly if <BR>you want more info. Hope this helps. <BR> <BR>