Hi!

We are having such a hard time securing FF tix for a return trip to Aruba my husband has asked me if I would *consider* the Caymans (we are looking to stay at a Hyatt)

I know this question may have been beaten to death but I am looking for any recent opinions.....

what do you think about Cayman island vs Aruba? General opinions comparing the two as a vacation spot? The two Hyatts? ( I havent heard any fabulous reviews of the Hyatt C.I.)

I appreciate any thoughts! thanks!

Ruby
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Cayman is probably the safest place to visit in the caribbean. Although it's admittedly expensive, you get what you pay for: low crime, high standard of living, no street/beach peddlers, no sales tax, no
high pressure time share salesmen, NO HASSLES! That's why we bought our vacation rental there (www.mahoganypoint.com)

Here's some research on why Cayman became the obvious choice for us (not just to visit, but to BUY): http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=100236

I prefer the Caymans over Aruba. But, as far as the Hyatt, I would think twice about staying there in GC. It's extremely crowded and unless you are getting an oceanfront room, it's quite a haul to the beach.

The chairs were lined up next to each other in rows. Well, I'm assuming you get the picture. If you have Hyatt points and are staying for free, then it's worth it. But, otherwise, there are much better places.

We stayed at the Hyatt Aruba and Westin GC. Like both - beaches were great, both are pretty expensive. However, I would second the thoughts on the Hyatt Aruba - its not exactly beachfront and can be a haul. One cool area on GC is Rum Point - you can take a ferry from the Hyatt or drive around to it and just hang out the entire day. That was our favorite area of GC.

cmeyer, I think you meant to second the thought on the Hyatt in GC.

Meta, you're right. The Hyatt Aruba is fantastic; Hyatt GC is less so due to the location and I've heard some of the rooms are a little worn.

Not sure about aruba but for GC, I would stay at the westin over the hyatt. the westin is not as crowded but you still get a lot of the services

Aruba would be my choice. GC is very nice but Aruba also has low crime and is much less expensive, at least for dining out. Per a Carib. Travel and Life mag. poll Aruba was voted as having the friendliest people. It is not your prototypical lush island at all. It is desert in fact, though the beach areas are tropical. If you can get FF miles to GC then that woulf offset the higher cost for dining I suppose. Good luck!