Grand Cayman: Help Me Choose Between Four Hotels
 

I'm undecided about which of the following hotels to choose on Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman (the order below is probably my order of preference at this point in my research):

1 Ritz-Carlton
www RitzCarlton.com/GrandCayman com
2 Grand Cayman Beach Suites (previously the Hyatt)
www grand-cayman-beach-suites com
3 Westin Casuarina Resort and Spa
www WestinGrandCayman com
4 Marriott Grand Cayman Beach Resort
www marriott.com/hotels/travel/gcmgc com

The Marriott is the least expensive at approximately $200 per night, but the other three properties are in the $250 to $275 per night range for a standard room. (I'll be there in early July for 3 or 4 nights.) At the three "chain" properties, I might consider spending more for a club-level room to enjoy the lounge.

From the photos that I've seen online, the pools and beaches at the Westin and the Marriott look smaller than at the Ritz and GCBS. All properties seem to have a good range of restaurants, although I'm planning to eat at Blue and Periwinkle (both by Eric Ripert) at the Ritz even if I don't stay there.

I'm not planning to do much besides rest and relax, so the quality of the beach and pool is important to me, as is availability of diining options. The ability to walk to restaurants and also to a small market where I can purchase drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) is also important because I'm not planning to rent a car.

Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

While the Ritz is the most luxurious, their beachfront didn't impress me as they cram so many lounge chairs on the beach that you will feel like a can of sardines..not relaxing IMO.

I love the beachfront at the Westin - very wide and not very crowded. Pool area is nice and they have a swim up bar. I have heard the rooms may be getting a bit worn though unless they have done some re-decorating. The Westin is also very close to the Ritz...so a short walk on the beach.

Beach Suites are nice but most of the rooms are across the street from the beach. Beach here is narrower than the Westin and Ritz but still fine. Also walking distance to the Ritz, just a little further of a walk.

The Marriott is closest to town and will have the smallest beach. Longest walk to the Ritz.

All of the resorts are within walking distnace to restaurants, food stores and liquor stores.

I believe the Westin's pool is the largest on SMB, but could be wrong.

Don't limit yourself to the on-site restaurants. You are free to sample any of the hotels restaurants and the many, many excellent off-site establishments.

Westin and the Ritz share the same stretch of beach (the best IMO). The Ritz as stated, lines-up loungers European style (side by side, row upon row), where as the Westin is a grab and go lounger set-up. The Westin beach there is or at least seems much less crowded at most times. The beach at the Marriott is the narrowest and and vary from narrow to very narrow depending on what the tides and waves have done to it. It is usually set-up like the Ritz and can also feel crowded.

All are walkable to restaurants and grocery/liquor shopping. Not sure of the others, but the Westin did enforces or try to enforce a no outside food & drink regulation. Water is OK, but you may get challenged for other beverages in a cup or their original container.

There are ocean front rooms, but they are limited in availability. The Ritz has been rated the best Resort in the entire Caribbean, 2 years in a row by Conde Nast readers and has the nicest rooms and spa of the three properties. Most of the Ritz rooms are back across the street and about a 7-10 minute walk to the beach.

The majority of rooms at the Westin are in need of a refresh, but most of the Ocean Front rooms have been redone. Platinum and Gold SPG members have a good shot at getting upgraded to one of those rooms in the summer slow season.

Not stayed at the Marriott.

My parents stayed at the Marriott when we got married on 7MB years ago and they liked it just fine. We also walked through when we visited a couple years ago to see the turtle pond. The actual resort seems very nice, I just prefer a wider beach and someplace a little further from town.

Agree with Turtletagger that the Westin/Ritz sits on the best stretch of beach. we have always stayed at Villas of the Galleon which sits in between the two. If you would consider an upscale condo resort, the Coralstone Club, on the other side of the Ritz looks fabulous.

Didn't see you were also contemplating the Grand Cayman Beach Suites. The beach is a bit nicer/wider than the Marriott (same general area). It is closer to the Royal Palms/Reef Grill restaurant and "beach club" which caters to cruise ship day trippers (e.g. busy and more commotion in the area). The standard rooms are the largest of the options, and there is currently construction of a new condo going on next door.

The Ritz is beautiful! You are close to restaurants so you easily walk to them. The water and beach are both breathtaking. The lounge chairs are comfortable - important for relaxing. And, it's the Ritz! It's a 5 star hotel. You can't do any better!

Ritz or Westin...leaning towards Ritz if same price. We stayed at both. Westin many years ago and Ritz shortly after it opened. The beach is AMAZING. Enjoy. Ritz is HUGE. Westin pool was shady when we were there [we got cold sitting at swim up bar].

Enjoy!

Trish

I stayed at both properties with in the last 7 months. We stayed at the Westin first and wished we were at the Ritz the whole time. The rooms (even the upgraded one that we were given) were a bit worn and musty. We had a wonderful view of the ocean so that was a plus, but the room was nothing to write home about. The pool is smaller and was very shaded as mentioned by another poster. We never used the swim up bar because it was almost always shaded which made it chilly in the cool water. The Ritz pool was much larger and had a lot more chairs to chose from. As far as the beach is concerned, while the chairs were close together, you are not required to squeeze into them. Each day the staff moved chairs for us to a more private area so we were not crowded at all. They will do just about anything to make you comfortable there. There is plenty of rooms to move around on that beach. Hands down the Ritz is definitely worth the extra money.The service is absolutely second to none on the island. There is also a second pool on the other side of the property which was very quiet and relaxing as well. The service at the pools and on the beach is the best.

That is a very good point. If you can move your beach chairs toward one of the two much less crowded neighboring condo complexes, you should be fine. The actual beach is great and the location can't be beat.

Checked with the properties and the Ritz does have the largest pool at a hotel or condo on the island. The lagoon pool at the Turtle farm is the largest overall swimming pool on the island.

Hi there! The Coral Stone is directly right next door to the Ritz and this is where I always stay! The pool is lovely and you can literally reach out and touch the Ritz.
Just and FYI, the locals absolutely detest the Ritz Carlton because they built the hotel several more floors than they originally had planned and therefore it has obstructed the view of the island. I love staying at the Ritz anywhere but I would not stay at this one ever :) Try Calypso for dinner and of course you have to go to Casanova one time everytime you go to the Caymans.....The Westin has a great pool we always take the kids down to the swim up bar but i give the Ritz, a thumbs down. Bigfish tours is also my favorite to go on excursions with they do not limit a 2 hour tour they take you and keep you out as long as you and he are having a good time :)

Thanks for all the responses. I'm still trying to narrow it down.

I checked out Coralstone, and it looks very nice; however, their rates are twice as expensive as the hotels I'm considering. For early July, the smallest rental goes for $525 per night. They have a nice website, and show photos of all the various units, but I don't need all that space, nor do I want to incur the extra cost. It seems like a good option for a family or two couples traveling together.

I am thinking your best bets will be the Ritz or Beach Suites.