I'm looking into two hotels for our anniversary this year in July. We get a deal from a friend on Marriott's. We are looking to just kick back and relax, maybe do some jet skiing or snorkel. Our trip would be 4 nights.

The two places I'm looking at are:
Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

Which of these would you recommend?
Also, do I need to get travel insurance in case of hurricanes at that time of year?

Both would fit the bill. Haven't stayed at either of those hotels but I'd say they are relatively comparable.

Aruba is outside of the hurricane belt so that may be a better bet in July..though that is still early in the season so chances are you'd be fine in GC. get the insurance though if you go to GC, but I wouldn't for Aruba.

Both have great beaches and restaurants. Cayman is a more upscale island but also more expensive. Cayman also has better snorkeling though Aruba has some good snorkleing trips (not much in the was of shore snorkeling though in Aruba). Not sure if this is importnat to you but Aruba has casinos whereas GC does not.

We have only been to Aruba, but we enjoyed it a lot, and the Aruba Marriott is a very nice hotel. It is exactly what you are looking for. Aruba is definitely going to be a safer bet in terms of hurricane season. I'm sure you can't go wrong with either island!

With 4 nights I'd go to Cayman. It's a shorter flight (assuming east coast). Either one is nice, with Cayman's having better snorkeling and more expensive restaurants IMHO.

Peace

Oops...forgot to address the travel insurance question. I always get travel insurance. It's cheap and worth it. We got hit by a hurricane in Aruba in 2004--no location is "hurricane proof." I use travelinsured.com and like them.

I have been to both Aruba and Grand Cayman. I would go for Aruba. Kudos for great weather, friendly people and wonderful restaurants. Go for Madame Jeanettes. I would also recommend "Bingo", they have great food, reasonable prices and it is a short distance from the Marriott. Grand Cayman was also nice but I felt the food and excursions were very expensive.

Have been to Aruba's marriott stellaris and I am on my way to the GC Marriott in June.
I know that the Aruba one is a larger scale resort and would have more on property. The GC one is smaller scale, but recently refurbished.
Aruba has the same weather year round and is very rarely affected by hurricanes. GC has been affected by several hurricanes.
Both are places that would have nice beaches and good food.
I think the snorkeling will be better in GC and I also think it is a closer destination from the East coast where we are from.
Both would be nice resorts to go to.

I love both islands, but I prefer GC. 7 Mile Beach in GC is one of the most beautiful in the caribbean and the snorkeling is great...... The biggest downside in Aruba.to me, is "windy beaches". There's nothing worse than getting sandblasted while lounging

I have been to both and prefer Grand Cayman 100 times to Aruba.Both places have friendly people,great restaurants..but Grand Cayman has nicier beaches and great snorkeling which is lacking in Aruba unless you take an excursion.

Grand Cayman is better for relaxing as it's not as busy as Aruba.The nightlife is perfect not overwhelming.

Definitely go to Stingray City on a non cruise ship day if you do choose GC..it was great!

Have a great time!

Christie