My husband and i want to go to one of these places we have never been next April. Maybe you could tell me about these two places since i haven't a clue. If you have a good experience of where to stay would help.

I LOVE ARUBA as the people are super friendly, the hotels are set up like Miami--all in a row and walkable-
Hotels have casinos and nite life and shopping in town is good...Also some great sailing there...

Grand Caymans is way way more laid back-7 MILE Beach and some fancy nice resorts or condos on the beach....Not much nite life....More of a beach attitude....

In Aruba- I would stay at the MARRIOTT Resort and Ocean Club...

In Grand Caymans, THE WESTIN CASUARINA RESORT directly on 7 Mile Beach.

Andy would you mind emailing me at [email protected] so i can find out alot more about these islands? Thanks- Claire Long

Hi Claire. Though I haven't been to Grand Cayman yet, that is where I am getting married ans spending my honeymoon in December. We are staying at Villas of the Galleon consod next to the Westin hotel. Supposed to be on the best stretch of 7MB.

I vacationed in Aruba last September. It's a fun island and very diverse. You have the beautiful white beaches on one side of the island. Then it gets very rugged on the other side. I stayed at the Radisson on Palm Beach and loved it. Great hotel on a great beach. There are some great restaurants in Aruba and the water is a beautiful turquoise color. However, if you are a snorkler or SCUBA diver, I understand that the water in GC blows away Aruba.

Thanks Kristen----that's exactly what i needed to know!

No problem. If you end up going to Aruba, let me know and I'd be glad to give to a "must-do" list..activities and restaurants etc...

And after December, I can provide the same info on GC!

Grand Cayman is a nice island, but unless you are into diving, there is not a lot to do, and it is hardly worth the expense (and I do mean expensive) in my opinion. Aruba is a great overall island-something for everyone (except rain). Easy choice. I would recommend the Sonesta-right in town.

The last poster wrote: "but unless you are into diving, there is not a lot to do"....you're kidding right?

With the exception of casinos, GC has just about everything that Aruba has to offer as far as activities go.

Don't dive? Well there's always snorkeling, swimming, beach walking, fishing, wave runners, sailing, parasailing, golf, shopping, hiking, horseback riding, submarine trips, boat charters(dinner, sunsets, booze), bar hopping, simply hanging on the beach, exploring the island, and a selection of restaurants that tough to beat. This list is just what came to mind. I'm sure I missed many other activities people enjoy on GC among the obvious.

If the last poster didn't find much to do besides diving, then they couldn't have looked very hard!! Here's one poster that is usually exhausted after everyday spent on GC......

I cant answer which is better since I have only been to Cayman. I loved it.
The weather was great (Aug.) but so hot. I mean 130 degrees hot. Which was fine since all we did was float in water all day and wait for the occasional big cloud to come to give us shade.

The food was INCREDIBLE! I am from the NYC metro area and am used to some great dining. Many of the meals I had there are still some of the best I have ever had.

7mile beach was so clean and the sand was so soft and not full of rocks (at the Hyatt anyway) The water was really clear and a great temp.

The people are amazingly friendly and helpful. They made us cheerier.

There is so much to do like the previous post said. We didnt do much but snorkel and swim. The snorkeling is the best and you can get great deals through the smaller companies on the island.

Yes, it is expensive there but it depends on where you are from in the world. I am used to paying higher prices for things so it wasnt a huge shock to my wallet. I also knew going in how much I wanted to spend on restaurants (alot) because I wanted to eat in the best places. Other then the snorkel trips and plent of cuban cigars we smuggled back, there wasnt too many other expenses. We didnt really drink too much but it was so hot anything other then water went staright to our heads.

We stayed at the Hyatt and although it gets a bad wrap on the boards, I loved it. People are always comparing the westin and the hyatt and I have heard good and bad about both. I think they are both in paradise!

jK

Scott66 also forgot to mention sunset cruises, the Turtle Farm, the town of Hell, and Stingray City. The standard of living is high and it is quite expensive, as the dollar is devalued,but this is some of the best snorkeling you will ever find. Being able to touch and hold a stingray is amazing. It is very hot as you are closer to the equator than other islands. Don't forget to try Chef Tell's restaurant - very good. While I haven't been to Aruba (no desire really), Grand Cayman is worth a visit.

With all due respect to previous poster, the Caymans are farther north than most other Caribbean islands, Turks and Bahamas not withstanding; ergo, they are farther from the equator.

While I prefer Cayman to Aruba, and I will submit that Aruba is definitely more touristy than Cayman, I must disagree with the last comment that Cayman is not touristy.
Cayman is very touristy. And that is fine for many travelers. The hardcore Caribbean-o-philes, however, will say that Cayman has sold out to commercialism (and the banking industry) and has limited character.

My bad to ejcrowe. Correct, the Caymans are 20 degrees north of the equator, which is comparable to St. Martin, and slightly north of St. Croix, Nevis, Antigua, Anguilla, etc. However, the sun there is described as "intense," and it is. While in St. Martin I can stay in the sun for 4+ hours, only about half of this could I do in Cayman.

Agree with rwilliams that Cayman has sold out to commercialism and lacks character, but it was still a must see.

I was just in GC and I stayed at the Marriott. Not as nice or expensive as the Westin but the ocean view room was perfect. Granted GC is not known for their nightlife, the restaurants are amazing albeit pricey but if the object of the trip is to just have some quality time with each other, than GC will serve its purpose. We visited the Hyatt during one day and the beach/atmosphere is very nice also.