mp

You will find that, weather permitting, the week dive packages offer one day diving over at Little Cayman so I would put my money you will get bloody bay diving in! The package you quote is a great deal. Dive staff at all resorts excellent, including Divi! Pool is great, food is great you will be walking distance to Captain's Table and Brac Reef for evening activities beyond divi. Everyone on Island great and you will have a great time! Rent a car for afternoon to zip around island and explore. Bikes are available for guests I do believe. Have fun! MP

kima

Hey thanks all. going to Cayman Brac the Divi for 7 nights the Royal Reef for 2 nights and someplace yet to be decided near the airport for our very EARLY departure back to Colorado. Thanks for all your help. <BR><BR>Oh May is so far away. Thank god there is still some ski season left!

kima

Ok one small snafu. The royal reef will not do a 2 night stay. Any ideas out there for a resonable price place for 2 nights? Want to Dive.

Sandy

Kima,<BR>For your two days on Grand Cayman check out the Seaview. It's a small dive oriented hotel with a dive shop on site "Bob Soto's". It's just south of Georgetown, nothing fancy, but they may let you book for just two nights. Very reasonably priced also. Check them out on caymanvacations.com Good luck!

kima

Thanks Sandy will look into it.

Suzanne

I keep hearing mention of the Westin as being on the beach at Grand Cayman. In your opinion is that the best hotel to stay at if beach is a priority and being able to walk directly to it from your room. I too have small children and don't want to attempt to cross the traffic area I keep reading about. Is the Westin a decent resort. What about the Westin pool. I have one child that prefers a pool over the beach. Any input is appreciated. Also, I have been to Jamaica and Aruba. Is the crystal blue turquoise water at Grand Cayman the same in beauty or supurb in anyones opinion. I realize this is based on opinion, but I am open for input.

Trish

Suzanne, <BR>If your priority is the beach, then I may tell you the Westin is the way to go. As far as the rest of the Westin goes, they do not come in at the top of the list. The pool is no more than 5 feet deep, but is decent. The water is more blue than Jamaica and very pristine.

Dee

Would suggest you find a condo with pool. That way you'd avoid the crowds at the Westin beach. Cost would probably be less also.

kima

Thanks all! Off this friday for what I trust will be 10 wonderful days of Beach, Food, Diving and a bit of Romance! <BR><BR>Will post review upon return. Happy travels to all.

Trish

Have a blast. I will be joining you the following Friday. I'm so excited it is all I can do to keep from packing now.

KIMA

We are back. Wonderful trip, although a bit rainy. Stayed at Treasure Island @ 115.00 a night. We were very surprised at our quiet the island was. Even with 3 cruise ships in! Prettiest beach I have ever seen. Had wonderful meals at Smugglers Cove and Casanovas. Then onto Cayman Brac, Diva Tiara. From the moment we got to the resort, we were not at the desk 5 minutes, there was Max greeting us with rum punches in hand, to the time we left all the staff were interested in making certain that our time there was as we hoped. Thanks to Cliff in the morning, for making me wonderful French toast, the dive staff and Patricia waiting on us at night. All were stellar! As to the food. It was good simple fare. I heard no one complaining. We did not eat lunch there. Lunch was at the Captains table and Aunt Sha’s Both very good, both an easy bike ride away. Yes the bikes are a bit creaky, but for what we needed more than adequate. We did stock up at the liquor store. A bit pricey but expected. They have a nice wine selection too. Our room did not come with a fridge but again as soon as we asked one was delivered to our room. <BR><BR>We went over to the reef resort and I have to say that they 400.00 dollars extra it would have cost us, per couple, it would not have been worth it. <BR><BR>The diving was awesome. The staff very relaxed. You get to dive your dive. No crowds. Simply the best ever! We got to go to Little Cayman twice. Was it better than the Brac? Not to me. Both were wonderful. We did have a bit of rough weather while we were there. The staff got us in the water each day but did need to cancel some afternoon and nights dives due to the rough seas. <BR><BR>There is some sea grass, but no more than anyplace else. The water is the beautiful turquoise I wanted. We would absolutely go back! Planning on it. <BR>

Kerri

What was your impression of Grand Cayman -- the island ? How does it compare to other island you've visited ? Did you do any sightseeing ?

kima

Hi Kerri. As a reference we have been to St. Croix, Ambergris Caye Belize 2 times, St. Lucia, Cozumel 5 times, Bahamas, Bay Islands Honduras, Jamaica once and never again. I thought that Grand Cayman had the prettiest beaches, very clean, no panhandlers. It was more expensive than others were but less than I anticipated. The food was very good. Not as crowded as I thought. Pretty relaxed. We liked it and would go back.<BR><BR>Cayman Brac is VERY laid back. Hardly anyone there. Most tourist are divers. For us we liked Cayman Brac better because we went to dive. The diving at Brac was the best dive vacation we have done. We have had better single dives but for overall diving it was great! We did dive one day at Grand Cayman and it was good too but not in the sane league as Brac. We did get to dive Little Cayman 2 times but never went on the island itself. Again the diving was stellar! <BR><BR>I thought that Grand Cayman seemed to attract lots of families while I would not recommend Brac to a family. Really nothing to do but dive, sleep, read.<BR><BR>We stayed at Treasure Island. It was fine but would not want to stay in one of the rooms for an entire trip. The staff was not very friendly. The pools however were nice and the location was great for us as we enjoy being able to walk into town for dinner. It was 15 -20 min walk. <BR><BR>If you have any other questions let me know.

Kerri

Kima,<BR>How did you get from one island to the other ? Did you fly ? take ferry ?<BR>Are there many historical sites on the island ? Interesting colonial architecture ? We don't dive, so other "attractions" would be nice.

kima

Hi Kerry, you have to fly. Island Air has frequent flights, approx 130.00 rt. No ferry service. we did not do any site seeing per se at GC or CB. On Grand Cayman we did ride bikes to the South Shore but did none of the traditional tours, ie, turtle farm, stingray city, although everyone we meet that had been to Stingray City had very good things to say. <BR><BR>There really is not much at Cayman Brac.<BR>Very few ppl there that do not dive.

cayman420

kimma,<BR><BR>We leave for T.I. 6-1-02 and I'm a little worried what you had said about the resort. We are traveling with children so I think it will be ok. Why was the staff rude? Were the rooms terrible? please let me know. I have heard to request a room on the 3rd floor due to recent renovations.

kima

Cayman420. We stayed 3 nights at TI. 2 nights then to Cayman Brac then 1 night before going home. The first room overlooked a parking lot we asked to be moved but was told it would be an additional 30.00 a night. That I can understand if there are no rooms but there was hardly anyone there at the time. Why not give us a better room and make us happy? The last night our room was better overlooking one of the 3 pools, the least crowded one. The rooms themselves are fine, both had fridges. <BR><BR>I would not say that the staff was rude, but not friendly, not very concerned whether we were happy or not. The pool bar staff was nicer but then we found out that they are not owned by the hotel. <BR><BR>Overall we liked the location and with kids I think it’s a good choice. The pools are nice and there were lots of families.<BR>

cayman420

Thanks.<BR>I agree with you, if the hotel is empty why not make you happy. I am a travel agent and was hoping they would give me a free upgrade. We do not plan to spend a lot of time in the room but, I agree a view would be nice. Did you try to speak with a manager? Sometimes the Caymanians can be hard headed, maybe the front desk was having a bad day.<BR>I just hope the weather will be nice and they will offer a decent room!!

kima

No we did not speak with the Mgr. Like you we did not plan on being in the room much and is was a short stay. That said on our return the rainy season had stared with a vengence. I would have hated to be in the first room. Its not so bad if you can at least sit on the balcony out of the rain and have a bit of a view. <BR><BR>I would think that as a travel agent they would try harder to please you. <BR><BR>But again overall it was fine, good value for Grand Cayman. Your sure to have a good time!

cayman420

I'm a little worried about the rain but, I hope it will just rain for a short period and have sun the rest of the day. Did it rain out an entire day??