Were going to cayman islands in Feb and are torn b/w the Westin and Hyatt..If we stay at an Island view at the hyatt we get 1 nite free which saves us $450 over the Westin. We are concerned that Hyatt is not on the beach and the walk to the beach and the fact that the beach near Hyatt is so small.. Is it worth spending the extra $450 to stay at the Westin..? What we are looking for on this vaca is to stay at a property that is very luxurious and tropical and has beautiful gardens..and that has superb service...We also love to sit on the beach and relax in peace and quiet. Which one of the 2 properties will better suit our needs..We dont plan on spending much time in the rooms but have heard that some of the rooms at the Hyatt are old and outdated-which i dotn understand since they were renovated in 99-Is this true..Basically we jsut want to lay on the beach and pool area and soak in the rays and be very peaceful and relaxed..Which place will do that for us?<BR><BR>ALso any good reccomendations for romantic beachside dining..<BR><BR>ANy other tips?<BR>Thanks for all your help

I believe the Hyatt may have more amenities, but I think the Westin beach is nicer. Although walking across the street is not that big a deal, in my opinion it would be worth the extra $ to stay at the Westin.

Hi the Westin would be a better choice Westin is right on the beach, for dinning by the sea go to the Wharft Resturant, & the Calypso Grill Resturant.

The Westin is definitely better for a quieter beach experience. However, if you are spending $450 a night, you should look into a condo.

ttt

Ven:<BR><BR>having only stayed at the Hyatt I can only offer my opinion of it. I really thought it was lovely. The gardens where so pretty and to save $450 I would walk alot farther to the beach. Cayman can be expensive to start with why would you spend that much money for a view of the ocean. <BR><BR>The beach is smaller at the Hyatt, but if you are not someone who sleeps until 10:00 you can get up, put your stuff on some chairs pull them away from everyone around you, go have breakfast and enjoy. You can leave your towels and beach bag there and most likely no one will ever touch it. We also rented rafts on the property at Red Sail Sports and just drifted out on the water all day. It doesnt get more peaceful then that.<BR><BR>There are 2 pools at the Hyatt and the one across the highway is larger and usually less crowded. They have plenty of chairs with a bar area to have drinks and lunch. The beach pool has a small bar area too and you have several great restaurants on the premises. <BR><BR>I loved the conceirges at the Hyatt. I am sure they where great at the Westin too but they always got us a great table and catered to whatever we needed.<BR><BR>I would'nt spend the extra money to stay at the Westin just because I dont think you said you would get a better view from a room there. You can buy alot of margaritas with $450 and you'll need it. <BR><BR>You will have a great time which ever you choose and please post a report when you get back. If you have any other Hyatt questions please e-mail me. I know my opinion is very one sided and I hope to stay at the Westin to give a more informed opinion. But I had a great time and would stay at the Hyatt again.<BR><BR>juli

Ven:<BR><BR>having only stayed at the Hyatt I can only offer my opinion of it. I really thought it was lovely. The gardens where so pretty and to save $450 I would walk alot farther to the beach. Cayman can be expensive to start with why would you spend that much money for a view of the ocean. <BR><BR>The beach is smaller at the Hyatt, but if you are not someone who sleeps until 10:00 you can get up, put your stuff on some chairs pull them away from everyone around you, go have breakfast and enjoy. You can leave your towels and beach bag there and most likely no one will ever touch it. We also rented rafts on the property at Red Sail Sports and just drifted out on the water all day. It doesnt get more peaceful then that.<BR><BR>There are 2 pools at the Hyatt and the one across the highway is larger and usually less crowded. They have plenty of chairs with a bar area to have drinks and lunch. The beach pool has a small bar area too and you have several great restaurants on the premises. <BR><BR>I loved the conceirges at the Hyatt. I am sure they where great at the Westin too but they always got us a great table and catered to whatever we needed.<BR><BR>I would'nt spend the extra money to stay at the Westin just because I dont think you said you would get a better view from a room there. You can buy alot of margaritas with $450 and you'll need it. <BR><BR>You will have a great time which ever you choose and please post a report when you get back. If you have any other Hyatt questions please e-mail me(without the xxx's). I know my opinion is very one sided and I hope to stay at the Westin to give a more informed opinion. But I had a great time and would stay at the Hyatt again.<BR><BR>juli

Juli-<BR><BR>We were planning on staying at the Hyatt with our 2 year old, but had seen alot of negative comments and were thinking of staying at the westin instead. What time of year were you there? We are going in April. Also, is the walk to the beach a big deal? I was in Grand Cayman a few years ago and didn't stay at the Hyatt, although we ate there and walked around. Have been wanting to stay there ever since, but I'm not sure now. There was no Westin last time we were there. Any comments?

Debbie:<BR><BR>The walk to the beach is no big deal as long as you remember to bring what you need from your room. You can feel safe to bring your belongings and leave them on your chair all day so you dont have to lug them back and forth. And there is an overpass to walk across so you dont need to run across the road.<BR><BR>I was there the last week in Aug. Which wasnt peak season but the island was still quite crowded. Like i said I havent stayed at the Westin but found the Hyatt to be very lovely. The westin is more expensive and everyone seems to go on and on about wanting a hotel right on the beach but I didnt feel it worth the extra money. I dont need to stare out the window at the ocean when I can walk there. We where hardly in the room anyway and when we where we where sleeping so whats the point.<BR><BR>When we booked our trip we had the choice between the ocean suites right on the beach or the Regency Club on the island side. We chose the Regency Club because for the same price we had an amazing continental breakfast every morning, snacks and ice tea all day long, munchies @5pm and all the alcoholic beverages we wanted for free. Not for free of course it made the room more expensive but it was so convinient not to have to go anywhere to have breakfast and snacks.<BR><BR>That was my experience. For the money I thought the Hyatt was the right choice. I am curious to stay at the Westin but with my boyfriends work schedule and our budget from just buying a house I am lucky if we can get a vacation in the year 2005. In that case we are staying at the Ritz Carlton.<BR><BR>Let me know if you have any more questions<BR>juli

Debbie, my family has stayed at the Westin 4 times and going back for a fifth. I agree that the grounds at the Hyatt are beautiful and can not make comment on the state of the rooms(or pricing). We have stayed twice over Christmas, once at Easter and another time in June. Having three children(baby is 16) I can't imagine having to carry any necessities back and forth to a room at the Hyatt(not talking the suites on the beach). As many will say a condo is the most economical however if you are are set on a hotel, my vote is the Westin. Our travel agent spoke glowingly of the Hyatt and still does in addition to making the walk to the beach sound minimal.It may be fine for some folks but I honestly think it's hard if something is forgotten(and let's face it with kids there's always something). As was previously posted I suppose you could move the chairs at the beach but every morning we walked by they always seemed to be neatly lined up with very little space or privacy. Don't get me wrong -- during peak times the Westin can be crowded also but it seems they have more space to spread out. Again if the beach isn't a big deal, then none of that matters. Concierge has always been wonderful on our trips with any requests. As many have said the island is beautiful and you'll be happy regardless of which place you choose.

I just stayed in the Westin. You are correct in your assumption of the location of the hotel at the Hyatt. The Westin has better location. I would suggest you ask for a higher floor as my room on first floor was musty smelling. good luck.

Missy & Juli<BR><BR>Thanks. I am now leaning toward the Westin unless we opt for the beach side rooms at the Hyatt. (yes, I am aware of the price) The beach is important since my daughter loves it. It's fair to say that I could have to go back and forth if I bring the wrong (chapstick, doll, shovel...) How is the pool at the Westin?<BR><BR>Eric-<BR>Do you think it was just the 1st floor rooms?<BR><BR>

The Westin is a much better property - especially if you are a beach person. Almost all of the rooms at the Westin have some water view and the beach is at least 20 times bigger. The Hyatt also rents a portion of their beach to the cruise ship people...the chairs are literally 2 inches apart! <BR><BR>I stayed at the Westin and passed the Hyatt daily on my beach walk...no amount of money would make be stay at the Hyatt if I could stay at the Westin. I was also very disappointed by their Hemmingway's restaurant...the lower end restaurant at the Westin, Ferdinand's was better. I was also not impressed with the Westin's top restaurant, Cafe Havana, but it could have been a bad day...<BR><BR>Stay at the Westin if you can...

Ok if we stay at the Hyatt could we use the beach at the Westin..How far of a walk is it b/w the 2 hotels.....

We just got back from the Hyatt 3 days ago. I give it a "fair" rating: the std. rooms are small and shopworn. The walk to the beach is not attractive and is tedious. The Westin is newer, attractive and right on the beach. If I went back tomorrow, I'd go to the Westin.<BR>BUT: If you choose the Hyatt, occupancy is down and you should ask about upgrade when you check in. They offered me a suite (oceanside) for $125/night extra. I initially turned it down but after a few nights, I went back and got the upgrade for $100. It was well worth it. Rather than a small shopworn room, we got a large new suite with ocean view, mini-kitchen, etc. There's no breakfast place on the oceanside of the resort. You can walk back across (not worth it) or you can offset the suite upgrade cost by bringing in some basic breakfast stuff, since you get a small kitchen. Have Fun!

Nice dining place: Smuggler's Cove. Be sure to get an outside table (must reserve!) preferably on the outer rail, overlooking water. Very elegant, romantic. Very good food.<BR><BR>A nice, non-view choice: Ragazzi, a very good, authentic Italian rest. in a shopping plaza next to Hyatt. We really enjoyed it.

The Westin is the best choice. We had two rooms on the beach, and it was perfect. Expensive but if you are a Starwood member you can get 1/2 off rate wih 1,500 points.

you can easily walk between the 2...about 1/2 mile...it is all the same beach...the key difference is the size of the beach...at the Hyatt all the chairs are very close...if you don't stay at the Westin, you cannot use their chairs, but you can use the beach and sit on your Hyatt towels...