Need advice please
 

We are deciding between Grand Cayman and Negril, Jamaica for our next vacation with 2 kids ( 5 yrs. and a toddler). Has anyone visited both and can recommend one over the other?

I have not been to Jamaica, but Grand Cayman is great. It is pricey, but a great place for families- very safe island, you can go anywhere without worry. Lots of things kids will love. There are shallow beach areas and lots of sand. Rum point is a great place to take the kids. The water is only a couple of feet deep for quite a ways out. If you give the 5-year old a snorkel mask, s/he can just bend down and look at the fish! The hotels have kiddie pools of course. I saw tons of families with small children when I was there last week and they all seemed to have a great time. Turtle farm would be fun for the kids. They might also like seeing the big cruise ships out just off shore in Georgetown.

Where would you advice would be a good place to stay?

I personally would recommend 7MB. The beach around the Westin hotel is, I believe, the best. Check out the condos in www.caymanvacations.com

What about the Hyatt? Is the Westin a better choice? I have also heard that Platana (sp?) is a good choice. Any input would be appreciated.

Check out www.tripadvisor.com for unbiased (IMHO) reviews of the hotels that you are interested in.

It has helped me a lot.

Just last week we were trying to make this same decision...where to go for vacation this summer with 4 adults and 3 kids (12, 7 and 3 years). We had narrowed it down to Negril or Grand Cayman and chose Negril. The price was cheaper in Negril and we decided an all inclusive was better for us so we wouldn't have to drag the kids out to dinner every night. Grand Cayman sounds great but was about $1000+ more money. WE decided on the new Riu Negril in Jamaica. It isn't even open yet but we have stayed at a Riu hotel in Mexico and were pleased. The off the resort activities sounded better in Grand Cayman though. We will miss doing that.

If you're travelling as a family, I strongly recommend staying at a condo instead of a hotel. Hotel prices for everything are always high no matter where you go, but if you stay at a condo, like for example Plantana, and make use of the full kitchen and buy groceries, as well as the advantage of two bedrooms you'll save money. Plantana has a very nice beach. In fact, so long as you're north of Royal Palms Bar and staying at a condo, you'll have a nice beach with not so many cruise ship tourists hanging out there in the day. They tend to stop at beaches associated with hotels and can crowd them. All beaches are public here.

I second the Grand Cayman condo suggestion. Not only is the kitchen nice to have, but it's great to be able to put the little ones down for a nap and/or an early bedtime in another room, and still have the LR, patio, etc. available for you to use.

I personally love Negril but, not with small children. I think for your money GCM is a better choice.
The crime rate is lower, the hospitals are better if you would need one, the drug atmosphere is not overwhelming and no begging. Just my thoughts.

I personally would not stay at the Hyatt in GC. It is a very large compound like property and the beach gets very crowded. The chairs are lined up next to each other and you really don't have any personal space. Also, a good portion of the rooms are quite a walk to the beach and the condos are at the other end of the property. (across the street)

For the money, there are much better choices.

I personally would go for Grand Cayman anytime over Jamaica - have been to both. Absolutely no comparison at all. Grand Cayman may be a bit more expensive, but worth every penny. Most people rent condos and for the money you get tons of space and the ability to avoid restaurants for every meal which is such a pain with young children. There are plenty of restaurants that are easy and casual for kids for the times when you do want to go out. Lots of price ranges on condos and the beach - especially along 7 MB - is absolutely calm and beautiful. Check with Ian at Cayman Vacations - they have a huge list of condos and he can recommend something in your price range if interested.

I have been to both Negril and Grand Cayman and I much prefer Negril. I have returned there several times and never returned to GC - it was perfectly fine but I found it fairly boring - and, for lack of a better word - bland. It must be something intangible for me because I loved scuba diving in GC - the all day snorkeling trip was great - I loved bicycling all the way to Hell and back and I even liked the turtle farm - it just didn't have "it."