I just returned from 9 days in "Paradise"! What a wonderful place to unwind and relax. The water was so beautiful and clear that I felt like I was in a heated swimming pool with sand on the bottom. The natives couldn't have been any friendlier and I found it very easy to get around without renting a car. I stayed at the Westin which I think was the most beautiful place on the Island to stay at, by far. To start with, they upgraded my "partical ocean view" room to an "oceanfront room". What a nice way to start my vacation. I felt like I had the best room in the place. The staff there is wonderful. They just can't do enough for you to make your stay any better. The beds are "heavenly" and I loved the little rum cakes they kept leaving on my pillow when they turned down the bed. My favorite restaurants were: Reef Grill (good music while I ate), The Wharf (great band), The Grand Ole House, Bamboo (wonderful sushi), The Cracked Conch and Ferdinand's (at the Westin). I also had good meals at: Eduardo's, Rackum's, Portofino, Ragazzi, Coconut Joe's, Paradise Cafe and Cafe Mediterraneo. Somehow, I only gained 3 lbs - must be from all of the walking I did! If you're interested in conch, The Cracked Conch had the BEST! For shopping and getting good prices I really liked Pure Art, Hesha Designs & Magnum Jewelers with Ricky (and yes, you can wheel and deal on jewelry with them). I did all of the tourist things like the Turtle Farm, Hell, Butterfly Farm, Captain Marvin's snorkeling adventure to Coral Gardens & Stingray City, horseback riding on the beach and my favorite of relaxing on a hammock in Rum Point. I went to three different places for Internet services. The first was Azzuro. They had great coffee and pastries but the Internet connection was the worst of the three. Cafe del Sol had coffee & pastries but the room upstairs with the PC's was very warm. My favorite was PC Powerhouse. They didn't have any frills but very good connections on the Internet, two giant screens to look at and they charged you by the minute instead of making you buy future time. The rates were also very cheap. This was a true "vacation from my brain"! If you have any questions on getting around with a car, traveling to Grand Cayman alone or anything in general please let me know.

I love reading trip reports. Thank you for taking the time to write this one. It is very informative. I have not been to the Cayman Islands and would like to visit. Glad you had fun!

Glad to hear you're back and had a wonderful time! I remember posting with you prior to your trip. Strange thing is--we went to Mexico instead of Grand Cayman this year due to Hurricane Ivan and ended up having to leave Mexico early due to Hurricane Emily!

Cindgail, Who did you go horseback riding with? We will be returing to GC in October. Our trip last year was cancelled due to Ivan and I can't wait to go back. Thanks.

Jake 11 - My trip to GC, last year, was also cancelled due to Ivan. I went horseback riding with Pampered Ponies - www.ponies.ky - I really liked them.

Hi! I am going on a cruise to Grand Cayman and wondering if you had any experience with a kayaking trip or stingray experience?

I didn't go kayaking but Stingray City was an experience you don't want to miss.

Thank you for the great trip report. Brings back fond memories of a beautiful island.

Trish

Cindgail - what a great trip report, thank you. I'll be staying at the Westin on Grand Cayman in January and I can't tell you how nice it is to hear such great things about the place. Your tips will be utilized! One question - do you know if the Westin has a shuttle from the airport or does everyone just taxi it?

Thanks again - glad you had a great time!

There is no shuttle transportation to/from the aiport. You either have to take a taxi or rent a car.