I am looking at staying at the Westin for my wife's birthday. Has anyone stayed there and do you have any suggestions? <BR>Thanks !!

Mark, <BR>I have several friends who have stayed recently at the Westin, and have only positive things to say about the property...location great(7 mile beach), facilities among the finest they saw, resort diving cert. was good...As a matter of fact, my husband and I are planning to go to Cayman next month, and are making arrangements to stay at the Westin. Hope we are all as pleased as my friends have been...Have fun! <BR>vicki, Atlanta, GA

I hate to be a downer, but I stayed there a year ago April and didn't see anything at all special about this place. Ok - the hotel is in the middle of everything (including fast food joints) - depending on how you look at that, it's good or bad. <BR> <BR>My take is, for the price we were paying, the rooms were BASIC, the service just passible, and the beach, while very pretty, was PACKED with people from the hotel. Granted, you can walk down the beach to a more quiet area, but that's not what we were paying for. <BR> <BR>My husband and I had a car and traveled to the other side of the island daily, where we found quiet beaches, great snorkling, and great local restaurants (not cheap - just local). There is an inn we stopped at in Bodentown - the Turtle Rest Inn - that seemed lovely, and I have seen some postings on here to support that view. <BR> <BR>Expectations are everything and I thought the Westin would be more romantic and quiet and it just wasn't. Sorry. Try the Hyatt maybe?

My husband and I have been visiting Cayman since 1993 and were last there in 1999. We stopped at the Westin to see what it was like (had drinks in their strange lobby bar).I am saying "strange" because the bar is kind of "plunked" over on the side of the lobby. We came away feeling that it was overpriced. We agree, their beach is very crowded. There are many other wonderful places to stay - In fact, we are going to check out The Turtle Nest Inn while we are visiting in March. It kind of depends on whether you want to be where there is alot of activity going on around you or want a more quiet vacation. SMB is VERY busy while the other end of the island is much quieter. We are trying Morritts Tortuga in March (we own a timeshare and are doing an exchange). If you can provide information on what is important to you (luxury, alot of restaurants to choose from, etc.), perhaps I can help you a little more.

I am looking for a place that is safe, clean and has great beaches. I am not looking for a place where I have to stay at the hotel to have fune, but some where we can go out and explore. I don't mind driving to other parts of the island to find other nice spots. I do find myself going away from the "tourist" spots, once I have been to a new place. <BR>Thanks for the info.

<BR>Hi Mark! <BR>If you're not the type to sit & veg in one place, then most any place on Cayman will do cause it's not very big. The island as a whole is clean & safe. Almost everything is modern or modernized. Basically decide what you want: is beachfront important or will ocean view do, hotel (room service, restaurant) or condo (self-catering), busy area or quieter area. Cayman's not that big, so exploring is easy, unless you let yourself get caught traffic in Georgetown or SMB road from 7-9, 11-2 or 4-6 (approximately) ... you could easily find yourself sitting in traffic for an hour. Plan your drive time around those hrs & you should be ok. Boddentown to Georgetown can also be very slow mornings & afternoons, with locals going to & from work. <BR> <BR>If you want a hotel setting your choices are pretty much the Westin, Hyatt, Treasure Isle, Marriott & the new Holiday Inn due soon. <BR> <BR>Have you considered renting a villa in the Cayman Kai/Rum Point area? Gorgeous & off the beaten path. If you don't want to drive the long way back around to SMB for whatever, just take the ferry at Rum Point. <BR> <BR>~PP

I feel that it may be best to stay at a hotel our first time and then look at the villas and homes for the next trip.

<BR>Mark, <BR>I'd definitely choose the Westin over the Hyatt (limited & very expensive beachfront rooms --- most of the resort is across the busy main road). Treasure Island is fine but very family oriented & could use a face lift IMHO. Of course there's the new Holiday Inn too, if it's ever finished. Might want to check that out. In any case, I think you'll really enjoy the Westin. <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR>~PP

Mark, <BR>My wife & I have stayed at the Westin in Grand Cayman & we enjoyed it very much. When we go back to Grand Gayman again, we will definitely stay at The Westin.

My wife and I decided on staying at the Westin after doing a little research and also reading this forum. Someone on here was like a Westin fanatic, and he was just the deciding factor that we choose the Westin (since he made it sound so good). We ended up enjoying our trip and stay at the westin so much, now I think I'm the fanatic. Its quite simple really. The Westin IS the best hotel in Grand Cayman. The hotel is not huge by any means, actually we were surprised as to how small it was (when comparing it to resorts in Hawaii). The lobby does have an open feeling about it, with the bar being over to one side, but honestly- I like having the drinks brought to me while I'm laying on the beach! The pool also has a bar located betwen the beach and the pool. Everything there was just fantastic, and we had no complaints. Just make absolutly sure you get a room on the top two floors and on the north, south, or preferably, the west side. The east side of the hotel overlooks the parking lot, and the lower floors look into other buildings or onto the pool. Hope this helps.

Thank you for all the replies. I am sure we will have a great time.

We had a great time at the Westin. I would go back to the Westin and Grand Cayman in a heartbeat. Thanks to everyone that gave me feedback on the different islands, hotels and restaurants. The messages were a big help !!

Mark, I have not stayed at the Westin yet but seen the property and beach - DO STAY THERE... yes it's a resort hotel but you are on the best end of 7MB and do get the ocean view... it will be the most wonderfull gift ever for your wife. the restaurant, etc. at the Westin or Hyatt will be expensive so explore and rent a car, taxi or take buses to try the many great restaurants in close distance to you....some recommendations are: <BR> <BR>The Wharf <BR>Crowes Nest <BR>The Reef Grill <BR>Restarante Casonava <BR>Paradise Bar & Grill (for lunch only) <BR>Restarante Papagalli (spelling??) <BR>Smuggler Cove <BR>Chicken Chicken (for take home supper with a bottle of wine) <BR> <BR>Enjoy!!!! <BR> <BR>Lori <BR>

Sorry to disagree folks. I just got back from GC yesterday and spent much of my time on the beach in front of the Westin. It was high season and NOT that crowded, much less so than the other major hotels where the beach was almost gone. <BR> <BR>Before I went down I had nonted Turtle's Nest Inn as an interesting place to check out. We drove over and were VERY disappointed. It sits right on the main road. There were heavy trucks driving by and construction going on next door. This is NOT a quiet retreat!