Just got back LATE last night, thanks to US Airways, from Grand Cayman. We stayed at the Westin, just 4 nights but had a great time, again no thanks to US Airways. The resort was quite full when we got there - on a Saturday - two weddings and a meeting but by Sun mid-day it empty out and was barely 1/4 full the rest of time which was nice for us. Service and food was good. The room did have quite a musty smell which I have read alot of complaints about - and we even got upgraded to "partial" oceanview. But the smell really did disapate over the stay and didn't even notice by 3rd day. I think housekeeping is really trying as they are using something to try to help the situation. I think it is better when rooms get used and "aired" out alittle as opposed to staying shut for days with no activity in and out.
The beach and water were beautiful. There was excellent snorkeling right off the beach. Captain Marvin's snorkelling trip was great - 2 snorkel stops and then to Stingray city which was great. The food was good - had excellent dinner's at Casa Havanna (Westin), The Wharf and Grand Ole House, both on water. There is still alot of visible hurricane damage all over island and alot still closed. The stores/restaurants/liquor store across from Westin are all closed. But none of the hurricane damage interfered with our trip other than just feeling bad for all those effected by the severity and devestation of it all. We watched the Eagles win at Coconuts Joe's which was alot of fun - GO EAGLES. I would highly recommend the island but just know you will see alot of damage, still. But we felt if nothing else, since their economy is based on tourism maybe we helped out alittle for some of those people's livelihoods and rebuilding efforts. Would never want to see any of these islands as beautiful as they are to not recover from a hurricane. I would recommend the Westin primarily for the beach and location as we walked up and down on either side and thought it was nicest at Westin. I can't say the hotel had tons of ammentities and the property is rather narrow - not a huge pool or bar areas. I am not sure I would have felt the same if the resort was full! Let me know if you have any more specific questions - this got long enough!

Hi, I have booked a flight through air miles to Grand Cayman. Looking to now choose my hotel and have been leaning towards the Westin. It sounds like you would recommend the hotel. My wife and I are just looking for a nice relaxing beach vacation at a place that has some amenities. We do not dive or snorkel but will spend a fair bit of time on the beach as well as some time in town. Did you have an island view, ocean view or ocean front? Does it make much of a difference? Will they upgrade you if space is permitting? So...would you say that I need look no further or are you aware of other properties worthy of consideration? Do you have an opinion on private condo rentals? We are arriving there on April 17 so perhaps more rebuilding will be completed by then. Is that happening quickly?

Thanks,

Mike

thanks nanorran

Many of us have been looking forward to your trip report. Glad you had a very nice trip. We booked our family trip in July for GC, went with the The Reef(east end). Were you on that side of the island at all? Any comments if so? We almost went with a condo very near Westin, I was concerned about consrtuction noise and crowding. Just my own issues! Thanks, Carol

Thanks for the report. I had not heard that Eats was closed due to the hurricane. Crossing the street for breakfast over there most mornings was one of our highlights. Hope they re-open soon.

We booked an island view room and then got upgraded - 1 level to partial oceanview room. I am starwood gold preferred so I don't know if they would do it if you just ask. Maybe in April after spring break and Easter week it will be less crowded and they would upgrade if you just ask. Again I felt the beach was so nice at Westin - tons of beach chairs. We walked down by Hyatt and it was much narrower there and the property itself was not as wide so I would think it is much more crowded. We saw a number of condo buildings that looked really neat but alot had damage so not sure when they would open. Some looked as if one or two units were occupied. I would think by April 17th much more will be open and rebuilt. Check caymanvacations.com at top Hurricane Ivan update - it tells expected opening dates on various things. And caymanrestaurants.com tells which restaurants are open.
Beachluver - I was not on east end at all but I did here someone say worst of damage was on west end and seven mile beach area.
Knowing - the bar Legendz right next to Eats is also closed and they had emailed me that they plan to open in March so maybe Eats will be same, however there was no sign of any rebuilding going on yet in the entire complex across from Westin.
They are also building a HUGE Ritz Carlton property 2 properties to south (toward George Town) from Westin. The residences are due to open in June so most of heavy/noisy construction should be complete soon. We just heard a bulldozer maybe twice one afternoon - very briefly never bothered us. If anyone is going soon and planning on renting a car I would try to arrange ahead of time. They said 10-15,000 cars were destroyed by hurricane and sometimes tough to get car.

How did Villas of the Galleon (condos next door to the westin) look? Did you happen to notice? we got married there a little over a year ago. I don't believe they are slated to open until Fall.

The Galleon condos looked nice. There appeared to be some people staying there as I saw some people around and one night I saw 2 different grills going with people cooking. But maybe 1/3 of the roofs had blue plastic covering so I believe they still have damage to be fixed in some of it and those may not be available for awhile. There was no sign of anyone working/repairing there yet.

nanorran: We will be going to Grand Cayman for two weeks over Spring Break and Easter in March. Someone said that "shots" are now recommended post-Hurricane, smililar to Mexico and Jamaica. Did you have any of the recommended vaccines that are recommended for most islands? Did you have any trouble with the drinking water, food, etc.?

wow that's a surprise - I never heard a thing about shots or anything going to Cayman Islands. I had no problems with anything. We had brought bottled water so didn't drink water at hotel, but at every restaurant we had tap water and had no problems. Ate all kinds of food also with no problems. I am a bit sensitive also and have had minor problems in Mexico on numerous trips.
But again no problem in Cayman and didn't think about it.

I doubt very much that shots would be needed for Grand Cayman.

No need for "shots" to come to Grand Cayman... and you won't have any trouble with drinking the water or eating the food... never have had, never will have... just some of the intangibles of a Cayman vacation

My family and I just returned from the Westin. It was nice, not as nice as other Wetstin properties, but nice. Be sure to ask for the ocean view. It is worth it. We have an 18 month old with a milk alergy and they flew in the soy milk that we requested for us at NO Charge! That was nice since breakfast was about $50! The staff was friendly. The people at the Red Sail shop were very helpful and nice to be around. I had never gone scuba diving before and took the morning class/afternoon dive and it was great. For meals, we enjoyed Deckers, Ragazzi and Eduardos (although it was not very child friendly). The Wharf was over-rated, but the feeding of the tarpon was fun.

We also went to George Town for the afternoon, but it was not really worth it! If you go make sure there are not many cruise ships in port!

Soy milk is available at any grocery store on the island. Nice try on the hotels part.