mamamia66

My husband & I are using points to take a 4 - 5 night trip (flying out of NYC)...this time without kids. Which island would best fit our needs, considering we will be staying at Westin (or could do Sheraton on Our Lucaya since sister resort)? Looking to hang out by pool or beach & relax, read & swim. Only other activity we are really interested in is snorkeling...we prefer off beach snorkeling too, if possible. Like good food but would rather not spend a fortune each & every meal. Would love to have some meals outside on beach or a beach patio type of place. Would prefer not to rent a car or do so for just a day to explore island. A nice gym in hotel would be nice, although not necessary. Only other island we've been to is St. John & loved it. Also been to Riviera Maya & loved that as well. Please advise on your experiences with both islands & resorts. Not familiar with either. thanks!!

mamamia66

Oh, one thing I wanted to add is that we love long walks on beach...I am assuming with Grand Cayman Westin being on 7 mile beach there is plenty of distance to go for walks but not sure about Bahamas.

girlonthego

I have been only to the atlantis in the bahamas so I can't comment on the port lucaya, but I would recommend the Grand Cayman in a heartbeat.
We stayed down the beach at the Marriott, but the Caymans are beautiful. The water is gorgeous. The beach is very walkable. We usually taxied to our restaurant choice and then walked back on the beach. Very safe island. Very friendly island. No car is really needed. We were there for a week and did not need a car. You can walk to many things. The beach in front of the Westin is bigger than the Marriot.
Best snorkeling island in my opinion. Food is good and some say expensive, but we found all of the islands have pricey restaurants and cheaper ones. I found we spend most of our money on the dinner and were not overwhelmed by prices on GC.

Although, I have not been to Portlucaya area of the bahamas, I was not thrilled with the bahamas on the nassau side. GC is a quiet island and has great watersports available if you want that.
I would go to GC. Have fun.

kelliebellie

I've been to both Lucaya and Grand Cayman. We went to the beach at the Westin in Grand Cayman, so I can comment specifically on that hotel, but I'm not familiar with the hotels you are considering in Lucaya.

Grand Cayman is more of an upscale island than the Bahamas. Lucaya has more of a spring break feel for me (but I was ON spring break at the time, so that might be why!). Grand Cayman is gorgeous and Seven Mile Beach is breathtaking. But it is expensive! Their dollar is worth more than the US dollar, so you have to add 20% to already high food bills. You can find cheaper places to eat. There is an amazing jerk stand out by the airport (Seymore's) where we would get lunch a lot. We had a car, but it is not necessary.

The Bahamas have casinos and Grand Cayman does not. They are both safe islands.

If I were you, having been to the Westin on Grand Cayman, I would go there. There is a grocery store not far from there so maybe you can sandwich it for lunch and go have some nice dinners.

mamamia66

Thanks for the replies!! Based on your comments and what I've been reading, I think we'll be heading the Grand Cayman. I know dates are harder to get at that resort though so if it doesn't work out, I'm sure we'll love the Bahamas as well!!

lenlu

Grand Cayman, HANDS DOWN. I've been to Our Lucaya and several times stayed at The Westin Casaurina in Cayman. Water is totally different in Cayman, calm, beautiful, white, long sandy beaches. The Westin doesn't have any fantasy pools but it's right on the best water possible with excellent snorkeling and diving walking from the hotel. You can cross the street and have breakfast at EATS or go to the grocery store and stock up. Our Lucaya is just not even close to the caliber of Cayman. Food is bad, drugs were being sold on the beach, dirty, water not nearly as breathtaking, beach was short. I couldn't wait to get out of there. It has several fun pools for kids and they've done the best to make their resort the best so you don't have to leave, which is best. Cayman won't disappoint.

mamamia66

Thanks for another confirmation of Grand Cayman...looks like we are going there. After hearing about the two locations, Grand cayman looks like much more of what we are looking for!

Anguillagirl

Yep, I too confirm Grand Cayman. It's hands down the winner. It will be far warmer there-and by staying at the Westin you can definately walk to restaurants and won't need to rent a car. Yes, there is expensive dining there, but there are also cheaper places you can find if you look. Have fun. I love Cayman!

lizardboys

You will find it hard to beat the beach at GC. We've been going there for 15+ years. The snorkeling it one of the best. You will not be sorry.