Westin Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands [Master Thread]
#151
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: AUS / DXB
Programs: BA Silver | AA LT Gold | EY Silver | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,838
I wasn't here before the renovation, so I can't comment on any specific improvements, but I have no complaints. I have stayed at nicer beach resorts for sure, but I don't have anything particularly negative to say about the quality and upkeep of the Westin - it is definitely nice but not exceptionally so. The service however has been great so far, as I alluded to earlier. Definitely happy with that aspect of the stay.
Thanks! Excellent recommendations on both counts.
#152
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: AUS / DXB
Programs: BA Silver | AA LT Gold | EY Silver | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,838
I will add that internet here is incredibly spotty and has barely worked the past couple of days. It seems work fine in the lobby (at least it has every time I tried to demonstrate the problem to the front desk). I would be a lot more annoyed about this if I didn't have an unlimited international data plan (and a VPN passthrough to hide tethering) on my phone.
#153
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 731
would you say this is worth a 5 or a 10 night stay in Grand Cayman? We snorkel and swim, like to hike and explore, shop, and relax, but some places are very small or feel like you really only need 5 nights. Does anyone have thoughts? We are considering going here over Christmas next year.
#154
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BUF
Programs: SPG Plt, HHonors Gold, UA Gold, PC Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 880
would you say this is worth a 5 or a 10 night stay in Grand Cayman? We snorkel and swim, like to hike and explore, shop, and relax, but some places are very small or feel like you really only need 5 nights. Does anyone have thoughts? We are considering going here over Christmas next year.
#155
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
would you say this is worth a 5 or a 10 night stay in Grand Cayman? We snorkel and swim, like to hike and explore, shop, and relax, but some places are very small or feel like you really only need 5 nights. Does anyone have thoughts? We are considering going here over Christmas next year.
My best answer is five days is enough if that's all the time or money you can expend, but I'd do 10 days if I had the choice - and, in fact - usually do.
Cheers,
#157
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BUF
Programs: SPG Plt, HHonors Gold, UA Gold, PC Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 880
#159
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 731
Christmas is magical in Cayman. Be sure to get their enough before Christmas Day to take in the pirate celebrations. Some of the best residential Christmas light displays you see anywhere in the world. There is lots to so along the lines you state above. Great restaurants too.
My best answer is five days is enough if that's all the time or money you can expend, but I'd do 10 days if I had the choice - and, in fact - usually do.
Cheers,
My best answer is five days is enough if that's all the time or money you can expend, but I'd do 10 days if I had the choice - and, in fact - usually do.
Cheers,
#160
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hertz 5* Gold
Posts: 266
Just got back
All --
My wife and I just got back from 5 nights here this week. I thought I would share some of my observations and thoughts about the property.
Check-in: Arrived early and was told room was not ready (ok, no problem). Offered to store our luggage until it was so we could enjoy the facility. Perfect. Had to fight, however, for the alt plat amenity given that internet is included in the resort fee...but ultimately got extra points (though unclear how many). No plat upgrade as resort was completely sold out.
Room: Our first room, 373, was horrible. AC did not work. Loud grinding noise day and night from some type of work going on on the roof. Crappy old showerhead. We were finally moved to another room once it opened up and it was much more pleasant. Overall, even with the new room, I would describe the actual rooms as just "meh" -- granted this is compared to the St Regis Bahia from last March which had much nicer rooms. Average Westin, I suppose. You get 2 bottles of water free each day -- though I had to call and remind them to provide them 3 times.
Service: Very hit and miss. Many evenings we went out to front of hotel...no doorman for 5-10 min to get us a taxi. Front desk was often less than friendly. Beach service...sometimes you could find folks, often times not.
Beach: The beach is great -- crystal clear water unless it gets a little rough. Much less crowded than the Ritz beach (though still crowded). One thing to note is that they have some umbrellas that are seemingly permanent on the beach...but will put up an additional row of chairs and umbrellas in front of these (kind of ticked me off the first day I got there early to get a front row seat only to have another umbrella put up in front of me...lesson learned).
Other things about trips and the island -- for snorkeling and Stingray City I would recommend Acquarius with Capt Mario -- did a great job...boat was far less crowded than the Red Sail boats that go. Found them on Trip Advisor. The town is pretty dead when cruise ships aren't in port -- restaurants not overly crowded. Our favorite restaurant was Casanova -- ask for table 82 and you can take off your shoes and have your feet in the sand.
Great island -- we'll be back at some point I'm sure. Just not sure if teh Westin will be it...
My wife and I just got back from 5 nights here this week. I thought I would share some of my observations and thoughts about the property.
Check-in: Arrived early and was told room was not ready (ok, no problem). Offered to store our luggage until it was so we could enjoy the facility. Perfect. Had to fight, however, for the alt plat amenity given that internet is included in the resort fee...but ultimately got extra points (though unclear how many). No plat upgrade as resort was completely sold out.
Room: Our first room, 373, was horrible. AC did not work. Loud grinding noise day and night from some type of work going on on the roof. Crappy old showerhead. We were finally moved to another room once it opened up and it was much more pleasant. Overall, even with the new room, I would describe the actual rooms as just "meh" -- granted this is compared to the St Regis Bahia from last March which had much nicer rooms. Average Westin, I suppose. You get 2 bottles of water free each day -- though I had to call and remind them to provide them 3 times.
Service: Very hit and miss. Many evenings we went out to front of hotel...no doorman for 5-10 min to get us a taxi. Front desk was often less than friendly. Beach service...sometimes you could find folks, often times not.
Beach: The beach is great -- crystal clear water unless it gets a little rough. Much less crowded than the Ritz beach (though still crowded). One thing to note is that they have some umbrellas that are seemingly permanent on the beach...but will put up an additional row of chairs and umbrellas in front of these (kind of ticked me off the first day I got there early to get a front row seat only to have another umbrella put up in front of me...lesson learned).
Other things about trips and the island -- for snorkeling and Stingray City I would recommend Acquarius with Capt Mario -- did a great job...boat was far less crowded than the Red Sail boats that go. Found them on Trip Advisor. The town is pretty dead when cruise ships aren't in port -- restaurants not overly crowded. Our favorite restaurant was Casanova -- ask for table 82 and you can take off your shoes and have your feet in the sand.
Great island -- we'll be back at some point I'm sure. Just not sure if teh Westin will be it...
#161
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL DM, AA PlatPro, Hilton DM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 1,532
For those of you curious about the Platinum alternate amenity, I was offered 500 points a night (and I chose Breakfast as my normal Platinum amenity).
#162
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, AC Elite, Airmiles Gold, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Posts: 785
#163
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: MSN
Programs: DL Kryptonium & Diamond & 2MM, SPG Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 251
We are headed to this property for an end of school getaway. Are there any "must do" activities in the area? We will be happy with relaxing by the pool & ocean but would hate to miss something great.
#164
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
Cheers,
#165
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,727
Removed reply...Misread Flews post.
I'll agree with Flews in that swimming with the stingrays is a truly memorable experience and well worth doing.
I'll agree with Flews in that swimming with the stingrays is a truly memorable experience and well worth doing.
Last edited by hhoope01; May 15, 2014 at 6:39 am