Westin Punta Cana or Grand Cayman?
Aug 15, 2017, 9:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: MR LT Titanium, SPG LT Plat & Plat 100, SWA A+ & CP
Posts: 1,093
Westin Punta Cana or Grand Cayman?
Hi... Plat100 here, looking for a 5 night beach stay in December. Keys are they must be a reasonable point redemption and served by Southwest Airline.
Ive been looking at Punta Cana and Grand Cayman Westins. My wife and I would be going and we are fine with chilling by the beach or pool, walking around, and playing in the water. Anyone been to both and care to compare and contrast?
thanks.
Ive been looking at Punta Cana and Grand Cayman Westins. My wife and I would be going and we are fine with chilling by the beach or pool, walking around, and playing in the water. Anyone been to both and care to compare and contrast?
thanks.
Aug 15, 2017, 10:28 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: USA
Programs: SPG Platinum (100)
Posts: 517
I've only been to the Westin Grand Cayman -- great property and beach which I can highly recommend. Plat recognition is above average. The biggest thing to consider about Grand Cayman, though, is the cost of dining. It is NOT cheap but it is definitely world class.
I've stayed at other resorts in Punta Cana and the beach there is stunning BUT I don't have any personal experience with the Westin there. Is the Westin an all-inclusive property? If not, you might want to research dining options on/off property. Having stayed at several all-inclusive in Punta Cana over the years, I think the off property dining options are quite limited.
I've stayed at other resorts in Punta Cana and the beach there is stunning BUT I don't have any personal experience with the Westin there. Is the Westin an all-inclusive property? If not, you might want to research dining options on/off property. Having stayed at several all-inclusive in Punta Cana over the years, I think the off property dining options are quite limited.
Aug 15, 2017, 11:00 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
Westin Punta Cana is not all inclusive. There are 2 restaurants on property and the shuttle to the village. More than a few nights would get repetitive.
Last edited by VickiSoCal; Aug 16, 2017 at 3:11 pm
Aug 16, 2017, 5:15 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: MR LT Titanium, SPG LT Plat & Plat 100, SWA A+ & CP
Posts: 1,093
Thanks a lot folks. This is good information. I may have to back a suitcase of booze and snacks.
by the way, what's the currency there? I'm looking at a few menus for local restaurants and they are in $$$ of some sort.
by the way, what's the currency there? I'm looking at a few menus for local restaurants and they are in $$$ of some sort.
Last edited by jb3t; Aug 16, 2017 at 5:40 am
Aug 16, 2017, 8:33 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: GVA
Programs: BA Silver (OW Sapphire), A3 Gold (*G), Bonvoy LTTE, HHonors Diamond, LeClubAccor Silver, UA Silver
Posts: 1,778
Have you considered Westin Cancun? It's great value on points (28k for 5 nights, or 34k at the Royal Beach Club), it's in a nice, quiet area of the hotel zone in Cancun, with great beach and pool. Plat treatment is great, with an amazing breakfast spread, and daily happy hour at the RBC. Tons of restaurants a 5-10 min cab ride away.
Only caveat is the ongoing renovations (none in the Royal Beach Club), but there's a detailed schedule on their website.
Only caveat is the ongoing renovations (none in the Royal Beach Club), but there's a detailed schedule on their website.
Aug 16, 2017, 10:35 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Tx
Programs: AA, UA, WN
Posts: 812
Have stayed at both...Food is better in Grand Cayman (sunshine Grill across the street is awesome and fair priced). Cayman dollar is fixed at $1.25 (so just add 25% in your head). The beach is way better in Cayman (no seaweed, semi private) and if you rent a car a lot of places you can search on the island. As stated above a few nights at Punta Cana gets old. One drawback in Cayman was the bar/beach service was terrible (no service or forgot my orders). Overall the food is more expensive but I would go back to Grand Cayman especially if you can get the room on points as that is pricey if paying cash.
Aug 16, 2017, 2:33 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SNA
Programs: UA Premier Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite (Lifetime Platinum), HHonors Gold
Posts: 241
I was just in Punta Cana a couple of weeks ago as well (although not at the Westin--stayed in the Bavaro Beach area). Regarding the seaweed problem... from what I understand from others who have been to PC numerous times, the seaweed only does that once a year (and guess what time of year it does that?). I've only been the one time a couple of weeks ago, so maybe others with more experience can chime in, but perhaps this wouldn't be a problem in December when the OP wants to go.
Aug 16, 2017, 2:36 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SNA
Programs: UA Premier Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite (Lifetime Platinum), HHonors Gold
Posts: 241
The official currency is the Dominican Peso (DOP), which currently trades at 46.75 per USD (or approximately two cents per peso). However, when we were there, we found that USD is widely accepted pretty much anywhere that caters to tourists.
Aug 16, 2017, 5:33 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 495
I spent last Xmas at the Westin Punta Cana and just couldn't warm to the place. Nothing terrible but it felt like I was somewhere in the US, everything priced in $$, American football on the TV etc. Much more so than Cancun even. They played incessantly loud Xmas music the whole time, pumped through endless speakers around the property. Food was limited, poor quality and expensive. I think there are better choices out there. The Westin Cozumel looks interesting for a new property.