First off, anyone who stays here on points or another form of free nights needs to accept the fact they are going to be charged the resort fee. They won't waive it.

I had booked the first 2 nights paid (low summer sale rate nonrefundable) and the next 2 "free". The stay info online showed a major upgrade about 10 days before arrival (mentioned above). Due to flight fiasco with Jet Blue getting to FLL (5.5 hour flight turned into 13), we missed the GCM flight connection and had to stay the first vacation night in FLL. Kimpton very kindly canceled it and didn't charge me. We were assigned to a 1 bedroom oceanfront king suite 1671 sq ft (not 2 bedroom as listed above, front desk said that's the way the system classifies it). It was suite 504, full on ocean view, to the left pool view, L shaped wrap around deck (to the right was the construction site). Full kitchen, dining room table, living room sliding door to the deck, separate bedroom with sliding door to the deck (bed faced ocean full on), bathroom with 2 separate sinks, large shower, tub. Another bathroom in the hall by the kitchen. Most amazing! Found elevator a few steps from the door that goes straight down to Ave restaurant, then outside to pool & beach.

They treat you like royalty here, where else on a beach do they come around with samples of pound cake! Little flags on chairs at the pool and beach, raise whenever you need something. Beach chairs, umbrellas, chaise lounges--staff come over to help if you barely switch positions. Most people seem to stay at the pool--it was more crowded than I had anticipated for this time of year. I think they cater to a lot of groups. Beach was nice but not that gorgeous turquoise water that we had when we did part 2 of the trip further down Seven Mile Beach. There was seaweed in the ocean about at the shoulder level--no smell--but I think that caused the water to be darker. There was a guy on a tractor/truck all day long smoothing out the sand on the beach. IMO a little OCD and a bit of an ambiance mood killer. Sandy beach, no rocks, gradual slope into the water.

Never in my life did I think I'd ever sign up for a $120 pedicure, but looking to relax after previous day's flight tribulation and a $30 credit found myself in the jacuzzi and relaxation room on Saturday morning. Partook in the wine hour twice. Complimentary to go coffee in the morning--Ave restaurant at the bottom of our elevator kindly saved a walk to the lobby. Did not use any of the watersports equipment, but got a little value of the resort fee with the valet parking I suppose.

The dinner at Ave is right up there on our all time favorites list now--tenderloin, lamb chops and key lime dessert--will remember forever! Breakfast buffet was delightful and, as with most places, by the time you purchase a la carte items the $25 KYD buffet works out to be the way to go if you're hungry. Cocolobo, the more casual beachfront restaurant, was a favorite as well. Ate there twice, wanted to try other GC food spots that's why we rented a car, otherwise we would have had 3 meals there. Poolside food was decent, handy tray boxes they serve it in.

Construction next door is for a parking lot. There's a pavillion on the beach where some type of big event is to take place next February. On Friday there was a machine jack hammering cement which was really loud even through the room's heavy glass doors & windows. No noise Sat-Monday. Next to that was to be a Four Seasons hotel but instead is now slated to be a waterpark.

Really a gorgeous, phenomenal place to stay. With that said, it could be a resort anywhere, no Caribbean vibe. But I found that to be true for most of Grand Cayman.