illesus

Hi, good summary, thank you. Can you please confirm whether is it $25CI per child per day? So practically this is the double cost for their breakfast? Thanks!
Also the official policy states: "The child must be accompanied by an adult for all food orders placed. An accompanying adult purchase is required in restaurants at mealtime, but an adult is not required to accompany the child for beverage-only orders. " Can you confirm that this wasn't enforced?

We will be there for 5 nights at the end of May, so this feature might come handy.

aarif1

When is this move supposed to happen (or already happened)? The website says Cat 6, but the Starwood Hotel list still says category 5.

Starwood Lurker

They are already Category 6. The list of properties by category will be updated soon.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

canalskater

Just finished 9 nights here:
Positives:
The beach is spectacular
The people in grand Cayman are super friendly. Same at the hotel
No vendors on the beach
The weather was perfect 30 degrees celsius and sunny.
Buffet breakfast was good. As a Platinum guest,I was charged $7CI/person a day to upgrade to full buffet.

Negatives:
The US$45/day sort fee is a joke: dirty towels and no assistance whatsoever. The guys who are supposed to help you with beach chairs sit 30 metres away with their back to the pile of chairs that they are supposed to help you with. In 9 days we received help twice. The free water containers are filled most of the time, but for paying a resort fee, I'd like them to always be filled.
Service is very very slow.
My bill included a charge for a welcome "anniversary cake" and cokes which were in our room. It was a gift from my Ambassador.It was removed very begrudgingly from my bill, like I was trying to pull a fast one.

The Cayman Islands are vey expensive. A delicious and cheap dinner option is chicken-chicken a 20 minute walk. http://www.chicken2.com

droidcore

Completed a 5 night stay here today... Upgraded to a "Suite" ...had Suite Night Awards pulled on it but looking at the site, it seems I was in a "One Bedroom Partial Ocean View" ...the view sucked and it was just two rooms (1 being a living room) connected by an opened door. Kinda feel ripped on the SNAs but oh well. I'd take my chance on a Platinum upgrade next time...

Pros:
- Beach is amazing...
- Wi-Fi is fast, was able to stream Game of Thrones from Xfinity box at home without a hitch and stream Sirius XM right by the water. Free Premium 'net for Platinums.
- The Concierge named Roseanne is amazing.
- Towel guys can get you anything you want, just ask...
- Free parking (renting a car is generally cheap and better)
- Complimentary Champagne and dessert in the room for my wife's Birthday

Negs:
- Rooms/property a little dated. Made the mistake of going to the Ritz... I'll be staying at the Ritz next time we're in GCM.
- Concierge that was not named Roseanne was horrible and didn't call in some of our dinner reservations or confirm with us.
- Food is meh. So many great options on the island. Upgraded to the breakfast buffet each day.
- Spa is a mess. Booked the wife a signature package (like 2 hours) and when she got there, she found out she was scheduled for only a deep tissue. Couple on their honeymoon there, at the same time, had a couples massage outside booked into separate massages. Mad unorganized.
- Cruise people come to the beach and property. Not even going to go into details about the Carnival crowd. Someone stalking the pool bar billed $190 in booze to my room.

Tip: as a beer snob, I was able to bring in 24 cans of craft beer in my checked luggage without fee. Alcohol is crazy expensive in GCM, so go this route unless you're down with overpriced swill.

turkeyRIOO

Resort Charge Increase Beginning December 15, 2016
On December 15, 2016, the Resort Charge will increase from 45 USD to 60 USD per night.

Ongoing Renovations Until December 15, 2016
Until November 15, 2016, the pool is partially closed; however, the remaining pool, the pool bar and Tortuga's Bar & Grill remain operational.

Until December 15, 2016, the main entrance, lobby and retail outlets will be relocated due to interior enhancements. All efforts will be made to keep disruption to a minimum.

Please call or email [email protected] for additional information.

Flews

Or the restaurant at the Sunshine Suites across the street.

Brutal when you think those chicken menu prices are pretty well doubled in Canadian dollars. I always go to the grocery store to stock up the first day I arrive.

Cheers,

cfacpamba

When did resort charge increase? If you booked before, do you get the lower price honored?

SKYEG

Ahhh I picked an expensive island to visit at the end of this month. $900CDN here or $1500 for the Ritz. Not sure what to do. Maybe I'll try renting a condo! Why is this island so expensive compared to everywhere else? I've been to most other Carribean/Mexico destintations but first time to GCM

Canada101

That's because the Cayman Islands survive not only on tourism but also on banking and finance. The hotels and restaurants cater as much to tourists as they do visiting bankers/finance/insurance executives traveling on expense accounts. I would say that at one point, the banking and finance sectors probably represented a larger proportion of the Cayman economy than tourism (and maybe still does).

Also, as an income tax free island, the government generates revenues from duties and when virtually everything is imported, those duties are quite high on everyday goods.

Flews

Cayman has always been more expensive than other islands. Strong economy, pretty well full employment, nearly everything is imported, many expat residents are loaded, no income taxes, CI$ trades higher than US$.

You are also going at one of the most expensive times of the year. I've never paid more than a couple hundred a night at the Westin.

Lots of condos, and condo sites.

Cheers,

SKYEG

Thanks for the responses. Really looking forward to it, another island off my list !

Corridor!

Does anyone know rates to guarantee an upgrade from island view room or partial ocean view paid with points?

Andie007

no guaranteed upgrades - only based on availability.

Last time I have been there the hotel was fully booked. no upgrade availability...

CanesLawMarty

Anyone have any luck getting the extortionate $60USD resort fee reduced/waived? Have been to this property a half dozen or so times since 2010 and have always had good experiences but there's no way in hell I'm paying $60 a day on top of the already aggressive rates...$284 a night is the cheapest during the lowest of the low season in Sept-Oct. I know they apparently spent $50M on a renovation but yikes.