Westin Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands [Master Thread]
Dec 11, 2018, 10:42 am
#286
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 22
I do believe that right now the way the online tool tells you that the hotel has run out of award rooms for a particular date is "the hotel is not accepting points reservations". But if you try other dates that do still have award room inventory, you will see that they do still take awards.
Dec 26, 2018, 1:53 pm
#287
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 9
Current Platinum Elite Benefits?
What are Platinum Elite benefits when staying at this WESTIN (post Aug. merger)? We go next month.
It seems:
Breakfast: Continental or $ credit?
Resort Fee: Rebate off of $65 per day
Upgrade?
No Lounge but any benefit without?
Other tips?
Thank you for any information.
It seems:
Breakfast: Continental or $ credit?
Resort Fee: Rebate off of $65 per day
Upgrade?
No Lounge but any benefit without?
Other tips?
Thank you for any information.
Dec 26, 2018, 9:02 pm
#289
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: BDL, BOS
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, AA EXP, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 627
Breakfast: Continental which includes coffee, orange juice, choice of eggs, choice of pastry, yogurt and fruit. Table service (eggs made to order). Or for $8 you can upgrade to the buffet. The continental was very filling for us.
Resort Fee: $65 per day - but you get a coupon for $8 for each day to spend for food at any venue as an alternate amenity since WiFi is already part of your member benefit
Upgrade: We received an upgrade to an oceanfront room overlooking the pool. We found that too noisy as there were loud revelers in the hot tub underneath our room the first two nights, so we were moved to an oceanview room which was perfectly quiet. The ocean view rooms are on the two outside legs of the “U” shaped complex.
No Lounge but any benefit without? No
Other tips? Beach much nicer here than the Ritz or Marriott. We also stayed 3 nights at the Kimpton Seafire a short way up the beach which was amazing!
Dec 27, 2018, 6:08 am
#290
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 9
YMX
Thank you for the info. We stayed at SeaFire in 2017 a within a few months of the opening. I saved all of my Kimpton Nights for that redemption and at that time still had Inner Circle status. We had a fantastic stay. First time at the Westin and Kimpton SeaFire has set the bar high.
Have a SUV rented and enjoyed that freedom with our last stay too.
All the best, John
Thank you for the info. We stayed at SeaFire in 2017 a within a few months of the opening. I saved all of my Kimpton Nights for that redemption and at that time still had Inner Circle status. We had a fantastic stay. First time at the Westin and Kimpton SeaFire has set the bar high.
Have a SUV rented and enjoyed that freedom with our last stay too.
All the best, John
Dec 30, 2018, 8:16 pm
#291
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 598
Curious if anyone has been able to compare this to the Westin St. John? I know St. John is all villas, but there are some nice points deals here, and it looks like a very nice spot to visit.
I'm also looking at the St. Regis in Puerto Rico, but I realize that's very different
I'm also looking at the St. Regis in Puerto Rico, but I realize that's very different
Dec 31, 2018, 4:59 am
#292
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: MR LT Titanium, SPG LT Plat & Plat 100, SWA A+ & CP
Posts: 1,093
Was there last month and last year. It’s a great location and I got a great points redemption at 12k times 4 plus 5th night free. Booked under the wire with the points change.
Im a Top Level plat. Last year, I was upgraded to an awesome suite. This year, suites were all sold out and was upgraded to an oceanfront room. notes...
- the beach and service are awesome. Incredible.
- used my PLT amenity and upgraded breakfast every AM. Used my resort fee $$ to do this. The full breakfast buffet was awesome. Custom omelettes, fruits, pancakes, you name it. You eat this after 10am, no need for lunch.
- the island itself is expensive. Not terribly but everything seems to be about 20% more. We packed some booze as booze is a bit steep.
- while the resort fee is expensive, you do get value from it. Paddle board, yoga, $10 resort bucks, to name a few. Don’t love paying it but they are par for the course with other GC hotels.
Liked it so much last year that we went back this year. Would go again but would probably try St. John’s once before. Just to check it out.
Im a Top Level plat. Last year, I was upgraded to an awesome suite. This year, suites were all sold out and was upgraded to an oceanfront room. notes...
- the beach and service are awesome. Incredible.
- used my PLT amenity and upgraded breakfast every AM. Used my resort fee $$ to do this. The full breakfast buffet was awesome. Custom omelettes, fruits, pancakes, you name it. You eat this after 10am, no need for lunch.
- the island itself is expensive. Not terribly but everything seems to be about 20% more. We packed some booze as booze is a bit steep.
- while the resort fee is expensive, you do get value from it. Paddle board, yoga, $10 resort bucks, to name a few. Don’t love paying it but they are par for the course with other GC hotels.
Liked it so much last year that we went back this year. Would go again but would probably try St. John’s once before. Just to check it out.
Dec 31, 2018, 4:17 pm
#293
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 122
Curious if anyone has been able to compare this to the Westin St. John? I know St. John is all villas, but there are some nice points deals here, and it looks like a very nice spot to visit.
I'm also looking at the St. Regis in Puerto Rico, but I realize that's very different
I'm also looking at the St. Regis in Puerto Rico, but I realize that's very different
Jan 1, 2019, 7:49 am
#294
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 483
Was there last month and last year. It’s a great location and I got a great points redemption at 12k times 4 plus 5th night free. Booked under the wire with the points change.
Im a Top Level plat. Last year, I was upgraded to an awesome suite. This year, suites were all sold out and was upgraded to an oceanfront room. notes...
- the beach and service are awesome. Incredible.
- used my PLT amenity and upgraded breakfast every AM. Used my resort fee $$ to do this. The full breakfast buffet was awesome. Custom omelettes, fruits, pancakes, you name it. You eat this after 10am, no need for lunch.
- the island itself is expensive. Not terribly but everything seems to be about 20% more. We packed some booze as booze is a bit steep.
- while the resort fee is expensive, you do get value from it. Paddle board, yoga, $10 resort bucks, to name a few. Don’t love paying it but they are par for the course with other GC hotels.
Liked it so much last year that we went back this year. Would go again but would probably try St. John’s once before. Just to check it out.
Im a Top Level plat. Last year, I was upgraded to an awesome suite. This year, suites were all sold out and was upgraded to an oceanfront room. notes...
- the beach and service are awesome. Incredible.
- used my PLT amenity and upgraded breakfast every AM. Used my resort fee $$ to do this. The full breakfast buffet was awesome. Custom omelettes, fruits, pancakes, you name it. You eat this after 10am, no need for lunch.
- the island itself is expensive. Not terribly but everything seems to be about 20% more. We packed some booze as booze is a bit steep.
- while the resort fee is expensive, you do get value from it. Paddle board, yoga, $10 resort bucks, to name a few. Don’t love paying it but they are par for the course with other GC hotels.
Liked it so much last year that we went back this year. Would go again but would probably try St. John’s once before. Just to check it out.
We have 2 free Ritz certificates and one IHG free night and we were thinking about doing one night at Ritz, one night at Westin and one at Kimpton Seafire. Would you do this or is the Ritz not worth it? I've heard there's no free breakfast and that most people have to stay on the other side of the road for a long walk to a narrow beach, but that the property is nicer. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks!
Jan 1, 2019, 9:01 am
#295
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
Personally, I'd think moving to a new hotel every day would take away a significant portion of your vacation. You'd have to unpack/pack every day and spend time checking in/out every day. Then you have to get your luggage from one place to the other. I'd rather spend that time sitting out by the pool or the ocean.
Jan 1, 2019, 9:56 am
#296
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 483
Personally, I'd think moving to a new hotel every day would take away a significant portion of your vacation. You'd have to unpack/pack every day and spend time checking in/out every day. Then you have to get your luggage from one place to the other. I'd rather spend that time sitting out by the pool or the ocean.
Jan 1, 2019, 11:54 am
#297
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 598
Was there last month and last year. It’s a great location and I got a great points redemption at 12k times 4 plus 5th night free. Booked under the wire with the points change.
Im a Top Level plat. Last year, I was upgraded to an awesome suite. This year, suites were all sold out and was upgraded to an oceanfront room. notes...
- the beach and service are awesome. Incredible.
Im a Top Level plat. Last year, I was upgraded to an awesome suite. This year, suites were all sold out and was upgraded to an oceanfront room. notes...
- the beach and service are awesome. Incredible.
Jan 1, 2019, 12:14 pm
#298
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
Best is a "subjective" term. I'd say the RC would win in the "luxury" category, but who knows if you would even be on the same side of the street with the ocean? I don't know anything about the Kimpton. So can't comment on it.
What I might do, given you have 2 free night certs at the RC, would be to contact the hotel to find out what their Plat upgrade options are? Are you a Plat or PP? Suite upgrades are now supposed to be possible at RCs for PPs, but who knows if the Cayman RC would give you one or not (even if available). If you really want the best chance at an ocean-front room, the Westin may give you a better chance than the RC. From some of the Tripadvisor comments, it looks like Plats now get at least some type of free breakfast at the RC now as well (though not sure if it can be upgraded to a full buffet breakfast or not.)
What I might do, given you have 2 free night certs at the RC, would be to contact the hotel to find out what their Plat upgrade options are? Are you a Plat or PP? Suite upgrades are now supposed to be possible at RCs for PPs, but who knows if the Cayman RC would give you one or not (even if available). If you really want the best chance at an ocean-front room, the Westin may give you a better chance than the RC. From some of the Tripadvisor comments, it looks like Plats now get at least some type of free breakfast at the RC now as well (though not sure if it can be upgraded to a full buffet breakfast or not.)
Jan 1, 2019, 3:22 pm
#299
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 483
Best is a "subjective" term. I'd say the RC would win in the "luxury" category, but who knows if you would even be on the same side of the street with the ocean? I don't know anything about the Kimpton. So can't comment on it.
What I might do, given you have 2 free night certs at the RC, would be to contact the hotel to find out what their Plat upgrade options are? Are you a Plat or PP? Suite upgrades are now supposed to be possible at RCs for PPs, but who knows if the Cayman RC would give you one or not (even if available). If you really want the best chance at an ocean-front room, the Westin may give you a better chance than the RC. From some of the Tripadvisor comments, it looks like Plats now get at least some type of free breakfast at the RC now as well (though not sure if it can be upgraded to a full buffet breakfast or not.)
What I might do, given you have 2 free night certs at the RC, would be to contact the hotel to find out what their Plat upgrade options are? Are you a Plat or PP? Suite upgrades are now supposed to be possible at RCs for PPs, but who knows if the Cayman RC would give you one or not (even if available). If you really want the best chance at an ocean-front room, the Westin may give you a better chance than the RC. From some of the Tripadvisor comments, it looks like Plats now get at least some type of free breakfast at the RC now as well (though not sure if it can be upgraded to a full buffet breakfast or not.)
Feb 18, 2019, 7:46 am
#300
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 222
I'm just a Plat, not PP. So would you say the Ritz is a LOT more luxurious and nicer than the Westin, with better activities? The two things pushing me toward the Westin are the free breakfast and the nicer beach, plus the greater likelihood of being on the beach instead of across the street. But the Ritz is a much better redemption since rooms there cost so much more and it seems more luxurious. Do you like the RC better than the Westin? I didn't see the TA reviews mentioning free breakfast with Plat at the RC?