Westin Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands [Master Thread]
Aug 22, 2017, 10:29 am
#242
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
I think that the comments and questions are entirely reasonable. I asked for additional information; Plumber expressed sympathy/empathy, but disagreed politely, KenJohn said that he was confused and politely requested more information, etc. I just don't see where the OP was jumped on. What do you see that I don't, Oxon Flyer?
Aug 22, 2017, 10:32 am
#243
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,481
As this event unfolded at lobby bar, there must have been some other guests around. I wonder what compensation those guests are entitled to? 
Witnessing an event as described can surely ruin one's vacation.
Witnessing an event as described can surely ruin one's vacation.
Aug 22, 2017, 6:16 pm
#244
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
This is exactly why I said this is a one sided post and I wish the hotel security video was available to us.
Aug 31, 2017, 6:21 am
#245
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: DL DM, AA Platinum (Life), Emirates Gold,GHA Black
Posts: 451
To answer your comment:
1. I was sucker punched. No retaliation, I walked away
2. I asked for the security tapes. None available as the renovations to the lobby were not finished.
3. Other guests at the bar offered to testify on my behalf.
4. "Gentleman" was held in jail for 8 days before being deported.
5. No security. Only 2 valet by lobby door.
6. How do you explain "I don't care"? That was my impression.
1. I was sucker punched. No retaliation, I walked away
2. I asked for the security tapes. None available as the renovations to the lobby were not finished.
3. Other guests at the bar offered to testify on my behalf.
4. "Gentleman" was held in jail for 8 days before being deported.
5. No security. Only 2 valet by lobby door.
6. How do you explain "I don't care"? That was my impression.
Sep 6, 2017, 2:34 am
#246
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 209
To answer your comment:
1. I was sucker punched. No retaliation, I walked away
2. I asked for the security tapes. None available as the renovations to the lobby were not finished.
3. Other guests at the bar offered to testify on my behalf.
4. "Gentleman" was held in jail for 8 days before being deported.
5. No security. Only 2 valet by lobby door.
6. How do you explain "I don't care"? That was my impression.
1. I was sucker punched. No retaliation, I walked away
2. I asked for the security tapes. None available as the renovations to the lobby were not finished.
3. Other guests at the bar offered to testify on my behalf.
4. "Gentleman" was held in jail for 8 days before being deported.
5. No security. Only 2 valet by lobby door.
6. How do you explain "I don't care"? That was my impression.
Sep 6, 2017, 4:14 pm
#247
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
Dec 11, 2017, 5:11 pm
#249
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHX
Posts: 623
Camana Bay has a bunch of restaurants and stores and is nice for an evening walk. The concierge at the Westin recommended "Abacus", but I was seriously underwhelmed and would not recommend it. "The Brooklyn" is a casual place with great pizza and sandwiches.
Dec 11, 2017, 5:35 pm
#250
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: USA
Programs: SPG Platinum (100)
Posts: 517
You can also try Chicken! Chicken! which is totally casual. A short drive from the Westin towards Georgetown.
For dependable dining options:
- Grand Old House
- Luca (about a 10 minute walk from the Westin)
- Deckers
- Abacus (Camana Bay -- I think the same owners as Deckers)
Remember, Cayman is expensive so dining out will not be cheap.
Dec 12, 2017, 2:38 pm
#251
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: MR LT Titanium, SPG LT Plat & Plat 100, SWA A+ & CP
Posts: 1,093
Thanks a lot folks. We are going to check some of these places out. I’m here right now and am impressed.
- service has been very good.
- used SNAs and upgraded to one of the best suites in the house. 5th floor staring right at ocean.
- new remodel is very very nice.
- as mentioned, prices steep and driving on the left side of road is a challenge.
- service has been very good.
- used SNAs and upgraded to one of the best suites in the house. 5th floor staring right at ocean.
- new remodel is very very nice.
- as mentioned, prices steep and driving on the left side of road is a challenge.
Dec 13, 2017, 11:42 am
#252
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
Thanks a lot folks. We are going to check some of these places out. I’m here right now and am impressed.
- service has been very good.
- used SNAs and upgraded to one of the best suites in the house. 5th floor staring right at ocean.
- new remodel is very very nice.
- as mentioned, prices steep and driving on the left side of road is a challenge.
- service has been very good.
- used SNAs and upgraded to one of the best suites in the house. 5th floor staring right at ocean.
- new remodel is very very nice.
- as mentioned, prices steep and driving on the left side of road is a challenge.
Sunday brunch at the RC next door is amazing, albeit pricey.
Cheers,
Cheers,
Dec 16, 2017, 5:29 pm
#254
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: MR LT Titanium, SPG LT Plat & Plat 100, SWA A+ & CP
Posts: 1,093
Grant Cayman Westin Trip Report - I’m a PLT100 who booked 5 night on points this past week. Overall, it was a great stay and Id come back in a heartbeat. Here’s the deal...
- Checkin was very good. The manager even came out to shake my hand and said that my ambassador sent a note about my stay. They gave me $50 in resort funny money.
- Room... Applied SNAs (hey, I had 10 to burn this late in the year) and they actually went through. They put me in a nice two room suite on the 5th floor looking over the pool and ocean. Jackpot. Two balconies, two fridges, a small kitchen. It was newly remodeled. A great room.
- Breakfast... I took the breakfast amenity and paid the $8 to upgrade daily to the full buffet, which was one of the best best buffet breakfasts I’ve ever had. The Omelette Guy was awesome. I applied $10 of the resort funny money to this daily and also applied my Green Choice certs to it. Oh and if you eat bfast at 10-10:30, you’re pretty much full till dinner.
- Green Choice... as I had a two room suite, they ended up putting 2 certs under my door each night. I used one to offset breakfast upgrade and traded in the others for points.
- Lobby and Grounds... recently updated and awesome. Lobby was great, pool area was great, and beach was great. Staff were very helpful and friendly.
- Amenities... seeing I plopped down $60/day for the resort fee, We took advantage of the free stuff. This included yoga every morning, free paddle boarding at 9AM, etc. I rented a car and parking was free. Used Gym. It’s one of the better ones.
- Food... took advice here and tried several of the local restaurants. We eat casual and all were pretty good. One note is they include gratuity in your bill. I did not notice that till day 2. I’m pretty sure I shelled out a few 35% tips. Lol.
Went off the beaten path one night and ate at the “West Bay Diner”, which was a hole in the wall. Probably good for breakfast or lunch but not great for dinner. No booze or wait service. Whoops.
- Paying for Stuff... You can use USD or Cayman $. The set exchange was $1 US is $0.8 CI. It’s a weird situation, not like other countries. Things were more expensive for sure but not double. I’d say a solid 20% higher on most things. More on alcohol. I did hit the market for some food and snacks.
- Stuff I Brought and Should Have Brought... I Brought Beer and sun screen. Wish I Brought cheap snorkel gear.
- Snorkle... found a place called Aquarius Tours and paid $50US for a 3 hour boat tour given by 3 locals. Well worth it. Went snorkeling, fed Rays in the wild, went to starfish point. These guys are a small, local outfit and real islanders. We had a great time.
- Car... rented a car from Budget. What a hunk of junk. More dings and scratches than my wife’s car, door handle busted, blinkers did not work. It got me through. I was paranoid as I did not get insurance as it was more than the rental. I babied that junk box.
Oh, I’ve never driven on the left. Took 2 Days to get used to it. The directional is on the wrong side and they have rotaries everywhere. Was stressful till day 3. Lol. Especially in the dark.
I would definitely go back. The wife said it was the best vaca she’s ever had. Water was beautiful, everyone was super friendly, accommodations were awesome. No complaints... except for the junk car.
- Checkin was very good. The manager even came out to shake my hand and said that my ambassador sent a note about my stay. They gave me $50 in resort funny money.
- Room... Applied SNAs (hey, I had 10 to burn this late in the year) and they actually went through. They put me in a nice two room suite on the 5th floor looking over the pool and ocean. Jackpot. Two balconies, two fridges, a small kitchen. It was newly remodeled. A great room.
- Breakfast... I took the breakfast amenity and paid the $8 to upgrade daily to the full buffet, which was one of the best best buffet breakfasts I’ve ever had. The Omelette Guy was awesome. I applied $10 of the resort funny money to this daily and also applied my Green Choice certs to it. Oh and if you eat bfast at 10-10:30, you’re pretty much full till dinner.
- Green Choice... as I had a two room suite, they ended up putting 2 certs under my door each night. I used one to offset breakfast upgrade and traded in the others for points.
- Lobby and Grounds... recently updated and awesome. Lobby was great, pool area was great, and beach was great. Staff were very helpful and friendly.
- Amenities... seeing I plopped down $60/day for the resort fee, We took advantage of the free stuff. This included yoga every morning, free paddle boarding at 9AM, etc. I rented a car and parking was free. Used Gym. It’s one of the better ones.
- Food... took advice here and tried several of the local restaurants. We eat casual and all were pretty good. One note is they include gratuity in your bill. I did not notice that till day 2. I’m pretty sure I shelled out a few 35% tips. Lol.
Went off the beaten path one night and ate at the “West Bay Diner”, which was a hole in the wall. Probably good for breakfast or lunch but not great for dinner. No booze or wait service. Whoops.
- Paying for Stuff... You can use USD or Cayman $. The set exchange was $1 US is $0.8 CI. It’s a weird situation, not like other countries. Things were more expensive for sure but not double. I’d say a solid 20% higher on most things. More on alcohol. I did hit the market for some food and snacks.
- Stuff I Brought and Should Have Brought... I Brought Beer and sun screen. Wish I Brought cheap snorkel gear.
- Snorkle... found a place called Aquarius Tours and paid $50US for a 3 hour boat tour given by 3 locals. Well worth it. Went snorkeling, fed Rays in the wild, went to starfish point. These guys are a small, local outfit and real islanders. We had a great time.
- Car... rented a car from Budget. What a hunk of junk. More dings and scratches than my wife’s car, door handle busted, blinkers did not work. It got me through. I was paranoid as I did not get insurance as it was more than the rental. I babied that junk box.
Oh, I’ve never driven on the left. Took 2 Days to get used to it. The directional is on the wrong side and they have rotaries everywhere. Was stressful till day 3. Lol. Especially in the dark.
I would definitely go back. The wife said it was the best vaca she’s ever had. Water was beautiful, everyone was super friendly, accommodations were awesome. No complaints... except for the junk car.
Jan 23, 2018, 9:31 pm
#255
Join Date: May 2016
Location: ATL
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum Elite, DL PM (MM)
Posts: 70
Posted this in another thread before I found the master thread so I apologize for that....but it looks like the "resort fee" is $65 a day now....anyone have any luck getting it waived or reduced, etc...?