Westin Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands [Master Thread]
Feb 18, 2019, 8:51 am
#301
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA Plat, UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Avis First
Posts: 226
I’ve stayed at both ... with same statuses noted as above.
I would take Westin all day. Ritz is a beautiful hotel but not on the beach. To me, it’s that simple ... if you want to walk out the lobby door and have feet in the sand go Westin.
If yiu want a nice hotel hotel and service and don’t mind a stroll around the property and over the street walkway to ultimately end up on the same beach ... ritz.
I have kids. I didn’t want to walk. If it was only a couple trip, I might have considered the ritz.
But if a strnagers opinion matters. ... Westin is a gorgeous property beachfront. I went that path.
I would take Westin all day. Ritz is a beautiful hotel but not on the beach. To me, it’s that simple ... if you want to walk out the lobby door and have feet in the sand go Westin.
If yiu want a nice hotel hotel and service and don’t mind a stroll around the property and over the street walkway to ultimately end up on the same beach ... ritz.
I have kids. I didn’t want to walk. If it was only a couple trip, I might have considered the ritz.
But if a strnagers opinion matters. ... Westin is a gorgeous property beachfront. I went that path.
Feb 18, 2019, 9:01 am
#302
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
This is a good point. The base "award" rooms for RC will be on the other side of the hotel requiring a little extra walking which for the little ones could be more of an issue. It would be interesting to know if Plat/Titanium/Ambassador levels now include upgrades to at least the beach side of the hotel.
Feb 18, 2019, 11:27 am
#303
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 222
I’ve stayed at both ... with same statuses noted as above.
I would take Westin all day. Ritz is a beautiful hotel but not on the beach. To me, it’s that simple ... if you want to walk out the lobby door and have feet in the sand go Westin.
If yiu want a nice hotel hotel and service and don’t mind a stroll around the property and over the street walkway to ultimately end up on the same beach ... ritz.
I have kids. I didn’t want to walk. If it was only a couple trip, I might have considered the ritz.
But if a strnagers opinion matters. ... Westin is a gorgeous property beachfront. I went that path.
I would take Westin all day. Ritz is a beautiful hotel but not on the beach. To me, it’s that simple ... if you want to walk out the lobby door and have feet in the sand go Westin.
If yiu want a nice hotel hotel and service and don’t mind a stroll around the property and over the street walkway to ultimately end up on the same beach ... ritz.
I have kids. I didn’t want to walk. If it was only a couple trip, I might have considered the ritz.
But if a strnagers opinion matters. ... Westin is a gorgeous property beachfront. I went that path.
Would the beach be the same if you had been upgrade to the ocean tower at Ritz?
Feb 19, 2019, 4:21 am
#304
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: MR LT Titanium, SPG LT Plat & Plat 100, SWA A+ & CP
Posts: 1,093
For what it’s worth, the free breakfast at the Westin is incredible. Especially if you use your credit to buy up to the full buffet. If you time it right, you won’t need to eat lunch.
Another consideration is the lovely resort fee. Are they both similar??
Another consideration is the lovely resort fee. Are they both similar??
Feb 19, 2019, 4:28 am
#305
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 222
Yes, they are both the same
Feb 19, 2019, 6:59 pm
#306
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 598
Also trying to decide between both properties. Don't want to end up in island/parking lot view at Westin, and also worried about crowds at the pool. Is it a fight to get a spot by the pool, and is it over-run with kids? Definitely looking to relax.
Feb 22, 2019, 6:50 am
#307
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 122
I cant imagine staying at the Ritz over the Westin but it might fit you more. Plenty of kids at the Westin and pool area fills up fast though we always found a spot. We had the island view the first time we went but didn't mind as we spend so little time in the room
Feb 22, 2019, 9:17 pm
#308
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 598
Thanks for the info! Just curious, why do you say you can't imagine staying at the Ritz over the Westin?
Jun 7, 2019, 9:25 am
#310
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falls Church, VA
Programs: United, Starwood
Posts: 279
Does anyone know how much it costs to rent the cabanas at this hotel? And how far in advance do you need to book them? If you have any experience with the cabanas, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!
Jun 7, 2019, 5:13 pm
#311
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 598
Premium Cabanas - $225.00 CID* (+ 16% service charge)
White cloth canopy and four curtains on a metal structure, elevated platform atop the sand, four beach chairs with padded cushions. Premium Cabana capacity – 6 people maximum.
Luxury Cabanas - $300.00 CID* (+ 16% service charge)
Covered wooden structure with four curtains, elevated platform atop the sand, one bed or hammock, two beach chairs and a mini fridge. Luxury Cabana capacity – 6 people maximum.
Double Decker Cabana - $350.00 CID* (+ 16% service charge)
Two-story wooden structure, featuring daybed and two chairs on ground floor, two lounge chairs and umbrella on top floor. Luxury Deluxe Cabana capacity – 6 people maximum.
Upgrade Package – “Fun in the Sun” $65.00 CID*
Choice of a bucket of 5 local beers OR bottle of house red or white wine, battery-powered fan, Westin-branded beer koozies, 4 bottles of Fiji water, welcome smoothies.
Upgrade Package – “The Foodie in You” $100.00 CID*
Choice of a bucket of 5 local beers, bottle of house red, white or sparkling wine, battery-powered fan, carafe of fresh lemonade, 4 ice cream cups/bars Westin-branded beer coozies, 4 bottles of Fiji water, super food amenity plate.
Upgrade Package – “Night Cabana (6pm-9pm)” $100.00 CID*
1 bottle of prosecco, battery-powered fan, 4 bottles of Fiji water, and option to add dinner experience.
Upgrade Package – “Luxury Package” $300.00 CID*
Choice of a bucket of 5 local beers, bottle of house red, white or sparkling wine, battery-powered fan, Westin-branded beer coozies, 4 bottles of Fiji water, choice of super food amenity plate or 6 chocolate strawberries, one 25 minute back and shoulder massage, branded sunscreen, 1 Hibiscus SPA beach bag, 2 Hibiscus SPA towels.
Sep 17, 2019, 4:35 pm
#313
Join Date: May 2016
Location: PBI
Programs: DL-PM, Hyatt-Globalist, Marriott-Titanium, Hilton-Diamond
Posts: 45
Arrival said it was a mistake, moved back to Ocean-Pool and refunded the SNA. Ended up with an amazing private balcony room at an angle next to Governor's mansion with a partial ocean view.
Eat across the street, it's amazingly good. Enjoyed every minute of the trip.
Feb 17, 2020, 6:25 pm
#314
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 598
Stayed here for one night and can't say I'd return. Titanium benefits were good: two full buffet breakfasts, two drink coupons, and nice upgrade. We booked an ocean view room and were upgraded to a one-bedroom suite (crappy view of a tent but worth it for the extra space, including two full baths and two balconies). We did request the upgrade in advance and it was granted due to it being such a quick stay, having availability, and the titanium status. While the extra space was nice, the room decor is relatively basic, and when you look in closely, you can see that the hotel is just very old and the finishes are pretty cheap. Furniture on the balcony (only on one, other balcony was empty) was dirty and showed wear-and-tear. The rest of the room was mostly clean other than some stains on the table in the living room. Breakfast was good, nothing outstanding. Service was extremely underwhelming everywhere, particularly at the pool. No one to refresh pool seat covers, not a ton of servers around, etc. On our first day, when we arrived in the afternoon, it was hard to find a pool chair and the staff gave us a hard time to give us a new seat cover as "they usually start picking them up around 4". In the morning, the majority of the pool chairs were wet due to them power washing the pool deck around 8-9am. Cushions on the chair were also thin and not very comfortable. The pool itself has a very rough surface that was not comfortable to stand in, and it was pretty dirty...there was even a trash bag floating around in the morning. Resort felt crowded even though it wasn't full, I'm sure in part due to the hotel sharing all of its amenities with the Sunshine Suites across the street. Hot tubs were also packed with people.
Hotel also clearly caters to events and conferences. Our room looked out to a catering tent where we watched them eating breakfast, and the lobby was extremely loud and crowded in the evening due to a company happy hour. I saw that on the next night, that group took over the entire pool area for a dance party. Not what you want to experience when you're paying close to $1,000 a night.
I will say that the Beach House may have been our best dinner (food-wise) on the island. Service was underwhelming, to say the least, and the restaurant was nearly empty, but the beef tenderloin dinner was outstanding.
Overall, simply not worth the price tag. I realize it's not a luxury hotel, but for the rates, I expect better service and a nicer hard product. I think the difference in the cash rate or in points is well worth it to stay at the Ritz.
Hotel also clearly caters to events and conferences. Our room looked out to a catering tent where we watched them eating breakfast, and the lobby was extremely loud and crowded in the evening due to a company happy hour. I saw that on the next night, that group took over the entire pool area for a dance party. Not what you want to experience when you're paying close to $1,000 a night.
I will say that the Beach House may have been our best dinner (food-wise) on the island. Service was underwhelming, to say the least, and the restaurant was nearly empty, but the beef tenderloin dinner was outstanding.
Overall, simply not worth the price tag. I realize it's not a luxury hotel, but for the rates, I expect better service and a nicer hard product. I think the difference in the cash rate or in points is well worth it to stay at the Ritz.
Feb 19, 2020, 9:08 am
#315
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: EDI/GLA
Programs: DL 2 MM Unobtainum | UA 1.1MM Gold | MR Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 2,268
Stayed here for one night and can't say I'd return. Titanium benefits were good: two full buffet breakfasts, two drink coupons, and nice upgrade. We booked an ocean view room and were upgraded to a one-bedroom suite (crappy view of a tent but worth it for the extra space, including two full baths and two balconies). We did request the upgrade in advance and it was granted due to it being such a quick stay, having availability, and the titanium status. While the extra space was nice, the room decor is relatively basic, and when you look in closely, you can see that the hotel is just very old and the finishes are pretty cheap. Furniture on the balcony (only on one, other balcony was empty) was dirty and showed wear-and-tear. The rest of the room was mostly clean other than some stains on the table in the living room. Breakfast was good, nothing outstanding. Service was extremely underwhelming everywhere, particularly at the pool. No one to refresh pool seat covers, not a ton of servers around, etc. On our first day, when we arrived in the afternoon, it was hard to find a pool chair and the staff gave us a hard time to give us a new seat cover as "they usually start picking them up around 4". In the morning, the majority of the pool chairs were wet due to them power washing the pool deck around 8-9am. Cushions on the chair were also thin and not very comfortable. The pool itself has a very rough surface that was not comfortable to stand in, and it was pretty dirty...there was even a trash bag floating around in the morning. Resort felt crowded even though it wasn't full, I'm sure in part due to the hotel sharing all of its amenities with the Sunshine Suites across the street. Hot tubs were also packed with people.
Hotel also clearly caters to events and conferences. Our room looked out to a catering tent where we watched them eating breakfast, and the lobby was extremely loud and crowded in the evening due to a company happy hour. I saw that on the next night, that group took over the entire pool area for a dance party. Not what you want to experience when you're paying close to $1,000 a night.
I will say that the Beach House may have been our best dinner (food-wise) on the island. Service was underwhelming, to say the least, and the restaurant was nearly empty, but the beef tenderloin dinner was outstanding.
Overall, simply not worth the price tag. I realize it's not a luxury hotel, but for the rates, I expect better service and a nicer hard product. I think the difference in the cash rate or in points is well worth it to stay at the Ritz.
Hotel also clearly caters to events and conferences. Our room looked out to a catering tent where we watched them eating breakfast, and the lobby was extremely loud and crowded in the evening due to a company happy hour. I saw that on the next night, that group took over the entire pool area for a dance party. Not what you want to experience when you're paying close to $1,000 a night.
I will say that the Beach House may have been our best dinner (food-wise) on the island. Service was underwhelming, to say the least, and the restaurant was nearly empty, but the beef tenderloin dinner was outstanding.
Overall, simply not worth the price tag. I realize it's not a luxury hotel, but for the rates, I expect better service and a nicer hard product. I think the difference in the cash rate or in points is well worth it to stay at the Ritz.
Thank you for sharing your experiences.