This was the first trip to Grand Cayman for my wife and myself. One of
our friends had decided to get married in GC. What a great excuse for a
vacation.
Thank you to everyone who has posted information on this board. This
vacation was fantastic, it would not have been this way without all of
the information posted on this board. Originally we were going to stay at
the Marriot, but when we saw all of the posts about the beach, we got
booked at the Westin. That was the best choice of the trip. We went for the
beach, if we would have been at the Marriot we would have been very
disappointed. If you are going to GC to spend time on the beach you had better stay
north of the Hyatt. The Westin was perfect, just enough people and very good
service.
Thanks to Scott for his restaurant suggestions. Every meal was
excellent. I only wish that we could have stayed longer for more dinners. It was
nice to eat like royalty for a while.
17th April 2002
Flew US air connecting through Charlotte. Very smooth trip down.
Arrived in Grand Cayman a few minutes after 1pm. Easy trip through
immigration. Once we got done in the airport, Tropicana Tours took us to our hotel.
We had vouchers which made it nice to not have to get out money as soon as
we got off the plane. They had us to the Westin in no time. Checked in
and on the beach by 3pm. Then we soaked up the sun for a couple of hours
before dinner. For dinner, we took a taxi to Calypso Grill. Really
neat place on the east side of the seven mile corridor. Though we didn't
know it then, but it looks out at Stingray sandbar. We ate outside on the
deck. My wife ate the Mahi-Mahi and I had the Lobster and shrimp. After a
long day, the food tasted great. Dinner, a drink a piece, bottled water and
crab cakes US$140. Called the taxi and went back to the hotel very
tired and full. The taxi was US$15 each way. Not the cheapest way to go.
18th April 2002
Got up and went to Eats Café across from the Westin. The perfect
breakfast place, it reminded us of a classic diner. Good food and
service. We could not believe how fast the service was. We never had to wait
more than five minutes for our food. After breakfast we went to the other
end of the strip mall to stock up on snacks but we were to early, Big Daddy
liquor store didn't open up until 10. At that time we had not found
Fosters yet. From there we decided to walk down the beach to see the
rest of the wedding party at Turtle Beach Villas. It took about 45 minutes.
It was a good way to check out the other condos and hotels. If you want a
nice beach, stay north of the Hyatt. The beach at the Hyatt was always
packed as well as the Marriot. After visiting for a while, we headed
back up the beach to the Westin to soak up the sun. We picked up some
snacks along the way at Big Daddy's for the beach. The Westin food was very
good, but we just couldn't see buying US$20 sandwiches when we were still
full from breakfast. That night we walked to the Reef Grill. We had
reservations, but were early enough it didn't matter. If you wait
until after 7pm to eat, you had better have reservations at any of the
restaurants. My wife had a pasta dish and I had the Ribeye. Both were
very good. With dessert the bill was US$90. No taxi made this a cheap
night. After dinner, we walked along the beach back to the Westin.
One thing that amazed me is that when the sun sets, you can actually see it
moving. We live on Lake Michigan and I have never been able to see the
sun moving as it hits the water.
19th April 2002
Breakfast at Eats Café. The perfect breakfast place. After breakfast
we soaked up the sun for a couple of hours, then walked down the beach to
Turtle Beach Villas to catch the bus to get us to the Stingray City
boat. I don't remember what the name of the Captain was. The trip was set up
by the groom so almost everyone went. We were one of the boats that was
referred to as a "Cattle boat." 35 people went. It was great since we
all knew each other. For almost everyone, this was the first time to swim
with rays so it was really great for all of us. The first stop was at the
reef to do some snorkeling. Not as many fish as I thought there would be.
We stayed for about 30 minutes then went to the sandbar for the rays. Our
captain did a great job making sure that everyone who wanted to touch
one got a chance. The waist high water allowed everyone to get off the
boat and enjoy this. After the sandbar, we stopped at one more place to
snorkel some more and then a nice boat ride back to the dock. Overall the trip
was very good. US$75 for both of us. It was really nice to go with people
who we knew, rather than a boat full of strangers. I wished I had brought
food for the fish at the reef. It would have been a lot easier to have them
come to me rather than following them. We did hear people, who had
snorkeled out in front of the Westin, say that it was very good also.
Lots of colorful fish and some rays. They were about 200' offshore straight
out in front of the Westin. When the bus dropped us off, we went across the
street to Pizza & Ribs and got a pizza to get us through until dinner - US$17.
After a short rest in our room we headed down to Smugglers Cove. Our
reservations were not until 8pm so when took a short walk in town, then
settled at the bar. This is one place that you need reservations. It is
right on the water and would be good to watch the sunset as you eat. My wife
and I both had the lobster stuffed tenderloin. This was the best meal my
wife and I have ever had in our lives. If you eat one meal on the island,
this is it! I am scared to get a steak now, since I know it will not compare
to this. Thank you Scott for the suggestion. You were right on about all of
the places to eat. I hope you get some free meals for the recommendations.
After dinner we took a taxi up to the Royal Palms. We were way to full
to drink anything, so we walked back to the Westin along the beach.
Dinner was US$150 and the taxi was US$15 each way.
20th April 2002
Breakfast at Eats Café. Picked up souvenirs for our boys in the morning
then headed to the beach for some sun. About 3pm we came in and had
lunch. Ribs from Pizza & Ribs across the street - US$20. Ate in our room as
we got ready for the wedding. The wedding was at small church on the
South Sound. The reception was in George Town south of where the cruise
ships dock. I don't remember the name. It was on the deck right on the
water. We got to enjoy a perfect sunset. The sun even flashed green as hit
went below the water. Around 10pm they started to feed the tarpon at the
end of the deck. About 10-15 were feeding. A shark even decided to come
take a look. After the reception we took a taxi back to the Westin. US$20.
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