USVI-On-Line

Greetings forum-ites-
I feel like a trader for asking this...but we might go to Cayman Islands soon,mostly for my senior mother...easier to get to beach and just nice to sit on porches for a beautiful view. I need suggestions from you who have been to Caymans recently. We havent been for years. where is your favorite place to stay? We used to stay at Villas of the Galleons, but the girls want a pool, too. ( i know...go figure...)
I would much rather go to STJ, my "home away from home"... any condo recommendations on Seven Mile Beach?

Jerseyboy is either just going or has just gone. Maybe he can be of some assistance!

Suzi -
The hubby and I jsut went to Grand Cayman in March. We absolutely loved it. We stayed at the Turtle Nest Inn (not sure when you are going, but they are usually booked months in advance), and I may not suggest staying there if you like that typical white sand beach - they have a rocky beach, but the snorkel is great, once you get past the rocks along the edge of the water. They do have a pool and patios on the rooms. We had an ocean front room (which was more of an appartment). I just re-read your question and you specifically asked about Seven Mile Beach, so...

We looked around at other places to stay on future trips...we would consider the Treasure Island Condos, and there were a couple of other condo complexes on the northern end of Seven Mile Beach (Aqua something and Columbus somethign) and many people like the Marriot. We used www.caymanactivityguide.com for a lot of our information, keep in mind they tend to hype the advertisers in the magazine, but there is still plenty of good info.

Our favorite place to snorkel was at Cemetery Beach and Smith's Cove.

How timely (I too am thinking of cheating on STJ) and am looking to exchange our timeshare for a week there sometime in 2009 I plan a little in advance. It looks like they also rent to non-owners, which is the case with most timeshares these days.

Anyway this is one place that I am considering. The Reef: http://www.thereef.com/splash. I really like the condo thing over a typical hotel room, so this might be one to check out. Not the fanciest in the world, but affordable and right on the beach.

Good reviews http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review ... lands.html

FF -

I've read good things about the Reef Resort - we drove past it a couple of times. Its on the opposite end of the island from Seven Mile Beach & Georgetown, but it is closer to the Botanical Gardens (which was a fun thing to do) and it's nearer to Rum Point, which I think your little ones would enjoy - shallow, calm water, a beach bar and facilities. Rum Point is a great place to spend the day - we would have stayed longer when we visited, but it decided to rain more than the typical 15 minute shower. Oh well.

Grand Cayman is very high on our list now, I joke around with the hubby saying that I would do the 4 hour layover in Miami anytime, just to avoid the taxi/ferry thing to STJ. (Sorry folks, I'm not one who thinks getting to STJ is half the fun.)

Thanks F&FMom. I really do know nothing about the island at all, yet. Since we are off topic anyway ... how far is it from one side to the opposite? How does it compare to STJ size wise, travel time wise?

Thanks!

FF -

Size wise I'd say its about 30 miles long +/- and 4 miles wide +/-. Shouldn't take more than an hour to go from one end to the other. Very flat, not hilly like STJ, not as lush either, but we enjoyed it.

We left Dulles at 6:00 in the morning and were on island by 2:00 in the afternoon give or take (and that includes the previously mentionned 4 hour layover in Miami). There are other flights, some through Charlotte and others through Atlanta.

Here are some pictures...

Thanks for the pictures. Very helpful. It takes me that long to get to STJ. We usually leave DC around 6-7am and arrive around 2-4 pm depending on ATL airport!

Thanks again. My husband really wants a new dive location and I've heard nothing but good things about the caymans. I am hoping its less rustic than Cozumel.