Grand Caymanian

[lmkucala]

Just got an exchange through II into a 1BR at the Grand Caymanian on 12/31/11!

I know they have done a lot of rennovations lately and am wondering if anyone has been there recently, is aware of any layouts of the resort (not just the rooms - I did find those on their website) and if there are more and/or less desirable places to be?

Also, if one were to put in a request for a specific location or building, how accommodating is this resort to requests for people exhanging in? (i.e. do they reserve the best only for owners).

I know there is a newer section called Phase 2. Not sure if there is an advantage to being in that section vs. the old?

Lastly, does anyone know if the 2nd pool they were going to build is done yet?

 

[mecllap]

Not sure how much help I can be on this one. The resort is in a V-shape, with two strings of 3-buildings (which actually seem like one building on each leg of the V, so that all rooms probably have a little bit (at least) of an ocean view (some/most rooms have excellent ocean view, but I haven't been in enough of them to know if they all do). The "inner" rooms (which in the original building are odd-numbered, look out into the central pool area (my preference, because I like to watch the activity). I spoke with someone on my last visit who had the golf-course side, and he really liked it -- it also had an ocean view (and would be "quieter"). The whole resort is pretty much quiet, altho it is now essentially twice as big. I don't know if being an owner or an exchanger makes a difference; it's actually not a huge resort.

I think the new wing has more "modern" looking furniture, but the room layout is the same. I don't know yet if they've updated the older rooms that had more "beachy" furniture. (I am hoping that they've improved the sofabed in the living room -- that was probably my least favorite thing about the rooms, it was very uncomfortable).

They have not yet started on the "mythical" new pool.

The GCR is not as big and fancy as a Marriott TS (or some others), but we have thoroughly enjoyed the Grand Cayman vacations it has allowed us to have -- very relaxing and fun.

 

[lmkucala]

Thanks so much for the info. I don't need the Marriott - just comfortable and pleasant - which it sounds like this will be!

One more question - I assume there are multiple floors? Any advantage to being on ground floor vs. something else?

Thanks for responding to all my crazy questions!

 

[mecllap]

Most of the resort is 3 floors; the ocean front smaller section (with "grand villas") is 2 floors. May be better ocean view from upper floors; ground floor you could walk out to a BBQ or the beach/pool area from your patio (but I don't think you can lock the slider from the outside [which I probably wouldn't care about anyway -- I don't take much of value and the resort has few, if any, nonstaff or guests around]).

BTW -- saw your posts over on tripadvisor. I've been having trouble posting there, so couldn't respond. The small shop at GCR used to have rental snorkels available (they're included with the stingray trip offered from the resort, which is a good one because they go early in the morning before the cruise ship hordes get there), so I expect they still do. Don't know about the rental costs, tho -- I prefer to take my own. Hope you get some good answers over there on TA.

Last trip I had to stay somewhere else for one night (I probably just went through expedia) -- got a ressie at the Marriott Courtyard (not right on the beach--and not sure if it's back in business), but it closed down, and they relocated us to the Westin (actually seemed like a nice upgrade). The Comfort Suites is handy to the beach. A one-night add-on at the GCR is likely to be rather expensive. Sunshine Suites gets lots of good reviews, is walkable to the beach, and handy to GCR. Don't know if you could get one night at a more "local" place like Sunset House, or Turtle Nest Inn. The Cayman Activity Guide forum pretty much only deals with the businesses they recommend, but its forums have a lot of useful background info -- and you can also ask questions
there ( http://www.caymanactivityguide.com/forums/index.php ).