Perhaps. You mention flights, then don't say "goods." Misleading at best. Not really very important either way.
Help with our 30th Anniversary trip....
- Thread starter mcpowell
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potato cod
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I have enjoyed the diving in both places. There was more big stuff (sharks, rays, tarpon) in GC whereas in Curacao there were loads of little eels and more healthy elkhorn coral than I've seen anyplace else.
On GC we stayed at Sunset House, which as others have mentioned lacks a sandy beach. After our last trip on the Cayman Aggressor we spent a half day on Seven Mile Beach and that was a really pretty beach.
On Curacao we dived with Ocean Encounters. They were good and have a decent house reef you can dive whenever they are open--it was included in our package for the week so we usually went out on the boat in the morning and shore dived in the afternoon. We stayed in a bungalow at Bon Bini Seaside Resort, which was a short walk and up the hill from the beach and Ocean Encounters (paved and we just rolled our dive bags to/from OE at the beginning and end of the week). I didn't want to be right on the beach because I am a super light sleeper and was worried about noise from the bars. Having the bungalow with a kitchen allowed us to get groceries (via cab) and cook some simple meals--this was nice on the wallet, but probably not what you're looking for in an anniversary trip. Also, it's not directly on the beach and no one will bring you a drink, but we pretty much always had the pool to ourselves and the bungalow also had an nice outdoor patio that's pretty private with lots of birds (parrots, bananquits, etc.) and iguanas scampering about.
On GC we stayed at Sunset House, which as others have mentioned lacks a sandy beach. After our last trip on the Cayman Aggressor we spent a half day on Seven Mile Beach and that was a really pretty beach.
On Curacao we dived with Ocean Encounters. They were good and have a decent house reef you can dive whenever they are open--it was included in our package for the week so we usually went out on the boat in the morning and shore dived in the afternoon. We stayed in a bungalow at Bon Bini Seaside Resort, which was a short walk and up the hill from the beach and Ocean Encounters (paved and we just rolled our dive bags to/from OE at the beginning and end of the week). I didn't want to be right on the beach because I am a super light sleeper and was worried about noise from the bars. Having the bungalow with a kitchen allowed us to get groceries (via cab) and cook some simple meals--this was nice on the wallet, but probably not what you're looking for in an anniversary trip. Also, it's not directly on the beach and no one will bring you a drink, but we pretty much always had the pool to ourselves and the bungalow also had an nice outdoor patio that's pretty private with lots of birds (parrots, bananquits, etc.) and iguanas scampering about.
For others that might read this thread and want to consider Sunset House on Grand Cayman, it is technically not All Inclusive, as most people define it -- It is "breakfast included", but you can certainly eat there for all 3 meals at either of their 2 restaurants, if you choose to.
The included breakfast is lame, in my opinion-- but you can't go wrong eating lunch or dinner at My Bar and I think a drink during sunset at My Bar is pretty tough to beat.
And correct, there is no beach at Sunset House. It is Iron Shore. Sunset House has a lot going for it in many respects, but breakfast and white sand beaches it does not.
I have a suggestion for you, extend your vacation for a couple days and spend some time on Grand Cayman, enjoying the beach and restaurants and ammenities, and then head over to Cayman Brac for some diving and relaxation at the CBBR. It is very easy to fly from Atlanta to Grand Cayman, and Brac has a modern airport. Cayman Airways flies both jets and smaller planes to the Brac and it is only a short flight from GCM (30 mintues).
Of the 2 Cayman sister islands I think that Brac has more of interest for a non-diver. I do not agree that Cayman Brac is rustic. It is quiet and rural and there is not much to do besides relax and enjoy nature, but it is beautiful and the standard of living is very comfortable, but if you want lots of bars, restaurants, and attractions (and that's okay it's your vacation!) then Brac would not be a good choice.
To me rustic means "roughing it" in basic and uncomfortable living accommodations in remote places that may be hard to reach. That is not a description of Brac - both the locals and visitors live very well. It's much more comfortable than some other Caribbean islands we have visited - including Bonaire where you may only get A/C in the bedrooms and not in the other living spaces, and where you can't leave anything in your car unless you want it to be stolen; or Cozumel, where you have to be careful about the food and water and also worry about contracting mosquito-borne tropical diseases.
On Cayman Brac there are good roads, hardly any crime, fully air-conditioned accommodations, and strong wifi - and you don't have to worry about eating the food, drinking the water, or contracting tropical diseases. There are also no cruise ships or cruisers to deal with unlike Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Bonaire, Bahamas, Provo, Curacao, Roatan, Belize and many other Caribbean destinations. Last year was our 41st anniversary and we spent a week on Grand Cayman and a week on Cayman Brac and we had a great time.
The Cayman Brac Beach Resort is on the water and the beach - but it is not a good swimming beach. CBBR has a gorgeous, huge infinity pool, a modern beach bar, and a small spa that provides a full range of spa services that your wife might enjoy. They also have bicycles, tennis courts, volleyball, hammocks, lounge chairs, and free nightly entertainments.
The food is buffet style but very good - also unlike some resorts we have visited on other islands. The CBBR is a small, diver-dedicated, all-inclusive resort. The price includes accommodations, meals, diving, transfers, and resort service charges. The online prices listed are for divers but it would be cheaper for your wife.
Below is the link to a quiet little movie called Cayman Went that was filmed on Brac. It's not a major cinematic experience but it includes a lot of scenes of Cayman Brac - above and below water - take a look and see if it is the kind of place that you both might like to visit, and if not then look elsewhere. Congratulations on your anniversary and I hope that you find a great place to celebrate!
https://vimeo.com/104722556
OP
Thank you again for the additional updates.
Also, if I need to increase my lodging budget, it’s no problem. I may start balking at anything above ~$4000 for the week. But I could be convinced
Also, if I need to increase my lodging budget, it’s no problem. I may start balking at anything above ~$4000 for the week. But I could be convinced
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Harbour Village is probably the closest - it's one of the Leading Small Hotels of the World. I believe you are correct though.
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Except for the Courtyard and that newer resort with diving down by Punt Vierkant - name one property that hasn't been there at least two decades. Parts of Habitat and Buddy's date from the 50's
I guess it's how you define rustic. I don't think there's going to be a lot of waiters bringing umbrella drinks at most of them. Many don't even have a beach - at least one that touches the water.
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I'm not recommending it either way but $4K likely gets you into the Ritz-Carlton. Sane dive options and actually on a nicer part of Seven Mile Beach a little farther from downtown. Plus Blue by Eric Rippert is there so you've got the special 30th anniversary dinner covered. It's the only 5 Diamond restaurant in the Caribbean. And they know it.
wouldn't be for me since I don't even wear ties on vacation but it is your 30th...
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moved to Greater Caribbean - not a Basic topic.
Not a cheap destination but there are a variety of accommodations and price ranges on GC including hotels, condos, apartments, and suites. Seven Mile Beach is the most popular and most expensive area, but the OP is traveling in May - a slower season - and there are a wide range of properties. Sometimes in the low season you see specials like "stay for 7 nights but pay for 5."
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