Low season in Grand Cayman?

[Dogbowl]

So I was just checking prices of the “better value” hotels on SMB and was shocked that the going rate seems to be $200+USD/night for places like Comfort Suites and Sunshine Suites, plus taxes. Last time I looked it was closer to $140USD/night. I checked several dates throughout 2018 to see if there was a low season but nope, the prices were pretty much $200+ all year. So what’s going on? Are these the prices now? I knew Cayman was “expensive”, but...

It hurts even more since I’m Canadian.

If I add diving, food and rental car on top, it comes really close to what it would cost for Cayman Aggressor on a Dive the World week @25% off.

 

[diversteve]

low season is the summer/fall although it's hard to tell as you've noticed...we found the best prices after June 1st.

The off season in the Cayman Islands -- roughly from mid-April to mid-December, although this varies from hotel to hotel -- is one big summer sale, though summer travel to the Cayman Islands has become more popular in recent years. In most cases, hotels, inns, and condos slash 20% to 50% off their winter rates.

 

[KathyV]

Grand Cayman is having a record-breaking year regarding the number of visitors (both cruise ship and overnight) because of the extensive hurricane damage to many Caribbean destinations in 2017, see the link below.

Record 2.1 million tourists visited Cayman in 2017 | Cayman Compass

So the already high prices have escalated, especially in the Seven Mile Beach Area; but if you are willing to stay on other parts of the island (but still on/near the water) and do some driving on the left side of the road, then you can find much more reasonable accommodations, and there are shore diving options that can help to reduce the costs of diving as well.

But there is no denying that Cayman is a pricey destination, especially with the currency exchange being so tough on the Canadians right now. Also keep in mind that all rental properties charge a 13% tax and that some (not all) will add on a daily resort fee, too!

Since you are divers why not take a look at the Cayman Sister islands? Cayman Brac Beach Resort is a lovely, all-inclusive resort with good food and great diving and everything is included in the price except tips for the dive op, see below. And they should be coming out with some special promotions soon, especially for dates during the slower seasons.

Little Cayman Beach Resort's prices are a little higher - but you'll get to dive the Bloody Bay Wall!

Cayman Islands All Inclusive | Cayman Islands Vacations

The Classic Cayman
Valid for travel January 1-December 31, 2018

• 7 nights accommodations
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner package
• 17 boat dives
• 3 drinks nightly
• Complimentary use of dive computer
• Airport ground transfers
• Resort fees, taxes, and gratuities – except dive gratuities which are NOT included
• And more

$1,875* Pool/Beach View
*All rates are per person and based on double occupancy. Please call for single and triple occupancy rates.

 

[Dogbowl]

Thanks @KathyV, I see!

We’d really prefer to do a week on or near SMB first (for the topside activities and restaurants), before venturing to the sister islands. Perhaps we’ll wait for a future year or for low season.

It’s too bad...just came back from Cozumel in their high season and obviously, my perception of “how much it should cost” has been extremely “biased”.

I just read the article you cited and it looks like “stay-over” tourism has been increasing for some years now and the hurricanes may not have been too much of a factor. And they predict continued growth. Interesting! I may never get to visit (except from a cruise ship)! Lol!

 

[flyboy08]

It's an expensive island this is why airfare is usually cheap...we rented a house up near Rum point...renting is the best way to go although I do like SMB, Rum Point has a nice beach and awesome sunset To!

 

[uncfnp]

After seeing this thread I checked Sunshine Suites’ rates for the room we booked for April. The Hotels.com rate has gone from 225 to 309 per night for same room, same nights.

 

[Saboteur]

Grand Cayman is having a record-breaking year regarding the number of visitors (both cruise ship and overnight) because of the extensive hurricane damage to many Caribbean destinations in 2017, see the link below.

Record 2.1 million tourists visited Cayman in 2017 | Cayman Compass

So the already high prices have escalated, especially in the Seven Mile Beach Area; but if you are willing to stay on other parts of the island (but still on/near the water) and do some driving on the left side of the road, then you can find much more reasonable accommodations, and there are shore diving options that can help to reduce the costs of diving as well.

But there is no denying that Cayman is a pricey destination, especially with the currency exchange being so tough on the Canadians right now. Also keep in mind that all rental properties charge a 13% tax and that some (not all) will add on a daily resort fee, too!

Since you are divers why not take a look at the Cayman Sister islands? Cayman Brac Beach Resort is a lovely, all-inclusive resort with good food and great diving and everything is included in the price except tips for the dive op, see below. And they should be coming out with some special promotions soon, especially for dates during the slower seasons.

Little Cayman Beach Resort's prices are a little higher - but you'll get to dive the Bloody Bay Wall!

Cayman Islands All Inclusive | Cayman Islands Vacations

The Classic Cayman
Valid for travel January 1-December 31, 2018

• 7 nights accommodations
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner package
• 17 boat dives
• 3 drinks nightly
• Complimentary use of dive computer
• Airport ground transfers
• Resort fees, taxes, and gratuities – except dive gratuities which are NOT included
• And more

$1,875* Pool/Beach View
*All rates are per person and based on double occupancy. Please call for single and triple occupancy rates.

+1 to what Kathy V said. September is a usually really good time to go. The north side is diveable, water temps are really nice. Dive ops are quiet (some even close for maintenance), restaurants are empty, prices are much lower... till the hurricanes hit. I've been pricing out lodging and by my estimate the "low end" hotels e.g Comfort suites and Sunshine suites and condos are running 25-75 more a night than what I saw last year. Last September our condo was 4 nights free (out of 14) on top of the usual fall discounts. You can find some good prices off of SMB. But for me (non diving partner), being on the beach is non negotiable.

 

[Dogbowl]

After seeing this thread I checked Sunshine Suites’ rates for the room we booked for April. The Hotels.com rate has gone from 225 to 309 per night for same room, same nights.

@uncfnp , when did you book?

I don’t know what’s going on. I just checked a Belize hotel for a 1 night stay prior to a liveaboard in April and the price has also increased at least $50 from prices in November. Perhaps January is just not a good time to book hotels?

 

[uncfnp]

@uncfnp , when did you book?

I don’t know what’s going on. I just checked a Belize hotel for a 1 night stay prior to a liveaboard in April and the price has also increased at least $50 from prices in November. Perhaps January is just not a good time to book hotels?

I booked the first of November. We were talking about extending our stay a night or two since I haven’t purchased our flights yet. Now that plan is off the table.

 

[KathyV]

The high season in Cayman usually extends through April. Usually the prices start coming down in May through summer and get cheaper in the fall due to hurricane season. At least that is how it has worked in the past, but it has been a strange year in the Caribbean.

But the good news is that the dive and travel expo shows are starting up again. There is one in DC/Baltimore soon, and another in Dallas at the end of January, and a show in Chicago a few weeks later. The dive travel vendors usually start offering specials and packages that they can advertise during the shows - not just Cayman but for many popular dive venues and destinations - so I am hoping that we will start to see some better options soon. We will attend the Chicago expo and I will let you know if I see anything good for Cayman.

Also, as some of the islands that were hit hard by hurricanes rebuild, like the Turks and Caicos and the Virgin Islands, they should start offering attractive pricing to bring back business; so if some destinations get too pricey we may have other attractive options.