GRAND CAYMAN
With its azure blue skies and beckoning white-sand beaches, Grand Cayman offers a treasure trove of hotels, sightseeing possibilities and sea-filled adventures. There are plenty of choices for accommodations located on the beach. Choose from the many high-end hotels on Seven Mile Beach (actually only 5.5 miles long), or, perhaps, you’d prefer the equally picturesque yet quieter properties in East End.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly vacation with great diving and snorkeling on the less crowded side, look no further than the Wyndham Reef Resort Grand Cayman in East End. Every one of the 152 suites is right on the beach. Some come with fully equipped kitchens, and even the studios have a kitchenette. The property offers an all-inclusive option, but your best bet is the accommodations-only plan. While the food on property is quite good, many restaurants on the island are worth a visit.
Close by but still a cab ride away are several good restaurants, and there’s a market, liquor store and Italian restaurant right across the street. Stock your kitchen from the store and save some money eating breakfast and lunch in your room.
The staff here gets rave reviews, and they go out of their way to engage with the guests. Children are welcome, and there are lots of activities to keep them busy. Afternoon events include bird feeding, which must be seen to be believed! Children hold a server utensil filled with food above their heads, and the birds literally swoop in to grab the grub.
Feeding the fish is also fun, but the main attractions are snorkeling and diving, and the Wyndham affords a perfect beach for both. You snorkel on property in the clear Caribbean waters with a reef less than 30 feet from the beach. You’re sure to see plenty of colorful tropical fish. White Sand Water Sports provides training and equipment for snorkeling and for diving in deeper waters.
Other activities include yoga, windsurfing, and tennis. And while you’re at Le Soleil Spa or on a shopping excursion, send your hubby to Husband Daycare! The concierge team will make sure he’s well-entertained with activities like jet skiing, deep sea fishing, kayaking, rum tasting or paddle boarding.
When it’s time to cool off, there are several refreshing pools. The kids will love the dolphin fountains, while the adults can exercise, join in a volleyball game or just relax in one of the lounge chairs. The resort is adding much-needed cabanas, which are set to open in 2017. Travelgirl tip: Be sure to take a hat and sunscreen; the Wyndham doesn’t offer umbrellas to keep the sun at bay.
The terrific staff, lovely accommodations, wealth of activities, and magnificent beaches make visiting a pleasure; I am already booked to return! For more information: www.wyndhamcayman.com
