Newbie
Joined: 23 Jun 2008
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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Probably a strange place to chime in for the first time, but what the hey!
First, excellent website! I've been to Cayman several times and I continue to learn new things between the forums and massive site, which I see is undergoing quite a few impressive rennovations.
I am somewhat of what you might call a message board junkie. I post regularly on numerous boards and the only reason I haven’t posted here is I just don’t have the time to commit to the ongoing discussions that ensue on any more boards. Not only that, but the site is laid out so well and the search engines so effective, that I have never had the need to ask a question.
Now how was that for a preamble?
On any board, on any issue, there will always be varying opinions. One need not become offended, defensive, judgmental or hostile. This is actually one of the more friendly and well moderated boards I frequent, and I see no harm or foul in this topic or most any other, simply people stating their differing personal opinions, based on differing personal circumstances.
If you will allow me, I would like to do the same. Having been to Grand Cayman three times and Little Cayman once, I think I have enough experience to warrant an opinion.
On Grand Cayman, I stayed the first time at Sunset House, the second time at the (then) new Sunshine Suites, and the third at the Marriott. On my most recent trip, I stayed at one of the AIs in Little Cayman. Joe, if you are reading, I did contact Southern Cross and they were completing renovations at the time or we probably would have stayed there. But that is neither here nor there. The point is, I’ve been to AIs on Grand and Little Cayman, an AI on Little Cayman and 3 different hotels on Grand Cayman.
Knees apparently does not dive (or put another way to avoid putting anyone on the defensive), if one doesn't dive, there is really not much incentive for choosing Little Cayman. I doubt few will disagree with that, which leaves Grand Cayman to choose from, AI verses a hotel in this particular case.
Though I only stayed at Sunset House, I did go and scout out Beach Colony, Cobalt Coast and Spanish Bay while I was there, mostly because I was not all that impressed with Sunset House. In my opinion all three of them were about the same, for different reasons but the sum total of everything factored in being near equal. That said, I never stayed at an AI in Grand Cayman again, nor would I in the future. There is no question that the quality of liquor at almost all AI’s is low and the food quality is comparable to a lunchroom cafeteria during the day, and about a 2 star restaurant at night. That is all on average, based on many different experiences to many different hotels, restaurants and AIs, far from limited to the few stays I had in the Cayman Islands. Anyone wanting to argue that AIs offer top-shelf liquors and 5-Star restaurants and accommodations, please give specific examples, with verifiable sources, current prices and pictures. AI’s are very similar to cruise ships and Club Med, as far as food, liquor and room quality are concerned. These are all well known fact among frequent travelers, so there is really nothing to debate or be offended by.
Here’s where it would seem to get a little tricky. Is it in the visitor’s best interest to stay at an AI or a comparable hotel? Well, for one thing, I am assuming from what I read that knees is single and probably feels more secure at the AIs and also makes friends easily at places like that, much like Sandals and Club Meds, as mentioned earlier. Since Knees also does not dive, there is no reason for her to go to Little Cayman. So in her case, the AI seems as good a place as any, with only the Courtyard Marriott and Sunshine Suites being comparable in price, maybe a couple others. But then there would also be a car rental, insurance, gas and lots of other expenses. Now the AI is not only looking more appealing but cheaper too.
I conclude that in the case a non-diving, single female on a limited budget and not particularly interested in fine cuisine, the AI is a better choice, more secure, and easier to meet people than any hotel on Grand Cayman. Introduce diving into the equation or change the single female to a couple or family, or extend the budget, then the AI is incontrovertibly the worst possible choice for Grand Cayman.
No one was specifically wrong anywhere within this topic, yet many seemed to disagree or take offense with one another. Simply different people, looking at different things, from different perspectives and trying to bundle them all up into a neat tidy one box fits all. If only life really were that simple.
Though I enjoy a good debate as well as anyone, I can sum this one up in four words – To Each His Own |
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FAQ
From what I understand, there is quite a difference in quality of food and drinks at the different AI's......think in a place like Jamaica I would DEFINITELY go that way....and have heard good things. Have heard quite mixed comments about the different ones in Mexico. When we were at either of those places, we were at our own "all inclusive"....the cruise ships.........they too can have quite mixed reviews........I remember a lobster dinner on one ship that the lobster was the consistency of MASHED POTATOES........I kid you not....think it must've been freezer burned and they actually SERVED that mess, covered in some strange sauce to disguise it....did NOT disguise it.
