Stay Report: Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort (Cayman Islands - November 2019)

Stay Report: Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort

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There are many resorts on Grand Cayman island, some fancy and some not so fancy.  I was looking for a mid-fancy resort hotel that could accommodate 4 people in one room, had access to the pools and beach, and was within walking or short car distance to amenities.  Based on this criteria, and price, I decided to book the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort.  It was very easy to book through the Marriott website and I could manage my booking either through the website or through the app.  24-hours prior to my arrival I was given the option to remotely check into my room, but I always wait until I arrive at the hotel before doing this.

I had rented a car when I got to the island so I was able to transport myself from the airport to the hotel.  The hotel does provide valet parking as well as complimentary self-parking.  From the street, there is a long entryway where you pass the parking lot to get to the hotel.  As you get out of your car on the curbed driveway you enter into the lobby.  There's the valet stand outside and inside on your left is a little store that sells clothing items as well as toiletries and smaller items you may have forgotten at home.  Beyond there was the check-in desks, but they were smaller than the traditional check-in desks and were more like check-in kiosks.  To the right of the check-in desks was the sitting area, hotel restaurant, bar, and dessert area.  It was a large area with a variety of seating areas.  Check-in takes some time as the hotel associate has to go over all the aspects of the resort, what activities and items are included in your resort (included in the daily resort fee) as well as the amenities that hotel provides.  Once we received our key, we proceeded to go straight left (as if behind the check-in desks) to the elevators to take us up to our room.  There were only two elevators and sometimes there was a bit of a traffic jam to wait for the elevators.  

The hotel is laid out in a square with an open atrium in the middle and rooms surrounding it; depending on which room you booked your room could face either the parking lot, the beach, or one of the adjoining hotels.  I had requested a room with two double beds so the room was laid out as such.  As you entered into the room, there was a hallway which led you to the main part of the room.  The hallway contained the bathroom on the right, and the bathroom was standard with a toilet, a sink, a tub with a shower and bathroom toiletries; the best thing about the bathroom was the long counter which provided great space.  The closet was also a standard closet and contained a shelf, hangers to hang clothes, an iron and an ironing board.  The hallway ended in the main part of the room which contained the beds and the TV.  The beds were against the right-side of the wall and there were two double beds with a nightstand in the middle.  The beds were generally comfortable and wide enough for two so it provided a decent nights sleep.  Across from the beds was a chest that had the TV and coffee maker on top and below were drawers for storage, a small fridge, as well as the safe.  Right next to the chest was the desk and chair, and looking to your right from the chair you could see outside.  Along the far wall was a sliding door which led out onto the deck, and while the deck was small it was still nice to have a bit of an outdoor space.  The deck we had faced the adjoining hotel but you could also see part of the ocean and city as well (considering how high we were).  There were deck chairs outside on the deck and inside next to the sliding door was another chair and lamp so you could sit inside while still enjoying the outside view.  Overall, it was not an overly fancy room but it was a decent size and there were enough amenities in the room for it to be comfortable and enjoyable.  

As it was a full-service hotel and resort, there were many amenities for the guests including pool, beach, fitness center, coffee bar, indoor restaurant, outdoor restaurant, valet, wifi, bike rental, car rental, and water rentals.  Some of these amenities were included in the daily resort fee of $60 which was added to the bill, and while other resorts add the fee but do not do anything at least in this resort the hotel did assist in getting you beach/pool chairs, set up the chairs with towels, provided complimentary water, suntan lotion and cooling gel, provided complimentary watermelon slices or other snacks, as well as other key items.  In terms of the pool and beach, there were generally enough chairs and spaces for everyone to enjoy the pool or the beach but both were smaller in size.  The hotel does have a partnership with the club next door for extra chairs and also to provide the 'sandy beach experience' as the hotel was built far into the beach so there really is no sandy beach only ocean, especially when its high tide.  One amenity that I really enjoyed was the hotel provided glass water jugs in the room and each floor had a water station so you go and fill up your jug to have access to clean, filtered water and be environmentally friendly at the same time. 

Overall, it was a nice and comfortable stay at the Marriott Grand Cayman.  I would call this a hotel with resort facilities/amenities rather than calling it a full resort and if you look at it that way then you will get a pleasant stay.  The rooms were spacious, the property was spacious enough to be able to walk around and enjoy the outside and inside, the room had a balcony so that was a nice touch, and while the resort fee was high there were lots of amenities that were included so it did not feel like a lot.  Valet parking was available at a cost or self parking was available for free but you could also rent bikes and there were lots of restaurants and other beaches within walking distance of the hotel.  As I said, if you go with decent expectations then you will have a good time at the hotel.

Stay Report: Hilton Curacao (Curacao - December 2015/January 2016)

Stay Report: Hilton Curacao
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When we were planning our vacation to Curacao, we wanted to stay at a nice resort.  I had stayed at other Hilton resorts and those were nice so decided to check the Hilton Curacao.  Overall, the hotel looks older, is an average hotel that provides a nice private beach, a small pool given the size of the resort, and a great NYE party.  What the hotel does not provide is good customer service as that definitely needs improvement.

Prior to our arrival to the hotel I had tried to communicate with the hotel regarding airport transfers and confirmation of the NYE party.  Trying to contact the hotel proved to be difficult and that was the first instance of not great customer service.  When we arrived at the hotel, we were greeted as HHonors member (very nice as some hotels do not recognize this) and given our key to the room.  We had booked a club floor so our room was located on the top floor - which was the 5th floor.  Both the outside and the hallways of the hotel looked older - like 1980's/1990s Miami fashion.  

The room itself also looked older but was decent.  When you entered into the door, on the right hand side was a closet with a safe and some drawers in it.  Next to the closet were additional shelves.  Across from the closet was the bathroom, which had a nice long sink, a toilet, and a full bathtub.  The shower and the water pressure in the hotel was not good at all (no matter what time of day you took a shower).  Next to the bathroom was a table on which the coffee maker stood.  Further into the room were the two double beds with a nightstand in the middle.  The headboard behind the beds were wicker and the both the tables and the lamps continued the 1980/1990 fashion.  The beds were comfortable and provided a decent night sleep.  Across from the beds was the TV with drawers underneath and a desk next to it.  Behind the desk was a door which led out to the balcony - our room faced the casino so the views were alright, not great, but the balcony provided a nice relaxing area.


We had access to the club lounge so decided to check that out.  The lounge also needed updating as the decor looked very old.  Also, the food in the lounge all looked frozen and none of it looked fresh.  Apart from two nice attendants, most of the service in the lounge were neither pleasant nor helpful.  Also, the food in the lounge was on a first come, first serve basis - if you did not get it when they put it out then you were out of look.  There was no refilling going on, despite the crowds.  The lounge had a balcony that looked onto the pool and the ocean and that was a nice to sit out and enjoy the view.

The hotel itself had a lot of amenities from various restaurants, to a private beach, a health club, a spa (which was closed for the holidays, which was very odd since this is when a lot of people will be coming to the hotel), and a pool.  While all decent amenities, each item seemed small given the size of the resort and number of people at the hotel.  The service at the health club and the restaurants also needed improvement as well.


One good aspect of the hotel was the New Year's Eve party.  The hotel hosted a New Year's Eve party and you could purchase tickets.  The tickets included a buffet dinner, entertainment, and close access to see the fireworks show.  The service during this event was very nice, the entertainment was very nice, the additional party favors were a nice touch, and the fireworks amazing.  Overall, it was an older hotel that provided an average stay with a good NYE event but poor customer service.