Cozumel or Grand Cayman Suggestions

[happybratpack]

I'm trying to plan a surprise trip for my Fiancee to either Cozumel or Grand Cayman. Neither of us have been to either so I'm clueless. I'm looking at a 4-5 night stay and am wanting somewhere all-inclusive. I'm hoping to find somewhere romantic and relatively uncrowded.

Any resort suggestions? I'm researching today but can't tell if some of these that look great on the web actually ARE, kwim?


Thanks!!

 

[Kimberly]

As a resident, there aren't too many all inclusive places on Grand Cayman. I actually didn't know of any until I googled it, and came up with some pretty shakey results. Grand Cayman has a lot of great hotels right on 7 mile beach though. If you'd like to know more about those, I'd be more than glad to tell you.

Spanish Bay Reef Resort All-Inclusive
West Bay Road, West Bay, PO Box 903GT, Grand Cayman, Kaimaninseln
(345) 949-8100‎

Hotel Beach Club Colony Resort All Inclusive
West Bay Road Po Box 903, George Town, Kaimaninseln (old spelling of the name, and sorry I couldn't find the phone number).

The Colonial Club
West Bay, West Bay Road, Cayman Islands
(345) 949-8100‎

Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resorts
George Town, West Bay Road, Cayman Islands
(345) 949-0288‎ (they also apparently have some all inclusive deals, but beware... this place is EXPENSIVE. My parents have stayed here while visiting me, and it is probably one of the 3 nicest hotels on the island.)

The Reef Resort
1 Queens Hwy Colliers Bay, East End 00000, Cayman Islands
(345) 947-9920‎
thereef.com
(this isn't 7 mile beach, quite a ways away from it actually. looks nice though)

I don't know much about staying on Cozumel. I usually dock my boat there and stay out of there.

 

[happybratpack]

Thanks, I did not realize it wasn't the norm for all-inclusive on GC. I would definitely be interested in others there then.

Since you're familiar with both Cozumel and Grand Cayman, which would you suggest? We're both huge snorkelers/water activity people.

Geez, all these years planning WDW vacations have made me inept at other locations.

 

[Kimberly]

Thanks, I did not realize it wasn't the norm for all-inclusive on GC. I would definitely be interested in others there then.

Since you're familiar with both Cozumel and Grand Cayman, which would you suggest? We're both huge snorkelers/water activity people.

Geez, all these years planning WDW vacations have made me inept at other locations.

ANYWHERE on Grand Cayman would be great for snorkeling and or diving. There is a reef wall that surrounds the entire island, with very benign currents. I've literally gone "scuba diving" here with just a mask, snorkel, and fins before with my bathing suit on. My favorite place to dive is on the North End off Rum Point Beach. There aren't many hotels in this area though, as it remains basically a haven for mega mansions. There may be some beach rentals though, but I'm basically not sure about.

All the major resorts will be connected with the diving industry, as it literally is our biggest draw to the island here (or offshore banking). There are some pretty cheap places to stay on the south end of George Town if you're looking to save some cash. Little Cayman has the best diving though, but again... I don't know of places to stay there. I anchor my boat there, and launch my tender.

Cozumel I've actually never dove at before. Been there with business, and that's about it. The only place to stay on Cozumel seems to be the port on the west coast there (city of Cozumel). I'm sure they have water taxis as well to take you just about anywhere you please.

The water clarity is by far the highest in the Cayman Islands though, out of anywhere. Some days where we have over 200 feet of underwater visibility, mostly due to the fact there are no natural rivers or lakes on Grand Cayman, so nothing muddies up the water (as well as Little Cayman and Cayman Brac). Keep in mind that aslo between June 30th and November 30th is our storm season, so if there is a storm offshore, it can literally turn the water dark BROWN for a few days, even if it doesn't hit the island. This happens in Cozumel as well. Most people stay on 7 Mile Beach the first time they visit, as they have a ton of restaurants, and other things to do all catered towards tourists. I spent my stay on 7 Mile Beach my first time on the island.

Wow... this post became massive!

 

[dakcp2001]

When would you be going?

Cozumel is beautiful, but Mexico has been having some safety issues, isnt there a travel warning right now?


I went swimming with sting rays in Grand Cayman, that was fun!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Okay, here is the scoop....
If you looking for an All Inclusive (perhps adults only ), and a more lively atmosphere... then look into resorts on the Riviera Maya, the Playa Del Carmen area... You can simply ferry over to Cozumel, a matter of minutes, if you are wanting to go there for diving, etc... There is Playa Del Carmen and the beach clubs for partying on the weekends, if that might interest you. There are the ancient Mayan Ruins... Snorkeling if you would be interested in going down to Akumal, the cenotes, etc... etc... etc...

I would love to go to Secrets Maroma Beach - undoubtedly the most beautiful beach in the area. Uncrowded, only a couple of other resorts around. Of course, which resort might also depend on how much you are willing to spend. There are many All inclusive resorts in the area to choose from. (so many it might take a while to look into them and decide which one.)

Go to tripadvisor, and compare both areas.

I would imagine that they each have their own totally different atmosphere/vibe.

Both would be wonderful destinations with wonderful beaches!
You didn't mention diving... (sounds like nice all inclusive adult only romance is your thing....) but if diving is your purpose, then be sure to consider islands, such as Grand Cayman that offer excellent diving with uber clear waters and good dive opportunities.

PS: I think that perhaps the safety warnings would be more for border towns and inland Mexico.
I don't think that it is, yet, such a major concern in the Cancun/Playa area.

 

[Aisling]

I've been to both Grand Cayman and Cozumel, and I'd choose Cozumel. One of my traveling companions did a dive from Cozumel and said the coral reefs are one of the top diving spots in the world. Also, you have the Mayan influence there, which made it all the more interesting for me. Have you ever eaten barbequed iguana washed down with tequila?

 

[mlclements]

We just got back from the Riveria Maya area. We loved it. We were at an adults only all inclusive resort. We stayed at the Catalonia Royal Tulum. We loved it so much we are going back next year. Look it up on Trip Advisor.

 

[Daisy&Max]

I stayed at Spanish Bay Reef back in 1995 and it was wonderful. When my bff and I booked it we didn't realize it was more of a couples resort. So we joked that if we were a couple it would have been great. The food was fantastic and the amenities were great. I don't know what it is like now, but if I could ever get my SO to go I would take him there so I could enjoy it as a couple.

Daisy