Grand Cayman Options~

[minniebeth]

I hope someone can share any thoughts they may have~
I did search Grand Cayman excursions, but didn't quite find what I'm looking for.
We cruised to GC 10 years ago with our young kids and it was one of the highlights of our cruise. We loved it so much~ we did Royal Palms Beach Club on our own. We know this is no longer open and that GC has changed significantly post Covid and hurricane damage.
This time it will be just my DH and I and we are looking for just a relaxing beach day. (Without the boat ride to Rum Point, etc.) I've researched the DCL beach excursion options and honestly none of them appeal to us as the reviews are not great and we are looking for something more low key. We're so spoiled by Castaway Cay lol. (Which our crusie itinerary does not include, boo! )
Has anyone ever booked a room at a resort to use for the day? (Not a day pass)
Just would really love to maximize our day and love what we do and I'm getting a little discouraged.
I'd love to see if booking a room is a viable option if we can't find anything else we'd like to do.
Thoughts? TIA!

 

[dcassetta]

Have you looked at Coral Beach. It's in the same area where Royal Palms was. Not quite the same set-up due to beach erosion, so look at the review on Trip Advisor. https://coralbeach.ky/

You could also go to any of the Seven Mile public beaches - Public, Governors, Cemetary. They do not offer concessions. but Governors has some shaded picnic tables.

 

[vakamalua]

We were just in Grand Cayman last week on the Magic; the seven mile beach area has changed dramatically since Covid & the hurricane. We had been in GC many years ago & was looking forward to returning. With the short in-port (10:30-4:30) hours & having to tender in/out of port, we decided to take a DCL excursion.
Avoid their shore excursions! It was simply a horrible experience & total rip-off--hour ride to Starfish Beach where the beach is actually less than three feet wide & very crowded with boats & jet skis; no chairs, a bad boxed lunch (chicken that was all bones, rice) with nowhere to site & eat (we stood & ate using an old cement sea wall), then another hour ride back.
We whole-heartedly regret not following through with our original plan. You might want to take a taxi to the Klimpton Hotel at the far north end of SMB for lunch at their beachside cafe then walk nect door to Public Beach that does have chairs/umbrellas for rent & restrooms, then taxi back.
Getting a room for the day at a resort is very expensive-- most are $600 to over $1,000 a night.

 

[dcassetta]

You might want to take a taxi to the Klimpton Hotel at the far north end of SMB for lunch at their beachside cafe then walk nect door to Public Beach that does have chairs/umbrellas for rent & restrooms, then taxi back.

Thanks for update on concessions at Public. There were no vendors in October, so I am glad to know that has changed.

 

[ldo]

Want to Public Beach via taxibus in Jan. Lots of vendors, drinks, food, organized chair/umbrella rentals, bathrooms. Also a few vendors for watersports-very polite, no hassles. It was crowded but a great day. I’d do it again. Decent beach, gentle slope into water.

 

[minniebeth]

Have you looked at Coral Beach. It's in the same area where Royal Palms was. Not quite the same set-up due to beach erosion, so look at the review on Trip Advisor. https://coralbeach.ky/

You could also go to any of the Seven Mile public beaches - Public, Governors, Cemetary. They do not offer concessions. but Governors has some shaded picnic tables.

We did look at Coral Beach~ my DH wasn't a fan. I was ok with it in the videos I saw, but if it was any more crowded, I'm not sure I would be loving it. Thank you for the recommendations for the public beaches! I didn't realize there were different beaches. I will look into them!

We were just in Grand Cayman last week on the Magic; the seven mile beach area has changed dramatically since Covid & the hurricane. We had been in GC many years ago & was looking forward to returning. With the short in-port (10:30-4:30) hours & having to tender in/out of port, we decided to take a DCL excursion.
Avoid their shore excursions! It was simply a horrible experience & total rip-off--hour ride to Starfish Beach where the beach is actually less than three feet wide & very crowded with boats & jet skis; no chairs, a bad boxed lunch (chicken that was all bones, rice) with nowhere to site & eat (we stood & ate using an old cement sea wall), then another hour ride back.
We whole-heartedly regret not following through with our original plan. You might want to take a taxi to the Klimpton Hotel at the far north end of SMB for lunch at their beachside cafe then walk nect door to Public Beach that does have chairs/umbrellas for rent & restrooms, then taxi back.
Getting a room for the day at a resort is very expensive-- most are $600 to over $1,000 a night.

Thank you for your feedback! Every video and review I watched, I got the sense of the same experience you had. We will completely avoid DCL excursions thanks to your feedback. I love your idea of taking a cab to the Kimpton for lunch and public beach access next door. We may seriously consider that.
I know the hotels are super expensive and it would seem silly to book a room for such a short time. It does seem like a waste, but my DH has a bazillion Marriott points we could book with and was wondering if any one has done this.

Want to Public Beach via taxibus in Jan. Lots of vendors, drinks, food, organized chair/umbrella rentals, bathrooms. Also a few vendors for watersports-very polite, no hassles. It was crowded but a great day. I’d do it again. Decent beach, gentle slope into water.

Good to know! Thank you so much!