Expert: John Gump - 11/11/2008

Question
I am going to the grand cayman jazz festival and I don't know the area.  I don't want to end up at a small, low budget hotel.  Do you have any suggestions for at least a 4 star hotel near shopping, nightlife, and the jazz festival?

Answer
Hi Daphne!  Congratulations on the blessing of getting to visit Grand Cayman.  You'll absolutely love it!  As for 4 star hotels right near the jazz fest, there really aren't any due to the location of the festival on pageant beach.  However there are many nice hotels within a couple of miles.  The nicer hotels that won't disappoint you would include:

Treasure Island (probably the closest to the festival)
Marriott Seven Mile Beach (SMB)
Ritz
Westin Casuarina
Grand Cayman Beach Suites (used to be Hyatt on the beach)
Brittania Villas (a Hyatt property, but not on SMB)

All of the above hotels are right on SMB (except Brittania) and vary in price, the Ritz being the most expensive.  Check out hotels.com for any specials, sometimes you can get some great deals.

A couple other hotels you may want to consider are below and I'd give them a solid 3 to 3.5 stars.

Comfort Suites (right beside the Marriott)
Beach Club Colony all inclusive

As for proximity to shopping and nightlife, some shopping is within walking distance as is nightlife, but you'd probably want to rent a car anyway.

One other thing to consider is to rent a condo instead of a hotel.  Often times you can get them for the same price as a 4 or 5 star hotel room.  

Hope this helps Daphne.  Let me know if you have other questions I can help you with.  If you wouldn't mind, could you take a minute and provide me feedback on the site?  That will help me help you and others better in the future.  Thanks!

John

p.s. - definitely eat at The Wharf restaurant. It's probably the best on the island and right near the jazz festival. You will not be disappointed!