From: Angela
Date: 3/22/03 4:13:03 PM
Remote Name: 24.169.230.176
We just returned from the Marriott and are posting our comments for the benefit of others. I know we would have appreciated the honesty we're about to give.
First of all...would we go back? NO! To the island...yes. The Marriott will be forgotten. The Marriott is beautiful and expansive (and expensive when it comes to food). It is very much a hotel that you go to with the goal of laying next to the pool after spending the night gambling away your money in the Casino. The beach is nicely laid out with many, many cabanas and a staff to carry out the chairs for you. The rooms are fabulous as are the lounges and grounds. The beach has a breaker so the waves aren't horrible, but I wouldn't leave a child under 12 to swim by him or herself.
There are 3 open restaurants. The food in each is average. It is a five star resort with two star food at five star prices. The Calypso is buffet only, (at $25.00 US per person, not including drinks) which was a sore disappointment to us as we love fresh food and are connoisseurs of gourmet food (something that should be available at a five star exotic resort).
So then, what is a soft opening? Here is our experience: Our room had two leaks. It took five minutes (really...five minutes) to get hot water. We had no telephone book in our room. When we arrived 3 weeks after the beginning of the soft opening there was no room service available but they have since installed it. The staff is not very knowledgeable about their jobs and certainly not very knowledgeable about the rest of the resort. If you need to know something for sure you need to ask that part of the resort directly. As a part of the agreement with the island they have hired islanders to work at the resort. Great for the islanders, but it resulted in poor service. They do not understand the American concept of five star service. (When you are paying for it, quite frankly, you expect it.) Additionally, they add a 10% service charge to everything, including your room, tour operations, and even your $2.50 Coke.
The island is startlingly beautiful and the people are extremely friendly and nice. The island saved our vacation that would have been horrible if based solely on the Marriott. If we return to the island to enjoy its beauty we'll stay somewhere else. Probably Ottleys.
Here's something to help out "Marriott Reward Memebers":
Most likely we will return to the Marriott on Grand Cayman. It has a fabulous beach with a calm sea that has some of the best snorkelling we've ever experienced just feet from the hotel. The Peninsula, their restaurant is also feet from the water with unmatched sunset views and food that makes us crave going back to the island just to eat there again-(for the food, not just the island)and the prices weren't bad either. The Marriott on St. Kitts would benefit from learning some of Marriott Grand Cayman's secrets.
If you want to enjoy the beach and snorkel without leaving your hotel, and then enjoy a fantastic sunset dinner before collapsing in bed go to the Marriott on Cayman. Cayman has snorkelling, diving, and swimming with stingrays.
IF you like Casino's and buffets you will love the Marriott on St. Kitts. St. Kitts has adventures like kayaking and rainforest/volcano hikes.
If you like Casino's and a great beach go to the Stellaris in Aruba. Aruba has fabulous sun, beaces and nightlife.