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| 250+ Oceanfront Condo & Villa Rentals in Grand Cayman, BWI | Toll Free: 877-426-8455 jim@grandcaymanvillas.net |
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| 250+ Oceanfront Condo & Villa Rentals in Grand Cayman, BWI | Toll Free: 877-426-8455 jim@grandcaymanvillas.net |
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ADVICE, FILES AND CONCIERGE SERVICES |
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Updated September, 2008 |
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FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR YOUR TRIP TO CAYMAN Some of my clients are adventurous and want to discover things themselves on the island- the other 90% would like to have as much information as possible so that they can decide what is important and what isn’t for their particular needs. If you are a newcomer to the island, I recommend the latter; as most of you only have a week’s vacation to discover the best things about the island and to RELAX. If you are like me, having the benefit of knowing at least the most important things before I arrive will allow me to relax that much faster. First things- Safety & Contact Information Put a copy of your lease in your passport Know the phone number of your accommodation so that you can give it to others back home—and provide it to the CI Government on your embarkation card you receive on the airplane. The Villa “Name” will suffice for address—but also know in which District you are located: Cayman Kai, Rum Point, Northside, East End, etc. The villa phone number should be on your confirmation form or your lease. I may have put you in touch directly with the villa owner as well and they may have provided it. If not—e-mail me caymansands@msn.com. Also you should know the name and number of your on-island property manager (again on the confirmation form, etc.). If you plan to bring a laptop and your villa doesn’t have DSL—contact Cable & Wireless before you depart and set up a temporary dial-up connection (http://www.cw.ky/internet/products/visitor-services/easy-access/). Almost all of the USA cell carriers now work in the Cayman islands (Verizon was the last to function here!). You can, however rent a mobile phone. You can do that through www.emptysuitcases.com OR go downtown to Cable & Wireless and rent one from them (http://www.cw.ky/internet/products/visitor-services/temporary-mobile-daily-rentals/). The cell phones on the island are “pay-as-you-go”; so you buy minutes in advance and can “top-up” at banks, convenience stores, grocery stores, etc.)
Documentation-(IMPORTANT) Passports. AFTER Jan 23, 2007; passports are required for all Americans going abroad—that includes all children, regardless of age (http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/minors/minors_834.html). This is not the same world it was after 2001. Please get the applications in early. The Cayman Islands didn't mandate this-- it is the USA who requires a passport for RE-ENTRY! After arrival in Grand Cayman, the immigration agent will stick a small piece of white paper in your passport. You will need that piece of paper to prove you have paid the exit fee when departing. Just leave it where they stick it and there will be no problems. If you lose it, arrive at the airport early to fill out another one and pay the departure tax (again).
What to Bring/Buy-(IMPORTANT)
Stores are closed on Sundays. If you are arriving on Sunday—you might consider having the villa pre-stocked with groceries. www.caymanshoppers.com does a nice job. He will need to know your manager’s name/number (from your lease) in order to be let into the villa before you arrive (he already knows most of them). Arrival/Departure & Directions- Arrival Procedures 1. The airlines hand out both a Cayman Immigration form and a family customs declaration. You should fill out both before you land. Notice two things; your flight number and that they write their dates as DD/MM/YY, not MM/DD/YY. You are staying at a “private guest house”. Write down the villa name and district where it is located, as well as phone number. 2. Upon arrival, you will be directed to the embarkation area. Proceed to the right-most line (next to where “Returning Caymanians” re-enter. Although it moves slowly at first, once the Cayman nationals on your flight have gone through…the officers in that line will wave you over to the Nationals line! There, you will need to show the Cayman Immigration Official your passport and both forms. Once processed, you go to your right, and claim your luggage as it comes off the conveyor (the carts are plentiful and free, so no need to hurry). Grab some free brochures/literature from the Cayman Cottage-looking welcome desk. You then get in a customs line for “nothing to declare”, unless you are bringing in more than the allowed items stated on the Caymanian customs card. You allowed a case of beer or 2 bottles of wine or 1 bottle of spirits per adults (over 18). 3. After processing, take your bags/cart out the door to the left, to the traffic circle. If you have contracted McCurley’s Tours to take you to your villa, look for one of their Brown/Tan vans. If you have rented a car, park your bags/cart to the left of the circle, and whichever person will be driving should walk to their left about 100yds to the car rental “strip mall” (about 10 car rental places) right across the street from the airport. Andy’s rental cars are in a new building directly across the parking lot from the arrival doors. If you need cash at this time, there is an ATM machine just inside the double glass door to the Departure Area (where the ticket counters are) right next to the traffic circle outside of the arrival gate. You can get either CI$ or US$ from your U.S. ATM card! 4. Drive on the Left! Departure Procedures are easy as well: 1. The best plan is to call the airline on the morning of your departure to be sure your plane is on time. Then, plan your day around dropping the bags off (checking them in) about 2-3 hours early, go have lunch/shop, turn in the rental car (across the street) and walk to the departure lounge. When you drop off your bags (2-3 hrs early), use the pay-parking lot across from the airport. It only cost CI$2.00/hour, and you won’t be there more than 30 minutes anyway, and then you won’t need the services of a “sky-cap”. If you park your car out in front of the airport and leave it, they will attach an iron “boot” to your tire (fine required). If you do need their (sky cap) services; use them, as they are always polite and will get your heavy bags to the front of the line (pretty much just $2/bag, as in the states). The counters open about 3-4 hours prior to the flight departures. Have some local paper currency with you for the parking ticket machine located next to the arrival gate-- you need to have your ticket paid for BEFORE you try to exit the lot-- 2. A couple of things to remember here. You need to have the little white immigration card from your arrival form in order to depart. If you have lost it, just go to the departure line and fill out another (in boxes against the glass partition), no big deal. Another thing to remember is that there are duty-free shops in the departure lounge, where you can buy liquor, perfume, cigars, etc…at pretty nice prices. 3. This is a pretty good plan. If you check-in your luggage early (10AM), and you have a 2PM flight, you can easily arrive back at the car rental place at 1:15PM and only be waiting 30 minutes in the departure lounge to board. Remember, there are no gates to run between! Just be sure you have a boarding pass (seat assignment) before you leave the airport for lunch. I personally go to the Sunset House, just south of Georgetown—so I can watch the planes land and be certain that my plane is actually here! Ground Transportation- Please click my link at www.grandcaymanvillas.net/transportation.htm for rental cars; McCurley’s Tours pick ups, etc. If you are new to Cayman, consider the personal touch of McCurley's Tours and rental Cars. If you need a van-- contact Marshalls or the others. Keys to the Villa- If you received a Cayman Villas "confirmation form" (instead of a GCV "Confirmed Reservation") your on-island property manager is Cayman Villas (945-4144), and the keys (for weekend or after-hours arrivals) will be left in your name at the Avis Rental Car Office across from the airport (unless specified otherwise). Most of the other villas will be unlocked with the keys on the counter or on a wall rack. Many have combination locksets now too. You may receive a visit that afternoon from the on-island manager. You should call the manager (on your documents) when you arrive to let them know you are in. Refer to your lease please before asking about keys. Leave the keys in the villa when you depart. DIRECTIONS TO THE VILLA (Cayman Kai, Northside, Old Man Bay, Rum Point or East End)- Exit the Airport or Rental Car parking lot. Look right first--Drive on the Left!! You are headed towards Northside or East End (via Boddentown) in case you get lost right away and need to stop for directions. After leaving the rental car parking lot, turn right (into left lane!!) proceed about ˝ mile, take a left turn at the first “T” intersection, you will then curve around to the right, and be driving parallel to the fenced runway, going South West. Look to your right & you will see a large supermarket…Foster’s Food Fair and other stores. Our Sam’s Club is called “Priced Right” and is on the left end of this shopping center (no membership needed). This is one of two large supermarkets on the way to Northside. There is another beautiful supermarket & shopping center two miles further (Hurley’s), so if Fosters is too crowded, or you don’t want to risk a right turn in heavy traffic just yet…don’t worry; keep going. Stay in the left lane and bear left at the 3-way circle proceed straight to the southwest end of the fenced runway (1/4 mile after Fosters..) Turn left. Mark your odometer. Proceed about 200 yards across the runway and turn left on Crewe Road going east towards Boddentown. It feels like you have just circled the runway! You will pass a gas station (I think it’s a Texaco). You will stay on this road for a few miles…so relax regarding turns. Just stay in the left lane. When you come to traffic circles, just go around 180 degrees…proceeding east along the southern coast of the island towards "Boddentown" & "Points East". Hurley’s Grocery Store, Blockbuster, Toy Store, Pharmacy and Tortuga Liquors at Grand Harbour should be at approximately 2 miles on your odometer just at a large traffic circle on the left (look for tall palm trees on your left and a pastel-colored, gingerbread shopping center). You can get off here to shop, check out the wave/skateboard park in back and then get right back on the road going left (east). We have just built (2008) a new "Eastern Arterial" roadway that cuts across the island to Savannah (saves about 5 minutes drive time or more during rush hour)-- if you take the "Arterial"-- just go 180 degrees around each circle heading east-- when it dead ends-- take a right towards Savannah (1 mile)-- then at the intersection--take a left towards "East End, Boddentown, etc)-- You will follow this road all the way along the southern side of the island. Whether you take the arterial or the southern coastal road-- Along the way, you will drive through the areas of Savannah , Newlands, Lower Valley and ultimately Boddentown (keep an eye to the left for the Pirate Cave gift shop...8 miles on odometer). Stay within the speed limits (they are in MPH). After clearing Boddentown , you will drive about another 3 miles, and pass the Lighthouse Restaurant in a district called “Breakers”. Lighthouse restaurant will be on your right (if the flags are up he is open). You have gone approximately11 miles so far. Watch your speeding on the island-- they give expensive tickets. One mile past the Lighthouse Restaurant (again, about 12 miles total to center of island), is the main North/South road of the island (Frank Sound Road). A left on this road takes you towards Northside/Cayman Kai. There is a fountain and sign post on the left. Alternatively, going straight here will take you to the East End.
If you kept driving north on this road in east end—you would drive past Morritt’s and The Reef timeshare resorts on the northeast tip of the island--- and then onto the Queen’s Highway towards (west) Rum Point & Cayman Kai. There is only one exterior road around the island—so you would really have to try to get lost! Things to Do on the Island- Please click www.grandcaymanvillas.net/activities.htm for a list of fun things. I would say the favorite things many of my family guests have done include:
Things NOT to Do on the Island- A. You will notice that I have left off GOLF. The best 3 golf courses on the island are on 7MB. The "North Sound Golf Club" (www.northsoundclub.com) is the only 18 hole really nice course--. The Government's website speaks best to golf on the island- http://www.caymanislands.ky/to_do/golfing.asp ; however it doesn't include the new Ritz golf course designed by Greg Norman. That course ("Blue Tip", named after a shark) looks pretty nice from the air. The North Sound Club used to be called "Links at Safehaven" and is now owned by the Ritz-Carlton . Personally, I can play golf at home, on better courses, for less money and headaches-- I leave my clubs at home. The clear blue water and warm sand is why I came this far for vacation! There is a championship golf course planned for the east end of the island-- it won't start for a year or two-- but the Mandarin Oriental and Island Resorts will bring it out to us! B. I would personally stay away from Rum Point on Sundays. If you have rented a home nearby-- I would take a trip to 7MB that day-- or go to to Portofino's in east end for brunch--then to Morritts or the Reef Resort in the east end ( www.thereef.com or www.morritts.com ) or to the Botanical Gardens. Sundays most everything (except restaurants and bars) is closed in town-- usually there are no cruise ships either-- so it is nice to visit town and the beaches. C. If you have any thoughts of smuggling or using drugs on Grand Cayman; I would strongly advise you to abandon that course of action. We have a big prison. This is a Crown Colony and the US and UK have treaties recognizing the lawful imprisonment of each other's citizens for certain offenses. You will be a guest of the Cayman Islands for a long time if caught. Just getting to trial takes months-- D. Drunk Driving is also a bad idea-- the BAC (Blood-Alcohol Content) tolerances are lower and penalties stiffer. CONVENIENCE TIPS (Live/look like a Local): 1. Fresh Fish for the grill. Pack a small cooler with whenever you go into town. When in Georgetown, look at the waterfront right where Mary’s Street terminates at the sea (Hammerhead’s Bar) and you will see a couple of umbrellas with 4-5 fishermen selling fresh fish on the shore. They are fresh-caught…and ask to see everything in their coolers as well. Snapper, Grouper, Wahoo, and Yellowtail are the best fish…don’t buy parrotfish or triggerfish. By having the cooler, you can shop in Georgetown or go to the Turtle Farm and don’t have to race back to the Northside. Closer by, many afternoons the fishermen in the Northside are cleaning fish at the public pier/ramp next to "Over the Edge" in Old Man Bay too (about 1PM-2PM). 2. Visit any Beach. While (technically) property owners own their land to the high water mark, all of the hotels, condos and resorts want you to visit them. Specifically; Rum Point, The Reef Resort, Morritt’s Tortuga, The Westin & Hyatt, Sunset House, Marriott, Treasure Island, etc…welcome you to swim on their beach, use their restaurants, bars, watersports, etc...They may not want you using their lounge chaises however. There are also public beaches all around the island that the local Caymanians rarely use. They are usually pristine, and have some facilities. Do not feel like an outsider on this island. The people are friendly and want you to have a good time. The only look you might get is if you use a ton of water at their shower (water is precious). 3. Know the Calendar. My arrivals are mostly on Saturday, and Sat. evening Lammie (calypso music) plays at Morritt’s. Barefoot Man plays Tues/Thur at Royal Reef. The “Big Kahuna” comedian plays Morritts on Wednesday nights. http://www.morritts.com/Page06_Weekly_Activities_Schedule.htm and read their "Turtle Times for a schedule of events at Morritts-- www.redsailcayman.com has the best KAIBO Stingray City trip on their 65’ catamaran Tu/We/Th (call 345-945-5965 ask for Lashan). It is the most convenient snorkel trip to you...near Rum Point. Reminder, all stores and grocery stores are closed on Sundays. Driftwood in Rum Point has 4 satellite dishes..all the games..and cheap beer. Rarely any cruise ships on Sundays; and Wednesdays are the worst in town for cruise ships (up to 5-7 of them!). 4. Don’t Overdress. The island is casual. Everyone expects you to be very comfortable. Shorts and T-shirts (or collared polo shirts for restaurants) are fine. Many ladies just wear a cover-up or wrap skirt over their bathing suit out to dinner. No Thurston Howell III’s (blazer & ascots). You won't wear half of the clothes you brought with you.
Cooks, Chefs (& Maids) The availability of cooks for private hire is very much a function of the strength of the local economy. In Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican Republic and St. Lucia; unemployment runs anywhere from 10% to 25%. In Grand Cayman, unemployment is very low (around 3%). We import labor from other countries. Chefs are very well paid on the island. I have a few local ladies who will cook a nice dinner for you & family (which I recommend). They offer great service. Our guests have hired them with excellent results. They buy the food, drive to the house, prepare, serve and then clean up afterwards. It is a real luxury to have dinner served outside or around the pool. There are many great restaurants on the Northside & East End…. you will want to try them. I also recommend Sean Collins at Mise En Place for “fine-dining” dinners. They are awesome and do most of the weddings at the Castle in the East End. www.miseenplace.com.ky . They can also have a cook at your house--but be warned ($$$). My personal view on hiring a full-time cook (I have had them before on other islands)…I felt obligated to hang around for lunch/dinner instead of going to the great restaurants…and not all in the group are ready to eat a big lunch/dinner at a specific time. I am also uncomfortable having strangers in the house while we were at the beach or shopping. Some islands have a lot of violent crime, as opposed to Grand Cayman. On many other islands-- houses, resorts and hotels have high fences around them. In Cayman, many guests sleep with the doors and windows open at night. In sum, regardless of location, I would rather the house be locked when we are not there. On the topic of maids-- our maids have been with each house for years usually and are very trustworthy. They are available for extra maid-service for about CI$25/hr. Contact your property manager in advance of your trip if you would like to schedule extra maid service Some of the other islands have to offer cooks because they either don’t have enough restaurants (Mustique) or the local restaurants (other than the resorts’) aren’t particularly safe for tourists. They also need to offer every imaginable service to get you to go there. My personal view only; I want my privacy when I want it and maximum flexibility when I want it… I am on vacation! COOKS FOR 7MB, NORTHSIDE AND EAST END PROPERTIES-
CHEFS FOR HIGHER END SERVICE- (Island- wide)
Cruise Ship Schedule If you would like to know how many cruise ships will be in the port of Georgetown during your week and on what particular day—Please click this link below to the Cayman Islands Port Authority. It may help keep you from making a big mistake and driving into town on a day when there are 7 cruise ships in port! http://www.caymanport.com/schedule.htm
LASTLY— I want you and your guests to have a great time. I know many people on the island and they know me. I work hard to maintain a great relationship with all of them (restaurants, dive operations, etc.) I send a lot of business their way each year—rental cars, restaurants, dive operations, etc. As long as they treat my guests well—I will keep referring them. If you have a great time or bad experience on the island—I want to know about it please. If you have a celebration dinner of 10 or more adults—I would strongly recommend the “Captain's Port Room” at the Lighthouse Restaurant. You have the (air-conditioned) room to yourself—and their wine list too. We enjoyed many great meals there. Giuseppe is a great host. Thanks again for your business—and I trust this has been informative. Please feel free to ask any questions or make recommendations that I can include for subsequent guests. Jim Leavitt jim@grandcaymanvillas.net
CONCIERGE SERVICES FOR YOUR STAY:
I. PRE-STOCKING THE VILLA WITH FOOD AND BEVERAGES: II. MAID SERVICE (Daily or on Demand): Contact your property manager to set up extra maid service. Figure $25-30/hour. They will collect by either credit card or cash directly from you. III. BOAT RENTAL & CAPTAINED PRIVATE BOAT/DIVE TRIPS: www.boatsandbutlers.com ( Private Snorkel/Dive/Fishing/Stingray trips on nice boats) 916-2838 www.aquazure.net (Private Snorkel/Dive/Stingray Sandbar trips on a 43' boat) 925-8381 www.divenstuff.net (Private dive boat will pick up at Kaibo, Rum Point or Private Dock) 947-2822 www.caymanislandboatrentals.com (Boat rental- to be kept at Kaibo Yacht Club) www.redbarondivers.com (Private Dive Trips) www.fatfishadventures.com (Rental jet boats and jet skiis) www.cayman.org/captainbryan/ (Smaller Trimaran/Catamaran Trips & charters) 949-0038 www.redbaroncharters.com (8 person Sailing Charters - 39' C&C Sloop)- 916-4333/916-7978
Blair Philpott also has a small boat and does smaller boat trips 516-1978 Barbara Whittaker 925-3278 (18’ Boston Whaler for Cayman Kai Villas only with Docks-$800/wk) Sislyn Ebanks 345-927-2300 has a few 14' Whalers with outboards for putting around. IV. EQUIPMENT RENTAL (Kayaks, Bicycles, Hobie Cats, Wheelchairs, Umbrellas, Rollaway Beds, etc.): Empty Suitcases www.emptysuitcases.com (rentit@emptysuitcases.com) Tourin Tots-- 345-947-8409; tourintots@hotmail.comV. COOKS/CHEFS FOR PREPARED MEALS AT YOUR VILLA:
CHEFS-- Sean Collins at Mise en Place 345-943-CHEF
VI. MASSAGE/SPA SERVICES AT THE VILLA: Spa-2-Go at 345-949-1525 The Healing Touch - 949-2034 VII. PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: David Wolfe Photography - 345-916-4146 - see www.davidwolfephotography.com VII. DEEP-SEA FISHING CHARTER: Jerry Whittaker & Ariel- Au'sum (33' Blackfin Sportfisherman) - 345-916-4069 or 939-5739 Bayside Watersports- 345-949-3200 Black Princess Charters - 345-949-0400 Charter Boat Headquarters - 345-945-4340 VII. FLY-FISHING CHARTER: http://www.fish-bones.com/ - Davin Ebanks - 917-7238 www.flyfishgrandcayman.com - Ronald Ebanks - 946-0214 VIII. PERSONAL TRAINERS (AT YOUR VILLA): Jeanna Cullinane at Mobile Fitness Solutions 345-926-0901 ( mobilfitnsgirl@yahoo.com ) Catherine Gallant 345-949-5132 or 924-1079 (catgallant@hotmail.com) IX. PROFESSIONAL REALTOR: My recommended realtor for the Northside of the island is Jeanette Totten. www.caymanluxuryproperty.com Jeanette knows all the areas on the island and is a villa owner herself. X. GOLF COURSES: Best bet for golf is the "North Sound Club" www.northsoundclub.com 345-947-4653. golfpro@northsoundclub.com . It is off of 7MB almost directly across from the Westin Hotel. XI. BABYSITTING SERVICES: We have two professional babysitting services on island that many villa and condo owners use-- most villa managers will also have a few local suggestions too.
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