Bottom-line--fantastic view, right on the ocean (1st floor), poorly outfitted for cooking, strange lay-out, maintenance issues. We booked late and the condo at Moon Bay, about 2 miles down the road from the TNI was the only available property. It is a 3 BR/2BA, but has a strange layout.

Dislikes-there were really no good pyrex dishes for cooking in the oven or microwave. There was a tiny dishwasher, inappropriate for a 3BR place. We were only provided one kitchen trash bag. It smelled mildewy and musty. And our clothes retained the smell when we got home. One of the patio doors wouldn't open and the other had a screen that didn't work. There are mosquitoes, bugs so you need the screen. I couldn't open the window in the Master Bathroom (my husband could muscle it open but anyone shorter would have a problem) and there is no vent for A/C so you need to be able to open the window. The A/C didn't work. We didn't call since it was the weekend, but apparently we should have. Donna said they have someone on call all the time for A/C, so I didn't factor that in the rating too much. The housekeeper should have noticed since she was cleaning it when we arrived and it was 86' inside. They need lamps in the bedrooms. The MBR had 2 tiny ones, but they were pretty dim. They also need a more comfortable bed if they're using this as a rental. The headboard wasn't attached, it was just leaning against the wall. There aren't too many nice restaurants close-by, other than The Lighthouse. Unfortunately we can't afford to eat there every night! Rankin's Jerk Pit was okay for take-out and the South Coast Bar was okay.

Likes-the view is fantastic. We didn't swim in the ocean but there is an area inside the reef that probably isn't too rough, although the neighbor said there's current. The pool was nice. It was cold in January but bearable. They have a little beach area and it is well-maintained with lots of beach chairs/chaise lounges. Donna, at the front desk, is super nice, and documented the problems we identified. Also, when booking the reservation, they were incredibly responsive. We were only at the condo for 3 nights but we booked our car through them for our 2 1/2 week stay. It was cheaper than what we found with Avis directly.

We'll give the TNI another try, and hopefully stay at the Inn next time. We met a fellow diver from Ocean Frontiers who stays there every year with his wife and other friends. It's a 20 minute drive to Ocean Frontiers from the Inn so he must really love it.

Just returned from a lovely long weekend stay at TNI. Had been to Grand Cayman once before and stayed on Seven Mile Beach, nice, but crowded and touristy. We stayed in one of the very clean and spacious condo's and enjoyed the patio, the pool, and the beach; all just steps away. How nice to enjoy morning coffee while sitting under a palm tree on the secluded and peaceful private beach! And how awful to return home to snow and ice! Oh well, we will be back!

Just returned from our third stay at TNI all rested and ready to return to the grind. We were there just a few months ago, but left hubby at work this time, vacationed with my 2 teens and loved it – again. We booked late and the only opening was in a partial view apartment, #5, on the upper floor. This was a 1 bedroom unit, tastefully decorated, with kitchen, queen bed in the bedroom and sofa-bed in the living room and every imaginable amenity. It was perfect and always a joy to come “home” after a day on the beach or cruising around the island. If we had been 4 though, a 2 bedroom condo would have been better. TNI staff was as always knowledgeable and courteous but never in our face, and a rental car was included in the package. The car allowed us to explore the island and do grocery shopping and we ate breakfast and lunch at “home”. For dinner we either ate out at one of the island’s many good restaurants, or cooked on the inn’s terrific poolside grill. When we checked out, Donna and Duane encouraged us to post a review here which we’re happy to do. They both seemed sincerely concerned that TNI lived up to our expectations. It did as it did in the past and we look forward to coming back next year to escape the Canadian winter (and 45cm of snow) again. For us TNI is the perfect vacation spot - comfortable, friendly and laid back!

Sue

Five stars, absolutely, but not for you if five stars means a place like The Ritz Carlton on Seven Mile Beach. This felt more like a lovely, simple, European inn. My husband and I stayed in Apartment #5 at the Inn rather than the condo building. It was private, immaculate (and I am very particular about cleanliness), and cheery. Yes, there was some street noise, but it was not a bother to us. You could avoid that by staying in one of the apartments that face the ocean or, as we did, turning on the air conditioner at night. From our private balcony off the kitchen we could see and hear the ocean. In fact, we were supposed to upgrade to a condo unit mid-way through our stay, but we opted to stay in our apartment. We liked the location of the room, the view, and the daily maid service which was excellent. We used our well-equipped kitchen and the great outdoor grill to fix some meals that we often ate on the ocean-facing terrace, and we often dined with other guests who were doing the same thing. There was plenty of room to chat with other guests or have your own, intimate table.

It was such a treat to have included in the price snorkel equipment, chairs, an umbrella and a cooler that we could take with us anywhere on the island. While we snorkeled at many of the island's beaches, the coral reef was close to the beach at the TNI and we saw the most fish right there on the days when it wasn't too windy. (Our visit was in January when the winds come from the east.) We also enjoyed using the sea kayak that was available. The pool was immaculate, and they cleaned the beach in front of the property daily. The adjacent beaches were not as clean, so bring something to wear on your feet for beach walks. There was a fair amount of washed up glass, seaweed, and trash on those beaches. Bodden Town is not 7-Mile Beach with its long stretch of white sand and fancy resorts, but it has far more character and the feel of real island life. You might see some of the local people playing dominoes by The Grape Tree fish fry place near the inn. Don't hesitate to chat with them. They play lively games and might invite you to join in. In our opinion, the people all over the island and at the inn couldn't have been kinder or more helpful, from Donna and Duane at the front desk, to the Marleine and Alaine the owners, to Paulette who did mountains of laundry every day but still found time to chat with me about gardening and living on the island. Donna has the best personality ever and is a real asset to the TNI.

Take Donna's suggestion about going to the lobster fest on Thursday night at the South Coast Bar & Grill. The food was delicious! And try one of her famous pina coladas, too. She claims she taught Duane, so I'm sure his are great as well. Also, the inn has excellent Cuban coffee that you can purchase to brew in your kitchen. Enjoy it there, because you can't bring any Cuban products back to the US.

Hope this is helpful to prospective visitors who enjoy going off the beaten track. We travel frequently, but this is my first review because this place had such a special feel to it.