Long review but details are worth it!
My family of 3 boys- ( 8, 6 & 2.5) myself and husband were over due for a relaxing, stress free vacation in the Caymans and BOY did we get it! Seems ironic huh! We have used Trip Advisor for every trip we had taken for at least 2 yrs. and never wrote any comments ourselves! Well, this is the trip that did it for us!
We stayed 7 nights in a 2 bed, 2 bath oceanfront condo at DPC on the QUIET end of 7 mile beach! (THANK GOODNESS!) We are 5 star hotel junkies- BUT with kids- that gets VERY expensive and too chaotic! In Grand Cayman it is very expensive so you have to think outside the box (a little). We travel a lot and want to share a few family tips...
We found DPC on the web- and ORIGINALLY priced the Ritz (grossly expensive for what you get) AND CROWDED- the Westin (which we adored in St. John- but was booked up AND crazy expensive). Plus trafficy on that end of town... Then we BOOKED a room in the Marriott (for $875) per night for 2 queen beds and a "crib" for our toddler. We then learned of all the active construction still taking place on the island and figured out that on that end of the island it would be LOUD. (which was true)So we began looking on the other end of 7 mile beach for quiet. THEN we found DPC. This place was amazing for ONLY $575.00 per night for a 2bed 2 bath full condo!
Here's the deal- we did not sacrifice at all (in our minds-) The Ladies in the office were incredibly helpful EVERY time I called- whether it was 5 am (and waking them up) :> OR during the day or LATE at night.- Ann Rose and Ollie were STELLAR and equally superior to the service we receive at the luxury resorts. We stayed 6 nights in unit #32- very nice- 2 king beds- 2nd floor- very comfortable PERFECT view and family quiet. Our last night we moved to just below in unit #23 (liked it even better- style wise) Walked 15 steps to the sand and palapas/ umbrellas. INCREDIBLE for ONLY $575. per night. (total score)
Now, we went out to eat AND cooked in- no big deal- a little of both. We brought food from home- and I am glad I did. (just made it more convenient and we totally saved $$$.) We did bring our own alcohol- and glad I did once again. We travel light anyway- 1 small suitcase per person- (it's the beach) so really not a big deal for us to have another full of stuff. We bought a small cooler and attached a hasp lock on it and locked it w/ TSA locks- read everything on the web & learned to make sure all meats said USDA. (they didn't even inspect our cooler in Cayman! hi & by! was what we got!) But it did help to have all of it perfect just in case.
Many people on the web advised against packing your own food- I did it to save money (sort of) but mostely b/c I wanted the foods I & my kids like no matter what. I packed very smartly- taking stuff out of their boxes and put them in individual ziplocks- PERFECT! We still went to the Fosters Grocery and spent $$$- I highly recommend to take your own stuff if your a family. We cook 3 a day- so it WAS worth it.
The DPC was wonderful- the beach was clean- no harsh rocks, plenty of shade to find- people respectfully quiet and friendly. Pool simple but totally adequate! We played tennis with our boys one morning- (probably should've brought our own racquets... it would've allowed MORE freedom- BUT they have them in the office.) Beach towels daily- was great at your discretion. Dive wash stations- very smart... plenty of opportunities to stay clean. Housekeeping perfect. ALWAYS willing to give us extra towels, etc... just ask and you shall receive. Very mellow, clean and friendly property. We were so pleasantly surprised (and relieved...) you never know when you go abroad IF it's going to be like what you are expecting- the reviews on trip advisor were perfect. Beautiful flowers and simple pleasures. The "hotel end" of 7 mile beach- no way- Too crowded and there WAS construction everywhere just as all the reviews had warned- (which is why we cancelled the Marriott to begin with....) Thank goodness!
Glad I packed tons of sun block- the white sand and peacfulness of the beach allowed us to stay outside A LOT! we did rent a car from Thrifty- we ended up with a minivan (dorky for us BUT PERFECT). Gas is expensive there approx. $6-7 dollars US per gallon- (we were surprised) so if you don't NEED a bigger vehicle- dont pay for it rental wise... (I wanted an explorer but couldn't get one- hating minivans.... (yes, I drive a yukon XL...) BUT I am so glad I did not pay $850+ for an explorer gas hog... (Our van was $600 US or so with a 4 cylinder engine- but who cares... you don't need muscle on the island! :>) Stick with small and cheaper. (You'll be glad you did) We drove a lot exploring in the afternoons and one day went to Rum point.
Beware of cruise ships- (we forgot about that) They are the busiest on Tue, Wed, Thurs.- with 5-7 coming into port (yikes) we could see them from our beach and just laughed....
BUT If you want to do rum point or shop in the town- the best day is Monday or Friday... according to locals (Sun- everything is closed INCLUDing grocery stores- which really stunk for those we met who had arrived on a sunday with no groceries.
If you dive or want a more personal trip to stingray city or anywhere on the water... definately hire "Chris & Kate" of Indigo Divers.com- (brochure in airport) or check the web...We met them at 730 a.m and left them after one of the very best days on the island around 300pm. They are PERFECT! Both dive instructors- and sting ray experts- we chartered their 35' boat- with a head and cabin, etc... (check their website- you cant miss them...) our boys LOVED it. We were the first at Sting Ray City- thanks to Chris :> (2 hrs later- 24 boats!!!) And had a personal time withthe beautiful creatures. (we brought our own life vest for our 2.5 year old son- just in case.) We also went on a private little jaunt to find starfish and docked at Kaibo Yacht CLub for lunch - PERFECT!!! Learned so much from them as locals- He's from the states, she is from the UK. They were so wonderful with our boys and us- my husband was going to dive with Chris but decided against it- (but could have)- totally worth every dollar! We spent around a grand for the after noon but received extra service and stayed a little longer than "normal". I think they normally charge $650.00 or so for 6 hours with a dive- so for us- it was great. Private, beautiful, personalized service- just what we needed. You absolutely won't regret it! He'll take you anywhere practically-
Bring your own food- save some $$$ and Hire them for sure!!! :>
We also did the Pirate Cruise (remember we have 3 boys) It was cool and truly a great value for the $$$$- but a little toooooo long. But still fun- we did the sunset cruise with cocktails and an appetizer of chicken tenders and pasta salad (YUM!) and all the cocktails you can handle. Lots of music and pirate flair- (no plank walks or washing of the deck though???) but cute.
All in all we had a wonderful time. DPC was wonderful and we have told all of our friends (who stay at the Ritz and Westin- to STOP it!) The condo was no big deal (without the tropical lush pool and restaraunts, bars...) We had our kids- so we wouldn't use that all the time anyway- we LOVED going "out" some nights with the boys and LOVED staying on the beach super late, cooking dinner while they "chilled" watching satellite or playing their games, etc... We will ALWAYS go back to DPC! It truly was everything they said it would be! They were professional, courtesy, the beach was prestine, the surf was safe- plenty of chairs and shade if needed- respectful guests and happy families galore! What more could you want!? Nightly everyone would quietly congregate around the beach and pool area to watch the sun "fall"- it was peaceful!
Hope this review helps you- we were "insecure" about a condo abroad- but they were everything we could've wanted. Bravo DPC and thank you so very much for making our vacation exactly what we expected and hoped it would be!!!!!! we are trying to plan another trip in July! ENJOY!
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.