Tips on Accommodations

The government of the Cayman Islands imposes a 10% surcharge on all hotel room rentals, which is included in the price.

Hotels also charge a room tax. Sometimes the room tax depends on the quality of the hotel -- it might be relatively low for a guesthouse but steeper for a first-class resort. When booking a room, make sure you understand whether the price you've been quoted includes the room tax (which is different from the 10% hotel room surcharge), so that you avoid an unpleasant surprise when it comes time to pay the bill.

Furthermore, most hotels routinely add 10% to 12% for "service," even if you didn't see much evidence of it. That means that with tax and service, some bills are 17% or even 25% higher than the price that was originally quoted! Naturally, you need to determine just how much the hotel, guesthouse, or inn plans to add to your bill at the end of your stay, and whether it's included in the initial price.

That's not all. Some hotels slip in little hidden extras that mount quickly. For example, it's common for many places to quote rates that include a continental breakfast. Should you prefer ham and eggs, however, you will pay extra charges. If you request special privileges, like extra towels for the beach, beach chairs, or laundry done in a hurry, surcharges may mount. It pays to watch those extras and to ask questions before you commit.

Hotels & Resorts -- Many budget travelers assume they can't afford the big hotels and resorts. But with so many packages out there and frequent sales, even in winter you might be pleasantly surprised.

The rates given in this guide are "rack rates" -- that is, the officially posted rate that you'd be given if you just walked in off the street. Almost everyone ends up paying less than the rack rate through packages, bargaining, and discounts. Think of the rates in this guide as guidelines to help you comparison-shop.

Some hotels are often quite flexible about their rates, and many offer discounts and upgrades whenever they have a big block of rooms to fill and few reservations. The smaller hotels and inns are not as likely to be generous with discounts, much less upgrades. A good travel agent may know which hotels have reduced their rates and can help you save serious money.

Condos, Villas & Cottages -- Particularly if you're traveling with your family or a group of friends, a "housekeeping holiday" can be one of the least expensive ways to vacation in the Caymans. And if you like privacy and independence, it's a good way to go. Accommodations with kitchens are available on all the islands. Some are individual cottages, others are condo complexes with swimming pools, and some are private homes that owners rent out while they're away.

In the simpler rentals, you do your own cooking and laundry and, in a few cases, your own housekeeping. This may not be your idea of a good time in the sun, but it saves money -- a lot of money. The savings, especially for a group of three to six people, can range from 50% to 60% of what a hotel would cost. Groceries are sometimes priced 35% to 60% higher than on the U.S. mainland, as nearly all foodstuffs have to be imported, but even so, preparing your own food will be a lot cheaper than taking all your meals at restaurants.

Most villas, condos, and cottages have a staff, or at least a maid who comes in a few days a week, and they also provide the essentials, including linens and housewares. Many places (though not all) include maid service and fresh linens in the price. Condos usually come with a reception desk and are often comparable to a suite in a big resort hotel. Nearly all condo and villa complexes have pools (some more than one). Like condos, villas range widely in price and may begin at US$750 per week for a modest one and go over US$50,000 a week for a luxurious one.

You can also rent a lavish private home. You'll spend a lot of money, but you'll be staying in the lap of luxury in a prime beachfront setting, usually with maid service (though you may need to arrange this in advance).

Approach all these rental properties with a certain sense of independence. There may or may not be a front desk with someone to answer your questions, and you will most likely have to plan your own watersports activities and excursions. Always ask when you book.

Make your reservations well in advance. We've listed a few agencies that rent condos, villas, and private homes throughout the Caymans. You can also ask each island's tourist office for suggestions on rental agencies. Below are some additional resources for condo and villa rentals throughout the Caymans.

• Cayman Villas, 177 Owen Roberts Dr., Grand Cayman (tel. 800/235-5888 in the U.S., or 345/945-4144; www.caymanvillas.com), is a booking agency that specializes in renting more than 100 private beachfront homes and condos on all three islands. The properties range from cozy studio cottages to large villas that have as many as five to seven bedrooms. Some properties have the added luxury of a private pool or a maid, and sometimes even a cook. Most of the rentals have kitchenettes, Internet access, a washer and dryer, and kitchenware. The range is from budget to deluxe, so most pocketbooks can be accommodated. Rentals range from US$150 to US$2,000 per night.
• Villas of Distinction (tel. 800/289-0900 in the U.S.; www.villasofdistinction.com) offers upscale private villas with one to six bedrooms and a pool throughout the Caymans. From town houses to beachfront villas, all their lodgings are beautifully furnished.
• Hideaways Aficionado (tel. 888/843-4433 in the U.S., or 603/430-4433; fax 603/430-4444; www.hideaways.com) publishes Hideaways Collection, a pictorial directory of home rentals throughout the world, including the Cayman Islands. Rentals range from cottages to staffed villas. Hideaways International can also help you charter yachts and arrange cruises, flights, car rentals, and hotel reservations. Annual membership is US$195.

Saving on Your Hotel Room

The rack rate is the maximum rate that a hotel charges for a room. Hardly anybody pays this price, however, except in high season or on holidays. To lower the cost of your room:

• Ask about special rates or other discounts. You may qualify for corporate, student, military, senior, frequent-flier, trade union, or other discounts.
• Dial direct. When booking a room in a chain hotel, you'll often get a better deal by calling the individual hotel's reservation desk rather than the chain's main number.
• Book online. Many hotels offer Internet-only discounts, or supply rooms to Priceline, Hotwire, or Expedia at rates much lower than the ones you can get through the hotel itself.
• Remember the law of supply and demand. You can save big on hotel rooms by traveling during a destination's off season or shoulder seasons, when rates typically drop, even at luxury properties.
• Look into group or long-stay discounts. If you come as part of a large group, you should be able to negotiate a bargain rate. Likewise, if you're planning a long stay (at least 5 days), you might qualify for a discount. As a general rule, expect 1 night free after a 7-night stay.
• Sidestep excess surcharges and hidden costs. Many hotels have adopted the unpleasant practice of nickel-and-diming its guests with opaque surcharges. When you book a room, ask what is included in the room rate, and what is extra. Avoid dialing direct from hotel phones, which can have exorbitant rates. And don't be tempted by the room's minibar offerings: Most hotels charge through the nose for water, soda, and snacks.
• Consider the pros and cons of all-inclusive resorts and hotels. The term "all-inclusive" means different things at different hotels. Many all-inclusive hotels include three meals daily, sports equipment, spa entry, and other amenities; others may include most alcoholic drinks. In general, you'll save money going the "all-inclusive" way -- as long as you use the facilities provided. The downside is that your choices are limited and you're stuck eating and playing in one place for the duration of your vacation.
• Carefully consider your hotel's meal plan. If you enjoy eating out and sampling the local cuisine, it makes sense to choose a Continental Plan (CP), which includes breakfast only, or a European Plan (EP), which doesn't include any meals and allows you maximum flexibility. If you're more interested in saving money, opt for a Modified American Plan (MAP), which includes breakfast and one meal, or the American Plan (AP), which includes three meals. If you must choose a MAP, see if you can get a free lunch at your hotel if you decide to do dinner out.
• Book an efficiency. A room with a kitchenette allows you to shop for groceries and cook your own meals. This is a big money saver, especially for families on long stays.
• Consider enrolling in hotel chains' "frequent-stay" programs, which are upping the ante lately to win the loyalty of repeat customers. Frequent guests can now accumulate points or credits to earn free hotel nights, airline miles, in-room amenities, merchandise, tickets to concerts and events, and discounts on sporting facilities. Perks are awarded not only by many chain hotels and motels (Hilton HHonors, Marriott Rewards, Wyndham ByRequest, to name a few), but also by individual inns and B&Bs. Many chain hotels partner with other hotel chains, car rental firms, airlines, and credit card companies to give consumers additional incentive to do repeat business.

Landing the Best Room

Somebody has to get the best room in the house. It might as well be you. You can start by joining the hotel's frequent-guest program, which may make you eligible for upgrades. A hotel-branded credit card usually gives its owner "silver" or "gold" status in frequent-guest programs for free. Always ask about a corner room. They're often larger and quieter, with more windows and light, and they often cost the same as standard rooms. When you make your reservation, ask if the hotel is renovating; if it is, request a room away from the construction. Ask about nonsmoking rooms and rooms with views. Be sure to request your choice of twin, queen- or king-size beds. If you're a light sleeper, ask for a quiet room away from vending or ice machines, elevators, restaurants, bars, and discos. Ask for a room that has been recently renovated or refurbished.

If you aren't happy with your room when you arrive, ask for another one. Most lodgings will be willing to accommodate you.

You might ask the following questions before booking a room:

• What's the view like? Cost-conscious travelers may be willing to pay less for a back room facing the parking lot, especially if they don't plan to spend much time in their room.
• Does the room have air-conditioning or ceiling fans? Do the windows open? If they do, and the nighttime entertainment takes place alfresco, you may want to find out when showtime is over.
• What's included in the price? Your room may be moderately priced, but if you're charged for beach chairs, towels, sports equipment, and other amenities, you could end up spending more than you bargained for.
• How far is the room from the beach and other amenities? If it's far, is there transportation to and from the beach, and is it free?

Surfing for Hotels

In addition to the online travel booking sites Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline, and Hotwire, you can book hotels through Hotels.com, Quikbook (www.quikbook.com), and Travelaxe (www.travelaxe.net).

HotelChatter (www.hotelchatter.com) is a daily webzine offering smart coverage and critiques of hotels worldwide. Go to TripAdvisor.com or HotelShark.com for helpful independent consumer reviews of hotels and resort properties.

It's a good idea to get a confirmation number and make a printout of any online booking transaction.

In surfing the Internet for hotels in the Cayman Islands, you can often find some very good scuba-diving packages, especially from late April to mid-December.