We have been going to Grand Cayman for about 5 years now. We usually stay on 7 Mile Beach. We decided to try something different and chose the Retreat. There were 2 families, each with 2 kids. My kids are 7 and 12. It was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. We loved everything about it. The condo was huge, clean, and beautifully decorated. The location is wonderful. It was as though we had our own little secret paradise. It is quiet there and unless you like snorkeling and the beach, there isn't much else to do. The snorkeling on the reef right there was great. It has the Rum Point restaurants right next door so it was convenient for lunch, dinner or just a frozen drink. It is a bit far from most restaurants and the super market so plan accordingly. We are looking to book again for next April. Went took a catamaran to Sting Ray City right off the dock at Rum Point, we went to Starfish Beach (in Kaibo) and a few of the public beaches. Heaven, put heaven.....

We stayed in #28. It was wonderful. The view looked right across the point and we could easily see from our living room where the rest of the family was hanging out. We had a great screened in porch as well as a balcony on the top floor. The kids got a kick out of the spiral staircase to the master. We were surprised at how spacious the house was. The location is very quiet, but when you want a little more, just walk around the edge of the water and hang out at the restaurant and beachfront more public area. We wondered about the cruise ship traffic. They typically came in for 3 hours or so and then were gone. So we had the luxury of facilities built for entertaining larger crowds without having them there all the time. The staff at The Retreat was great!

Every time I close my eyes I still see the water...riots of blues. I still feel the pink and white soft sand between my toes and hear the waves crashing against the shore as I fall asleep. I have returned home, but my heart and soul remained in Grand Cayman, at the Retreat.

I traveled with my children, ages 22, 16 and 13 to Grand Cayman June 14-21, 2011. It was a last minute trip after an incredibly busy period my my "work life". I found great airfare from Detroit and searched for the perfect accommodations for my family. We prefer secluded, out of the away destinations, with wonderful snorkeling and beaches. We're divers, so close access to a top-rated dive op is a must, although they do not need to be on-site. I knew I didn't want to stay on 7MB, it is too much like Miami or Aruba for me and I like neither of those destinations. At all. When I started researching Rum Point and The Retreat, I knew I had found my GC island home.

We arrived to beautiful sunshine, a warm, humid breeze, and no line at immigrations. We had arranged transportation with McCurleys and BA provided a stop at Hurley's to shop for groceries before we headed to the "north". Our Nissan Sentra was awaiting us in the parking lot and we quickly scrambled to the condo - unit #22. The grounds were nice...not extravagant like a resort complex, but well kept. We were greeted at our doorway with conch shells and a small foot bath for sandy toes. I smiled. The condo was extremely well-equipped, and much more beautiful than I expected. The pictures on the web-site did not do the unit justice. Two bedrooms, with wonderful, premium pillow top mattresses and an assortment of pillows, including squishable down. Two and one-half baths, an extremely well equipped kitchen with premium cookware and even muffin tins (which I DID use), and the perfect blender for frozen island drinks. The screened porch ran the length of my king size bedroom and was a haven from the mosquitos at night. Additionally, I could open my doorwall, which opened onto the balcony, wide at night and fall asleep to the sound of the waves. It was as close to sleeping on the beach that I could imagine without a tent :)

High ceilings and ceiling fans gave an airy feel to the unit, and the views were amazing. The unit faces Northeast, so I watched every sunrise from bed. The placement also captured the strong breeze, important for the balcony, and for my comfort at night as I turned off the AC when opening the huge doorwall to sleep "outside" The unit had a washer and dryer, essential for a busy active family (and beach towel freshening), beach towels, a cooler and fast, secure wifi. Charcoal grills dot the property and we used them 4 of the 7 nights we were there. Picnic tables are near/on the beach, and there are plenty of lounge chairs available on the sand. It was a perfect home base. I felt safe and completely at home at property and in the unit.

We didn't use the pool often as it is not ocean-side and I could not tear myself away from the water view. it is however a nice size and very clean. The few times we did use it it was the perfect temperature and we were the only ones in it.

The beach is beautiful. It is small, yes, but perfect. The snorkeling is outstanding, but I must stress that you need to venture out about 350 yds to the Boulder Gardens where the snorkeling is absolutely outstanding. Near shore snorkeling is passable. Check out Testudo's snorkel blog in the forums area for details about snorkeling this area, as well as all of GC. I walked the beach to the west of Rum Point every morning, in front of the gorgeous villas. You MUST do this if you stay here. The sand is perfect, the water shallow for hundreds of yards, with something new to discover each day. Rum Point itself does get crowded on cruise ship days and we were glad for the actual physical separation between our beach and the main Rum Point beach (rocks and trees). It was amusing watching the cruise ship visitors arrive by snorkel "barge" and then leave several hours later. We at at the Wreck Bar one day for lunch (no cruse sip visitors that day) and the food was good and relatively affordable for GC standards. The resident birds, however, were a nuisance, and even dive bombed our heads....my kingdom for a pellet gun....

I have posted detailed trip reports on the forum with more info about the resort, diving, snorkeling, the beach and, still yet to be posted, food shopping, restaurants and misc. Feel free to pm me with questions. This was our first trip to GC. It won't be our last. GC and the Retreat were the first island destinations that truly felt like home. We'll be back soon. Wish it could be a permanent stay.

My wife and I stayed in Retreat #19 May 24 - Jun 1, 2011 for our honeymoon. The place was wonderful. Spacious Great Room, huge screened in deck, and everything sparkling clean. (All the places here have screened in decks/patios - the mosquitos come out as the sun goes down and drive everyone from the beach.) There were many nice touches, including a bin of water on rug to rinse the sand/salt off your feet before entering the condo.

The staff was very helpful - whatever we asked for (DVDs, fix the DVD player, etc.) they provided (except a can opener - we never did get one). The kitchenware was adequate - dishes were new, but pots and pans need replacing. That said, we still were able to prepare our own meals as desired.

The location was about perfect for us. The Retreat is nice and quiet, very private, but activities at Rum Point were right next door! We could walk 100 yds on the beach to the Wreck Bar and Grill, the Restaurant, Dive Shop, Gift Shop, etc. The catamaran cruise to StingRay City left from the dock there as well.

We set-up two dives through the dive shop, who directed us to their location at Morritt's on the East End - about a 25 minute drive - no problem. The diving was great!

We explored the Kaibo Beach Club, the East End, and 7 Mile Beach. If we return to Grand Cayman, we'll go right back to Rum Point. We liked the beach there the best, and along with the serenity when desired, and the other activities right around the corner, we thought it was perfect!