This is the third time we have stayed in the Grand Caymans. The first time was at the Marriott on 7mile beach. The second time was also at the Turtle Nest Inn. We will be going back for a fourth time to the very same Turtle Nest Inn.
The TNI hosts 8 apartments. One is very tiny reconverted maid's room - with a bed and a shower area, not much more. The other apartments are spacious, clean and bright with daily maid service.
TNI is in the heart of Bodden Town, a place where locals work and live, so expect some local noise - traffic, music, roosters, and so on. None of which is so excessive as to be offensive - although some have complained. This is in contrast to what you might expect on 7 Mile Beach where you just get you people partying and drinking all of the time... TNI is a welcome trade-off to get away from that scene.
Snorkeling is the main reason we go to TNI. There is a reef-protected area this is very large - several miles. The area right in front of the Inn has hundreds of blue tang, three of the largest parrot fish we have seen, several tarpon, lobster, crab, sand rays, cuttle fish, angel fish, conch, and so on. Very rich and diverse. Hurricane Ivan destroyed a lot of the coral, but it is making its way back. There are enormous coral fans waving in the waves; there is antler coral - black, green and pink. Any experience snorkeler knows that time-of-day is important to seeing different fish; so too here. Early in the morning, just after sunrise you can actually see one or two of the giant rays leaving the protected reef area after resting in the evening. Later in the day, the schools of tang come and feast... and in the evening, lobster abound. Even though areas like Belize and Roatan offer better snorkeling and larger size fish, the area around TNI is good for the beginner as well as the more experienced snorkeler who just wants to relax. Getting in and out is a bit difficult. There are rocks and broken sea shells not just sand. My wife bought a pair of New Balance sneakers that may be used in water... they were ideal for getting in and out of the water.
The hosts/owners at TNI are famous in the local area. They were major participants in the clean up after Ivan, and many locals talk very favorably of them and their contribution back to the community.
Some reviewers have suggested that couples with teenagers might like TNI. My experience suggests that teenagers would crave more excitement than TNI. My opinion is that TNI is for the more aware crowd who would just like to relax, sun bathe, and snorkel/swim. No "hot parties", no large groups of people to contend with, no competition for resources. If none of this appeals to you, go to the 7 Mile Beach hotels - we stayed there and similar locations throughout the Carribean; we have finally "settled" on TNI as our home away from home - not as a stop by hotel. But, with only 8 apartments, we really ask you to stay away so we can go back any time we want - so that we do not have to compete with you for the limited rooms.
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