Seaview Hotel Grand Cayman
Posted on April 21, 2008
Filed Under Caribbean, Diving, Islands, Reviews |
This is a quaint little hotel that sits maybe a few minutes walk south of Georgetown. It has the reputation of being the oldest hotel on Grand Cayman as it was built in 1953. Along with nearly everything else on the island, it got trashed pretty badly in late 2004 during hurricane Ivan.
Like so many properties, it had to close down until it could be made habitable for customers once more. They were supposed to have re-opened in 2005, but there’s been no word on that, and I know of several other establishments that shut down for good.
Seaview is a nostalgic place. It’s small, only about 15 rooms, and caters to divers who can hit some of the most fabulous reef anywhere by just stepping off the shore out back. They’ve also got a great deck area surrounding the pool perfect for watching the sun set.
Besides that was a super bar and restaurant called the Naked Fish. It was always crowded with locals who knew where the best eats were, but never took that long to get served. Food was always tasty, especially after a day in the water.
Found the place my first time on island. Was actually staying on the other side of Georgetown at a hotel called Treasure Island Resort. It sits at the start of the famous Seven Mile Beach, and is also a great place but much larger. I always think of the steel band playing during the weekly party night while we drank rum punches.
Anyway, was wandering around the capital of Georgetown where all the cruise ships come in checking out the shops and eats, and went on out the other side of town and found the quieter areas to the south. Definitely not crowded. Just a few homes and two hotels. The first was Sunset House, of Cathy Church Photography fame, and then Seaview just a bit further.
It was night and day compared to Seven-Mile Beach. Completely relaxed and laid back, it set a whole other pace away from all the tourists. I immediately decided to re-locate once my reservation was finished at Treasure Island.
Got lucky because they had a room opening just when I could take it. Now this is nothing fancy mind you. That’s what was so nice. Just basic accommodation, clean and quiet, with most of the guests there to dive their brains out.
Seaview became my hotel of choice when visiting Grand Cayman, and even though it’s mostly a diving crowd, everyone is welcome. Just bear in mind that if it’s fancy hotels and night-life, along with their attendant hustle and bustle, then you’ll want to move on over to the 7-mile area.
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