Southwest flies to both for 22,000 points round trip. Normally cost 450.00 a person. I have companion pass so with that its 75 dollars of taxes to Aruba, 100 taxes to Grand Cayman.
Then I have a Marriott Vacation package which took 270,000 of my points and any category 9 they have. I HAD Greece booked and they upgraded me to a room that would have been 6,000 for our week stay, but no friends wanted to do it and RT was 1500.

So....changing after your opinions and some friends opinions.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/auaar-aruba-marriott-resort-and-stellaris-casino/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2
would cost 4k but it would cost me 0.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/gcmgc-grand-cayman-marriott-beach-resort/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2

would cost me 3K but it would cost me just 50 dollars a day for resort fee....
Who has been to either and who is smart enough to tell me how I should be using my points/benefits.

Thanks!

6/26/2017 8:37:19 PM

I have been to both on cruises multiple times, never stayed overnight (although I have had multiple family stay for long stays on Aruba).

Aruba seemed a little more built up to me, more resorts, more roped off areas for swimming (parasailing, banana boating, jet ski rental, etc). I liked the beaches at Grand Cayman more because it was less built up. Both times in Aruba when snorkeling I have been up close and personal with barracudas, not that they did anything but it was pretty freaky.

I would vote Grand Cayman.

6/27/2017 8:55:53 AM

My wife's family has been going to Aruba every year for the past 35 years. I've been twice and will be going again this coming year. It's pretty boring. Very commercialized with high rises, old timeshare/condo places (where my wife's family is at), and casinos. You can do a little snorkeling/scuba-ing, but it's pretty subpar. The beaches are nice, the water is clear, and its normally sunny with a nice breeze...but that's about it.

I've also never been to Grand Cayman...but I would bet it's better than Aruba.

6/27/2017 9:41:02 AM

Can't speak to Aruba since I've never been there but my wife and I stayed at that Marriott resort on Grand Cayman a few years ago and really enjoyed it.

We really enjoyed that it wasn't all inclusive which kept the number of morons to a minimum. The pool and beach were both really nice and the restaurants on site were good. There were a number off venue restaurants and bars within walking distance / short cab ride. Its on the stretch of beach that has most of the big resorts so you could also drop into these for food/drinks.

Our typical day consisted of checking out the complimentary bikes / snorkel gear just after breakfast and biking to various beaches to snorkel. (We researched online and the beaches tended to be fairly deserted with fantastic snorkeling). We would bike back toward the hotel and stop for lunch/drinks somewhere along the way and then relax at the hotel beach sipping cocktails the rest of the afternoon.

We would love to go back at some point and I'd be happy staying at the Marriott again.

That said, I'd take Greece over it hands down.

6/27/2017 11:09:38 AM

I've been to both. Grand Cayman for sure.

6/28/2017 2:21:27 PM

I have been to both a bunch on cruises.
THE GC Marriott charges you 50.00 a day, but according to the person above you get to use a ton of stuff.
Aruba seems more like a party and casinos!
Either way either is > Raleigh

6/29/2017 4:51:12 PM

This is a humblebrag right? No one thinks TWW is the best internet resource available for this very specific question, right?

6/30/2017 10:43:24 AM

not at all, i actually have seen a ton of good things posted on here. Why "humble brag" when no one here knows you

6/30/2017 4:51:01 PM

GC has Stingray City and 7 mile beach, while Aruba does not, and those alone are worth a visit. GC is pretty expensive though, so keep that in mind.

7/3/2017 7:48:51 AM

Depends what you're into but I'm sure you'll enjoy either - both will give you beaches, sand, water sports, etc...personally I felt like I was in South Florida while in GC. Probably my own fault as we did a bunch of touristy things, stayed at a Westin, etc. Aruba has that euro-Caribbean feel (which you'd expect from British territory GC, but nope) with more varied food options.

Both of those hotels are on strips with other big resorts so the beach may feel a little crowded depending on what time of year you go, but you'll get some nice people watching + beach drink service.

[Edited on July 3, 2017 at 8:47 AM. Reason : .]

7/3/2017 8:44:32 AM