Travel deals, hotel bargains, travel news | Theme Park Mom

The Cayman Islands’ first boutique cottage hotel, Cotton Tree, offers guests who book by September 30th a 30% discount on its two-bedroom cottages in December and January. The four 1,600 square foot cottages, ideal for a friends’ getaway, family vacation or a romantic island jaunt for two, resemble fully-equipped houses and feature “Caribbean chic” décor, classic contemporary furnishings, French doors, plasma TVs, state-of-the-art Kitchen Aid appliances, and more.

A media library of books, music and DVDs; breakfast items (a selection of coffees and teas, juices, eggs, cereal and yogurt) pre-stocked in the cottages; WIFI and local calls; fresh fruit; bicycle rentals; Wii and roundtrip airport transfers are also included. The “Early Booking” promotion is available for guests who book by September 30, 2010 to travel from December 1, 2010 through January 31, 2011. After applying the travel discount, individual cottages are $665 per night. Taxes are additional. A three-night minimum applies. For more information or reservations, please call 345.943.0700 or visit http://www.caymancottontree.com

Cotton Tree, the Cayman Islands’ first boutique cottage hotel, now offers guests collectable note cards by local DREADY artist Shane Aquart as part of its turn-down service. Each note card features an illustration from Shane on the cover and an age-old Caymanian saying and interpretation on the back. This distinctive turn-down is the latest touch of authenticity from Owner Heather Lockington, a global traveler born in Cayman that built her dream property in West Bay creating a haven where guests can embrace Caymanian heritage.

Aquart is an internationally known Caymanian artist who does a style of art, truly all his own, that he signs “DREADY”. His images are part of the collections of everyone from British premier league soccer team Portsmouth FC and the Bacardi Corporation and family to international reggae recording artists, London fashion designers, Malaysian businessmen and Singapore bankers. He was born in Jamaica but raised in England, Canada, Belize, the US and Cayman. Beyond his nomadic early life, Shane has also had ‘careers’ as varied as cowboy and creative consultant.

“As one might expect from a varied upbringing, there’s a perspective in the art that’s different; it catches the eye, the imagination and then takes them out of the ordinary,” notes Lockington as why she was attracted to commission Aquart for Cotton Tree’s new collectable note cards.

For more information, please visit www.caymancottontree.com or www.dreadyworld.blogspot.com.

Celebrating the burgeoning culinary scene in the Cayman Islands, BestofCayman.com, in partnership with DOT and Cayman Airways, announced that the 1st Annual Cayman Restaurant Week will be taking place Sunday, 1st August through Sunday, 8th August, 2010.

Carrie Layne, Best of Cayman CEO explains, “We started planning Cayman Restaurant Week a little over 6 months ago. They have restaurant weeks in all the major cities like NY, Dallas, San Francisco and Miami, and they are very successful. The Cayman Islands have an excellent culinary scene, so I came up with the concept and partnered with DOT, Cayman Airways, and BestofCayman.com. Foodies from around the world and locals will be able to dine at Cayman’s finest restaurants and check out each chef’s unique culinary skills with a fixed price menu and optional wine pairing. We plan on making Cayman Restaurant Week an annual event in Cayman.”

More than 30 of the destination’s best restaurants will offer special, multi-course fixed price lunches and dinners during the week-long promotion and many menus feature optional wine pairings with each meal’s course. “Lunch prices are $15 or $20 CI for a 2-3 course meal, and Dinner prices are $25 or $35 CI for a 3-4 course meal. Diners will have several options to choose from for each course, and some restaurants even include vegetarian choices,” says Layne, “What’s really exciting is the variety of dining styles available. Your options almost limitless, from pub fare and Italian, to Japanese and Nuevo fine dining! I honestly believe the restaurants in Cayman are amazing, and the island has a large variety of culinary choices. You can have local cuisine, Italian, Tex-Mex, Continental, Seafood, really anything you want.”

To view the most up-to-date list of menus and this year’s participants which includes the Ritz-Carlton’s Periwinkle and Taikun, the newer restaurants Agua, cblu, Upstairs at Kaibo, and Carlos & Martins, classic favourites like the Lighthouse, the Wharf, Bacchus, Casanova’s, Cracked Conch, Mezza, Lobster Pot, the Brick House, Kaibo, Edoardo’s, Guy Harvey’s and more, visit CaymanRestaurantWeek.com. Space is limited for Cayman Restaurant Week and visitors to CaymanRestaurantWeek.com can make online reservations at any of the participating restaurants. “Every reservation that you make online will enter you to win a trip for two on Cayman Airways, gift certificates, and other great prizes,” says Layne, “After you visit a restaurant during Cayman Restaurant Week, you will be able to go back to the website and write a review on your experience, and earn even more entries to win prizes for each review you write.”

The broadest reaching, most price-conscious dining promotion to ever hit the Cayman Islands is intended to thank the dining public for its support while providing restaurants an opportunity to present a high-quality menu that will attract regulars and new guests. The list of over 30 participants includes endearing classics, notable newcomers and several award-winning restaurants.

For more information, please contact info(at)CaymanRestaurantWeek(dot)com or visit www.CaymanRestaurantWeek.com



Coral Stone Club, the beachfront luxury vacation rental resort, launched a late summer promotion providing discounted rates for both new and repeat guests. Known for its’ spacious and well appointed three bedroom and three bathroom group-friendly vacation rental units, the property is also offering a transfer from the airport to the property upon arrival (one transfer per unit booking). These offers are eligible for travel August 1st to October 31st.

“Many of our guests are interested in coming back to Coral Stone Club more than once a year, so, we decided to make it easier for those that want to know us, and those that already do,” comments Jann Medeiros, Chairman of the Board. In fact, Coral Stone Club already experiences a high repeat guest ratio of 55%, nearly twice the industry standard, but feels confident loyal customers would return more frequently if it made financial sense. She adds, “Just like any other Caribbean resort property, the very end of summer and early in the school year is when we have the most inventory to offer.”

Coral Stone Club’s signature “barefoot luxury” living offers the best beach on Seven Mile Beach and exceptional access to facilities, such as a supermarket and liquor store across the street plus walking distance to 18 restaurants and 3 spas. The property has two BBQ’s and hot tubs, a fitness center and tennis court on-site. Each unit includes free local calls and free Wi-Fi. Rates begin at $595 per night and all vacation rentals include three bedrooms, each with attached bath.