Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Around
Do we need to rent a car?
No, not unless you wish to explore the island independently and you can always rent a vehicle for just a day or two. Many restaurants and small shopping centers that you may desire to explore are within walking distance and any further restaurants and attractions can be reached inexpensively by bus or a taxi at reasonable rates, and free shuttles are sometimes available. Rental car companies will pick-up/drop-off at Plantana from the airport and major hotels nearby offer car rentals.
Is there public transportation?
There are private buses operating under license and regulation of the government that are regularly running along Seven Mile Beach between West Bay and George Town that stop right at Plantana. Cost is approximately US$3 per person a one-way trip.
Can we walk to the grocery and liquor stores?
Yes, all the necessities are within comfortable walking distance (2-6 city blocks) and there are also many dining, leisure and entertainment options in the area. A smaller mini mart, Shop Right, is located less than 5 minutes walk from Plantana almost directly across the street in the shopping center The Grove. See Things to Do.
Is there a hospital nearby?
The Cayman Islands Health Services Authority or George Town Hospital, is a 10 minute drive from Plantana and is a full service hospital, pharmacy and accident/emergency center. Doctor’s Hospital is also 10 minutes away. For urgent care, there are a couple of nearby medical centers such as Total Health in Grand Pavilion, The Strand Medical Centre in the Strand Shopping Plaza or TrinCay Medical in Camana Bay. For non emergency visits, you may visit Rapha Imaging & Medical Centre in the Falls Shopping Plaza (a minute drive!), the Seven Mile Beach Clinic in Queen’s Court or Oasis Medical Group in West Bay at Centennial Towers. These are all 6 minutes or less by car from Plantana.
Catering to Infants/Toddlers
Is there an additional charge for a crib or high chair?
No, we provide high chairs and portable mid-size cribs at no additional charge, as long as they aren’t all already in units. Please do bring your request to our attention ideally at the time of booking your reservations but preferably prior to your arrival. There are also a few rental service companies that offer full-size cribs, crib bumpers, strollers, swings and play-pens, etc. who will deliver and collect the equipment. Tourin’ Tots is a great option.
Are baby-sitting or child-minding services available?
There are several service providers on Island. Our preferred service provider is Best Home Care, which is independent of Plantana but is a licensed and bonded agency.
Catering to Kids & Teens
What fun activities and excursions can our young children do?
Besides the freedom of playing on the beach and in the pool, younger kids will enjoy the Cayman Islands Turtle Centre, a sail on the Jolly Roger Pirates Ship, an adventure on Atlantis Submarine or the Nautilus semi-submersible boat, exploring the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and seeing the Cayman’s endangered Blue Iguanas. If driving to explore the eastern side of Grand Cayman, simple things like a brief stop at Pirates’ Caves in Bodden Town and its petting zoo is a hit with the very young. Closer to Plantana, discovery programs at Ambassadors of the Environment at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman or kids activities at Camana Bay such as Fountain Frenzy can be a fun break as parents and older siblings too will enjoy the leisurely atmosphere of this recreation, shopping and dining complex.
What fun activities and excursions can our young children do?
Young and older teens and young adults will enjoy stand-up paddle boarding, kayak adventures such as the mangrove exploration or bio-luminesce trips, exploration programs at Ambassadors of the Environment at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, parasailing, jet skiing, the jetpack flight or horseback riding.
Of course, all ages will enjoy boating excursions to Stingray City and snorkeling at Coral Gardens, perhaps a visit to swim with the dolphins, or deep-sea fishing. See Things to Do.
Tips & Gratuities
Should we tip our housekeeper or any other service staff?
You are most welcome to tip any of our service staff who you found exceptionally attentive to your needs and they will surely be gratefully for your gesture of appreciation. The standard service gratuity that is charged to your reservations account is distributed evenly amongst our service staff.
Internet, Phone & TV
Is Wi-Fi available?
Wireless internet is provided in each unit and at the pool and beach areas at no additional charge.
Will my cell phone work in Grand Cayman?
Yes, providing that your cell phone service includes international roaming services. We advise that you contact your service provider prior to traveling.
Is there a telephone in the condo unit?
Yes, each condo unit has a telephone(s) with its own direct telephone number. There is no additional charge for local calls but there is a restriction on overseas international calls and to calls made to local cell phone numbers. We can provide you with that number if you need it prior to your travels.
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What kind of television service is available?
There is high-definition (HD) cable television service in each condo with HD televisions in the living room and in each bedroom of the bedrooms in our 2 and 3 bedroom condo units. There is a broad range of programming or channels available with a line-up of approximately 80+ channels favorites including CNN, BBC, ESPN, all the major American networks, Disney, Nickelodeon, Food Network, HBO and other sports specific channels.
I’m a big sports spectator, what sports channels will I be able to view?
The dedicated sports channels are FOX Soccer, FOX Sports, GOLF, ESPN, ESPN 1. The seasonal sports programming of all the major networks are also available. It may be possible for an additional charge to receive a specific sports channel during your stay if request is made at least 8 weeks in advance.
Check-In/Check-Out Times
What is the check-in time and what if my flight arrives on island earlier?
Check-in time is after 3 p.m. Regardless, we endeavor to have your condo unit ready for your arrival. If this is not possible, we do have a small hospitality area where you are welcome to store your luggage and also change your into beach/pool attire.
What is the check-out time and what if my flight departs much later?
Check-out time is at 11:00 a.m. If requested, we will try to accommodate a later check-out which is dependent on the preparation required for the next guest arrival. If a later check-out is not possible, we do have a small hospitality area where you are welcome to store your luggage and also change into traveling attire so that you can continue relaxing on property or go to lunch nearby. However, our hospitality room does not have a shower facility.
How much time prior to our flight departure time do we have to be at the airport for departure from Cayman?
The recommended time is 3 hours prior to flight departure time to allow for check-in, security and immigration procedures. You should allow 15 minutes travel time to the airport.
Amenities/Services
Do we need to bring beach/pool towels?
No, all linens and towels are provided. Beach/pool towels are placed in your unit on your arrival and you are then free to exchange daily, one towel per person.
Are there hair dryers in the condo?
Yes, there is a blow dryer in each bathroom.
Is there an iron and ironing board in the condo?
Yes, there is an iron and ironing board located in the closet of either the master or guest bedroom.
Is there a safe in the condo?
Yes, there is a digital programmable safe located in the master bedroom closet.
Is there a DVD player in the condo? Are DVDs available?
Yes, each condo unit has at least one DVD player in the living room while some also have a player in either one or all bedrooms. As a courtesy, many of our condo owners have a small selection of DVDs in the units.
Is there a radio and/or an mp3/ipod dock with speakers in the unit?
All of our units have a speaker with ability to connect to iPods or cell phones through the headphone jack.
Is smoking permitted?
Smoking is not permitted inside the condo unit nor outdoors within six feet of any buildings. However, smoking is allowed on the unit’s screened porch provided that it is not a nuisance to neighbors. A designated smoking area in the garden is located on both the north and south sides of the property. Smokers are asked to please be considerate of others when smoking in the garden or beach and to responsibly discard cigarette butts which are toxic to children and can be a fire hazard.
Is there an elevator?
No, there are no elevators but the stairs are not excessive as each level (for 2nd and 3rd floors) is only one flight of stairs of 14 steps.
Are there BBQ grills and picnic areas?
Yes, charcoal grills are located at multiple areas on property. There is a cluster on the beach on the far end of each side of the property’s beach and another cluster of grills located in the gardens on both sides of the property. Plantana does not provide coal nor lighter fluid and we kindly ask that no grills are moved to other locations on the property.
Is there any on-island service available for custom concierge and trip planning?
Yes! Mercedes at Master Key Cayman does just this and can assist with pre-planning a full vacation itinerary, being your personal assistant throughout your stay in Cayman, or even just handling your grocery shopping for you.
Nearby Leisure Amenities, Sports/Fitness & Other Services
Is there a good snorkeling site nearby?
Snorkeling is good off of the center point of Plantana and also just up the beach, south of Governor’s Beach. For more options, see snorkeling locations here.
Where can I play golf?
There is a choice of 2 golf courses nearby in the Seven Mile Beach area, North Sound Club is the closest to Plantana and the other is at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club.
Are there tennis courts on property or facilities nearby that we can use?
Plantana does not have tennis courts but for a fee, guests are welcome to book the tennis courts at Camana Bay and also enroll in programs at the The Courts at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman which are both nearby in the Seven Mile Beach area.
Is there a gym on property or one nearby that guests can use?
Plantana does not have a gym but there are gyms nearby in the Seven Mile Beach area that welcome and offer visitor passes on a daily to weekly fee basis. Visit Life Extension on Earth Close, Anytime Fitness at Camana Bay and World Gym located behind Queen’s Court on West Bay Road.
Is there a yoga or pilates studio nearby?
There are two dedicated studios in the Seven Mile Beach area – BLISS Yoga at The Marquee plaza and Body Works at Queen’s Court plaza.
Is there a spa with steam & sauna facilities nearby?
There are several day spas nearby and three full-service spas with multiple treatment rooms, relaxation rooms and steam, sauna and whirlpool facilities. Hibiscus Spa at The Westin Seven Mile Beach Resort and The Spa at Seafire are about 2-3 city blocks from Plantana and La Prairie Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is about 4 city blocks away.
Is there a hair and nail salon with massage and other beauty services nearby?
There are several beauty salons and day spas nearby and mobile services are also available. Touch of Thai at Park Place, Spa Esprit at The Strand, and a little further down, there’s George Carvalho International at Buckingham Plaza, and Eclipze Hair & Day Spa at Camana Bay. Full mobile services are available from Spa-To-Go.
Are there beach bars and lounges with music and dancing nearby?
There are several – click here for more information on nightlife in Cayman.
Deliveries
May I have a package delivered directly to Plantana before I arrive or during my stay?
Yes, use the following street address and include the name of the registered guest and condo unit number if known:
Plantana Condominiums
1293 West Bay Road
PO Box 30363, KY1-1202
Grand Cayman
Is there a grocery and/or liquor delivery service?
Hurley’s Supermarket provides full services for grocery delivery and Jacques Scott delivers only beverages.
We’re celebrating a special occasion, where can I order flowers, a gift basket with wine/champagne or a cake for delivery?
For flowers and gift baskets – Celebrations and for cakes and special pastries – Treats.  Jacques Scott’s will also deliver specialty baskets.
Emergencies
What if I have an emergency and need to cancel my reservations?
Plantana’s policy allows for cancellations or rescheduling without penalty up to a certain time for your reservations. Review our rental terms to be familiar with when your penalty period begins. If cancellations are necessary within the penalty period, a penalty of 3 nights at the booked rate is imposed. Travel insurance is an alternative and recommended safe guard.
What if there is a hurricane?
If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Cayman Islands, or for your place of residence, within five days of your scheduled arrival date, you may call in advance and cancel your upcoming vacation at Plantana with no penalty charges. Likewise, if your stay at Plantana is cut short due to issuance of a hurricane warning with either an optional or mandatory evacuation, Plantana will refund the unused portion of your planned vacation impacted by the hurricane warning.
