Winter is taking a backseat to spring, and summer is right around the corner, which means moms are starting to gather ideas for summer vacations. How about a volunteerism vacation? It’s such a great way to give back, it’s culturally enhancing, and (don’t tell your children!) oftentimes its also very educational.
The Reef Resort, a popular family destination, has developed a wonderful volunteerism package. Families will have an opportunity to help the critically endangered Blue Iguanas, known by locals as “Blue Dragons.” These magical creatures need help to survive, as only 20 are left in the wild. The Reef is happily involved with the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme, so much so that they have adopted a “blue dragon” named Tootsie. As the name implies, he is quite a character. Read more here and become a Facebook fan to post your experiences with Tootsie when visiting him on your next Grand Cayman vacation.
Read below for package details on The Reef’s new volunteerism opportunity:
The Reef Launches a Cayman Island Submersion Experience
Travelers looking to submerge themselves and experience an authentic Cayman vacation can do so with the Reef’s new Cayman Island Submersion Experience vacation package. Guests will have an opportunity to visit some of the island’s most historic sites both on land and under the sea with excursions to Pedro St. James, Mission House and Wreck of the Ten Sails. Lovers of animals will relish a snorkel trip complete with a fish recognition card and a behind-the-scenes tour to see the critically endangered Blue Iguana in its natural habitat at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. A special volunteer morning is also on the menu, allowing guests to get involved in the local community through different weekly activities such as beach clean-ups and the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme (clean-ups, building cages, feeding etc.) The Cayman Island Submersion Experience includes:
5 nights stay in a beachfront Studio Suite for two
5 day car rental
Guided ocean tour to the Wreck of the Ten Sails with White Sands Watersports
Behind the scenes Blue Iguana tour at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park with Blue Iguana Trail island map
Guided tour of East End/Bodden Town/Savannah including Pedro St James, Mission House and East End attractions
Volunteer morning – get involved in the local community participating in The Reef’s weekly ‘volunteerism’ morning
Daily snorkel rental with fish recognition card
Dinner for two with the Barefoot Man
The Reef will donate $25 to the Cayman National Trust for every package booked
Rates: winter 2010 — US $1,995/summer 2010 – $1,695 for two including taxes (Sunday/Monday arrivals only)
theReef has made the leap to Facebook and Twitter!
TheReef started chatting with friends through our humble little blog, which I have to say is still the best source for all things Cayman! Now we are spreading the word of theReef and Cayman that little bit further through Facebook and Twitter : )
Become a fan of theReef on Facebook here
Follow us on Twittter @theReefresort
theReef Spring Sale is here!!!
Spring is almost upon us (although it does not feel like it for some at the moment!), a time for starting afresh. theReef is offering the perfect Spring vacation getaway…
Stay with us between now and April 9th 2010 and receive 30% off plus US$100 F&B credit!
Click here to view full details of our our new Spring Sale, and to view our other promotions.
Here is a little reminder of relaxation at theReef…
The Reef Resort has been working the editorial circuit with posts on Examiner.com and 52 Perfect Days both tout The Reef for their wonderfully romantic Valentine’s Day travel package.
The Reef Resort is offering a new Simply Romance at The Reef – Valentine’s. Guest’s will enjoy the following and please visit the resorts reservation page for availability, rates and more.
5 nights in a Beachfront Deluxe Studio Suite
Champagne and Strawberries in room upon arrival
Private 3 course candlelit dinner for two on the beach with bottle of wine
Sunset Kayak Reef tour for two (or alternative couples watersports activity when available)
Couples Massage at Le Soleil Spa
The Reef wishes everyone a Happy and Lovely Valentine’s Day!
Deltahave just announced a new direct flight from JFK, New York to GCM, Grand Cayman. To celebrate they are offering a fantastic introductory fare from just $119 each way!
The flight operates on a Saturday schedule, starting June 12, 2010.
So why not get on that plane and escape the hustle and bustle and cold weather and relax on theReef’s 1600ft white sand beach overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The perfect location for that family vacation or romantic getaway.
Imagine yourself here….
Yesterday January 19th at about 9:23am Grand Cayman felt a little rumble, a tiny earthquake centered a few miles off of Bodden Town magnitude 5.8.
I was in the Cayman Concierge shop telling guests about the Barefoot Man show and felt a slight rolling feeling; I paused and said “that feels like an earthquake” but by then it was over and we resumed looking at the menu options. That’s all it was, nothing fell off the shelves, the water in my fish bowl barley even moved, and no one even ran out the lobby. When I walked the beach that afternoon many guests didn’t even realize there was a tremor. Others said it felt like someone kicked their chair, a slight bump in the earth compared to the giant jolt felt by our neighbors to the east. Now there are stories to tell and the internet is abuzz with “did you feel it, and where were you??”
So it will be a blurb in the history books, just a note to remember this day.
The last quake to hit the island was in 2004 and that was 6.8 a slightly bigger rumble, but now, like yesterday’s quake, just a story to tell, no drama, no tragedy’s (thank goodness) just a bit of excitement, the day when the ground shook for 3 seconds or so in January 2010.
- Cathy Richardson, Concierge
A brand new, – think Formula One, professional karting facility, Cayman Karting, is getting ready to open in Grand Cayman right outside of central George Town. Top of the line carts imported from Europe, and 1000 feet of asphalt track featuring exciting, chicanes, hairpins and straights will offer novices and enthusiasts alike a ride of a lifetime. Family, friends and fans will be able to catch all of the action from a second floor viewing deck complete with a snack bar and expansive views. For grand opening news, circuit news or to sign-up and be one of the first to race visit Cayman Karting Ltd.The park is an exciting new tourist attraction, and locals will also relish an afternoon at the track.
After a challenging day at the track come back to the The Reef resort, relax at The Rusty Pelican, and enjoy a cold one!
credit Cayman Karting Ltd.
Happy New Year! The Reef ends 2009 with a fabulous news article in the Mac-daddy of em’all the New York Times which featured the Summer in January sale. Hey, if a writer from the New York Times, who get’s thousands of story ideas a weeks sees the value in this package we think you will too. The Summer in January sale guarantees a $230 nightly rate in a beachfront suite. The savings are at least 20% so why not stay an extra day and enjoy all the East End has to offer; think power-snorkeling, kayaking, beach volleyball and more. Check out the New York Times article and visit The Reef’s package page for other exciting offers www.thereef.com
Barefoot sent us his annual xmas message this morning and it was too funny to keep to ourselves!
Merry Xmas Barefoot, and to all our blog readers!!!
Innovation: the art of introducing something new.
theReef has always been at the forefront of innovation, especially in Grand Cayman. Even when we built the resort we were one step ahead of the game and constructed ALL beachfront suites, the only resort in Grand Cayman with all beachfront suites! WOW! theReef is also the ONLY place on Grand Cayman where you can see the infamous Barefoot Man! WOW!
You have already seen our ‘Best Beach Rate Guarantee’ where you get the Lowest Published Internet Rate for The Reef Resort, ONLY at theReef.com. If you find a lower total rate on the Internet for the same room type, dates and length of stay, contact us, we’ll match the rate, AND add a $50 Resort Credit towards drinks and dining at our renowned beach bar or our restaurant during your stay!
Now theReef resort is on another mission to be the innovator when it comes to best price guarantees. Our ‘Barefoot Beachfront Guarantee’ takes our ‘Best Beach Rate Guarantee’ one step further. Should you find a beachfront room at a full service resort anywhere in Grand Cayman during Winter 2010 for a lower price, theReef will match it. We are so confidence in this offer, we will throw in free dinner for two with entertainment by the legendry Barefoot Man, who continues to play exclusively at The Reef, his Cayman home. Our ‘Barefoot Beachfront Guarantee’ definitely has the WOW factor!
Terms & Conditions:
• Must show that room rate is lower and is bookable online at the time of reservation request
• Room must be comparable in terms of being beachfront on a natural white sand beach in a full service resort in Grand Cayman
• contact reservations@thereef.com or call 888-232-0541 for more information or to book the lowest price beachfront rooms in Grand Cayman
Although it is noted on our home page, it may have slipped some people’s notice that theReef is adding guarantees to make your vacation planning simpler.
Our latest guarantee is our “Barefoot Beachfront Guarantee“, which can be simply summarised as :
“theReef guarantees the lowest price for a beachfront room”
Of course there are one or two conditions…it would be unfair of customers to tweak a guarantee to compare our rates to those of resorts without full service amenities or a pristine beach like ours, after all 
…. but our focus is to make it simple for you to plan your vacation and know you are getting the best price for a beachfront room.. and don’t we all want a beachfront room ?
I think we have hit on something, as just the other day I received an email from TravelZoo that they sent out to hoteliers to encourage them in their marketing. Now, TravelZoo are well known for their eye-catching “Top20″ ads, and in fact we were impressed with their efforts when we used them for one such effort a while back, but this latest shows how the industry is going away from being straightforward with their pricing..just as theReef is giving you a guarantee of clear and simple pricing. I know which I prefer ! So, this from TravelZoo :
“People care about the view – lead in with an attractive rate, then offer upgrades to ocean view. 34% of our audience books an alternative deal once enticed leading to a much higher room rate than what was originally promoted.”
Can you say “bait and switch” ?
I’m not picking on TravelZoo here, this is an industry trend.. just warning you as the traveller to be warned.. and to be sure in the knowledge that at theReef you are guaranteed a beachfront room.. hey, ALL our rooms are beachfront, you can’t go wrong !
As seen in our previous post, theReef had several staff nominated for the prestigious CITA Stingray tourism Awards. The awards dinner was held last Saturday at the Ritz-Carlton and everyone had a great time!
There were many nominees in all the categories, and the Reef is proud to announce that our very own Mr Brian Ebanks took the award for Rising Star!!!
Brian is now our Assistant General Manager at theReef, after being promoted from reservations assistant. Brian is an active member of our Green Team here at the resort and is committed to helping become that little bit greener J Brian has been instrumental in helping us establish a compost heap, switch from plastic beverage cups to compostable corn cups, and install energy saving lighting and appliances.
His passion for providing excellent customer service has led him to be the driver of theReef’s PRIDE team. Brian is dedicated to making sure that every employee of the Reef goes through the Cayman Islands PRIDE program – Personal Responsibility in Delivering Excellence.
Now Brian can add another certificate to his office wall!
Well done Brian!!!
It’s that time of year once again, the time of year where we reflect on the past, and appreciate the future; the time of year when we give thanks for the people around us. We here at The Reef Resort have had many changes in the past year, we have had staff members come and go. Some of us have become fathers and wives, while others have simply moved on to new adventures, and many more have joined the Reef Resort family. Our concierge team for example, has now grown to six, so now there is always someone available to help our guests, each member of our team brings something unique to the table. There are many new faces to stop by and meet, and for that, we at the Reef Resort are very grateful for.
Yet what we are most thankful for are you, the guests and visitors to our beautiful resort. You are the reason we are here, the reason the resort is growing and constantly improving and for that we say THANK YOU. Thank you for the positive e-mails you send us about how much you enjoyed your stay, thank you for coming back and remembering us. For the happy faces you bring to the resort and for your continued support.
On behalf of the Reef Resort, we would like to say THANK YOU and have a wonderful and happy thanksgiving.
As always theReef is putting on a fabulous Thanksgiving spread, to make reservations simply contact your concierge – concierge@thereef.com
You can also view our Holiday menus at http://www.thereef.com/en/about/dining.html
- Cathy
Concierge
You know by now that vacationing at the Reef is a relaxing experience – but many hands make light work and we have many staff on hand to make your vacation at the Reef memorable.
This year five of our wonderful staff has been nominated for the Cayman Islands Tourism Association Stingray Tourism Awards. You may recognize some familiar names below:
Linda Locke – Nominated for Accommodation Employee of the Year
Jake Morgan – Nominated for Accommodation Manager of the Year
Nick Harlan – Nominated for Restaurant Employee of the Year
Brian Ebanks – Nominated for Rising Star Tourism Award
Lawrence Haughton – Nominated for Long Service to the Industry
The awards ceremony will be held at the Ritz-Carlton on Saturday November 28th and we wish all our nominees the very best of luck!!!
A new survey released today is touting “simple” as the new buzzword for 2010. The survey, reported by Bruce Horovitz, USA Today, also goes on to state that cheap prices will become a thing of the past while fewer parts, additive or ingredients will be the future.
Well this is no surprise for the folks at The Reef Resort, for the past three years, have been touting ‘simply’ as their mantra as the resort’s guests have repeatedly expressed their idea of a perfect vacation “simple relaxation”. That’s exactly what the management team and staff have been dishing-up to all guests, and it appears to be working just fine.
The resort not only offers-up a bevy of special package; Simply All Inclusive, Junior Simple Adventure package need we go on. The resort takes “simplicity” seriously and is dedicated to making the vacation experience as simple as possible from booking, hurricane guarantees, cancellation policies and more.
When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
‘tis near Halloween.
Halloween is almost upon us and the Reef has some awesome activities ahead…
- Kids Trip to the Haunted House in Prospect on Thursday 29th Oct
- Family scary movie night on our 100ft outdoor screen on Friday 30th Oct
- Creepy costume contest with prizes for young and old on Halloween (Saturday)
- BBQ on the beach with the Terrifying Andrew Bacon
- Scary Sunday Brunch with Mimosas
Halloween is not just for kids either! On Saturday 31st October The Rusty Pelican will be offering half price drinks – from Bloody Mary’s to the Devil’s potion and everything in between!!!
We have loads of scary activities to keep the whole family frighteningly entertained from apple bobbin to ghoulish games! Don’t miss it!!
Can’t wait to see this movie and watching the trailer makes me we want to go now (wherethewildthingsare.warnerbros.com)! It’s about life as a kid…oh, those were the days.
The folks at The Reef Resort want you to bring a “wild thing adventure” to your life this fall with their Junior Simply Adventure package – An adventure the whole family (families of four) will love. The package is now on sale at just $1,795 a savings of $280 and is available until 12.20.09. The Junior Adventure Package includes:
- 5 nights stay in a Beachfront One Bedroom Suite
- 5 day snorkel rental for the whole family
- 5 day midsize car rental (insurance not included)
- ½ day peddle boat with canopy rental onsite with Whitesand Water Sports
- 1 hour glass bottomed two person kayak rental x 2 onsite with Whitesand Water Sports
- Behind the scenes ‘Blue Iguana Tour’ at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park
- Donation to the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme
- On site kids activities
- All taxes
Did you know The Reef Resort, has sponsored its own “wild thing”, Tootsie, the endangered Blue Iguana. So, just by booking this package the resort will give back to the island’s Blue Iguana Recovery Programme to help keep this species alive for generations to come. Visit Tootsie’s facebook page, become a fan and have a wonderful “wild thing adventure.” Bring along your video camera as you may just have the makings for the sequel to Where the Wild Things Are.
We are excited to announce that Peter Stetina has confirmed his entry to the November 22nd Reefathlon event, where he will be gunning for the $1000 prize for breaking the open course record.
Cayman cyclists are reminded that not only are we offering $1000 for breaking the open course record, but if the Cayman course record falls, the local record holder will also receive a special prize. Always seeking to motivate the top local cyclists, and by popular demand, the prize for breaking the local course record will be a) a one night VIP stay at The Reef, along with b) US$250 cash.
Peter will be staying at The Reef for the weekend on his own “beach bike break” and will take part in a relaxed and social group ride around the course at 3pm on Saturday November 21st, all Reefathlon guests and friends of cycling are invited to join in!
Check out www.reefathlon.com for event details, as well as Peter’s bio!
Forget knocking on doors and begging for candy. Pack your bags for a Caribbean-styled Spook’in Halloween at The Reef Resort. The Reef Resort, located on the undiscovered East End of Grand Cayman is the perfect place for a Simply Spook’in Halloween. A new vacation package at The Reef is literally sending its guests to Hell (a small village on the island) and back, while also offering a trip to a Haunted House, a Friday night scary movie and a very cool marine life bioluminsecent kayak tour. Wrap up your Simply Spook’in weekend with a draculiscious Bloody Mary Brunch. Visit thereef.com for rates and packages. Happy Halloween!
Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Faveau and the rest of the cast maybe onto something in Couples Retreat. Yes, it’s about a group of friends/couples who escape to an island, one couple for some much needed therapy and the others as a support system. The idea of the movie is sound, as travel is about escapism, reconnecting and frivolity. Where the movie goes astray is the “mandatory” classes as I am not sure of any resort that forces guests to participate in classes or any special events for that matter.
What I do like about what I’ve seen from viewing the trailers are the opportunities for each couple to experience activities that deviate from their normal routines. It’s fun to do something that you’ve never done, it stretches the soul and interjects creativity and of course, it’s always great buzz for cocktail parties or water cooler exchanges.
Couples go ahead and retreat, come as one or bring some couple friends, enjoy, relax, laugh and go ahead, do something out of the norm. Power snorkeling anybody?
Away.com, a premiere travel site ranked 888 on the worldwide web, recently announced their 2009 picks for best resorts and lodges. The Reef Resort, won a coveted spot for one of the best all inclusive resorts.
Past guests will certainly agree that The Reef Resort offers one of the finest all inclusive packages in the marketplace, and The Reef’s all inclusive offering is a rarity in the Cayman Islands, as all inclusive packages are far and few between. If your idea of an all inclusive is top-end pours while dipping your toes in the ocean, opportunities for non-motorized sports programs – kayaking, snorkeling, and relaxing on one of the largest beaches on the island — forget about afternoon shaded beaches as the resort hugs the coastline providing plenty of rays until the sunsets. This is the place. Oh, and did we mention all of their suites are beachfront?
Visit Away.com online for more details as this site is a go-to for travel enthusiasts, vacation.away.com/plan-a-trip/best-resorts-and-lodges-sp.html.
Another great excuse to visit us here at the Reef in Grand Cayman! Last week we brought you news of AA’s beach sale, this week we are bringing you news from our very own carrier - Cayman Airways.
Cayman Airways has just announced that on selected flight to Grand Cayman, the third checked bag is free!
Great news for all those from Florida state as this offer applies to flights from Miami or Tampa to Grand Cayman.
With a third bag checked free you are limitless!! Pack your tennis racket and get out on the court, pack your snorkel gear and take to the reef or just bring a bikini for every day of the week!
Remember we have a wide range of activities on offer at the Reef ranging from snorkeling, kayaking, volleyball, basketball to simple relaxation on our 1600ft white sand beach! Idyllic!
Calling all Lance Armstrong wannabe’s to The Reef Resort, Grand Cayman for the first ever Reefathlon. Get geared-up for a 19-mile ride on the East End of the island, which is undiscovered and uncrowded, perfect for a hobbyist, a fierce competitor and/or a beginner seeking race experience. On the other hand, if you’re a cyclist looking to support the greater good, join us, as this race assists the Cayman Islands Cancer Society with a percentage of the proceeds being donated locally to help islanders fight and win.
Cyclists will race a 19-mile loop, of which 14-miles of the race are oceanfront and include a category three hill. Cyclists will enjoy jaw-dropping views of turquoise oceans, complete with breezes to keep you cool and challenged. There will also be many points-of-interest along the route, for a scenic and stimulating ride.
The Reef Resort, has successfully launched its non-motorized sports program and the Reefathlon is an extension of this program and a natural fit. Simplicity, adventure escapes, and green activities are the mantra of the resort and the Reefathlon supports this philosophy and allows guests to enjoy some of the best the island has to offer.
Visit www.thereef.com/reefathlon or call 888.714.2309 for travel details.
Looking for Reef fans that live in New York? The Reef Resort will be participating in the Second Annual Summer Streets Festival on August 8, 15, and 22.
We will be chill’n with the hip folks at the New York Post in their “reading lounge” between Park and 51st and 52nd Street. Hey stop by and grab a read and don’t forget to subscribe to the New York Post to register and win a free, you heard me, free vacation for two complete with airfare fare from Cayman Airlines. The winners will experience a once in a life-time opportunity to visit the critically endangered Blue Iguana Program which is housed in the Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park, and of course enjoy the wide open beaches, all beachfront suites and the laid back vibe that makes The Reef Resort, simply relaxing.
In a rather untypical fashion the turtle nest on our beach errupted yesterday afternoon and ninety odd baby turtles made the dash to the ocean watched by….. nobody!
The Department of the Environment called yesterday morning to advise that a regular inspection of the nest had revealed some hatched babies deep in the sand and that they would usually emerge in the coolness of the evening and head to the ocean.
As this was happening six days ahead of schedule preparations were hurried to completion, lights were arranged to be off, guests were notified of best practice and members of staff were scheduled to stand guard during the night.
However around mid-afternoon three visiting children discovered hundreds of tiny fin tracks in the sand and one baby emerging from the nest. They majority of the turtles snuck past everyone, The Reef had produced their own brand of stealth turtles!
Our one straggler was kept safely until night and was sucessfully released by Lindsay and the kids of the resorts activity programme. This group was lucky enough at the same time to see another baby turtle emerge and make the short journey to the ocean. At least one of the turtles seemed to have a proper sense of timing….
The DOE came up today to excavate the site and discovered that there were 94 sucessfully hatched eggs in a relatively shallow nest (which would account for the early hatch). One baby was discovered still waiting to make the dig to the surface. Our head concierge Jake will oversee his release tonight, bringing to a close, for this year at least, our fabulous turtle adventure.
