Farewell notes from our Guest Register (December/2000)

• "Dear Marleine & Alain: We have determined this was the best vacation we have ever taken. Never have we been more relaxed. Turtle Nest Inn was such an enjoyable place to stay with the personal, friendly touch that wasn't intrusive. We loved the great snorkeling, the wonderful food, the pool, the cleanliness of our apartment, the daily newspaper -- I could go on and on. Thank you for such a wonderful escape from 'the real world'. We'll be back! P.S. It was greater than great, especially meeting new friends like you. Good luck in all you do & tell Frank & Linda we said goodbye." K.R.&S.R., Friendsville, Tennessee, USA (December 29, 2000)

• "Dear Marleine & Alain: Thank you so much for all of your courtesies. I cooked more this year than last and everything I needed - a pan or a utensil, there it was! Thank you for being so thoughtful. Turtle Nest Inn is as lovely as ever. The dinners were wonderful, and we are especially grateful for your kindnesses to Mr. and Mrs. O'Donnell. See you next year!" H.O.,P.O.&T.O., West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA (December 28, 2000)

• "Marleine & Alain: Usually staying at a hotel is a small part of our trip but staying here as your guests in this lovely, intimate hotel has enriched our experience on Grand Cayman Island. The small touches...daily newspaper, freshly ground coffee, colorful sheets, baguettes, movies, beach towels, and lovely apartment add to the memories of the 'big' touches...very tasty Indian & tapas dinners, friendly owners, pool, reef and the sound of the ocean surf! Thank you and have a very happy new year!" L.M.,C.M.&J.M., Greensboro, North Carolina, USA (December 28, 2000)

A glimpse of our pool and the Caribbean, by Harlee Goodwin.

• "Thank you so much for your hospitality and advice for the rest of our stay in Grand Cayman. We wish we could have stayed at your place longer. In the future when we return hopefully we'll be able to have an extended stay with you. The apartment was wonderful!! Thanks..." D.L.&D.G., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (December 25, 2000)

• "It's freezing back home, but it's sunny and warm here. This is the place to spend Christmas. Thanks to Marleine and Alain for their warm hospitality. We'll be back." D.F.&L.F., Williamsburg, Virginia, USA (December 25, 2000)

• "This was our first visit to the Caymans and although the weather wasn't always sunny, it sure beat shoveling snow back home! The Turtle Nest is beautiful - secluded & friendly - our type of vacation spot. Thank you for a restful week. This was everything it was advertised as. A wonderfully quiet and secluded getaway. Thanks so much for all your efforts." J.S.&K.R., Libertyville, Illinois, USA (December 23, 2000)

• "To Alain & Marleine: Thank you for a lovely stay. We very much preferred this part of the island & the low key, subtle environment you've created. You have done an excellent job of creating an 'inn' that feels personal. Regards..." G.C.,B.R.,D.B&K.H., Moab, Utah, USA (December 22, 2000)

Two Grand Cayman iguanas (in captivity), photographed by guests Maureen Stott and Mike Fratto.

• "Alain & Marleine: We had a wonderful time - our first sunny trip to Cayman and, we will be back! This was our pre-first baby vacation - only two months to go. These were, by far, the best five days of the pregnancy! We loved your Inn; thank you for your hospitality. We loved Tramp and Blackie. Happy Holidays!" B.B.&S.B., Annapolis, Maryland, USA (December 20, 2000)

• "Alain & Marleine! We were very happy to come and spend our belated honeymoon with you! We loved meeting you, Frank & Linda! Your hospitality was great and we truly appreciate all the efforts you made to make our stay such a memorable one! We look forward to coming to visit you again in Grand Cayman and wish you the best of holidays!" J.K.&M.K., Beaufort, South Carolina, USA (December 20, 2000)

• " The weather was wonderful, the beach was wonderful, the inn was wonderful - everything was just perfect! Thanks for an excellent vacation - your location, hospitality & terrace dinner were just a few of the memories we'll take back with us to make us come again!" C.B.&J.B., Austin, Texas, USA (December 18th 2000)

A view of Turtle Nest Inn from the beach, by Binh Luu.

• "I had a great time staying at your Inn and on the island. The terrace dinners were wonderful and the snorkeling off the Inn's beach was great." J.H., Seattle, Washington, USA (December 18, 2000)

• "From the moment we stumbled through your French doors last Sunday we realized we were in a special place. It is one thing to simply book accommodations and quite another to find a host and hostess as gracious and concerned with our every comfort. Thank you so much for a fabulous week. This if the best! There is nothing you could have done better!" A.L.,L.L.&R.L., Winfield, Illinois, USA (December 17, 2000)

• "This has been the best vacation we ever had! We will be back again!" B.B.&S.B., Northford, Connecticut, USA (December 16, 2000)

Playing with the stingrays off Grand Cayman, by Carol and Tom Bennett.

• "I think I saw a scorpion fish out there! This is a lovely alternative to 'cruise ship central' to the west..." H.S.&D.S., New York, New York, USA (December 16, 2000)

• "Merry Christmas Marleine & Alain- and thank you for your hospitality! Our stay at the Inn and on the island was even more spectacular than we imagined. We may even miss the mosquitoes (haha). Love the dogs, they really add to the atmosphere! Thanks for steering us to Joe, as well, & Capt. Dexter - great people to have met! One thing is for sure - we'll be back - maybe for a long, long stay! As a waitress at the restaurant Eats said: 'Smile through life & life will smile through you.' You have left us smiling!" M.F.,M.F.&D.F., Auburn, New York, USA (December 16, 2000)

A green moray eel, captured by Carol and Tom Bennett while snorkeling.

• "What a great island. Great restaurants (Lighthouse!!!, The Edge!), and friendly stingrays. We had a very good time. Thanks you for the hospitality - felt like we were visiting friends. We will definitely return to the Turtle Nest if we ever return to CI. Hard to leave..." N.K.&L.G., Haddon Township, New Jersey, USA (December 13, 2000)

• "Thank you! My wife and I, having traveled extensively, have never met a more gracious host & hostess, absolutely the BEST. See you next year." T.L.&M.L., Redmond, Oregon, USA (December 12, 2000)

A Grand Cayman sunset captured by Allen and Beth Stitt.

• "Thank you so much. This is the first time we have found a hotel to be EXACTLY AS ADVERTISED! Had a wonderful time, coming back next spring." T.B.&C.B., Fairhope, Alabama, USA (December 11, 2000)

• "Thank you Alain & Marleine, we had a great time, and all was as expected. The snorkeling was superb and the inn is comfortable & friendly. You have a good thing going! Good luck." C.S.,B.S.,C.R.,B.R.&J.R., Belfast, Maine, USA (December 10, 2000)

Sunrise at Turtle Nest Inn, by Allen and Beth Stitt (left), and Pete and Karen Digiacomo.

• "Alain & Marleine: Although the weather was less than desirable, the Inn and your warm hospitality could not have been better! We had a great time and certainly enjoyed our talk the other evening. The invitation was sincere - you are most welcome to visit us in Tennessee! Thank you again. Best wishes." R.W.&M.W., Loudon, Tennessee, USA (December 8, 2000)

• "Dear Alain & Marleine: Thank you for a wonderful time! In spite of the weather, we were able to enjoy ourselves - the atmosphere at the inn and your consideration of your guests make it the most pleasant way to spend a second honeymoon! We hope to see you again - daughters with us next time! Yours truly..." D.D.&B.D., Austin, Texas, USA (December 5, 2000)

Allison helps 10-month old Tyler master the Caribbean at the Inn.

• "Alain & Marleine: Your lovely Inn was exactly what we needed for a relaxing holiday. You have thought of everything for our comfort and enjoyment, including the restaurant tips and shopping information. We would never hesitate to recommend Turtle Nest Inn to any of our friends planning a trip to Grand Cayman and will most certainly return here ourselves." C.B.&M.B., Marietta, Georgia, USA (December 4, 2000)

• "Alain & Marleine: Thank you for making our trip wonderful. Your inn makes you feel more at home. Your friendship and guidance about the island were invaluable. We will never forget the Turtle Nest Inn, Blackie, Tramp, Frank, Linda & both of you! Hope to return soon! Love..." H.M&K.M., West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA (December 3rd 2000)

The Blow Holes, near East End, and a rainbow (slightly visible to the left), by Karen and Pete Digiacomo.

• "Alain & Marleine: Thanks for your hospitality. We enjoyed our stay - you have one of the best snorkeling spots on the island. The apartment was lovely & dinner was delicious." J.B.&L.B., Raleigh, North Carolina, USA (December 3, 2000)

• "Alain & Marleine: Our stay at the Inn was wonderful - great rooms, friendly hosts and the perfect location on the beach. Great for exploring both ends of the island and in particular for superb diving out of the East End. Thank you so much." O.S.&A.S., London, England, UK (December 3, 2000)

• "Dear Marleine & Alain: Don't know where to start but here goes. Your inn and the way you manage it, take care of details and treat your guests is something we have not experienced in all of our travels. Your Indian and Caribbean Night dinners were excellent. We also enjoyed your company and conversations and Alain's 'true stories'. Snorkeling off your beach has to be the best on the island. Also loved night snorkeling. It was also a pleasure meeting Frank and Linda and our conversations with them. We will definitely return. We will never forget you and the Turtle Nest Inn. You will be in our hearts and thoughts always. P.S: We did not forget Blackie and Tramp who made our stay here feel like being at home." P.D.&K.D., Canton, Ohio, USA (December 2, 2000)

• "Dear Alain & Marleine: To truly wonderful hosts. Our honeymoon was made extra special by your graciousness and service. Our dinner was superb. Chad especially enjoyed sharing our bottle of wine with someone who could keep up drinking and smoking with him. This island is ideal for ocean people like ourselves! We are planning on coming back and would not think of staying anywhere else. Warm regards..." M.F.&C.W., Sacramento, California, USA (December 2, 2000)