Hotel Suggestions

[Seal]

We are planning to spend a week in Aruba in August--we have only been there twice from the cruise ships

 

Would appreciate any information you have on a great hotel

 

Thanks

 

Nancy:D

[Arubalisa]

As Frommer's puts it so well..."You'll be hard pressed to find a lemon among Aruba's hotels and resorts."

 

The resorts on the island are generally separated into the high rise section, Palm Beach and low rise section, Eagle & Druif Beaches. Each section has a variety of 2 to 4 star hotels. There are no 5 star resorts on the island. I would choose a resort based not only on what you can afford, but which area you believe you would like the most.

 

Eagle/Druif Beach, the low rise area, has some waves and you can feel the wind here a little more than Palm Beach. Eagle is wide, long and very white. Because of it's width and length it will be less crowded than Palm Beach. It can be very very quiet here. There is less boat activity, so the water is clearer.

 

The high rise area, Palm Beach, is also long and white, but narrower and a lot less wind. Because the beach is narrower, it may seem crowded, but most of the resorts, including, have long stretches for spreading out. My husband and I have also discovered that the lack of waves here makes a wonderful way to spend an afternoon on a float. Definitely one of our favorite activities. You can rent them for about $5 a day.

 

There is much more activity along Palm Beach. Most if not all, within walking distance: other resorts, bars, restaurants in every price range, a number of casinos, every watersport imaginable, any number of snorkel and sailing excursions. You get the idea that there is just a LOT to do there. For us, the biggest attraction is the beach and beautiful resorts on Palm Beach. All of the hotels along Palm Beach, with the exception of the Marriott, are connected by a beachside walk way.

 

High end resorts would be the Marriott, Hyatt, Radisson (all located along Palm Beach)

Medium range would be Bucuti (Eagle/Druif Beach) and Westin (Palm Beach).

Lower range check out Divi All Inclusive, their sister resort Tamarijn (which has all oceanfront rooms) or the Holiday Inn SunSpree. The Westin, Hyatt and Holiday Inn, as well as I believe the Tamarijn, have all recently had, or are undergoing room renovations. I know for a fact the Holiday Inn has finished the rooms in 2 of their 3 towers.

 

The resorts we have stayed at which we would return to include the Westin (former Wyndham), Radisson and Hyatt and Playa Linda (timeshare). For economy this fall, we are considering a stay at the Holiday Inn SunSpree. Our favorite, having stayed there 4 times, is the Radisson. The Marriott is again, situated more out of the way, but next to their 2 huge vacation clubs. Too many people for me.

 

The Bucuti along Eagle Beach, is smaller and family run. Their Tara Suites are new and oceanfront. You do not say if you are traveling with children. The resort does not allow children in the Tara Suites building and discourages them overall. If I were to stay anywhere along this stretch of beach and we did not have our dd, I would not hesitate to stay at the Bucuti. They are also putting in a new swimming pool, which I believe will be finished before August.

 

If you DO have children, the Tamarijn is an all inclusive resort which allows children to stay and eat free. Whether or not to go all inclusive in Aruba is a whole 'nother post. We are not big drinkers, love the variety of excellent restaurants, from pizza on up to gourmet and overall find it much less expensive.

 

Where you stay will ultimately depend on what you want to spend, but no matter were you stay, I believe you would be happy. Feel free to email me any other specific questions you may have.

[serene56]

Nancy- I can tell you I been up and down all over the net looking for Aruba.

using usairvacations.com was the cheapest by hundreds of dollars.

 

research because in August/September lots of places were doing the 5th night free so for me it was cheaper to go From Monday through Saturday then go from Sunsday to Friday. a few hundred cheaper not just a few $$

 

Went to Aruba on a cruise and need to go back on a longer trip

I preferred the high rise off of Palm beach. Stay away from the AI as there are many awesome places to eat.

 

(use tripadvisors.com to get reviews of aruba from everything from hotels, dining, excursions etc.

[suev]

If your looking for peace and quiet away from all the tourists... check out Paradera Park Apartments. They are rated #1 in Aruba with Trip Advisor.

We just got back and LOVED it there. You are not on the water and will need a rental car for your stay, but with the island being so small... you are not very far from anywhere! Paradera will give you a CLEAN, QUIET, lovely gardens with swimming pool, fridge, microwave, kitchen, bath, porch, hammocks in the garden, etc. Just lovely. The caretakers are very lovely people. There is a total of 17 apartments. It depends upon what you are looking for... we really enjoyed our stay there.

[PhillyTom]

Our group staying in Aruba last August and had a very nice time.

Our hotel was a big disappointment. It was called the Aruba Beach & Resort in the highrise area. Elevators not working, room too cold and muggy, decor was very dated. Luckily we didn't spend our days at Hotel

We all agree, we'd re-visit Aruba, but stay at a nicer hotel.

[horsesandcruises]

I totally agree with arubalisa in her assessment of the bucuti. It is on the best beach, is well run, has several nice restaurants within walking distance, and a casino across the street. I also like the Manchebo Beach property. They have a great staff and although the rooms are modest, it sits on 19 acres of beautiful beach and their steak house is phenominal. These two properties are next to one another and this is a great area to unwind for a week or two or three or four...........enloy