Welcome to the Aruba Forum

[Dennis]

My wife and I are going to Aruba on the 2nd week in December for a week. We've been married 35 years, and we are active Senior Citizens who enjoy relation as well as excitement

There are so many great choices for hotels and things to do I am asking for help in choosing where to stay. These are some of the things we would like to do.

Select a beachfront hotel/place to stay.
Room Service
Have room service breakfast on the balcony with a beautiful ocean view
Have a candlelight dinner on the beach.
Have a very nice large pool with swim up bar.
Have beach time under a Palapas drinking a coconut rum drink.
Decent Snorkeling instead of looking at sand and ruined coral. (Lots of fishes)
A very memorable experience.

What would you recommend?

[~Amy~®]

To get all of the things mentioned above that you want in a hotel, I think you'll need to go with the Marriott. I'm not sure if they have room service but I would assume they do. They are on the beach, have balconies with views, and a pool with swim-up bar.

Torchlit dinner on the beach - I would recommend Passions On The Beach which is an easy 5 minute taxi ride away.

Snorkeling - any of the snorkel cruises are good. Our two favorites which are smaller and locally owned are the Tranquilo and the Octopus. If you do the Tranquilo they also take you on a drift snorkel where you'll see LIVE coral.

[Dennis]

I have been leaning toward the Marriott because of the positives: No resort fees and most of what we like. Sun Fun, Relaxing and access to all three Marriott resort hotels.

I just looked at the Passions on the Beach and I like it a lot.

Tranquilo looks very interesting, and I do get sea-sick, so pills might help here. Since my wife is unskilled at snorkeling we might be better off on one of the local snorkeling cruises. (She can snorkel.)

I read about Boca Catalina beach Snorkeling, and Malmok Beach Snorkeling. What do you think of these?

So far, Balcony Breakfast for up to 7 days, Dinning out 1 night at the Passions, and beach, pool, afternoon fun at the Marriott. Now to find other great restaurants, and select the right Marriott.

[Dennis]

PS....

BTW Thanks Amy, I have read a lot on this website and the e-Booklet.How to enjoy Aruba
Dennis

[~Amy~®]

I would pick the Marriott Stellaris - it's a hotel/resort and will have hotel amenities/service. The other two next to it (Ocean Club and Surf Club) are timeshares. I would only choose those if you want a full kitchen. As far as using the facilities at each Marriott, it's actually not allowed. You will use your pool, your beach, etc. at the resort you are staying at.

Feel free to ask any questions you have....that's what we're all here for.

Snorkeling from the beach at Boca Catalina and Malmok are both good. Alot of the snorkel cruises go there, too.

[arubanik]

The Riu,Radisson & Occidental have most of the amenities you want if their price fits your budget.

[Dennis]

The Occidental has a small balcony.


RUI Review Comment: Rooms smell like cigarette smoke; nonsmoking suites are nonexistent. King beds are really two doubles, but they're comfortable enough. Guests should note that some rooms are a long outdoor walk to the lobby -- and there's no cover in the case of rain.

RUI Awards: Pool Award. Doesn't say much about it's customer relations.

RUI has changed ownership several times over the years, which is an indication of it's instability as a prime resort or poorly managed as a resort.

The Radisson is a possibility.

[Dennis]

Tripadviser has hundreds of reviews on all the resorts.

Who do you believe? Some rate terrible while most rate they had a good time and would do it again.

"People who are positive, tend to have positive experiences. People who are negative tend to complain about everything."

Since we are positive, and have great experiences, even when conditions may not be great, I think anyone of these resorts would be nice.

I have been leaning toward the Marriott, because I've always had a good experience with them, they meet most of my criteria, and we do like casinos.

I do like Amy's views on the Amsterdam Manor, however, I am not looking for a quiet time. Maybe next time. If it rains we will check out the other places.

[~Amy~®]

If I still stayed on Palm Beach, my first pick would be the Radisson. But I know you would like a swim-up bar and the Radisson doesn't have one - but the Marriott does.

Yes, we love Amsterdam Manor but it's a completely different vacation than staying on Palm Beach. It's a smaller, quiet hotel on Eagle Beach but it's just a 5 minute drive away from the Palm Beach area so if we want activity we just drive over there. We always rent a car but taxis and the bus are both easy to use, too.

I always use Trip Advisor, too, when I'm looking for a hotel in a new destination. Always interesting to read both good and bad reviews and wonder if those people really stayed at the same hotel.

[Dennis]

I have never been to a swim up bar, and this is new and exciting for us.

I noticed, it cost about $37 to rent a car, and it appears the basic fee for a taxi is $25 each way. Am I right on this? If so it appears rent is more a big savings.

Just read where the Marriott has the loosest slots. I personally like Caribbean Stud poker but not at $15 starting bet with $30 extra to stay.

[ArubaLisa]

Re: tripadvisor, it is difficult to wade through who hated everything and just wanted to complain about it and who is just gushing because, well maybe it is their first vacation in a long time The truth always lays somewhere in between.

We have stayed at the Radisson 5 times now and absolutely love it. There are many positives which make up for their lack of a swim up bar. TWO beautiful zero entry free form pools with swim outs and multiple stairs for starters. I enjoy sitting on one of the swim outs and reading my Kindle. Of course a waiter will serve you a fruity beverage while you are reading!

I have never stayed there, but the Marriott at least to me, could be picked up and placed on just about any Caribbean island, or resort area for that matter. Perhaps it is just me, but I see nothing which makes it unique. I do have to admit that their Tradewinds Club looks very nice though $$$$.

As to Tranquilo, I would look at it as an overall experience. It is more than just snorkeling, as a matter of fact, for me it is just as much about relaxing and sailing. For your wife, if she is not comfortable with the drift snorkel, there is also snorkeling at the edge of the reef. The water here is shallow, only up to about 6 feet. There are sandy patches to stand and get your bearings if needed or adjust your mask.

[jude]

raddisson would be my pick also

[lemarier]

Dennis,

Since you are new to the swim up bar I need to make one comment - people do not seem to ever get off their bar seats (i.e. no bathroom run) - I never ever go in a swim up bar!!!

[ArubaLisa]

I am with Dennis

[Dennis]