Wyndham Beach Resort (now Westin)

July 11, 2000 - by Fred Russel

On July 11, 2000 my wife, two friends and myself landed in Auba. We flew from Newark on Air Aruba. The flight was very nice. They had a fruit platter for one of us since she did not eat meat. The flight crew responded to all our needs in a friendly way. We left ON TIME at 7:00 am and arrived 11:30.

DePalm bus shuttle took us to our hotel the Wyndham. I might as well tell you this was our 5th trip toAruba. We stayed 3 times at the Americana and once at the Allegro the new owners of the Americana.

Our rooms were ready, on the top floor, 18th, the view was great. The rooms were big and nicely decorated. Each room had a refrig, safe, blow drier, coffee maker with coffee, tea, and a never ending supply of shampoo, skin loation soap etc. I cannot say enough about the staff at the hotel. If you ask where something is they do not point, they stop what they are doing and take you there.

The Personal Vacation Planner, Cristina Galindo, could not do enough for us. She made all our dinner reservations and tour reservations. She is a very charming and beautiful lady.

At the pool the staff comes around with cool towels for your face and cold fruit on a stick at no charge and the are not looking for a tip either. The week we were there it was windy but nice and sunny. We ate all our buffet breakfasts in the hotel as part of the package. The food was good, fresh fruit, omlets, bacon, sussage, french toast, pancakes, hot ceral, gooie buns, juice and many more I can't remember now.

If you like to work out definately join the Health Club. Tred Mill, Steppers, Weight Machines ,Free Weights, $7.00 a day, $25.00 a week the better deal.

We ate dinners at the Cafe Baci in the hotel. On a scale of 1-5 I would rate it as a 4.

The next night we ate at Gasparito's, Arubian sea food, I had Red Snapper, was good, Irated it a 4 out of 5.

The next night we ate at Sole Mare, I rate it a 5+. I had the best Veal Marsalla I have ever eaten. The next night we went to the Buccaneer for seafood. It was fair and the poorest meal of the trip. I rate it a 2.

We then ate at El Gaucho, for steak. I asked the waiter for the best steak in the house. He recommended a piece of meat that was supposed to be just like filet magnon in the states. I ordered as I do her medium well which it was but a little tough and dry. Next time I will go for meduim. I rated it a 3 1/2. There was plenty of vegtables along with the meat.

Finally we ate at the Driftwood. The fish of the day was WaHOO, I am not sure of the spelling, but it was good. The fillet was 1/2 inch thick, no bones and did not have a fishet smell. I rated it a 4.

One thing I would like to inform you is that most of the restaurants put a 15% service charge on your food bill, so don't tip your usual 15-20%. A 5% tip for exception service is all that is needed.

We spent a half of a day shopping in town and the rest of the time on the beach and in the pool. Our friends went on a island tour in a van with a driver named Frank. They went all around, had lunch and ended up at Baby beach snorkling all for around 30.00 US.

Comming home the plane took off exactly at 6:00pm right on time, Air Aruba. I had 3 rum and cokes on the way back along with a chicken and rice dinner, of course nothing like I had been eating but it bring you back to reality.

Now I am planning for next year. I expect to go back to the Wyndham and renew my friendships that I made this time.