Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort

January 18th to February 17th 2005 by Eagle Beach Boy

We were in Aruba from January 18th to February 17th 2005 and stayed at the Amsterdam Manor.

This was our 10th time to Aruba since 1989 where we stayed at the "Americana" (now Occidental Grand Aruba). Since then we have stayed at the Amsterdam Manor because it is a smaller, quaint, European style Hotel. From the very first time we knew we made the right choice. The Staff are so warm and friendly and we felt as if we had been there before.

It wasn't until half way through our stay we realized the gentleman who would stop and talk to us and ask if everything was OK is the Manager. Everyone is hands-on, including the ladies that look after our room. The accommodations are very clean and comfortable. We usually get to stay in a one-bedroom efficiency with a covered patio.

When I get up in the morning I put the coffee on, pick up the free local newspapers, and sit out on the patio and start another wonderful day in Paradise. The management is constantly upgrading the facilities and new offerings such as free Internet service and Wi-Fi.

After breakfast, if we were not going touring of Aruba or snorkelling we would amble over to the beach. Because their beach area is not crowded we could always find an umbrella/palapa and enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
The last past 2 years we have rented a car but there are bus stops right out front.

This year almost every day someone from the Beach Bar would come around with cold fruit on a skewer for the guests as well as check for food or drink orders. They also checked that only the guests were using the chairs and umbrellas/palapas. There never was a problem at any time of day finding a lounge or shade. On Monday's the Beach Bar hosts the Bulletin Board Parties with half price drinks and free hot nibblies.

On January 24th the Amsterdam Manor had live music and a "Marching Band" for the Hotels guests and employee's Carnival celebration.

On January 31st there were only 7 of us.

January 7th there was Nancy and I.

On February 14th, Valentines Day, they gave out "Strawberries & Champagne".

Mark who also runs Mangos really treats the group right.
I think you will now understand why we have keep coming back to the Amsterdam Manor so often. It is the place you want to come back to for a true friendly Aruba experience with a touch of the Dutch influence.

Snorkelling

We found that Malmok Beach near the lighthouse is as always a great spot. This is where a lot of the Tours take their boats. The first time we tried to find Mangel Halto just south of De Palm Island we missed it so went to Baby Beach. The shallow water, at Baby Beach, where you enter was very cloudy but once you get to the opening of the reef it was clear and a lot of large colourful fish were seen.

After writing down the proper directions to Mangel Halto we found it a couple of days later. It is just 1/2 km down from Marina Pirata Restaurant. Just before the mango trees there is a ladder going down to a wooden platform where you can enter the water and go out about 50 meters in shallow water to the reef. I would suggest park near the ladder, follow the path down to an opening at water level, and enter from there. If you drive a bit further, on your right, you will come to a bar/store. Turn right here and go down behind it to a parking area. From here you will walk back to the opening in the mango's where you enter the water. We thought this are was one of the best we found. The "Tranquillo" anchors in this area.

Dinning Out

Chalet Suisse. Our favourite place has to be the "Chalet Suisse". For us they serve the BEST rack of lamb in the world. I found their steaks superb also. The atmosphere, table settings, service is the best.

Le Dome. We do like the "Le Dome" but the night we went there was a table of 10 in the room and their conversation dominated everything. Do not go on a Friday!

Madame Janettes was great always. We thought the menu has changed to give more variety. The parking lot was a nightmare when we left.

Gasparito was also very good. Sitting outside is recommended. We had 2 of the Aruba entries but we were not fussy with the taste of the string chicken or the seafood covered in a cheese sauce.

Mango's. Every meal there was superb.
Fishes and More. We enjoyed our dinner there.
Alfredo's. We went there twice. Enjoyed both meals.
Eleonora's. We found the Paella on Mondays very good. (Beside the Old Windmill)
The Hang Out. Located behind La Cabana it is a Bar/restaurant that serves good reasonably priced meals if you do not want a fancy place.
Tomato Charlie's. We had lunch at the one in San Nicolas which was very good. Take out from Palm Beach was terrible.
King Ribs. We enjoyed the take out but did not realize the dinner comes with potatoe, Plantain, and corn. It does need to be reheated once you get to your room.
El Gaucho. This turned out to be our worst meal. The food was delivered late and cool. The meat, Tenderloin Steaks had no taste. The Sangria was too sweet. I must say the Cream of Pumpkin Soup was delicious.

Water Activities

We do not use many of the cruises, etc BUT did find a new experience. Cesar's Watersports, a small family business, located in front of the Amsterdam Manor has a new 26 foot boat and uses it for tours, snorkelling, and fishing. He took us on a cruise up to the lighthouse and down to just past the Mangel Halto area just south of De Palm Island. The day we went we past the airport minutes after the small business jet belly landed and blocked the runway for about 3 hours.
For fishing he mainly goes out past the lighthouse and catches Mahi Mahi and up to 35 kilo Wahoo. For great personal service we highly recommend Cesar and his family.

Eagle Beach

It still is one of the best beaches in the world and we enjoyed every moment using it this year.

When we arrived on January 18, 2005 the beach in front of the Amsterdam Manor looked as it had in past years. The first time I walked up to the Costa Linda end I noticed that in front of Chalet Suisse to the La Quinta had lost about 30 feet of shore and at Costa Linda one of the palm tree's roots were in the water. The waves were larger than normal and the wind was coming from the High Rise direction.

The week of the 24th Eagle Beach was about the same with about 30 feet added to the length in front of the Amsterdam Manor. The waves had lessened and the wind now was coming from the normal direction from behind us. The first week of February the waves had become larger again and there was more loss of beach around the Costa Linda to Aruba Beach Club point.
During the week of February 8th the winds shifted back to come from the High Rise end the waves were big and there was more erosion in front of the Costa Linda and the Amsterdam Manor. By the week of February 14th 3 palm trees had to be removed from the water's edge at the Costa Linda and the beach in front of the Amsterdam Manor had lost about 50 feet in length. This description of the erosion may sound really bad BUT the beach WILL return to the way it was in the past.

We are already planning and setting dates for our return next January/February.