Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa

August 11 - 19, 2005 by Fred Russell

August 11, 2005 Thursday

Joanne my wife, Rob my son, Sue, Robs wife, and myself Fred took off from Liberty International Airport in Newark NJ at 9:30 am. The flight was nice and smooth without incident. When we landed in Aruba, we collected out luggage and the De Palm Transfer Bus took us to the Radisson Hotel.

We checked in around 2:30pm. Our rooms were ready which was good since official check in time is 4:00pm. Joanne and I got room 1715 which had a beautiful partial ocean view from the seventh floor. Rob and Sue got room 1313 that was on the third floor. They paid the same price as us but their room was smaller and the view was not very good. They paid for a partial ocean view but they could not see the ocean. I offered to trade rooms with them since it was my seventh trip to Aruba and their first but they thanked me and said that they were unpacked already and just wanted to start having fun. Next time I will make sure both rooms are at least on the fifth floor in the main building and in the 15, 16, 17 range of rooms.

Since we had a snack on the plane, we grabbed a lunch at 3:30pm at Gillians at the Radisson. This was a mistake because we got to much food. We should have just got an appetizer. We had made reservations in advance at the Sunset Grill in the Radisson for 6:30pm.
The food in the Sunset Grill was good, but we were not hungry enough to really appreciate it.

In most restaurants in Aruba, the restaurants add on 15% for service. Feel free to add more if you want but be aware that the 15% is a tip for the wholes staff that took care of you.

August 12, 2005 Friday

We awoke about 8:00am and went to the Laguna Restaurant in the Radisson.

Joanne and I had the buffet breakfast every morning. There was a very good omelet maker there to make any omelet you wanted. There was fruit, sausage, bacon, sweet bread, etc to fill you up. After each morning buffet we skipped lunch. After the first day Rob and Sue did not go to the buffet, but had bagels or donuts and coffee. They elected to have lunch at Gillians. After breakfast we signed up for a thatched hut on the beach and got some towels at the towel hut.

This is by far the very best and most beautiful beach on Aruba. If you prefer there a two zero entry pools that are really nice.

We alternated between the pools and the aqua colored Caribbean Sea.

At 6:30 we went to the restaurant Ventanas Del Mar.
The Ventanas Del Mar is a must.. The food is delicious, plus the atmosphere and service is great. When pre-recorded music is not playing a saxophone player "El Prove" was entertaining us live. This is the only restaurant we went to twice. We went there the second and last night of our stay in Aruba.

August 13, 2005 Saturday

After the buffet breakfast we spent the day on the beach. Large rubber mats are available from the towel hut for $5.00 a day. They are great for floating around in the calm clear water. Be sure to use lots of sunscreen. I used SPF50 for the first few days. Sue and Rob got down to SPF15 after the first few days. You could tell the people that did not use sunscreen they were as red a lobsters. For dinner we went to the restaurant Chalet Suisse. The steak literally melted in my mouth. This is another must do restaurant.

August 14, 2005 Sunday

We started off the day attending Catholic Mass at St Anna's Church. They have a mass at 7:30am. After mass we returned to the Radisson for breakfast, then on to the beach for some more sun worshiping and rest and relaxation. Tonight we went to another great restaurant, Madame Janette. This restaurant gives you the aviance of the island. You can come dressed casual, shorts, and golf shirt or top. This restaurant really serves big delicious portions, so come hungry. The salad can feed four, even though they tell you two. The Pork Cord On Bleu is huge. The menu is quite extensive. I would have gone back again but I was running out of days to eat out.

August 15, 2005 Monday

This is our traditional souvenir-shopping day. We hoped on the bus in front of the Radisson, L10, to Oranjestad. When you get on the bus, give the driver two dollars and tell him you want a round trip ticket. He will give you a yellow ticket to use on the way back. You don't have to worry about getting lost because you take the bus to the last stop, which is the bus terminal lot. That is where you get out and start shopping. On the way back you get off the bus in front of your hotel if it one of the hotel on Palm Beach. When we got back from shopping, we needed to cool off so we changed into our bathing suits and off to the pool and beach. Tonight it was off to the restaurant Tuscany.

This restaurant is a very classy refined establishment that features very good northern Italian cuisine. I wanted something that was not on the menu; the response was "no problem". The service was excellent.

August 16, 2005 Tuesday

After breakfast at the Laguna, it was more rest and relaxation on the beach, enjoying the clean sand and clear water in the sea. Today Sue and Rob went on one of the catamaran trips to do some snorkeling. They had a good time and saw a lot of colorful fish. Tonight it was off to the restaurant Sole Mare, for some excellent Italian food.

The menu was more like southern Italy. I have been to Aruba six times before and I always make Sole Mare one of my stops for dinner. Make sure to leave a little room for desert.

August 17, 2005 Wednesday

A slight sadness was felt because we knew that today was our last day in paradise. We would be heading home to New Jersey the following day.
We tried to soak up every bit of enjoyment we could on the beach knowing that it would have to last us to next summer. As I said earlier we returned to the restaurant Ventanas del Mar for dinner.

Every night Sue and Rob would try their luck in the casinos. Joanne and I are no longer that young so we spent a little time in the casinos and then to our room for some TV and sleep.

As usual we met a lot of very friendly Arubian people. As always Aruba is One Happy Island and we can't wait to return next year.

Fred Russell
Edison, NJ