Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa

Our 14th Visit, 2010 by Darryl

Aruba Forum Profile: Darryl

This trip was EXTRA special!! We made it together with our daughter, Alyse, son-in-law, Brian and grandchildren, Sydney and Aidan. This was going to be their second trip with us and it was special because we were going to celebrate Darryl's 70th birthday!

Since we were expecting the usual uneventful flight on Continental from Newark, it was quite unnerving for all 6 of us, once we had reached row 37, to encounter a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and their handcuffed prisoner seated in row 38. The prisoner was shouting for the pilot, making all kinds of rash statements and pleading to be released. (We learned that he had been arrested in New York and had served time there for drug possession and was being deported to Aruba where he was going to prison and then back to his homeland in the Netherlands). The man carried on for about 30 minutes until the plane took off. He had actually hyperventilated so much that he finally passed out! We were inconvenienced by having to change seats to accommodate one of the ICE agents so we were no longer seated as a family. I was told by one of the flight attendants that our alternative was to take a later flight. (That would have put us in Aruba much later in the day, too late to take any advantage of our first day on the island.) So, we remained and put up with the inconvenience. (I have subsequently written to the President of Continental requesting an accommodation of some sort. Let's see if he responds!!!)

Other than what is described above, the week at the Radisson Aruba Resort was perfect in every respect. We rented a van from Royal (unfortunately, Hans at Tropic did not have any vans; he suggested that we contact Royal). The van was fairly new and comfortable for all. We were picked up at the airport in a van and taken to Royal's offices a short distance away where our business was taken care of quickly and courteously.

Upon our arrival at the "Rad", we were greeted by Francisco....with sincere hugs, and by Jairo, with a good, substantial handshake! We were home!!!! Check in went smoothly and we had to wait for the two connecting Aruba T ower rooms to be ready. The rooms were comfortable, although in some need of refurbishing, which, we understand, will be done early in 2011. The Bonaire Tower is currently being worked on. It was a Tuesday, when General Manager Rob Smith has his weekly welcoming get-together at Mira Solo. A wonderful idea, by the way....guests can get to meet all the 'powers that be' in person! The drinks and hors d'oeuvres weren't a bad idea either! :)

For dinner, that first night, the kids chose Senor Frogs, right across the street. It was a fun time for all and the food, burgers, etc. were certainly passable.

The rest of the week was spent, literally, going from beach to pool and back again and, of course, making dinner plans. We had excellent dinners at: Sole Mare; Chalet Suisse; Papiamento; Tony Roma's and Madam Janette. A couple of nights' dessert was had at ol' reliable Ben and Jerry's!! Nothing disappointing at any of our favorites, in fact, after a pleasant greeting from Suzanne at MJ's, we were treated to a round of "Happy Birthday" and some very nice dessert, compliments of the house!

Getting back to the Radisson....sincere thanks for helping to make this a most wonderful vacation must go to: Frank, Tasha, Germaine, Cecelia and Lucia at Laguna and Norma at Gilligan's.

Others at the Radisson were as pleasant as pleasant can be and Rob Smith and his crew deserve a round of applause for running such a well run 'ship'!! We will begin our plans to return to the Radisson toward the end of 2010 for summer of 2011, you can be sure!! :)

Pictures of the Milstein and Halligan "crew" are attached. Notice all the happy smiles!!!! By the way....the check at Papiamento was not as bad as my photo makes it seem!!! :)