Aruba Trip Reports

Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa

January 15-22, 2013 by Darryl

Aruba Forum Profile: Darryl

We have just returned from what has been another absolutely remarkable week at the "Rad" our favorite among favorites on the island of Aruba. To begin with, our hotel reservations were handled in a most professional manner by the folks at Players Choice Tours, specialists in Aruba vacations. We highly recommend them as they offer the best rates and the best packages "out there"!

Our flight on United AL #1040 was uneventful other than we arrived about 30 minutes earlier than ETA, at 4:00PM. When we landed, it was raining and we learned later on that it had rained quite a bit for the previous two weeks. However, starting at about 4:05PM on the date of our arrival, the rain stopped, the clouds parted and the sun appeared, never leaving its post for the next seven days! The weather was absolutely incredible for the entire week; temperatures in the low to mid 80's; mild breezes blowing and, most of the time, almost cloudless skies. Can one ask for anything more? Well, not usually. But...if a traveler enjoys friendship, hospitality, smiling greetings, good food and comfortable accommodations and beautifully manicured surroundings, then THE place to experience them is the Radisson Aruba Resort!

This was approximately our tenth consecutive visit to the Radisson out of eighteen visits to Aruba. We have said in previous reviews that the visits get better and better with each visit. This visit was no exception. It was the best ever! From the greeting we received on arrival from the bellman to the farewell from the front office staff, every moment was perfect. There is a new General Manager at the resort, Mr. Mark Lyttleton-Frances, a fine gentlemen who has come to the Radisson Aruba by way of St. Lucia, where he managed one of the world's top resorts. We had the pleasure of meeting with Mark and he filled us in on some of the plans he has for the "Rad".

It would be fittintg at this point to give credit for much of our pleasure in Aruba to those individuals who, as a matter of course, make our stay there such a gratifying experience. We know that tourism is the lifeline for the country of Aruba and so, one would expect service and attitudes that are, 'accommodating', at least. However, the folks at the Radisson Aruba far exceed expectations and, truly, are the main reasons for our going back, year after year. They are, in no particular order:

The bellmen: Francisco, Jairo and Eli.
The activities director: Lesly
Laguna staff: Teo, America, Cecelia, Lillian, Linda
Gilligan's staff: Rudy, Norma, Maria Medina, Marina Urena
The front office: Frank Erasmus, and all the fellows and gals who man the desks
Concierge: Rachel and the other lovely ladies

Of course, there has to be one person in particular who makes everything run so smoothly and who sees that the guests of the resort are pleased: Ms. Germaine Wever. She makes things happen~!! and is as sweet as sugar in doing so. She, above all, deserves a tremendous "THANK YOU, GERMAINE" for all that she does.

I hope that all who read this understand that we so love the island, its people and its weather that we could go on and on in expressing our satisfaction with this resort. Its location can't be beat. Its beach is the best. Can't say enough about it~!!

Room Tip: Odd numbered rooms, in the Bonaire Tower, I believe, face away from the Riu and more toward the garden