We have also been traveling to Aruba for the past 15 year and considered eventually buying a home there. I completely agree with many things posted for example: the building is out of control (the size of the Rui Resort and the Marriott buildings are ridiculous,) the beaches at "Eagle Beach" are so overcrowded I would never vacation in that area (people are sitting right on top of each other by the Hyatt, La Cabanna, Playa Linda etc.) Downtown is looking a bit dingy lately and the island "feel" is almost gone with all of the chain restaurants and overcrowded areas. I will be there in three weeks and will observe what I have just read.

I also wrote a response quite a while ago about the changes happening on the island and some people responded with a remark that "you have to change with the times." I would agree with that if the changes were for the better, not the worse. I remember when you could go to the concierge and make a dinner reservation for that evening, now you must make your plans from home months in advance to ensure a table in most restaurants. The airfare rates are also out of control lately.

Of course, different strokes for different folks, but when people start looking into other less crowded islands, it is because they want what Aruba offered a long time ago, that is why they went to Aruba in the first place.