Community Forum

Jerry · 12-11-2009, 10:04 AM

We were in Aruba in early November for 10 days. Having been there many times I got to know the Casino's. This year I found few of them improving, actually they are going backward. The Hyatt which use to be my favorite, now have fewer slots and are not updated with tickets. In a vacation like ours, I'd normally be there at least 5 times, this year it was one time and out. This was our group of three couple that the Hyatt lossed out on. The Occidental was another that has gone backwards. Downtown at the Crystal we spent most of our time waiting for staff to coming to our slot machines. They have old machines that kept on breaking down. We spent most of our Casino time at the Holiday Inn and the Marriott where they seemed to be trying to keep up with the times. I'm surprised with so many tourist going to Aruba(I Love the place) that thewy are not keeping up in this regard.

Shnyda · 12-11-2009, 05:16 PM

I mainly play at the Marriott and the Alahambra - Marriott being my fave.

I am surprised to hear on such a modernized island the casinos are behind the times.

*Andrea J.* · 12-11-2009, 06:23 PM

i m guessing 3 words economy economy economy
The terrible economy is likely the reason the casinos are not being updated.
Aruba has suffered in this recession as the usa has.

No one has the deep pockets as in year's past.

Let's hope that 2010 brings much more tourism dollars into aruba.

ragdoll · 12-11-2009, 11:56 PM

Jan. 31 will be the time for the Radisson to come through, it could use a good update as well.

arubadeb · 12-12-2009, 10:47 AM

I'm pretty sure they are closing the casino at the radisson. I'm in Aruba and it was in the paper the other day.

*Andrea J.* · 12-12-2009, 01:14 PM

per Mr Smith "the casino will not be closed for long " see the articleDismissal of employees at Radisson casino approved
9 Dec, 2009, 07:15 (GMT -04:00)
http://www.amigoe.com/artman/publish/artikel_66234.php

"ORANJESTAD — The applications for the dismissal of 90 employees of the Radisson casino have been approved by the Directorate of Labor and Research (DAO). Minister Otmar Oduber (AVP) of Tourism, Transport and Labor had confirmed this yesterday during a press conference. The personnel members of the casino will therefore be without employment as of February 2010.

The casino of employer The Millennium Resource Group (TMRG) had to dismiss their employees because its 10-year contract with the Radisson hotel – which expires in January 2010 – will not be renewed. According to Oduber, the casino had not met certain expectations of the renter. “On that basis, the Radisson hotel had decided not to continue with manager TMRG.” Based on a conversation with hotel manager Rob Smith, the Minister announces that the Radisson casino will not be closed for long. However, the Radisson has not decided yet whether they will manage the casino themselves or that a foreign management will be taken on. Just as Rob Smith had mentioned last week, Oduber also states that the dismissed casino co-workers are being encouraged to apply for a job with the new manager. Minister Oduber further explains that the hotel is in possession of the casino permit. “It is up to the hotel to determine to whom they will lend the permit.”

It appeared last week that the current manager TMRG would be managing another casino. The company would check whether the casino personnel from the Radisson could be set to work there.

*Arubalisa* · 12-12-2009, 01:47 PM

The Radisson is too high a caliber of resort to go without a casino for an extended period of time.

Just mho, I have no nfo as such, just questioing out loud...
what were the issues behind the Radisson NOT renewing the contract with TMRG?
Could it be some of the issues currently being discussed and complaints which are being aired?

fattypatty · 12-12-2009, 02:27 PM

marriott stellaris is the best imo. continuously updated and big.

what's funny about radisson is that besides aruba, it's not known for well kept properties. in the ny area they're just a step above motel 6.

*Arubalisa* · 12-12-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fattypatty

what's funny about radisson is that besides aruba, it's not known for well kept properties.

AND, now the Radisson St. Martin at Anse Marcel.

Both properties are AAA 4 diamond resorts.

pratoman · 12-19-2009, 10:00 PM

in my experience, while the Radisson Hotel is a really nice facility, its dead at night and the casino always seemed dingy and dark to me, very quiet. The tables are all low stakes, (which i like, but it doesnt help them attract the kind of people that would change the image) and they have that kind of image.
Whomever takes it over should work on changing that image.

12-11-2009, 10:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jerry Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6	Disappointed in Casino's We were in Aruba in early November for 10 days. Having been there many times I got to know the Casino's. This year I found few of them improving, actually they are going backward. The Hyatt which use to be my favorite, now have fewer slots and are not updated with tickets. In a vacation like ours, I'd normally be there at least 5 times, this year it was one time and out. This was our group of three couple that the Hyatt lossed out on. The Occidental was another that has gone backwards. Downtown at the Crystal we spent most of our time waiting for staff to coming to our slot machines. They have old machines that kept on breaking down. We spent most of our Casino time at the Holiday Inn and the Marriott where they seemed to be trying to keep up with the times. I'm surprised with so many tourist going to Aruba(I Love the place) that thewy are not keeping up in this regard. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

ADVERTISMENT

12-11-2009, 05:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Shnyda Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Gold Coast Villas Age: 33 Posts: 575 Images: 6	I mainly play at the Marriott and the Alahambra - Marriott being my fave. I am surprised to hear on such a modernized island the casinos are behind the times. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ -E&K- Follow me on Twitter @ShnydaOne

12-11-2009, 06:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor beach bar, alto vista chapel, cooks restaurant, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 12,028 Images: 74	i m guessing 3 words economy economy economy The terrible economy is likely the reason the casinos are not being updated. Aruba has suffered in this recession as the usa has. No one has the deep pockets as in year's past. Let's hope that 2010 brings much more tourism dollars into aruba. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

12-11-2009, 11:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
ragdoll Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Canada Washington Noord Aruba Posts: 45	Jan. 31 will be the time for the Radisson to come through, it could use a good update as well. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

12-12-2009, 10:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
arubadeb Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Eagle Beach, Baby Beach Posts: 30 Images: 5	I'm pretty sure they are closing the casino at the radisson. I'm in Aruba and it was in the paper the other day. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

12-12-2009, 01:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor beach bar, alto vista chapel, cooks restaurant, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 12,028 Images: 74	per Mr Smith "the casino will not be closed for long " see the articleDismissal of employees at Radisson casino approved 9 Dec, 2009, 07:15 (GMT -04:00) http://www.amigoe.com/artman/publish/artikel_66234.php "ORANJESTAD — The applications for the dismissal of 90 employees of the Radisson casino have been approved by the Directorate of Labor and Research (DAO). Minister Otmar Oduber (AVP) of Tourism, Transport and Labor had confirmed this yesterday during a press conference. The personnel members of the casino will therefore be without employment as of February 2010. The casino of employer The Millennium Resource Group (TMRG) had to dismiss their employees because its 10-year contract with the Radisson hotel – which expires in January 2010 – will not be renewed. According to Oduber, the casino had not met certain expectations of the renter. “On that basis, the Radisson hotel had decided not to continue with manager TMRG.” Based on a conversation with hotel manager Rob Smith, the Minister announces that the Radisson casino will not be closed for long. However, the Radisson has not decided yet whether they will manage the casino themselves or that a foreign management will be taken on. Just as Rob Smith had mentioned last week, Oduber also states that the dismissed casino co-workers are being encouraged to apply for a job with the new manager. Minister Oduber further explains that the hotel is in possession of the casino permit. “It is up to the hotel to determine to whom they will lend the permit.” It appeared last week that the current manager TMRG would be managing another casino. The company would check whether the casino personnel from the Radisson could be set to work there. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

12-12-2009, 01:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,111 Images: 167	The Radisson is too high a caliber of resort to go without a casino for an extended period of time. Just mho, I have no nfo as such, just questioing out loud... what were the issues behind the Radisson NOT renewing the contract with TMRG? Could it be some of the issues currently being discussed and complaints which are being aired? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Cat Resource Directory ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba

12-12-2009, 02:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
fattypatty Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: moomba, stellaris casino, baby beach, Posts: 476	marriott stellaris is the best imo. continuously updated and big. what's funny about radisson is that besides aruba, it's not known for well kept properties. in the ny area they're just a step above motel 6. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________

12-19-2009, 10:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
pratoman Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 56	in my experience, while the Radisson Hotel is a really nice facility, its dead at night and the casino always seemed dingy and dark to me, very quiet. The tables are all low stakes, (which i like, but it doesnt help them attract the kind of people that would change the image) and they have that kind of image. Whomever takes it over should work on changing that image. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook