Westin, Marriott Stellaris or Occidental Grand?

poodles2 · 07-07-2009, 01:54 PM

My fiance and are in the planning stages and are hoping to get married in Aruba July 2010. We are looking at three resorts: Westin, Marriott and Occidental Grand. Does anyone have any recommendations, tips or criticisms they would like to shar? Thanks.

Arubalisa · 07-07-2009, 10:40 PM

My only suggestion is to read through the ratings and reviews quite closely.

The Marriott for the most part will be listed as a more superior property than the Westin or Occidental.

If you are considering the Occidental for an all inclusive you may also wish to consider the Riu.

Shnyda · 07-08-2009, 09:08 AM

When we were at the Marriott last year we saw several beach weddings going on - they seemed to be gorgeous and well done. They have a great outdoor area for the reception as well.

DushiHeidi · 07-08-2009, 12:09 PM

Hands down my vote is the Westin. Marriott is always way too crowded!

jimbo · 07-08-2009, 06:38 PM

I am fond of the Marriott properties as I am an owner at the surf club.Palm beach for me is the best place for a wedding and we were just there 2 weeks ago and did not find either of the 3 marriotts to crowded.The Westin looks quite nice also but it is down a bit from The Marriott.Either one you cannot go wrong but I would go to the Marriot.Jimbo

poodles2 · 07-08-2009, 07:17 PM

Thank you all for your comments. I am interested in the comment about the Westin being a bit down - is there a disadvantage to this? Is it windier or not as pretty? More crowded?

Thanks!

Arubalisa · 07-08-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poodles2

Westin being a bit down - is there a disadvantage to this? Is it windier or not as pretty? More crowded?

Thanks!

The Westin is located on the southern end of Palm Beach, but not the end. The Divi Phoenix timeshare is the last resort property on that stretch. The area is much windier than the other resorts along Palm Beach. We were told it has something to do with the way in which the tower is positioned.

The standards as Westin customers are generally accustomed to, are usually one of the bigger disappoints as well. The other negative is an outdated pool.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147249-d151983-Reviews-The_Westin_Resort_Aruba-Palm_Eagle_Beach_Aruba.html

For the Occidental I would read these reviews as well http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147249-d151981-Reviews-Occidental_Grand_Aruba_All_Inclusive-Palm_Eagle_Beach_Aruba.html

jpsphr · 07-08-2009, 07:30 PM

When we were there in April, there was a large wedding party at the Marriott and it looked absolutely beautiful. The grounds were manicured and the food and setting looked first-class.

Junewedding · 07-09-2009, 08:43 AM

Renaissance Private Island blows all the other weddings away.

Randi · 07-09-2009, 10:51 AM

We own at the Surf club and if I were to do a wedding I think (from all the pictures) I would have it on the private island. Stay on Palm Beach and enjoy it but the whole wedding thing looks amazing and really beautiful on the private island.

As for the Westin area, the beach is windier than the rest of Palm Beach and that is a negative, unfortunately.

07-07-2009, 01:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
poodles2 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 45	Westin, Marriott Stellaris or Occidental Grand? My fiance and are in the planning stages and are hoping to get married in Aruba July 2010. We are looking at three resorts: Westin, Marriott and Occidental Grand. Does anyone have any recommendations, tips or criticisms they would like to shar? Thanks.

07-07-2009, 10:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,685 Images: 80	My only suggestion is to read through the ratings and reviews quite closely. The Marriott for the most part will be listed as a more superior property than the Westin or Occidental. If you are considering the Occidental for an all inclusive you may also wish to consider the Riu. __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba

07-09-2009, 10:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
Randi Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,058 Images: 9	We own at the Surf club and if I were to do a wedding I think (from all the pictures) I would have it on the private island. Stay on Palm Beach and enjoy it but the whole wedding thing looks amazing and really beautiful on the private island. As for the Westin area, the beach is windier than the rest of Palm Beach and that is a negative, unfortunately. __________________ Randi Next Aruba trip in <a href="http://daisypath.com/"><img src="http://dvcm.daisypath.com/7yNem5.png" width="200" height="80" border="0" alt="Daisypath Vacation tickers" /></a>

07-08-2009, 09:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
Shnyda Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Gold Coast Villas Age: 31 Posts: 362	When we were at the Marriott last year we saw several beach weddings going on - they seemed to be gorgeous and well done. They have a great outdoor area for the reception as well.

07-08-2009, 12:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
DushiHeidi Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 259	Hands down my vote is the Westin. Marriott is always way too crowded!

07-08-2009, 06:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
jimbo Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	I am fond of the Marriott properties as I am an owner at the surf club.Palm beach for me is the best place for a wedding and we were just there 2 weeks ago and did not find either of the 3 marriotts to crowded.The Westin looks quite nice also but it is down a bit from The Marriott.Either one you cannot go wrong but I would go to the Marriot.Jimbo

07-08-2009, 07:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
poodles2 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 45	Thank you all for your comments. I am interested in the comment about the Westin being a bit down - is there a disadvantage to this? Is it windier or not as pretty? More crowded? Thanks!

07-08-2009, 07:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
jpsphr Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Boca Catalina Beach Posts: 25 Images: 9	When we were there in April, there was a large wedding party at the Marriott and it looked absolutely beautiful. The grounds were manicured and the food and setting looked first-class.

07-09-2009, 08:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
Junewedding Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 23	Renaissance Private Island blows all the other weddings away.