Where to get married?

[kit]

I am looking to get married in Aruba in Feb 2011 and probably have about 75 people that would come. There are not many kids but there are a few. I have beeing looking into a few hotels and I am really confused. I want a upscale wedding and will pay for it. On the other hand, I do not want to break my guests bank accounts trying to come to my wedding. I wanted an all inclusive but I am now finding out that maybe that is not feasible. I planned on visiting beforehand but can not make it to Arubs probably until at least the summertime and now have to book this without being able to go beforehand.
So this is what I heard about these three hotels---your opinions and comments are greatly appreciated as well as any other comments you have.

Marriott Stellaris-
1. The fact that they give you an option for all inclusive is a huge positive.
2. The pool is completely renovated as well as all the rooms--newley renovated, very very nice with huge balconies.
3. There is still construction going on
4. You have to wait on line to get towels and it is so crowded you may not get a chair at the pool if you are not there early
5. There are not many servers for drinks at the pool/beach.
7. There are so many kids around it is annoying.
8. I heard that it is just timeshares which I do not think is true (I think two of the three buildings are timeshares.)

Hyatt--
1. Beautiful hotel but not all inclusive and the balconies are barely big enough for you to stand on.
2. The pool area is all different levels
3. No all inclusive option

Radisson--
1. The most expensive and not all inclusive

I have been to Aruba when I was young and I remember it being very expensive and that is why I was looking for the all inclusive but I do not know what should be a deciding factor???

PLEASE HELP!!!

[Randi]

Just a few comments on the Marriott:
There isn't any construction going on at the hotel anymore. During Feb. there doesn't seem to be that many children (from what I have seen) unless its President's week (I haven't been there at that time) as most of the kids are in school. A good majority of the children do stay at the timeshares that is not to say there are no children around.

The area around the Marriott is different now and there is a lot that has changed in the past few years. As far as All Inclusive, hard to say as there is lots of places to go to eat at very different price points.

[kit]

Thanks so much--I am avoiding President's week--will probably be the week or two before!

[A_J_Mitch]

HI,

I'm getting married this July and also decided to go with an all inclusive. I ended up booking Renaissance Island for the wedding and having all my guests stay at the Divi-Divi all inclusive. For me that was the best option for my guests. We got a nightly rate at $340 per night per room so my guests end up paying $170 a night per person. That includes all taxes, food, and alcohol!! My guests thought that was a great price so we went with the Divi.

The day of the wedding I'm just going to rent a bus or some sort of transportation to get my guest from the Divi to the Renaissance.

-Andrea-

[Arubalisa]

Marriott Stellaris-
4. You have to wait on line to get towels and it is so crowded you may not get a chair at the pool if you are not there early

You are going to find this at many resorts on Palm Beach which I can think of.

Marriott Stellaris-
7. There are so many kids around it is annoying.

For no kids, your only real options will be the Bucuti or the Renaissance.

The Bucuti "discourages children", has updated rooms, but no all inclusive and a smallish swimming pool. Not sure about food and beverages servers on the beach.

The Renaissance has an "adult only" tower in their Marina Tower and as well as a section on their private island for adults. They offer an all inclusive option, but from what I understand it is expensive. Some feel the Resorts location in downtown Oranjestad is a drawback.

Hyatt--
2. The pool area is all different levels

If you have never seen it, it is quite a beautiful swimming pool.

Radisson--
1. The most expensive and not all inclusive

Not all inclusive, however they are not offering a variety of Meal Plans
http://www.radisson.com/hotels/aruaruba/dinings/0

[cukiecutr]

Bucuti does have servers on the beach..... The pool has been redone and has the most wonderful lounge chairs that spin so you can folllow the sun. Since we have youngsters with our wedding in July we will not be staying there this year

[christene]

Congratulations Kit! Our front runners were Hyatt, Westin and Marriott for our wedding this last October. I'm surprised you're seeing the 'multi-level' pool at the Hyatt as a drawback. Their pool is fantastic - the Hyatt was featured as one of the 10 Best Resorts in the Caribbean on a Travel Channel special last year. That said, we were bothered by the 'standing balconies', smallish rooms and Hyatt restrictions.

We chose Marriott. Really big balconies, large rooms and the renovation is gorgeous. Their bar / lounge area is also a super cool place to hang out. We hung out there a couple of nights. The pool is nice though smaller than the other two resorts. We loved the "U" shape of the hotel with the pool in the middle. Made it seem kind of cozy. And being the further hotel north, the beach was less busy than down by the Radisson. I can't say much about service though - our wedding was off-season - October, so there were few kids and outstanding service. I will say that their food at the reception blew us away. It was amazing. The rest of our visit we were just wishing we had our reception leftovers (and I don't eat leftovers)!

You're right - the neighboring two properties are timeshares - the Ocean Club and Surf Club. But the one with the Stellaris casino is a hotel. We were there at the end of October. The pool had been redone early October and I don't remember any other renovations going on. The only negative for us was I did not care for the Mandara Spa. I think there are much better options for hair and make-up. Aside from that, our wedding at the Marriott exceeded our expectations in almost every way! If I were to do it again, I wouldn't even consider another location.

[luvsun]

I've always found this interesting, with couples going with an all inclusive resort for their wedding. If its to have the reception there, then you don't have to pay for the dinner of your guests, i find that really "cheap". I think that if you have people that have paid for their trip you should at least treat them to a meal that basicly they aren't paying for!
We had our guests stay where they could get a good deal and we paid for there dinner and drinks at the wedding.

Just my thought!

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by luvsun

I've always found this interesting, with couples going with an all inclusive resort for their wedding. If its to have the reception there, then you don't have to pay for the dinner of your guests, i find that really "cheap". I think that if you have people that have paid for their trip you should at least treat them to a meal that basicly they aren't paying for!
We had our guests stay where they could get a good deal and we paid for there dinner and drinks at the wedding.

Just my thought!

I beg to disagree with you.

Imo, it is not that the people are "cheap". In the big picture, over a course of a few days on the island, after all, who flies to Aruba for a wedding for just one night, it just more convenient for their guests.

There are many weddings performed at the Divi. In the total of 46 nights or so that we have stayed at the Tamarijn we have only once seen a wedding party having dinner at one of the restaurants. They were "only" a party of 8 people including 2 children. Were they being "cheap" or didn't want to drag the kids "out" to an ala carte restaurant.

[Karen Lutzker]

It is not that people are cheap, but when the couple and guests are on an all-inclusive meal plan, it is because the couple is on a tight wedding budget. Many are having a large reception upon their return for the family and friends that were not invited to Aruba or invited guests that could not afford to come to Aruba. Many wedding couples if they are a small group, have their rehearsal or welcome dinner at one of the restaurants between the Tam and the Divi. Because of the poor economic conditons in the world lately, many couples are forced to find a way to save money and still have a lovely wedding in Aruba. There are ways to save on a wedding welcome dinner or reception in Aruba and I believe there is something for everyone. All-inclusive is very helpful.