A couple more newbies!

[detroit2aruba]

Hello everyone - my husband and I will be going to Aruba for the 1st time 10/5 - 10/15 ... Woo hoo! We are really looking forward to our trip and have learned A LOT from reading the posts here. We will be at the Tamarijn & have some question re: that but also some about some of the things we are thinking of doing while there. Looking for some info that might help us make some decisions! Any help is much appreciated ...

[Arubalisa]

Welcome to the forum.

Can you be more specific in exaclty what information you are looking for. There is a lot of good info at
http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/first%20time.html

[Arubalisa]

I saw your post with some specifics on another forum

Buildings at the Tamarijn are only two stories and yes, all oceanfront. Here http://www.arubabound.com/photos/htl/tamarijn/room_1319_view.jpg is a view from a room in 1300 building.

First floor vs. second floor is personal preference. Some like the advantage of being on the ground floor and the ability to walk right out of your room directly on to the beach. Others think the view from the second floor balconies is better as well as enjoy a sense of security. Ground floor rooms all have security bars for the sliders.

Keep in mind the beach at the Tamarijn is always changing, it has been pretty consistant lately. As of the end of June there was a very nice stretch of beach in front of 1100 - 1300. There are some rocks protecting a large palapa in front of building 1200, but that was it.
Photos of the beach on the top of the page at http://www.arubabound.com/photos/htl/tamarijn/tamarijn_beach_1100_1800_June2009.htm Red barriers are turtle nests. Barriers come down once the turtles hatch. They are not a bother.

2100 - 2500 is on a beautiful quiet stretch of beach, but overlooks the harbor and shipping containers and cargo ships. Some people do not like the "far" walk to the Bunker Bar never mind the restaurants and lobby. Other people feel it is well worthwhile for the peace and quiet at the southern end of the resort.

http://www.arubabound.com/photos/htl/tamarijn/tamarijn_beach_1900_2500_June2009.htm Beach photos from building 1900 - 2500

As of the end of June, 1500 to 1900 you needed to cross over some rocks on the beach.

1100 offers best of both words, a little bit away from the lobby, pool, buffet and bars, but easy walking distance. http://www.arubabound.com/accommo/tamarijn_map.jpg resort map with building numbers.

To contact them with your request...from their contact page www.tamarijnaruba.com/contact/index.php or Email reservation@megaresorts.com

The concierges at the Tamarijn will only book tours through De Palm Tours. They are the largest tour operator on the island. For an island tour, ABC Jeep Tours http://www.abc-aruba.com/ would be perfect. Before you leave, book them online at least 7 days in advance and you will receive a 10% dfiscount.

[detroit2aruba]

Thanks for the reply Arublisa - we know you are VERY knowledgeable re: the Tamarijn from all of your posts & photos. 1100 building sounds like what we'd like - not too far from stuff, but not so close we're bothered by noise, etc. What about rocks? We definitely don't want rocks in between us & the ocean! We've already decided we want a 1st floor room. We have already booked a Sunset Sail (I'm pretty sure it's on the Mi Duhsi), but we'd like to do something else also - see the sights, you know? I guess we're undecided as to whether a tour, renting a car or taking a taxi would be the best route? We don't have any desire to go to the Natural Pool - it sounds like a whole lot of trouble getting there for not much return! But we'd like to see as much as possible without locking ourselves in to say a whole day. My husband wants to know about the helicopter tours - worth the money or not?

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by detroit2aruba

we'd like to do something else also - see the sights, you know? But we'd like to see as much as possible without locking ourselves in to say a whole day.

1/2 day tour or hourly tour by taxi.

I guess we're undecided as to whether a tour, renting a car or taking a taxi would be the best route?

The advantage of renting a car and touring on your own is you can go at your own pace.
The advantages of a taxi tour are not getting lost, seeing the specific sights and knowing exactly what they are and the history behind them.

My husband wants to know about the helicopter tours - worth the money or not?

In 18 visits to the island, the helicopter tour ranks in the top 4 (in no particular order) of our favorite excursions on the island
Our videos
My review of the island helicopter tour