First time going to Aruba

[jjw216]

Hello to everyone on the board!!!! My friends and I will be visiting Aruba in early July for the very first time. We went to St. Maarten last year and had an amazing time – I would definitely recommend it.

There will be 7 to 10 of us. We’re in our mid to late 20’s. We’d like to be rent somewhere right on the beach and be close to the nightlife. (we’ve gotten pretty spoiled with our last couple of trips). To be comfortable, I am guessing, we’d need to rent two 2-bedroom units at one of the highrises – which I am sure would be nice, however we’d prefer not to be split up. I’ve seen a few 3 bedroom units for rent at the Marriott and the Costa Linda, but nothing for the dates we are looking at, and the prices seemed a little high.

I came across a 3-bedroom, 3 bath penthouse unit for rent at the Oceania complex at Eagle Beach (between Costa Linda and La Cabana Resorts) for $2,800 for the week. The reviews sound great and it looks real nice. It says that the unit is 100 ft from the beach – across the street, basically 20 steps. Is this a realistic description? Just wanted to know if anyone is familiar with this area – it sounds like it is on a quieter/less crowded area, as compared to some of the busier sections of Palm Beach. As long as the beach is nice, I definitely wouldn't mind a little peace and quiet. However, we do like to people watch to help pass the time - so we probably wouldn't want to be completely alone.

We like to spend the majority of our time relaxing on the beach. However, at night, we enjoy the nightlife - checking out the local bars, casinos, etc… From what I’ve read most of the nightspots are in the downtown area. What is considered downtown – is it the highrise area at Palm Beach, or is in the city of Oranjstead itself? I also read that there is a lot to do along the LG Smith Boulevard – where exactly is that. Approximately, how far is the Oceania complex from these areas? Is it a short 5-10 minute ride? We’ll likely have a rental car, but don’t want to have to drive too far. If we did drive is it going to be very difficult to find parking? Can one depend on the buses late at night, or would you have to get a cab? Is there anything at all within walking distance?

Being together in a spacious larger unit, at a more reasonable rate, yet being slightly farther away from the nightlife… should I be that concerned with the trade-off?

There also seem to be a couple of real nice beach houses for rent in the Malmok/Arashi Beach area for between $2,000 and $3,000 for the week. This would probably be my first choice – I always wanted my own beach house! However, I am guessing my group will feel too secluded and I am shying away from this option.

Any other advice that you have as far as accommodations would be greatly appreciated.

Lastly how would you rate Eagle Beach vs. Palm Beach - which would you rather be stranded on for the week?

I really appreciate your advice or any suggestions that you may have,

Thank you very much for your input!
John

[Andrea J.]

i recommend Eagle Beach
the Oceania is literally across the street from the beach.
20 steps might be a stretch.
i would say, 3 minutes.

would you and your group consider an all inclusive (tamarijn in the low rise is close to downtown and downtown is O'stad.) but for 7 - 10 people that would be costly (but remember drinks and meals are included....so do the math)

the highrise section is at PALM BEACH
approximately, 4 miles from downtown

lorise is Eagle beach and Druiff beach

the busses run often all day from the hi rise to downtown.

yes the houses up beyond the hirise are a bit secluded and beach area is not quite so "smooth sand" and also there is little shade at that stretch of beach beyond the hirise. nonetheless it is great though.

the casinos and the clubs/nightlife run the length of palm and eagle beaches and into O'stad.

others to consider
an ABC unit at Lacabana
Divi Links timeshare condos
Casa Del Mar or Aruba Beach Club timeshares
Costa Linda Timeshares

high rise area
Marrott Ocean or Surf CLubs

good luck
andrea

Originally Posted by jjw216

Hello to everyone on the board!!!! My friends and I will be visiting Aruba in early July for the very first time. We went to St. Maarten last year and had an amazing time – I would definitely recommend it.

There will be 7 to 10 of us. We’re in our mid to late 20’s. We’d like to be rent somewhere right on the beach and be close to the nightlife. (we’ve gotten pretty spoiled with our last couple of trips). To be comfortable, I am guessing, we’d need to rent two 2-bedroom units at one of the highrises – which I am sure would be nice, however we’d prefer not to be split up. I’ve seen a few 3 bedroom units for rent at the Marriott and the Costa Linda, but nothing for the dates we are looking at, and the prices seemed a little high.

I came across a 3-bedroom, 3 bath penthouse unit for rent at the Oceania complex at Eagle Beach (between Costa Linda and La Cabana Resorts) for $2,800 for the week. The reviews sound great and it looks real nice. It says that the unit is 100 ft from the beach – across the street, basically 20 steps. Is this a realistic description? Just wanted to know if anyone is familiar with this area – it sounds like it is on a quieter/less crowded area, as compared to some of the busier sections of Palm Beach. As long as the beach is nice, I definitely wouldn't mind a little peace and quiet. However, we do like to people watch to help pass the time - so we probably wouldn't want to be completely alone.

We like to spend the majority of our time relaxing on the beach. However, at night, we enjoy the nightlife - checking out the local bars, casinos, etc… From what I’ve read most of the nightspots are in the downtown area. What is considered downtown – is it the highrise area at Palm Beach, or is in the city of Oranjstead itself? I also read that there is a lot to do along the LG Smith Boulevard – where exactly is that. Approximately, how far is the Oceania complex from these areas? Is it a short 5-10 minute ride? We’ll likely have a rental car, but don’t want to have to drive too far. If we did drive is it going to be very difficult to find parking? Can one depend on the buses late at night, or would you have to get a cab? Is there anything at all within walking distance?

Being together in a spacious larger unit, at a more reasonable rate, yet being slightly farther away from the nightlife… should I be that concerned with the trade-off?

There also seem to be a couple of real nice beach houses for rent in the Malmok/Arashi Beach area for between $2,000 and $3,000 for the week. This would probably be my first choice – I always wanted my own beach house! However, I am guessing my group will feel too secluded and I am shying away from this option.

Any other advice that you have as far as accommodations would be greatly appreciated.

Lastly how would you rate Eagle Beach vs. Palm Beach - which would you rather be stranded on for the week?

I really appreciate your advice or any suggestions that you may have,

Thank you very much for your input!
John

[Andrea J.]

also too visit the other categories
culinary
activities
nightlife
timeshares for rent

you will be reading for hours!

andrea

Originally Posted by jjw216

Hello to everyone on the board!!!! My friends and I will be visiting Aruba in early July for the very first time. We went to St. Maarten last year and had an amazing time – I would definitely recommend it.

There will be 7 to 10 of us. We’re in our mid to late 20’s. We’d like to be rent somewhere right on the beach and be close to the nightlife. (we’ve gotten pretty spoiled with our last couple of trips). To be comfortable, I am guessing, we’d need to rent two 2-bedroom units at one of the highrises – which I am sure would be nice, however we’d prefer not to be split up. I’ve seen a few 3 bedroom units for rent at the Marriott and the Costa Linda, but nothing for the dates we are looking at, and the prices seemed a little high.

I came across a 3-bedroom, 3 bath penthouse unit for rent at the Oceania complex at Eagle Beach (between Costa Linda and La Cabana Resorts) for $2,800 for the week. The reviews sound great and it looks real nice. It says that the unit is 100 ft from the beach – across the street, basically 20 steps. Is this a realistic description? Just wanted to know if anyone is familiar with this area – it sounds like it is on a quieter/less crowded area, as compared to some of the busier sections of Palm Beach. As long as the beach is nice, I definitely wouldn't mind a little peace and quiet. However, we do like to people watch to help pass the time - so we probably wouldn't want to be completely alone.

We like to spend the majority of our time relaxing on the beach. However, at night, we enjoy the nightlife - checking out the local bars, casinos, etc… From what I’ve read most of the nightspots are in the downtown area. What is considered downtown – is it the highrise area at Palm Beach, or is in the city of Oranjstead itself? I also read that there is a lot to do along the LG Smith Boulevard – where exactly is that. Approximately, how far is the Oceania complex from these areas? Is it a short 5-10 minute ride? We’ll likely have a rental car, but don’t want to have to drive too far. If we did drive is it going to be very difficult to find parking? Can one depend on the buses late at night, or would you have to get a cab? Is there anything at all within walking distance?

Being together in a spacious larger unit, at a more reasonable rate, yet being slightly farther away from the nightlife… should I be that concerned with the trade-off?

There also seem to be a couple of real nice beach houses for rent in the Malmok/Arashi Beach area for between $2,000 and $3,000 for the week. This would probably be my first choice – I always wanted my own beach house! However, I am guessing my group will feel too secluded and I am shying away from this option.

Any other advice that you have as far as accommodations would be greatly appreciated.

Lastly how would you rate Eagle Beach vs. Palm Beach - which would you rather be stranded on for the week?

I really appreciate your advice or any suggestions that you may have,

Thank you very much for your input!
John

[Sunny Beaches]

homeaway aruba?

[sunworshipperII]

John try going on to redweek.com or myresortnetwork.com keep checking daily you may find something reasonable. We rented this trip at the marriott surf 1st week in Feb for 2000.00 splitting with another couple. We have also stayed at Costa Linda beautiful place nice beach quieter than the palm beach area... I found...so depends what you like...you would have to bus,taxi or drive to palm beach area... or stay at the marriott where everything is right there (IMO). Keep trying ......

[sunworshipperII]

John, either beach is terrific.. I have stayed at costa linda at eagle beach I found it to be very quiet there...when you got back from dinner it was dead..but beautiful resort. Last year (and this Feb) we are staying at the Marriott surf I love palm beach it has a lot to do you can walk to restaurants casino's at the marriott or the hyatt, holiday inn I find it very convienent.Also right out front of all the highrise's are restaurants shops and bars.
Check out redweek.com I have seen 3 bedrooms in july for 2700.00 (you can sometimes offer less) We rented a 2bedroom off of myresortnetwork.com for this feb at 2000.00 splitting with another couple... not a bad deal...
So check it out. (IMO)
Sorry repeated myself

[jjw216]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge of the island!

Happy New Years!
John