Community Forum

funandrelax1 · 07-25-2011, 08:26 PM

Coming to visit Aruba for the first time and celebrating our 4 year wedding anniversary.

If anyone can help, we wanted to know some good places to; eat, shop, casinos, relax, and take in arubian history. We are staying at the Renaissance Marriot and the Marriott Ocean Club (any comments on those hotels would be appreciated as well). In addition, is there any need for renting a car? We want to see the island, but if public transportation is much more convenient and friendly we would go that route.

Any help would be appreciate and I would also like to say that I love all the comments members have left. They are very insightful and make you want to visit Aruba more than once. Which we hope happens for us after this trip.

VW

*Andrea J.* · 07-25-2011, 08:33 PM

hi f and r

welcome to the aruba.com community forum.

please take some time to read thru the categories and threads.

you have a question about public transportation........visit "getting
around aruba"

restaurants "culinary and culture"

go to HOTELS and TIMESHARES to read about Marriott Ocean and Renaissance..........which has a great private island!

i will get you started here.....click the link for top 3 restaurants If you had to pick three...

*Arubalisa* · 07-25-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funandrelax1

Coming to visit Aruba for the first time and celebrating our 4 year wedding anniversary.

Welcome to the forum

Quote:

If anyone can help, we wanted to know some good places to; eat,

romantic restaurants

restaurants palm beach

restaurants seafood

Quote:

shop,

Shopping

Quote:

casinos

Casinos

Quote:

We are staying at the Renaissance Marriot

Renaissance

Quote:

and the Marriott Ocean Club

Ocean Club

Quote:

In addition, is there any need for renting a car?

Car Rental vs. Taxi

Quote:

We want to see the island, but if public transportation is much more convenient and friendly we would go that route.

Public transportation will not get you to all restaurants never mind all the tourist and cultural sights.

funandrelax1 · 07-25-2011, 09:28 PM

Thanks for all of the suggestions

minky1225 · 07-26-2011, 05:45 PM

The Renaissance looks like a really nice place from the outside but unfortunately that's all I know about it.There are plenty of people that adore it so I'm sure it's great!

As far as the Marriott Ocean Club, I am sooooo envious that you are staying there! It is the best of the best! My husband and I rented a 2 bedroom villa last year with our friends and had a blast! The room is very modern,clean, and large regardless of whether you are staying in a studio,1 bedroom, or 2 bedroom. There are a few good shops by the lobby area. The beach and pool area are amazing. You do have to get up early to reserve a palapa on the beach but it is well worth it! The pool bar has great fruity mixed drinks and have people of all age groups there. Next to the big pool is a smaller "quiet" pool that my husband nick-named the Library pool. We also went there alot and would just relax in the water. The waiters occasionally come by the library pool and ask if you would like a drink. On top of the library pool is the best hot tub in Aruba(in my opinion). We had a system every day there-wake up, eat breakfast from the lobby cafe(obviously by the lobby..good for egg sandwiches,coffee,bagels,etc..) go lay on the beach until about 2-3pm, go to the library pool,then head into the hot tub until we couldn't feel our faces any longer from the heat, the go back into the library pool to cool off, then back to the room to take a nap and get ready for dinner...what's better than that?

Speaking of dinner, we have been going to Aruba since 2005 and we have some definite spots to eat during the time we're there...In no order: Madame Janettes, El Gaucho, and Smoky Joes. The ambiance at Madame Janettes cannot be beat and all of their food is great... from their seafood all the way to their chicken cordon bleu. El Gaucho has fantastic steaks. Smoky Joes has amazing ribs and is pretty reasonably priced. Here's a few others that are good and we will probably go again- Gianni's- I had excellent italian food there, Simply Fish-the Marriott beach turns into a restaurant at night!-good food and you get to watch the sunset, Texas de Brazil- all you can eat place that serves all different types of meats-really good but I could't fit into my shorts the next day!(lol)

This year we are going back again for our 5th trip and staying at the Marriott Stellaris since it's just the 2 of us. I cannot wait!

You will definitely enjoy your trip! I cannot wait to hear your report!

07-25-2011, 08:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
funandrelax1 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2	First Visit to Aruba Coming to visit Aruba for the first time and celebrating our 4 year wedding anniversary. If anyone can help, we wanted to know some good places to; eat, shop, casinos, relax, and take in arubian history. We are staying at the Renaissance Marriot and the Marriott Ocean Club (any comments on those hotels would be appreciated as well). In addition, is there any need for renting a car? We want to see the island, but if public transportation is much more convenient and friendly we would go that route. Any help would be appreciate and I would also like to say that I love all the comments members have left. They are very insightful and make you want to visit Aruba more than once. Which we hope happens for us after this trip. VW Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

ADVERTISMENT

07-25-2011, 08:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor/passions beach bar, Hung Paradis, alto vista chapel, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 13,255 Images: 80	hi f and r welcome to the aruba.com community forum. please take some time to read thru the categories and threads. you have a question about public transportation........visit "getting around aruba" restaurants "culinary and culture" go to HOTELS and TIMESHARES to read about Marriott Ocean and Renaissance..........which has a great private island! i will get you started here.....click the link for top 3 restaurants If you had to pick three... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook funandrelax1 likes this. __________________ Please, I'll have a Grande' decaf Mocha Latte' with a shot of liquid tranquilizer. Last edited by Andrea J.; 07-25-2011 at 08:41 PM.

07-25-2011, 09:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
funandrelax1 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2	Thanks for all of the suggestions Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

07-26-2011, 05:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
minky1225 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palm Beach!!!Oh, and the airport but only when I'm arriving:) Posts: 43	Ahhhh Ocean Club!!! The Renaissance looks like a really nice place from the outside but unfortunately that's all I know about it.There are plenty of people that adore it so I'm sure it's great! As far as the Marriott Ocean Club, I am sooooo envious that you are staying there! It is the best of the best! My husband and I rented a 2 bedroom villa last year with our friends and had a blast! The room is very modern,clean, and large regardless of whether you are staying in a studio,1 bedroom, or 2 bedroom. There are a few good shops by the lobby area. The beach and pool area are amazing. You do have to get up early to reserve a palapa on the beach but it is well worth it! The pool bar has great fruity mixed drinks and have people of all age groups there. Next to the big pool is a smaller "quiet" pool that my husband nick-named the Library pool. We also went there alot and would just relax in the water. The waiters occasionally come by the library pool and ask if you would like a drink. On top of the library pool is the best hot tub in Aruba(in my opinion). We had a system every day there-wake up, eat breakfast from the lobby cafe(obviously by the lobby..good for egg sandwiches,coffee,bagels,etc..) go lay on the beach until about 2-3pm, go to the library pool,then head into the hot tub until we couldn't feel our faces any longer from the heat, the go back into the library pool to cool off, then back to the room to take a nap and get ready for dinner...what's better than that? Speaking of dinner, we have been going to Aruba since 2005 and we have some definite spots to eat during the time we're there...In no order: Madame Janettes, El Gaucho, and Smoky Joes. The ambiance at Madame Janettes cannot be beat and all of their food is great... from their seafood all the way to their chicken cordon bleu. El Gaucho has fantastic steaks. Smoky Joes has amazing ribs and is pretty reasonably priced. Here's a few others that are good and we will probably go again- Gianni's- I had excellent italian food there, Simply Fish-the Marriott beach turns into a restaurant at night!-good food and you get to watch the sunset, Texas de Brazil- all you can eat place that serves all different types of meats-really good but I could't fit into my shorts the next day!(lol) This year we are going back again for our 5th trip and staying at the Marriott Stellaris since it's just the 2 of us. I cannot wait! You will definitely enjoy your trip! I cannot wait to hear your report! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook cpjones and funandrelax1 like this. __________________