Help with hotel decision

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by Graham Flanagan

I would budget at least $200+ per day for food/drinks for two people if you decide against the AI option (probably more if you are heavy drinkers). You may want to weigh this cost against what the AI option will cost you.

I agree with this estimate. At one time we never considered all inclusive in Aruba, but with rising restaurant prices, if you do not wish to mix your own drinks and haul them to the beach yourself, it is the most economic option.

For a honeymoon the best resort on the island:
Bucuti on Eagle Beach (NON All Inclusve) $$$

For a honeymoon on Palm Beach at a NON all inclusive resort:
Hyatt or Radisson $$$$

For the most expensive all inclusive experience:
Riu on Palm Beach (All Inclusive) $$$$

Divi or Tamarijn on Druif Beach adjacent to Eagle Beach (All Inclusve) IMO, the best value if you cannot afford the Riu.

The Westin is a very nice resort on Palm Beach, but imo, the all inclusive is very expensive and there are MANY surcharges on their menus which makes you dining choices extremely limited.

When we go to the Divi/Tamarijn, if we chose we can eat shrimp every night for dinner and there is no surcharge.

[RK05]

Graham ,
Thanks for the info. We both have a high tolerance and I feel for the convience factor the AI would probably be our best bet for THIS trip. I think we would easily blow past the $200 per day for food/drinks.

I like your idea of being able to walk on the beach at night. Not sure how far the nearest beach would be to the Renaissance to be able to do that.

I have already looked into the bus tour you mentioned and I'm sure we'll do that!

Arubalisa, I have just looked at info regarding Divi/Tamarijn. Is there much to do at night around those hotels?

I found some great deals at Cheapcaribbean.com has anyone used this place? I found mixed reviews on the net. I'm gonna post another thread about that site to see if anyone has any info.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by RK05

Arubalisa, I have just looked at info regarding Divi/Tamarijn. Is there much to do at night around those hotels?.

If you stay at one resort you have use of the facilities and amenities at both of the resorts. Besides the entertainment at the resort themselves, one "even" each evening, it is pretty quiet at the resorts. There is the Alhambra Casino across the street from the Divi and the Divi and Tamarijn each have a bar which stay open until 1 a.m.

Divi Aruba Daily Activities & Theme Nights
Tamarijn Aruba Daily Activities & Theme Nights

I found some great deals at Cheapcaribbean.com has anyone used this place? I found mixed reviews on the net. I'm gonna post another thread about that site to see if anyone has any info.

We have always used MCM Tours http://www.aruba4u.com/ to book our Aruba travel. They sell only travel to Aruba and in our 9 or so years of using them, have always found them to have the best service and pricing.

[Randi]

Eagle Beach is very, very nice. IMO, Palm Beach has more going on there at night, especially since the new shops, and outdoor mall opened up.

I believe the Occidental is an AI, and I think I might consider that over the RIU. From my friends who stayed their, they found the "restaurant" thing ridiculous. Every morning you need to stand in line for the nicer dinning rooms. You can't do a few nights and then do a few more so you have to do this every morning. In addition, they have fixed seatings times and not a lot of space vs. the number of rooms. Pool is very baren. Lobby is very nice.

Not too sure about the food at the Occidental but I would investigate this one as well.

[RK05]

Is the Tamarijn "on" the beach. From one of the travel sites it sounds as if it was accross the street from it. Also, are all the rooms ocean view?

We have already ruled out RIU. To expensive and mixed reviews about the food ect.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by RK05

Is the Tamarijn "on" the beach. From one of the travel sites it sounds as if it was accross the street from it. Also, are all the rooms ocean view?

The Tamarijn has all oceanfront rooms. The condition of the beach in front of some of the rooms is rocky due to erosion from Hurricane Omar. If you do not mind walking to the restaurants, any of the higher numbered buildings at the Tamarijn offer a nice stretch of beach. For honeymooners, that end of the resort is quieter as well. This is not a fancy resort, but there is nothing to match waking up, rolling out of bed onto to your patio and having the ocean right there.



Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Beach Resort Photos

I have the reviews from our first two stays at the Tamarijn at
Our Tamarijn Aruba Trip Report June 2008
Our Tamarijn Aruba Trip Report December 2007

There is some confusion at times with the many "Divi" resorts on the island. The Divi Village is located between the Divi and Tamarijn, across a small street from the beach. Adjacent is the Divi Links Golf Villas. Set behind the Tamarijn, in other words, no oceafront rooms, is the Divi DUTCH Village. Map with locations http://www.divigolf.com/resortMap_Aruba.html

[RK05]

Arubalisa, thanks for the help and info you posted. I think we are gonna try the Occidental for our first trip. We wanted to stay in a hotel that was close to allot of stuff and the Occidental seemed to be that.

I'm gonna start a new thread on some questions about the Occidental.