Community Forum

mpc111 · 04-30-2010, 01:15 PM

The wife and I are taking the kids with us in August for twelve days (first week at Costa Linda). We've always stayed in the High Rise section because we're totally just creatures of habit. I'm looking for some pros and cons from pepole that have stayed at both. As always thanks for the input.

TomFrederick · 04-30-2010, 02:10 PM

>>>> " (first week at Costa Linda) "
------- Excellent choice for those days. We stay at another timeshare about 100 yards down the beach. You will have a great pool area and beach area.
Many restaurants you can walk to besides a donut shop, Subway shop, and Pizza Bob's for the kids.

Mr. Ratt · 04-30-2010, 04:05 PM

You'll likely be amazed at the amount of space there actually is on the wonderful beaches of Aruba. Having spent all our vacations in the low rise area, and not to say we haven't visited the high rises (shudder... personal opinion of course), we find having the option of not fighting for space refreshing.

I know that if you stand on the pier at the Bugaloe to be picked up for the Mi Dushi, and if you look from side to side down the beach, it's wall-to-wall humanity and beach chairs and such.
Personally, not for me.

Take a look at the Tamarijn for the rest of your time on the island. Awesome place, wonderful location and the kids' activities always seem to be happenin'...

Have fun, wish we were coming with you....

Windy · 05-01-2010, 09:10 AM

Oh, I wish I were planning an upcoming trip too! We've been to Aruba twice -- 3 yrs ago we stayed at Bucutti on Eagle Beach and it was an amazing! The beach is huge, not crowded, and the water is sparkling clean and clear. This year we stayed at the Holiday Inn so we afford two weeks. Smaller beach (not as wide shore to water), very crowded (but we still always found a palapa at 2:20ish when we were ready for beach time after exploring), water was crowded and not as clean (right next to pier and boats). But..... we were in Aruba! and had a fantastic time! We rent a car, so getting to different restaurants and exploring the island is not a problem. From the high-rise area, there are more restaurants within walking distance, two malls, and the kiosks on the sidewalk are fun for shopping after dinner! In the low-rise area, there's a little shopping mall and a casino.
My personal preference is the low-rise because of the uncrowded beach (I'm not crazy about "wall to wall humanity"!)

That's my my two-cents worth! :-)

*Arubalisa* · 05-01-2010, 11:50 AM

We only stayed at the high rises for many years. After about 14 trips to Aruba we switched to the low rise. The difference between the two was a shock to us. They were, as Windy described, very different. To us, they were like "night and day". Totally opposite experiences.

You do not say how old the kids are, if they are old enough to notice the difference and only know the high rise areas, the low rise area will be very quiet to them. My nieces and nephew (teenagers) do not not mind the low rise area, but they have never stayed at the high rise area and they have stayed at an all inclusive so everything was right there for them.

Having said that, if your kids are older and perhaps need to be "enterained" imo, a compromise would be spending the last days of your vacation at the high rises for easy access to watersports and activities within walking distance.

katherine · 05-01-2010, 02:25 PM

After 8 years in the high rise area - we stayed this past year at the Divi AI in the low rise area. For us, although not as "fancy" a vacation it was in a lot of ways better. We were 2 families traveling with 5 kids between the ages of 2 and 10 and our 16 year old niece. The thing that we liked best was the very easy access to the uncrowded beaches. It was our first year all inclusive, which made things easier and less expensive. That being said, our children, including the 16 year old were happy just to hang out on the beach and pool all day. They had no need for a lot of activities and water sports. Other than one trip to Palm Beach for the jolly pirate cruise, we stayed at the resort every day and night. We are up early in the a.m., so like to go to bed fairly early. We do not have the need for a lot of nightly entertainment - which there is not a lot of in the low rises.

If you are like us, and your idea of a good vacation is relaxing in a lounge chair with a good book and a drink, than the low rises would be most ideal. If you like more activity, restaurants and nightlife, you may have more fun going high rise.

*Arubalisa* · 05-01-2010, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katherine

If you are like us, and your idea of a good vacation is relaxing in a lounge chair with a good book and a drink, than the low rises would be most ideal. If you like more activity, restaurants and nightlife, you may have more fun going high rise.

Extremely well said, and spot on!

mpc111 · 05-01-2010, 07:12 PM

Thanks for all the replies. We never really have checked out the low rise section in all of our 9 trips, I was just curious on people's opinion. We'll be travelling with our 5yo, 3yo, and 1 yo., so night life isn't that important. We're pretty laid back and pretty much spend the day at either the pool or beach with drinks in hand. I'll apologize in advance if you're leaving from Boston on Aug. 20th.... We're THAT family with the three kids on the plane.
One more thing, are there any good restaurants in walking distance from the CL?

Linda VH · 05-02-2010, 09:02 AM

CL is wonderful for kids! Lots of play stuff on the beach and activities as well. Walking distance - at the other end of the parking lot is Eliotti's and Pizza Bob's. Then Matthews down the beach at Casa Del Mar, Dunkin' Donuts, Subway, Dushi Bagels in that direction. Also in the other direction is Chalet Suisse, Passions, etc.

danadog56 · 05-03-2010, 08:31 PM

lots of restaurants close by as well as short taxi rides to wherever you choose...as most of the folks said, the low rise are is much quieter and much less crowded....we visited the marriott many years ago and walked the beach to see if we would like it enough to buy there as a second option (we already owned at Divi Village)....it was an easy decision....No way, from my Dh and myself in unison....way too crowded and busy.....
You will be surprised at how much you will enjoy it.....have fun...

04-30-2010, 01:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
mpc111 Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: At the beach Posts: 35	Low Rise Section input The wife and I are taking the kids with us in August for twelve days (first week at Costa Linda). We've always stayed in the High Rise section because we're totally just creatures of habit. I'm looking for some pros and cons from pepole that have stayed at both. As always thanks for the input. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

ADVERTISMENT

04-30-2010, 02:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
TomFrederick Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Under a hut, walking Eagle Beach, lunch on the beach, Amstel Bright Beer on the beach, coffee in the morning on the beach, taking a dip in the sea, Posts: 305	>>>> " (first week at Costa Linda) " ------- Excellent choice for those days. We stay at another timeshare about 100 yards down the beach. You will have a great pool area and beach area. Many restaurants you can walk to besides a donut shop, Subway shop, and Pizza Bob's for the kids. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

04-30-2010, 04:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mr. Ratt Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Druif Beach, Rooftop of the Coconuts Bar (what a view!), Santa Ana church and graveyard in Noord, Lourdes/San Nicholas, Alto Vista Peace Labyrinth, Rancho La Ponderosa, Rat Land Posts: 402 Images: 19	You'll likely be amazed at the amount of space there actually is on the wonderful beaches of Aruba. Having spent all our vacations in the low rise area, and not to say we haven't visited the high rises (shudder... personal opinion of course), we find having the option of not fighting for space refreshing. I know that if you stand on the pier at the Bugaloe to be picked up for the Mi Dushi, and if you look from side to side down the beach, it's wall-to-wall humanity and beach chairs and such. Personally, not for me. Take a look at the Tamarijn for the rest of your time on the island. Awesome place, wonderful location and the kids' activities always seem to be happenin'... Have fun, wish we were coming with you.... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Mr. Ratt www.heyoka-healing.com It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got... Back to Paradise in

05-01-2010, 09:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
Windy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Eagle Beach, exploring the "Outback", Madi's tour to the Natural Pool , dinner at Papiamento's Posts: 613 Images: 50	Oh, I wish I were planning an upcoming trip too! We've been to Aruba twice -- 3 yrs ago we stayed at Bucutti on Eagle Beach and it was an amazing! The beach is huge, not crowded, and the water is sparkling clean and clear. This year we stayed at the Holiday Inn so we afford two weeks. Smaller beach (not as wide shore to water), very crowded (but we still always found a palapa at 2:20ish when we were ready for beach time after exploring), water was crowded and not as clean (right next to pier and boats). But..... we were in Aruba! and had a fantastic time! We rent a car, so getting to different restaurants and exploring the island is not a problem. From the high-rise area, there are more restaurants within walking distance, two malls, and the kiosks on the sidewalk are fun for shopping after dinner! In the low-rise area, there's a little shopping mall and a casino. My personal preference is the low-rise because of the uncrowded beach (I'm not crazy about "wall to wall humanity"!) That's my my two-cents worth! :-) Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook Last edited by Windy; 05-01-2010 at 09:16 AM.

05-01-2010, 11:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,685 Images: 174	We only stayed at the high rises for many years. After about 14 trips to Aruba we switched to the low rise. The difference between the two was a shock to us. They were, as Windy described, very different. To us, they were like "night and day". Totally opposite experiences. You do not say how old the kids are, if they are old enough to notice the difference and only know the high rise areas, the low rise area will be very quiet to them. My nieces and nephew (teenagers) do not not mind the low rise area, but they have never stayed at the high rise area and they have stayed at an all inclusive so everything was right there for them. Having said that, if your kids are older and perhaps need to be "enterained" imo, a compromise would be spending the last days of your vacation at the high rises for easy access to watersports and activities within walking distance. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba

05-01-2010, 02:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
katherine Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Too many places to list Posts: 195 Images: 1	After 8 years in the high rise area - we stayed this past year at the Divi AI in the low rise area. For us, although not as "fancy" a vacation it was in a lot of ways better. We were 2 families traveling with 5 kids between the ages of 2 and 10 and our 16 year old niece. The thing that we liked best was the very easy access to the uncrowded beaches. It was our first year all inclusive, which made things easier and less expensive. That being said, our children, including the 16 year old were happy just to hang out on the beach and pool all day. They had no need for a lot of activities and water sports. Other than one trip to Palm Beach for the jolly pirate cruise, we stayed at the resort every day and night. We are up early in the a.m., so like to go to bed fairly early. We do not have the need for a lot of nightly entertainment - which there is not a lot of in the low rises. If you are like us, and your idea of a good vacation is relaxing in a lounge chair with a good book and a drink, than the low rises would be most ideal. If you like more activity, restaurants and nightlife, you may have more fun going high rise. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ katherine Trip #12 is over -we are back home. Trip #13 in

05-01-2010, 07:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
mpc111 Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: At the beach Posts: 35	Thanks for all the replies. We never really have checked out the low rise section in all of our 9 trips, I was just curious on people's opinion. We'll be travelling with our 5yo, 3yo, and 1 yo., so night life isn't that important. We're pretty laid back and pretty much spend the day at either the pool or beach with drinks in hand. I'll apologize in advance if you're leaving from Boston on Aug. 20th.... We're THAT family with the three kids on the plane. One more thing, are there any good restaurants in walking distance from the CL? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

05-02-2010, 09:02 AM	#9 (permalink)
Linda VH Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 255	CL is wonderful for kids! Lots of play stuff on the beach and activities as well. Walking distance - at the other end of the parking lot is Eliotti's and Pizza Bob's. Then Matthews down the beach at Casa Del Mar, Dunkin' Donuts, Subway, Dushi Bagels in that direction. Also in the other direction is Chalet Suisse, Passions, etc. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

05-03-2010, 08:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
danadog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: everywhere and anywhere Posts: 1,650 Images: 13	lots of restaurants close by as well as short taxi rides to wherever you choose...as most of the folks said, the low rise are is much quieter and much less crowded....we visited the marriott many years ago and walked the beach to see if we would like it enough to buy there as a second option (we already owned at Divi Village)....it was an easy decision....No way, from my Dh and myself in unison....way too crowded and busy..... You will be surprised at how much you will enjoy it.....have fun... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ 5 1/2 months and counting..........but getting closer everyday !!!