I mis-stated - I did make the reservation separately with the Stellaris. But to me, it is one vacation. Now that I am locked into the Surf Club Promo deal, I cant cancel it, so effectively, I cant cancel the Stellaris res either. The point is tho, I would have felt better about this if I was informed at the time reservations were made that the construction was going on. Both by the hotel, and the Surf Club.

is it true the pool will be close during renovations?

We just came back from the Marriott on the 12 of August. Yes there was construction going on. We stayed at the Ocean club beside the Marriott hotel tower they are renovating first. The construction never bothered us. I have two little children that use any excuse to wake up early and it didn't affect them either. The entire renovation project is supposed to be completed by December 15. Honestly, I can understand anyone's concern but the Marriott does a very good job in trying to keep everyone satisfied. Also, with the 2 other resorts, they have right next store, you can use those pools. As far as restaurants, shops and other things. You are in a perfect location. The are a bunch of excellent restaurants walking distance from the hotel. You have a whole strip of restaurants, shops, casinos, cinema, comedy show, etc. to walk too. Marriott has a perfect location as well as all of the other hotels on that strip. Make the best of it, the weather is perfect, and your on vacation. Enjoy!

As far as the pool bein closed I cannot answer that. There was talk about them putting a new pool in between the resort and ocean club, right in front of the health club and then when that is finished to start working on the other pool. Don't worry the one at the Ocean club is a very nice pool and not overcrowded.

If you stay at the Marriott hotel, can you use the pools at the Ocean and surf club? Do they have a water slide?

Has anyone been to the Marriott recently that can give an update? We are booked there for September 2008 and I'm hoping construction is done by then...

Can't wait for September 2008 - Our first trip to Aruba!

Just came back in Feb. and the hotel lobby is open and running! Very nice job and very different than before. One tower is finished being renovated and the second tower to be started in April. Should be fine by September.

As for the pools... The Surf Club pool is just for the surf club. As space around the pool is limited it was felt that the pool area needs to be reserved for Surf Club owners only. We are beach goers but I can understand this logic. When we bought at the Surf Club they were charging more money for the extra ammenities. The first year the lazy river was open the Ocean Club pool was empty and there were tons of people from the hotel and Ocean club at our pool. At that point only 2 out of the 4 buildings were open. Owners were understandably upset. So, no going between pools...sorry. They do check!!

Randi