Hi there,

Does anyone have info on construction at the Marriott Stellaris. We will be staying there next week. Is the pool under construction?

Where is this hotel located in relation to the Mariott Ocean Club? Can we use the facilities there as well? We are specifically interested in the tennis courts. Can we use them for free if we are staying at the Stellaris (which does not seem to have tennis courts).

Is there a shuttle to town? If not, has anyone taken the bus - to supermarkets or to town? We have been to Aruba several times but in house rentals - this is the first time in a long time we will stay on Palm Beach - so I don't remember. We do not want to rent a car. We are also on a budget so would like to be able to make sandwiches and have cereal for breakfast - so will need access to a supermarket. If you know a convenience store or supermarket nearby please tell me where.

Any kid friendly, inexpensive restaurants (not interested in fast food) nearby? (We're travelling with three little kids).

Are the terraces scary for kids - other words, would you ask for a low floor.

Any other suggestions about this hotel appreciated.


Bonfamily

I will try to answer your questions as I am at the Surf Club until Saturday. The Marriott hotel is under construction but it has stopped until April. The pool is fine and it is open. I am not sure if you can use the Ocean Club next door but you definately won't be able to use the facilities at the Surf Club. My first question is why you are staying at the hotel vs. the Ocean Club where you would have full kitchen facilities? You will need to take a taxi to the grocery store. The hotel has a small fridge but not kitchen facilities and not dishes, etc. That is in complete contrast to the Ocean Club where you have a full kitchen. MOst restaurants are rather pricey but here are a few that seem to be more reasonable. Casa Tua within walking distance (depending on the ages of your kids) and a new restaurant called Scala and Smokey Joes. All within walking distance.

Enjoy your trip!

Randi

Thanks for the info Randi,
We are staying at the Stellaris because we put in a bid on Priceline and that is what we got. So it was just a matter of luck. I imagine I got the Stellaris because of the construction.
I did not know that the Ocean Club had full kitchens. Will see if they can switch us over. Wouldn't that be something.

we were in aruba til the 31st of december
and played at stellaris casino a few times
had dinner at lavista a couple of times

the lobby is under construction as are a whole bunch of other corridors etc and the work continues 18 hrs a day.

getting from the parking lot to the casino is like being in a maize (sp?). we entered thru the ballroom entrance, weaved our way thru the corridors (freshly renovated) thru the pool area, into another entrance and the temporary lobby, down more corridors to casino. we did take a peek at lobby construction and as of monday, my guess is that they are 1/2 way completed.

contact customer service at priceline and tell them that they were wrong by not informing you of the construction mess. and it is an inconvenient mess.

if you got the marriott hotel stellaris for less than $140 per night at priceline, imo, i'd just go with it and not complain.
maybe the marriott front desk staff will move you to ocean club, but not likely. priceline is giving good cheap rates for the marriott hotel due to the construction.

the pool area is next to be renovated.
timeline is probably mid spring.

andrea

andrea j.
aruba~ jan 8 - 22 lacabana brc
clearwater beach~ feb 1 - 28
"If you're not making waves,
you're not moving forward. Let us not fear opinions and judgments and moving forward."

I also got The Stellaris for one night last November via Priceline...

But they moved us to the Surf Club for a nicer stay.
We were lucky as they gave us an Oceanside top floor guest unit.

Pierre

I have a ressie at the Marriott stallaris for this April 17-24 and am getting nervous. It seems as though the construction may be starting up again at that time. I got a rate of $229 per night, but I can cancel up until April 9 with no penalty. I can get the raddison for $239 per night, but have to put 2 nights on my credit card now, but can cancel that too up to April 9 with no penalty. Just don't want to have all these charges on my card if i can help it. What should I do? Any advice would be so helpful. We do love the Marriott, but don't want to be bombarded with construction for our trip, especially the pool area.
Thanks

If it was me, I would go with the Radisson.
And keep the Stellaris for the next time.
Don't forget the Radisson is a very nice resort.

Pierre

If you don't mind my asking what price per night did you get the Marriott for on priceline? And does nayone know the best way to bid on pricleine for a nice hotel?
Thanks

We're paying $99 per night. I booked this trip about 2 months ago. I put in a bid of $85 and was rejected, then upped it to $99. You generally have to wait 24 hours before putting in another (obviously, higher) bid with the same dates and same star rating of hotel - but I changed my dates by a day and changed the price to $99 and it was accepted. I booked early because I was worried about this being high season (for me 2 months is very early). The only problem is that you have to accept whatever hotel you get and you have to pay the entire fee in advance. The minute your bid is accepted you have paid in full. It is possible, however, to buy trip cancellation insurance at the moment of booking. (probably a smart thing to do). This is the first time I've used priceline - was very happy with the result - if not for the construction.

I am going to Aruba this Saturday (Jan 5) and staying at the Marriott Hotel. I own timeshares at the Ocean Club and the Surf Club but I'm using some points to stay at the hotel. I have been in touch with the hotel and decided that it will not be much of an inconvenience with the construction. The construction is still going on and is supposed to be completed by the end of the month. I don't spend time in the lobby of hotels so I am not anticipating any problems. The hotel has refurbished many rooms and I did request one. You got a wonderful price for your room...$99.00 that is a real bargain. If you look online at he Marriott website, the rooms are well over that. I will post and let you know of the situation when I get there.