Prices

Wow the prices are really upfrom last year. My wife and I went three times last year in March, May and September and the real shocker is March we were there St. Patty's Day and paid 2800.00 for 9 nights at the Tam and this year right now the price is over 4500.00 the only good thing now is that there is a direct flight from Baltimore but wow the price difference.I know it is high season but that is a big difference :doh: Well we see if it comes down. Always a last minute booker unless something good comes along.

Appears last year you had an exceptional deal for 9 days. I believe that current high season book price is $496/day for 2. Think that's a $100/day increase from last year. Am aware that at times, huge savings can be found when booking close to check-in date. Appears that this year, Tamarijn is already booked full for many days in March.

Good luck. Hope to see you in the Bunker Bar on St Pattys and also the following day for flag and anthem Day!

Wow- good to know. I usually play the waiting game on booking the Divi as the prices sometimes comes down in February, but since we are going a little earlier in March and you mentioned some days are booked at the Tam, I think we'll go ahead and book now. Orbitz is offering 20% off - what we got last year. We'll be there the same time as you - hope to see you St. Pat's Day at the Bunker Bar. We were there a few years ago for St. Pat's and met some great people - lots of fun.

I know it's not everyone's first choice, but I just booked an oceanview room at Holiday Inn the first week of Feb. for 7 nights for $1,117.00 through hotels.com. ($120/night) I actually found the rate through kayak.com but booked through hotels.com We have stayed there before, and it's true you get what you pay for, but we just love the beach and the location of being in the middle of everything so it works for us. I figure at those rates, we don't need all-inclusive. We did AI last time but found ourselves eating around the island a few nights.

Last year i paid $232 at the Marriott Stellaris, for a Garden View (and was upgraded to corner unit ocean view), for 12 days in August, AAA rate. Now that same Garden View AAA rate in August is $322. Thats not just $90 a night, but $90 plus the 23% tax. And airfare is higher too. I doubt i will go this year, sad to say, its killing me. If i do, i would do 7-8 nights instead of 11.
I thought about renting a timeshare, but am afraid of getting involved in something i am not familiar with, or worse getting scammed.
Its a shame, i have been going there on and off for 35 years, and the last 11 years straight.
I'll miss it but at some point, I am just priced out. Doubt i am the only one.

being priced out is the biggest complaint by far that the ATA and AHATA hears.

re: timeshare
being scammed is really not as prevalent as you may think.
there are plenty of people here on this forum that are reputable and trustworthy.

renting a timeshare can be much less costly than renting a hotel room.

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Originally Posted by pratoman

Last year i paid $232 at the Marriott Stellaris, for a Garden View (and was upgraded to corner unit ocean view), for 12 days in August, AAA rate. Now that same Garden View AAA rate in August is $322. Thats not just $90 a night, but $90 plus the 23% tax. And airfare is higher too. I doubt i will go this year, sad to say, its killing me. If i do, i would do 7-8 nights instead of 11.
I thought about renting a timeshare, but am afraid of getting involved in something i am not familiar with, or worse getting scammed.
Its a shame, i have been going there on and off for 35 years, and the last 11 years straight.
I'll miss it but at some point, I am just priced out. Doubt i am the only one.

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It seems prices are up everywhere, wether travelling in the US or other Islands. At least you know that Aruba never disapoints.

did you try the gold coast townhouses,they have 2 bedroom rentals for about $1,100.00

There's no reason to get scammed on a timeshare. Call Chuck DiPerri over at the Marriot and he'll help you out if you want to investigate timeshare ownership. I have purchased two timeshares at the Marriot from him and he's always been straightforward and honest.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pratoman

Last year i paid $232 at the Marriott Stellaris, for a Garden View (and was upgraded to corner unit ocean view), for 12 days in August, AAA rate. Now that same Garden View AAA rate in August is $322. Thats not just $90 a night, but $90 plus the 23% tax. And airfare is higher too. I doubt i will go this year, sad to say, its killing me. If i do, i would do 7-8 nights instead of 11.
I thought about renting a timeshare, but am afraid of getting involved in something i am not familiar with, or worse getting scammed.
Its a shame, i have been going there on and off for 35 years, and the last 11 years straight.
I'll miss it but at some point, I am just priced out. Doubt i am the only one.

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You might check out some of the Timeshare BBs and rent directly from an owner. Yes, March is high season, but even if you rent a studio, i.e., Playa Linda, you still get a small kitchen area with all of the appliances. Always verify ownership for the week/unit that you are inquiring about directly with the timeshare. I own 5 weeks at Playa Linda and cannot say enough about our management and staff; long time, wonderful employees that we see every year. Go to: playalinda.com and go to Timeshare Units for Rent by Owners. Good luck.