Renaissance Marina

[Vmango]

Hello everyone:

I've searched the site and lurked for a while but now I'm looking for some direct help. Any assistance would be wonderful.

We are on the cusp of booking a 10 day stay at the Mariott Resnaissance Marina hotel for our honeymoon. We've spent what seems like countless hours looking at reviews, write-ups, etc. Naturally, it's hard to get a true feeling of what to expect and I'm hoping to get some good feedback here.

The rooms seem nice, but our major concern is the noise. Some reviews have given the impression that the marina view is similar to overlooking a circus or traffic jam. Is it really that loud? We love the idea of adults only and everything the resort is offering (including the all-inclusive), but we do enjoy a good and quiet nights sleep when we do get around to it.

Any recommendations on rooms there or what upgrades to consider. Also, anything to stay away from?

Any help and tips (about anything really) would really help us out and make us less stressed about booking. Thanks!

Also, I might add that we'll be staying at the end of July.

[rob o]

Congratulations.

Have stayed at Renaissance Ocean Suites (across street) many times. Reports of Marina Tower noise seem exaggerated to me.

Marina Tower and Ocean Suites share all facilities, most importantly Renaissance Island. Use the Island, try the Ocean Suites Pool too.

You might consider not taking all inclusive the entire stay. Many dining options downtown, right where you're staying, as well as all over the island. Too nice to pass up, I think.

[Vmango]

Thanks Rob. I have wondered if some of the comments on noise have been exaggerated. Most of the reviews are more than positive with only really 1 in 10 having much to say on the negative front.

[Liz - Aruba Lover]

I have stayed at the Marina Tower. It does get noisy on the weekends when the young crowd is out late. During the week it wasn't bad at all.

[rob o]

Originally Posted by Liz - Aruba Lover

I have stayed at the Marina Tower. It does get noisy on the weekends when the young crowd is out late. During the week it wasn't bad at all.

Liz....have you ever stayed at Ocean Suites; anyone else out there ever stayed at both Marina Tower and Ocean Suites? If so, your opinion on pros/cons for the two?

[Liz - Aruba Lover]

Yes, I have stayed at the Suites. Of course there is more room at the suites with the living room & small kitchen. I had a great room there - 1st floor ocean front. Thought the cruise ships were going right into our unit. lol. But I'm a night person and the suites are too quiet for me at night. If I remember, doesn't the pool bar close at 10 pm. Though I was at Seaport Casino many nites 'till it closed at 4 am.

I now own 6 weeks at The Aruban & 1 week at La Cabana so I haven't stayed at the Ren in the last few years. I think I am going to book the Marina Towers for a week next April (I have enough points) and then go into my Aruban Resort timeshare for my other weeks.

[rob o]

Originally Posted by Liz - Aruba Lover

Yes, I have stayed at the Suites. Of course there is more room at the suites with the living room & small kitchen. I had a great room there - 1st floor ocean front. Thought the cruise ships were going right into our unit. lol. But I'm a night person and the suites are too quiet for me at night. If I remember, doesn't the pool bar close at 10 pm. Though I was at Seaport Casino many nites 'till it closed at 4 am.

I now own 6 weeks at The Aruban & 1 week at La Cabana so I haven't stayed at the Ren in the last few years. I think I am going to book the Marina Towers for a week next April (I have enough points) and then go into my Aruban Resort timeshare for my other weeks.

Thanks for confirming what I believed to be true. We love the suites. We also enjoy taking the 2 minute golf cart ride over to the Marina Tower and taking advantage of their facilities.

Maybe we'll see you in April....we'll be there for two weeks.

[Vmango]

Thanks again for all the help, everyone. I doubt we'll be going to bed much earlier than midnight any night - so perhaps there is no need for concern!

[Kim L]

I agree that the issue about the noise is definitely exaggerated. My husband and I were there for a week in May, our 6th trip and we always stay at the Marina Towers. Try to get a room that overlooks the interior of the hotel where the boat comes in, unless of course, you have an Ocean view room. The L.G. Smith restaurant which is part of the AI is wonderful. I also agree with Rob O in that you might consider not taking the AI for the entire stay. There are many really good places to eat near by, Que Pasa, Casa Tua, Rumba's, Old Fisherman, Iguana Joe's....

[Diane-AKA-Lola]

We are going there on Monday the 23rd of June (5 days!!!). I promise that I will let you know what to expect when I return. I have also never been and am looking forward to experiencing Aruba and the Renaissance. The people on this forum seem so very helpful and knowledgeable. I am sure that sometimes people have unrealistic expectations of hotels -- we did of Atlantis in the Bahamas. We were there just last month. The hotel was spectacular but the service was just barely okay. Maybe it was because Julia Roberts was staying there at the same time we were and we are not celebrities!!!