Tamarijn Last minute questions...

[sfarmer]

Hi, I wrote before and alot of you helped me out. I have a few more questions and only 48 hrs for answers... then on a jet to ARUBA.

First.. I was going to schedule a tour... almost did... but with my husbands condition, remission from rectal cancer stage III, I decided that if we rented a car... we could stop or come back to the resort to use the bathroom as often as he has too.. which can be very often.

Unfortunately, everyone I have contacted only have a car so we will be staying on the roads.. I don't know if we'll be close enough to see some of the wonders of Aruba?... I really wanted to go see the caves/stones etc... I collect rocks/shells and stones...

We have reservations at the Tamarijn, all inclusive. I can not find a web site on the resort to ask questions. Does any one know if it is walking distance to any where such as a casino or a flea market or shoppes. Does anyone know if they have a shuttle bus to anywhere? Plus do you need reservations for any of thier restaurants in advance? Does the Tamarijn have a parking lot for a car rental? I heard there is usually a gathering/celebration on Tuesday nights..like a carnaval... does anyone know where it is and how far away from the Tamarijn.. re: walking distance/time.


ANY AND ALL ADVISE would be so very much appreciated!!!!!!!!!!! I will print all of your replies and advise so I have something to read on the jet... I've never flown before and am getting very very nervous...

THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE FOR ANY AND ALL INFO/IDEAS
Shirley

[Arubalisa]

A plain old regular car will get you to most of the sites which you wish to visit.

I would make your reservations ASAP.

The Tamarijn has a Hertz car rental agency on site, however, from our experience at the end of June, as well as Nikkos, I in good conscious, would never recommend them.

www.aruba.com/forum/f18/our-week-paradise-52191/

Originally Posted by Arubalisa

Hertz I will go into detail in my trip report, but first days rental they said they had no record of the rental though
1. I had confirmed it at the Hertz desk two days prior, and dh had the confirmation in his hand.
2. The second time we rented later on in the week we had the same vehicle which dh had told them needed a new battery when we turned it in earlier in the week. Well of course the battery died.
Luckily we were at the Valero station.
Worst part was being screamed at by an Aruban because the car would not start back up after we had filled up and he was mad I would not move the car.
Dh was inside with one of the clerks calling Hertz for a jump.
I explained the situation to the gentleman and he apologized and waited on line for another pump.
When dh came back out, he and I together pushed the Terios away from the pump to avoid any further angry gaser uppers.

Originally Posted by nikko

now...onto the hertz part of our program.....after being in that car for a few days i realized it was FILLED....AND I DO MEAN FILLED....WITH ROACHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh holy hell...i about jumped out of the car flying down rt 1 comming back from the high rise area....i was so grossed out...they were everywhere.....we got the hell outta the car as fast as we could....i made hubby, myself and our son all get out of our clothes and throw them all in a bag...no way in heck i was bringing all that into our room....we had towels in the trunk and snorkle stuff in there too.....i went down to the hertz desk and omg the woman was floored....she felt horrible and couldnt believe it.......she is working on getting us compansated...before i slam them i will give the corporation a chance to right this....i have no idea where they came from...maybe someone usuing the car before us brought them in....but with the amount in this car they had been reproducing for awhile!!!! i can actually say i had a "ROACH-COACH"...EEEWWWW!!!!!

There are plenty of other car rental agencies on the island. Please remember however that cheaper is not necessarily less expensive.

Additional information
http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/car%20rental.html

Amigo Car Rental

Considering you dh's medical condition, have you considered perhaps a guided tour. A guided tour would give you flexibility to stop where and when you wish, as well as a knowledgeable guide who will not only be able to give you background on the sites which you are visiting, but if you dh requires restroom stops, knowledge on the closest and cleanest restrooms to where you are located at any given moment.

Unlike the U.S., there are not gas stations with restrooms on every corner.

On our recent trip we met a retired couple staying at our resort. The gentleman was undergoing chemotherapy and was looking for a sedate tour and booked a two hour island tour with Bully to show "his bride" the sites he remembered from when he was on the island in the 60's. He came back to the resort gushing with pride that it is absolutely perfect for what they wanted.

Private Island Tours by Cerry Hubert the Taxi driver

Going on an Island Tour with Bully Bully or Cerry for Private Tour Bully the taxi driver

There is tons of information here about the Tamarijn
http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/tamarijn.html

Does anyone know if they have a shuttle bus to anywhere?

The resort has a golf cart shuttle which will take you from one end of the Tamarijn property to the other as well as to the Divi Village, Divi Links and Alhambra Casino.

Does any one know if it is walking distance to any where such as a casino or a flea market or shoppes.

There are a few shops at the Tamarijn- a sundries shop as well as the Juggling Fish Gifts. Otherwise you can take a taxi or the public bus to the shopping malls of Palm beach or downtown Oranjestad.

Plus do you need reservations for any of thier restaurants in advance?

YES!!!

Tamarijn Restaurants

Restaurant Reservations at the Tamarijn

Does the Tamarijn have a parking lot for a car rental?

Yes.

I heard there is usually a gathering/celebration on Tuesday nights..like a carnaval... does anyone know where it is and how far away from the Tamarijn.. re: walking distance/time.

The Tamarijn has a crafts/flea market just outside their lobby centrally located near the pool. If you miss it one night, you can take the shuttle to the Divi and catch it another night.

The resort also provides entertainment nightly.

ANY AND ALL ADVISE would be so very much appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!

Tamarijn Aruba Website FAQ

We have stayed at the Tamarijn four times since 2007, I have written some comprehensive trip reports which will maybe give you some further insight as to what to expect at the resort and Aruba in general.

Tamarijn Overview
Tamarijn & Divi Activities
Tamarijn Rooms
Tamarijn Food, Beverage & Service
The Beach at the Tamarijn
Getting There
The Rest of Our Vacation
Tamarijn Aruba Daily Activities & Theme Nights
Tamarijn Resort Map

Our Tamarijn Visit 2008

Our Tamarijn Visit June 2009

Our Tamarijn Visit December 2009

Our Tamarijn All Inclusive Photos

[sfarmer]

Thanks, I want to understand the restaurants at the 2 shared resorts... If I'm understanding right.. I need to make reservations for each time we want to eat? Even if it's for breakfast/ buffet/ hamburger ???

[sfarmer]

Also if I have to make a reservation...say for breakfast... do I use the room phone.. or how do I go about doing all the meal reservations in advance?

[sfarmer]

I know I'm confusing... I am going to read all the info and print all the links... but how do I make a reservation for food for the day we arrive.. in other words.. we get into Aruba this Tuesday at 2:30 probably won't get out of the airport until around 4 or so.... never have been through customs etc.... how do I make sure we have a place to eat...for that night..and the next morning etc...... Please Help me.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by sfarmer

Thanks, I want to understand the restaurants at the 2 shared resorts... If I'm understanding right.. I need to make reservations for each time we want to eat? Even if it's for breakfast/ buffet/ hamburger ???

No- reservations are required only for dinner at the ala carte restaurants at dinner time.

For breakfast your choices are the buffet at the Tamarijn or Divi.

For lunch your choices are the buffet at the Tamarijn or Divi or at the Tamarijn the pizza bar or at the Divi, Coco Bar & Grill or the Sandpiper.

For dinner your choices are any of the above, where you may walk in, or any of the ala carte restaurants listed at the website below where you will need reservations.

There is a list of all of their restaurants at http://diviaruba.com/restaurants/index.php

The ala carte restaurants for dinner are Red Parrot, Paparazzi Restaurant, Ginger or The Palm Grill. All are at the Tamarijn with the exception of the Red Parrot which is at the Divi.

If you enjoy fine dining, you may also dine at Windows on Aruba for a surcharge of $35 per person for a three course dinner, excluding beverages.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by sfarmer

Also if I have to make a reservation...say for breakfast... do I use the room phone.. or how do I go about doing all the meal reservations in advance?

Restaurant Reservations at the Tamarijn

You must physically go to the concierge desk to make the ala carte dinner reservations. You can reserve up to three nights at a time. You will receive a paper "reservation" receipt. Make sure you bring it with you to your dinner, you will be asked for it.

For the buffets and snack bars, you may just "walk up".

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by sfarmer

how do I make sure we have a place to eat...for that night..and the next morning etc...... Please Help me.

When you arrive at the resort, you will see the concierge desk directly across from the front desk. This is where you will make your ala carte dinner reservations.
There is no way in which to make reservations prior to arrival.

Read through the post at Restaurant Reservations at the Tamarijn for tips and hints on times and alternatives.

If worst comes to worse, you may walk into the buffet at either the Divi or Tamarijn for dinner without a reservation.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by sfarmer

I heard there is usually a gathering/celebration on Tuesday nights..like a carnaval... does anyone know where it is and how far away from the Tamarijn.. re: walking distance/time.

The Tamarijn has a fantastic carnival show. Again, if you miss it the night that it is offered at the Tamarijn, you can catch it at the Divi. Video

I've never flown before and am getting very very nervous...

Packing List (by Liz of NJ aruba Lover)
DO NOT FORGET...
TICKETS / ID / DOCUMENTS:
[ ] Plane Tickets
[ ] U.S. Passport (required after Dec. 31, 2006)