What makes you change resorts?

[Pegmeister]

For years we did the Divi AI, absolutely loved it. Wonderful sales which made it so affordable that we would stay there and go off resort for dinner and still feel it was a good value. What changed for us was the heavy marketing to families. Our really quiet stay over Thanksgiving week turned into crying babies in strollers while at the breakfast buffet. For a couple in their 60's it was no longer a good fit. I am somewhat sad as I really loved it there but I am happy that families can find a wonderful resort at an affordable price. Our upcoming trip will be at the adult only Bucuti with a switchover to the Renaissance downtown. If you changed resorts, I'm wondering why?

[Andrea J.]

we are lacabana, bluegreen lacabana points owners and very frequent interval traders.

we bought at lacabana, and using the bluegreen trading have traded into numerous resorts in aruba.

i would say too that since we became empty nesters, we have been less accepting to cryers in strollers.
mostly though it's the negligent parents that i am annoyed by.
we have found this mostly only at poolside at every timeshare resort in aruba, the keys, and orlando area.
i keep my pie hole shut, and try to remember that my son, now age 30, was not the "christchild in a stroller"...he was far from it!!

we have never changed resorts due to any issues of disappointment or unhappiness or cleanliness or service in aruba.
which i guess is pretty amazing since we have been there lots.

great topic peggy.

[cpjones]

From the Hyatt we switched to Radisson because of the value and full balconies. Toured a room one trip and DW said it's a go.....and we stayed there for years. Then to the Amsterdam Manor for the quality of beach.... and it was a beautiful property and we totally enjoyed it.... 'cept for the flies and that's why we didn't go back! We toured Manchebo last year and the year before including checking out a room. The staff was superior in helping with that request and we settled in for 10 days this year and it's the best yet and our go to place for the future.

Peg, you're gonna love Bucuti..... huge beach, lots of privacy, no water sports, no noise and no kids. Elements is a great choice for a sunset dinner without having to have your feet in the sand.

[brady bear]

I may not have been to Aruba as much as some of ya's. But one thing I can totally agree with is the crying kids..
Some parents just ignore it making me more upset knowing that they know if it bothers them then it is bothering us..
Peg you will love the Renn. it is quiet and the private beach is so very nice. The driver on the boat let us (Lou & I were the only one on the boat) control it . Very nice;
On our last day at the Trop. there were lots of kids.. They came from nowhere... loud, running around, crying and etc..
I teach the kids here "you are not the only one's on vacation... so please respect other's and use inside voices.

[Aruba4ever]

We went to the Hyatt for our first 3 trips. On our 4th trip when we were celebrating our 10yr anniversary they were doing light renovations at the Hyatt that turned out to be jackhammering...we went to the Radisson and loved the full balcony. The only reason we left there is because it was for sale...we tried the Ritz on for size the service blew us away. We have become pretty loyal to the Ritz since.

[Aruba4ever]

Despite having a 6 year old twerp I don' really like a ton of kids around either, that is one benefit of the Ritz to us among others of course. I am considering renting a unit at LaCabana for Feb break because my finances will not afford another Ritz trip anytime soon after this summers excursion but worry about the amount of people/kids.

[Andrea J.]

your son will have PLENTY of company during february break if you wind up at lacabana

Despite having a 6 year old twerp I don' really like a ton of kids around either, that is one benefit of the Ritz to us among others of course. I am considering renting a unit at LaCabana for Feb break because my finances will not afford another Ritz trip anytime soon after this summers excursion but worry about the amount of people/kids.

[Aruba4ever]

We may venture down there as a family and check it out next month. I want to go in Feb so I need to check out my options. I will have a better idea at the end of August when I know exactly how many points I have to "spend" at the Ritz/Marriott properties. I may do part of my trip in Feb on points, I am still not sure how many points I get exactly per dollar spent at the Ritz.

your son will have PLENTY of company during february break if you wind up at lacabana

[Traceyd14]

I still consider us trying to find our perfect fit and compromise for budget, location, and amenities. We've bounced around a lot in our 6 trips. Radisson was my favorite, but it is not as affordable as other trips have been. Playa Linda is probably the closest to perfect for us, but we are still looking. The Sunday to Sunday week isn't the best for our schedules. The lazy river will keep us coming back to the Surf Club, and the price of oceanfront at Holiday Inn will get us back there too. We tried the Renn for a night to get an idea, but for us that will be only a 1-2 night stay at most. I really want to try Eagle and Manchebo beaches.

[Aruba4ever]

I would really enjoy staying at the Playa, its very centrally located. My only requirement would not to be on the first floor, many love it- me not so much. I think all the places you mentioned are nice to stay at and would do whichever one had the best deal. Have you ever considered the MVC? It looked cute when I walked by it and its every affordable. Not a luxury place but certainly looks like its worth the cash.

I still consider us trying to find our perfect fit and compromise for budget, location, and amenities. We've bounced around a lot in our 6 trips. Radisson was my favorite, but it is not as affordable as other trips have been. Playa Linda is probably the closest to perfect for us, but we are still looking. The Sunday to Sunday week isn't the best for our schedules. The lazy river will keep us coming back to the Surf Club, and the price of oceanfront at Holiday Inn will get us back there too. We tried the Renn for a night to get an idea, but for us that will be only a 1-2 night stay at most. I really want to try Eagle and Manchebo beaches.