Has anyone been to Aruba recently and seen the remodeling project going on at the Allegro? Is it about finished? We just booked the week of June 10th for 6 people all inclusive and they want our all inclusive monies now! I heard they were allowing vacation club members to stay in those rooms, but no food service. We would prefer to be there when everything is up and running. Have been to Aruba 3 times and always loved it, but love the Allegro and everything available there. Have seen pictures on their web site of the pool, but don't seen the jacuzzi garden they said would be there.

Any info appreciated! Thanks!

well sadie, I would not give any monies to allegro....i just returned this morning and nothing has been done as of yet....if you can stay somewhere else then do it....it doesnt look like they will be done by june.... its particially gutted and no food services whatsoever....i would stay at the radisson if i were you......diana

Check my posting under the accomodations. We stayed last week at the Allegro Occidental. Joan

Just got back and they still have a ways to go.Pool was the same one as it always was . Windows were going in and progress was being made. We spoke to time share owners who were staying there. There was 40 rooms open,no food, no entertainment or casino. They were trying to get people to go to other Occidental resorts. It should go faster as they did not take the buildings down just renovating them -thus stripped to the shell of the buildings. Good luck =should be nece once done.Did you try calling the company??

Glad this came up.
We had 3 timeshare rooms booked for April 8-15th,
Got off the phone with Allegro TODAY. The very helpful girl said that the grand opening has been moved to MAY 1st. she also said that this is the 6th date they were given since the renovations started. Some memebers are still going, however you have to sign a release form(Waiver). The restaurants are NOT open, no entertainment, no casino. There is maid service, so basically people are just using the rooms and eating elsewhere. the pool is open, however, she said that there is a lot of construction workers that use the pool area as a path to go to and from the buildings...so basically the pool is all yours if you dont mind all the workers there.
They do give you options, if you decide to cancel. We have 3 children that love the pool and we need all the amenities that Occidental(allegro) can not accomodate. We are going to Radisson.

You can't go wrong at the Radisson, it is wonderful there. Have a great time!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ArubaOccidental/

I returned last night and got a tour of the property while I was there as well as catching up with the reservations manager. The hotel is coming along. They just got a new GM this past week as Mr. Hein was moved to a different property in Costa Rica. I hear this is the way they work switching GM's every 3 years or so.
They have had a lot of problems with the construction, some flooding and damages that were caused because of poor laborers and shotty work. I dont know how much of a difference it would have made but if they had allowed the local trades people to do the work perhaps it would have been done properly the first time. I have a friend who has been working construction the entire time the hotel has been closed and he feels that it is time to get the show on the road, all the employees are tired and want to get back to work already.
I did take some pictures, the hotel is going to be gorgeous. Most of the windows are in, and the lobby is finished. There is black and beige marble in the lobby area (watch out with those wet flip flops!!!) and the hallways are also marble (pink).
The plan that was presented to me was a soft opening on March 27th with three restaurants open (buffet, caruso's which is now in the sports bar area, and papayas which will be a steak house as well as a loung and bar upstairs which you can sit and watch the sun set). Depending how the construction progresses and it should be a speedier process. Fingers are crossed!!!

thanks for that update..
Did you note anything about the pool area???Is the pool filled, have people swimmed in it??
I am asking bc i ihave 3 children that absolutely love to swim.

thanks for all your help

Are you able to post pictures? If you can will you PLEASE share?

Thanks!!