we are trying to book our vacation and we were thinking of the amsterdam. i need 3 2br units (6 couples). everyone keeps talking about the smell.

It would be an un-truth (how is that for a nice way of saying it) to not admitt to the odor once in a while. It is practically not noticed when there are the prevailing winds, however the past weeks have not had those winds in action. As of yesterday, the winds are back so my guess is that the odor is minimal.

That said, you cannot smaell anything at all on the beach or in any of the comon areas so... Unless you are going to hybernate in the room, it should be OK

charles
arubafastphones.com

I have passed by the Amsterdam hotel the last four years in the month of April and has always had a foul odor. Good Luck.

Stayed there 3 times in the last year (Sept. '04, April '05, and Sept. '05). Most recent was for 16 days in Sept. Have also stayed at LaCabana (next door) numerous times in the past. Did not notice any smell when we've stayed there.

Link to latest trip report with photos:

http://www.aruba-travelguide.com/trip-reports/2005/amy2/index.html

why does it smell? From what?

When I stayed at the Mill in July, sewer had backed up from a drain in the parking lot by the road. It happened twice in the 12 days I stayed their.<BigPapa>

I have noticed the smell on certain days depending on the wind i guess, they have some problem with the septic system is my opnion.

Just got home at 8:00pm. Stayed att Lacabana. Yes it smells but it smells like they might be treating it. From what i was told it is stagnent water from all the rain.

Randi,
There is a large waste water treatment area near by. This plant is actually not that smelly at most times, however when the winds are down and it has been raining, it is fairly odor free.
charles
arubafastphones.com

When I pull out of LaCabana and head towards the beach (between LaCabana & AM), there is a large, open area behind the AM and I always concluded that the smell was coming from that area. I don't believe that it's coming directly from the AM, just that general vicinity. It is brief, but it's pretty regular. I almost always smell it for a few seconds on the way by and then it's gone. But when my familty went to Mangos (at the AM), we did not notice it at all. Have fun & good luck.