Anything "new" in the last 4 years

[STEEL]

My wife and I went to Aruba in 2003, 2004, and 2005 but since Nov of 2005 we haven't been back... highly considering coming back this fall.

What new restaurants or new "tourist" attactions have shown up in the past 4 years?

Apparently there is a waterpark or 2 that wasn't there before....

What else?

[Andrea J.]

yes there are 2 waterparks
one, on depalm island and it is more or less a waterpark for the under 10 yrs of age crowd.

the 2nd is morgan's island which is near lacabana and the oceanic condos.
i am unsure if it is even running.
it opened during the winter and business was terribly slow due to their high prices and folks choosing to stay at their own resort's pools and beaches.


a noe restaurant that is getting great reviews is Old Man and the Sea.
it is located near flying fishbone restaurant.

alfredos/minigolf and the bbq bash place are now closed.

madam janette is now opened on tuesdays but closed on sundays.

ledome is closed

the magician and show are no longer at alhambra

the casino at aruban villas is still closed

the natural bridge has taken a tumble

there is a new and somewhat pricey mall across from the holiday inn

the seaport mall has had many changes

and there are many more changes................
andrea

Originally Posted by STEEL

My wife and I went to Aruba in 2003, 2004, and 2005 but since Nov of 2005 we haven't been back... highly considering coming back this fall.

What new restaurants or new "tourist" attactions have shown up in the past 4 years?

Apparently there is a waterpark or 2 that wasn't there before....

What else?

[rob o]

Andrea, great summary. A few other things...

Carlos and Charlie's has been replaced by Senor Frogs

Downdown shopping is increasingly "upscale"

Downtown....LaTerraza, Sbarro, Villa Germania, LaFondue....gone

Near airport, on the water....Marandi re-located a few miles east, Pinchos may be new to you.

Near Hi Rises....Hard Rock Cafe, Buster's Garage (sports bar)....new

[Andrea J.]

is morgan's island OPENED or not?
i have conflicitng reports.

andrea

[Liz - Aruba Lover]

Lot's of changes in 4 years. Especially the high rise area of Palm Beach. i'm sure thee is alot more, but I can think of are:

· Morgan's Island Water Park opened last December. It's located near La Cabana (behind) Paradise Beach Villas http://www.arubamorgansisland.com/

Palm Beach:

· Lots of traffic with new malls, shops & restaurants

· RIU Palace Resort (between Westin & Radisson) opened July 20, 2007. If you are in that area, you won't be able to miss it. http://www.riu.com/en-us/Paises/aruba/palmbeach/hotel-riu-palace-aruba/index.jsp

· Wydham officially became the Westin on Dec. 20, 2006

· Last week Gasi & Wasabi, a Japanese/Sushi had their soft opening. They are located in Noord between Linda's Pancakes & Pizza & Bingo Cafe http://www.gariandwasabi.com/

· Wacky Wahoo's a great place for fresh seafood http://wackywahoos.com/

· Paseo Herencia Mall opened also in June/July 2007. http://www.paseoherencia.com/
The mall is across from the Holiday Inn. Shops are not cheap but its nice to walk around. There's a very nice cinema and a water light show that fun to watch.
Restaurants at the mall are:
Iguana Cantina http://www.iguanacantinaaruba.com/index.php
TGI Fridays http://tgifridaysaruba.com/
Scala http://scalarestaurantaruba.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=1
Moby Dick's Seafood http://mobydicksaruba.com/
Taste of Belgium
Mr. Jazz http://www.mrjazzaruba.com/

· Across from the Radisson:
Gianni's Italian Restuarant (opened Jan. 12, 2007) www.gianniasaruba.com
Daniel's Steak & Chop (next to Gianni's - same owner)

· The Village Mall (opened Dec/Jan):
Red Sail Sports, Wine & Liquor Store, a couple of shops, and restaurants:
Papillon http://papillonaruba.com/
Chino Latino http://www.chinolatinoaruba.com/index.php
Catcus Jack's http://www.cactusjackaruba.com/

South Beach Centre Mall (next to Gianni's). Some shops plus restaurants:
Hard Rock Cafe
House of Japan
Cafe Rembrandt
Busters Garage Sports Bar
Segafredo Coffee

New Restaurants in Eagle Beach:
Chefs Tables http://www.chefstablesaruba.com/
Screaming Eagle http://www.screaming-eagle.net/
Matthews Beachside at Casa del Mar http://www.matthews-aruba.com/home/index.html
Windows on Aruba (Divi Links) http://www.windowsonaruba.com/

Downtown:

· The bus terminal next to Royal Plaza mall has been renovated. Downstairs are a few jewelry stores A new restaurant is on the 2nd floor.

Le Terraza closed last summer

· The Seaport - Renaissance Marketplace: http://www.shoprenaissancearuba.com/marketplace/index.php
Villa (Germania), Sbarro's Italian, and the Internet Cafe closed. Opening there soon will be Taste of
Belgium Restaurant and Starbucks. Scandals Restaurant will be done over with a name change. Next Door Martini bar opened next to Sushi-Ya
.
· Renaissance Mall (Ren Marina Hotel): http://www.shoprenaissancearuba.com/mall/
Upscale shops have been added.

Yemanja opened (July 7, 2009) in the old Que Pasa location http://www.yemanja-aruba.com/

Que Pasa reopened July 2007 up the street from their old location http://www.quepasaaruba.com/

Marandi moved http://marandi-aruba.com/

The Old Man and the Sea (opened Aug. 2008) next to Flying Fishbone http://www.theoldmanandthesearestaurant.com/The_Old_Man_%26_The_Sea/Welcome.html

[Liz - Aruba Lover]

I'm told Morgan's Waterpark is still open.

[STEEL]

thank you so much... those are some awesome posts.

[cindyo]

Liz..wow, thats an incredible list...thanks

[Randi]

I wouldn't have known where to start...so many changes in only one year let alone 4!

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by Liz - Aruba Lover

I'm told Morgan's Waterpark is still open.

Yes, they are. Lots of "specials" and promotions.