Can I just say that you guys are awesome with all of your advice!

I'm hoping to visit Aruba for a week this May. I'm in my 30's and going on my own. Yes, love travelling by myself. So, I need some direction about everything.

Will I need a car to get to all these amazing restaurants - b/c I was contemplating an all inclusive.
*ultimately, I'd love to find a breakfast and lunch deal, leaving me on my own for dinners?

overhead planes? I'm a huge beach and water person, and I can remember being in St. Martin once, throwing a personal fit b/c of all of the overhead landing and departing planes.

spa's? hoping to indulge ... and recommendations?

shopping - close by, and/or various little shops?

accomodations? i'm a sit on the beach, play in the water person by day, sippin' on a beverage or three. and since i have a culinary background, quite food adventurous by evening.

I realize it's kind of hard to wrap everything up, but would sincerely appreciate any direction you can share.

thanks,
Heather

Heather,
Sonds like you have a very clear idea on what you want. I'll go step by step in my answers and ommit where I cannot gove you any good response OK? The rest of the board will fill in as well and you should be just fine.

CAR - YOu will need a car to get to these places and restaurants and I always opt to rent from brand name companies. The others are OK but the larger brand names give you a bit more recourse in the event someting happens. They also (almost always) have a head office in the USA. Book there and make sure you get all the information on what to do in the event of problems in billing etc.

ALL INCLUSINVE - Give the Mega resorts or the Wyndham a try. There are opinions on both and the board will surely give them to you.

OVERHEAD PLANES - Not an issue

SPAS - I like Intermezzo but this is a matter of taste. Their information is at arubaspavacations.com

SHOPPING - Plenty everywhere, go to the down town area and melt that credit card.

ACCOMODATIONS - This may not dovetail into yor all inclusive wish. For some reason you sound like a Bucuti person to me. Again, you will get tons of advice.

Go for it and enjoy.

charles
arubafastphones.com

thanks Charles!

So, your opinion if I don't rent a car?
Will I be restricted? get bored? waste money on spur of the moment transportation to that spa indulgence or restaurants?

I went into this saying 'I just want to veg on a beach for a week'
really not expecting Aruba to be and sound so exciting.

btw - i'm currently getting dumped with 2-3 ft of snow in the next 12 hours. :0(

Heather

It sounds like spending money on a rental car would not be worth it for you if you'd rather veg out on the beach. Hang around your resort and beach during the day and then take a cab for dinner. If you stay in the Palm Beach area, it's very possible for you to walk to many amazing restaurants. Every once in a while, you may see an arriving or departing plane. As Charles said, it's not an issue... just be glad you're in Aruba & forget about it. LaCabana has an Intermezzo Day Spa and there is another one up on Palm Beach that I heard was nicer. There is shopping everywhere. All of the resorts have shops all over them. It sounds like Palm Beach would be your best place although it is more crowded. Eagle Beach has smaller, more relaxed resorts that are more spread out and the beach is less crowded... but you wouldn't be able to walk to restaurants as easily. Have fun.

Spas???? I've been Tierra Del Sol for facials, massages and pedicures...WONDERFUL is all I can say!
Missy

PS if traveling alone, I suggest The Holiday Inn (if you want all-inclusive)....or the Divi...but the Divi is more "couples"....HI is more family type....

If you don't get a car, you will be restricted to taking buses or taxis or enjoying long walks. Your call.

SNOW!! Yikes! Bad word. NOt allowed on this board. Just kidding. YOu poor soul.
Charles
arubafastphones.com

Take public bus from resorts to downtown shopping, clubs and more casinos for $2.00 round trip. Run from 5:30 AM to midnight. Then do taxis. For all inclusive with entertainment every night, go to the Divi Aruba beach mega all inclusive which allows you to use the Tamarijn resort next door too. See www.megaresorts.com. Gives you 5 restaurants, 3 pools and 6 beach bars. 2 beach bars serve pizza and sandwiches. See pix of Divi Aruba beach and Tamarijn resorts at www.geocities.com/THEFEEL2002 Planes may be a problem if you stay at the Rennaisance and are out on their private island beach. Great spa at the divi Aruba. A couple of stores at the Divi and the Tamarijn or 5 minute bus ride to shopping malls downtown. Stores close at 6 in Aruba. If you want to eat off site at extra expense, you can walk to Bucuti resort for Pirates Nest or Manchebo resort for The French Steakhouse, eat indoors or out. Casual dress. Alhambra casino 2 minute walk (or free shuttle) from the Divi Aruba. There is a small mall behind the Alhambra casino open from 5 to 11 PM., Mon- Sat. Lots of little stores.

Hi Heather,

If you are considering a hotel with a breakfast and/or lunch plan, you might want to check out the Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino, located on Palm Beach. My husband and I stayed there in 2003 and really enjoyed ourselves. There is a spa (Mandara)located at the Ocean Club (which is one of the Marriott timeshares) right next door. Had a facial there that was just incredible. Good restaurants right on premises; Tuscany for Italian, Simply Fish or Champion's (at the Ocean Club) for burgers/pub fare. Also a Sushi bar and dessert koisk located in the hotel's lobby.

I believe the Marriott now offers a breakfast plan, although I cannot tell you the cost off the top of my head.

There are also several small shops in the hotel lobby. And of course, the Stellaris Casino!

Oh, and NO planes flying overhead! My only 'complaint' if you will, is having to wake up rather early to find a shade hut. I think this is an issue with most of the resorts, however.

We did not rent a car. As previously mentioned, the bus will take you downtown for $2.00. There, you will find jewelry stores galore (I recommend Kenro Jewelers - my husband would disagree (Ha)). Also, check out Iguana Joe's for a quick bite. It's fun to sit upstairs and people-watch.

For dinner, I must recommend Madame Janette. One of the best meals we have ever had!

Most of all, enjoy your trip!

All the suggestions here are excellent. I guess, Good for You. is in order for you travelling alone, I guess.
Basically it will be eating 3 meals a day alone or eating with quickly made friends where you are at the time. Taking busses, cabs, out to dinner and much more alone or with actually strangers seems lets say different.
Do you prefer to just wing it alone or maybe would'nt it be more fun and enjoyable everything considered, to share all Aruba has to offer with someone you know well?
At a reserved table restaurant, Heather, dinner for one, sounds empty or am I wrong. Perhaps with a good friend or family member you might have a much better time????

jill -> i have done alot of travelling alone. love meeting people, touring around, and sitting by myself for dinner ... is not an issue. thanks for your concern? ...

everyone - thank you for all your knowledge!

Heather