Construction Update

[jeffnev]

Just got back last night from another great week in Aruba and we were a little "surprised" at the level of construction activity. We saw a bunch of smaller projects being worked on, but 3 major projects are extremely active.

1- The linear park construction is very busy, with a lot of activity around Surfside Beach in the Nikky beach and Pinchos area. It really looks like the government is serious about this happening.

2- The Super Foods construction where the old mini golf course was is very active. Saw lots of earth moving equipment working every time we passed during the day. They even put up a real "Super Foods coming" sign at the site.

3- I'm not so happy to report that the Ritz Carlton project seems to be moving along. It looks like the building closest to the beach has 2 stories of poured concrete already and lots of workers all day long. This can't be good for the wind surfers and has made our walks along the beach from the Surf Club towards the Fishermans Huts a lot less pleasant.

[~Amy~®]

Nice to hear they're FINALLY moving on the new Super Foods. That "coming soon" sign has been in place for quite awhile but with absolutely no movement on the site. So it's nice to hear that they've started.

This was an aerial photo I took from a helicopter of the Ritz site at the end of May.

[Arubalisa]

I too was very surprised by the Ritz Carlton. ESPECIALLY the SIZE of it!

At any rate, I just keep reminding myself that more hotel rooms in Aruba , will mean more "special pricing" at all of the resorts in order for them all to be competitive.

[arubashadegirl]

2 quick questions for you...re: surf club specifically

Do you know if the wired internet access in the room is a USB connection or Ethernet? No one can seem to answer this for me.

Is the chair situation still the same at the pool (i.e. you can tag them at 7, return at 9...)?

THANKS!

[jeffnev]

Originally Posted by arubashadegirl

2 quick questions for you...re: surf club specifically

Do you know if the wired internet access in the room is a USB connection or Ethernet? No one can seem to answer this for me.

Is the chair situation still the same at the pool (i.e. you can tag them at 7, return at 9...)?

THANKS!

-Internet access in the rooms is still a wired DSL connection with an ethernet cable. The cable from the DSL box is not very long and is near the kitchen in the main unit, by the bed in the lockoff room. There is wireless access at the pool area and in the lobby and all internet access is free for guests-they give you a code for the wireless when you check in.

-The chair situation is that you can use your tags to reserve chairs at the pool starting at 7am and cannot leave them idle for more than 2 hours or they will be removed. They are really trying to have the chairs available for people at the pool to use. We are "beach people" (I'll share my palapa thoughts in a separate posting) and often used the pool in the afternoon, especially during happy hour. We never had a problem getting chairs for the 5 of us when we needed them and it seems like they have added a few additional seating areas around the upper pool areas. We were also able to get chairs pretty easily at the new adult "Serenity Pool". Then again, I hear the situation is much different in during Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks than I experienced in July.

[rob o]

Originally Posted by Arubalisa

I too was very surprised by the Ritz Carlton. ESPECIALLY the SIZE of it!

At any rate, I just keep reminding myself that more hotel rooms in Aruba , will mean more "special pricing" at all of the resorts in order for them all to be competitive.

Two Questions:

Does anyone have plans for linear park? Photos of current construction?

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by rob o

Two Questions:

Does anyone have plans for linear park? Photos of current construction?

Construction of Aruba Linear Park to Begin


TERA Park, A New Green Island Attraction

[rob o]

Of course Arubalisa would have the information....she's the best!

[arubashadegirl]

Originally Posted by jeffnev

-Internet access in the rooms is still a wired DSL connection with an ethernet cable. The cable from the DSL box is not very long and is near the kitchen in the main unit, by the bed in the lockoff room. There is wireless access at the pool area and in the lobby and all internet access is free for guests-they give you a code for the wireless when you check in.

-The chair situation is that you can use your tags to reserve chairs at the pool starting at 7am and cannot leave them idle for more than 2 hours or they will be removed. They are really trying to have the chairs available for people at the pool to use. We are "beach people" (I'll share my palapa thoughts in a separate posting) and often used the pool in the afternoon, especially during happy hour. We never had a problem getting chairs for the 5 of us when we needed them and it seems like they have added a few additional seating areas around the upper pool areas. We were also able to get chairs pretty easily at the new adult "Serenity Pool". Then again, I hear the situation is much different in during Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks than I experienced in July.

Thank you for the quick responses...we are going next week so hopefully it will be similar. I just ran into a friend tonight who just got back from the surf club and she said she was at the chairs @ 5:45am every day to get the ones she wanted, and then stayed there until 7am. On the wired info, I am going to try to find a connector of some sort that converts ethernet to usb...my netbook only has usb connections...or I can use the wireless at the pool I guess! Thank you again for your help!

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by rob o

Of course Arubalisa would have the information....she's the best!

Originally Posted by arubashadegirl

I just ran into a friend tonight who just got back from the surf club and she said she was at the chairs @ 5:45am every day to get the ones she wanted, and then stayed there until 7am.

Sorry, but that is not my idea of a vacation. I saw the crowds there the third week in June and it was not appealing.