May return to Aruba after a long absence

[NewJeffCT]

I went to Aruba way back in September of 1998, which seems like a lifetime ago now. I stayed at the Marriott at the time, which was fairly new back then, if I recall. I had a good time and enjoyed the weather, the beach and many of the activities and sites.

I may return this year. What has changed in the 14 years since I was last there? I know there are a few more hotels now. Still a lot of good restaurants?


Thanks

Jeff

[Andrea J.]

welcome to the aruba.com community forum


since 1998
...................
Surf Club on the Marriott Campus
The Allegro is now the Occidental
The Aruba Grand is now the Riu Palace
The Divi Phoenix now has additional timeshare villas in a separate bldg.
(and that is at the hi rise........what have i missed?)

[Andrea J.]

also at the hi rise area
you will find new shopping malls
numerous restaurants, too many to mention
lots of traffic and people
much fun and many activities on the beach and all around the area.


downtown

you will find a new walking area Linear Park which is quite lovely

lots of the stores from the downtown have relocated or opened up additional stores in the hi rise.

much traffic from road and walkway construction

airport
very much modernized.
beautiful new terminal
arriving passengers now deplane directly into the terminal instead of on the tarmac.
some duty free shopping at the airport
us customs at the airport so it makes arriving back home in the usa very easy.

Originally Posted by NewJeffCT

I went to Aruba way back in September of 1998, which seems like a lifetime ago now. I stayed at the Marriott at the time, which was fairly new back then, if I recall. I had a good time and enjoyed the weather, the beach and many of the activities and sites.

I may return this year. What has changed in the 14 years since I was last there? I know there are a few more hotels now. Still a lot of good restaurants?


Thanks

Jeff

[NewJeffCT]

Thanks Andrea. I notice that there is a Westin hotel now as well. I remember having to get out on the tarmac, so it's good that we wouldn't have to do that.

I'd be going with my wife & 9 year old daughter.

[Andrea J.]

oh ya, the westin used to be the wyndham and before the wyndham it was the ????
my brain is mush tonight.

[corona]

Originally Posted by Andrea J.

oh ya, the westin used to be the wyndham and before the wyndham it was the ????
my brain is mush tonight.

That one, I know. We honeymooned there. It was the Concorde.

Funny thing, several years after our honeymoon, we made our first return trip, and the Concorde was gone, at least we thought it was. So, I found a different hotel that seemed nice, which was the Wyndham. Boy, were we ever surprised when the taxi dropped us off at the front.

[Andrea J.]

and the lo rise and eagle beach is really very popular too.
great restaurants
lots of timeshares and hotels
magnificent beach(es) eagle and druif!

[NewJeffCT]

Thanks again Andrea. Is it true that the natural bridge that went over the ocean on the other side of the island is no more?

[Andrea J.]

it is no more.
it collapsed and crumbled in the summer or fall of 2004.

Originally Posted by NewJeffCT

Thanks again Andrea. Is it true that the natural bridge that went over the ocean on the other side of the island is no more?

[NewJeffCT]

That's too bad - it was quite an interesting site, if I recall. Thanks for the confirmation.