I have been to Aruba the last 3 years
would like to go again..

It seems like all the hotels are charging
quite a bit more....I don't know if Aruba
is hurting for business and needs to
raise the rates, if that is the case
then it hurts the loyal visitors who
would like to return...but can not
due to the higher rates...
So this is a plea to some of the hotels
to return to last years rates...we are
already paying a lot just is air miles.

Would like to return to Aruba!!!!

Rent from a timehsare owner . Quite often they charge just their maint . fee . We do Lacabana . www.lacabana.com go to owners bulletin board , rentals and timeshares for sale .

We were there a couple weeks ago and was told ahead of time the place was sold out and we paid top dollar. The place was half empty ??

I too wish Hotel rates would go back to last year prices. I also wish gasoline prices would retreat to years gone by prices. Unfortunately the high oil prices trickle down to give the hotel industry as well as most industries a reason to increase rates, and of course we are the ones paying the bill--even when these hotels add on the so called energy tax; they increase the room rate price as well. Prices are unfortunately here to stay, however you can either do a time share or searh the internet for better deals or even a package of some type. Rates, food, travel and everything else is going up--It will hurt the travel business, not right now, it needs to take time to trickle down to every piece of goods.

If LaCabana was half empty how about
the Tam and the Divi?

You are right. rates are going way up out of sight. we will be looking for elsewhere from now on unless they drop way back down.

Would that be because of being a timeshare , the owners didn't put their weeks up for rent and were not there , themselves ? If you don't mind me asking , how much did you pay and for what ?

Hotel rates are seasonal and they start going up just before Christmas and stay high through February. If you search on any of the internet travel sites for lodging in Aruba and adjust the dates on a theoretical trip you'll see that it is cheaper to stay in October/November than it is in Dec/Jan.

We have in the past been told from Travel Agents that the place is sold out...got there also and it was half empty. We try and book direct with the resort now...better price too. Try a time-share...we own at Aruba Beach Club and love it...no hassle looking for rooms, etc...best thing we've ever done for ourselves...enjoy...don't give up..

Try e-mailing the last place that you stayed. I did, reminded them that I was a return visitor and inquired about a discount. I was very surprised at my response. Never hurts to ask for a discount, as I agree with you prices are way up, especially the flights.