Just got back, stayed 8 days at the Ren. Ocean Suites, Fantastic!! The prior 5 visits were on Palm Beach at a the hi-rises, not anymore! The private beach makes staying here special, you eliminate all the B.S. of dealing with the "water sport" salesmen while the beach itself, in my opinion, is far superior to Palm Beach. Plenty of lounge chairs, shade, private areas to get away from it all. I Also, had a chance to spend 1 night in a Ren. Marina room ( extended stay 1 day). This was beneficial for future reference. I would NEVER stay at the marina hotel. The rooms are small, the entire hotel lobby, shopping mall, hallways leading to rooms are simply too hot, virtually not air conditioned. Leave your room to go to dinner, your sweating before you make the lobby. The swimming pool has the feel of being in the middle of a restaurant, not the tropical feel you get at all other hotels, and defintely, not for kids. You don't get that "Aruba experience" at the marina hotel.

KSM, Thanks so much for your report. We are leaving April29 for a week to celebrate our 10th year ann. We will be staying at the Ocean suites too. Should we try get a room above with a balcony? It sounds like there is not a bad room at the ocean suite. We are not planning to buy the AI but would like to know about the 41.00 drink card. Do you know if we can buy this day to day or does this have to be purchase a min of 5 days? We can not wait to leave Maine for a week. Thanks for your report.

You have made a great hotel choice! The AI for beverages is on a 5 day minimum. Unless you plan on drinking 7 or more alcoholic beverages ( per person as you must purchase for each person in your room ) then its not worth it. Basicly those would be the drinks at the beach or pool as in the casino or off the property doesn't matter. Despite what they say, you can put a couple of plastic coke bottles in your beach bag and get cups of ice at the beach. The convenience store at the Seaport shopping area has everything you need at reasonable prices. We were surprised that all of the restaurants were not overpriced and extremely pleased to not have purchased the AI. This was the first time we did not do an AI, and won't ever again. Another beach tip, unless you plan on sunbathing topless, use the beach closest to the restaurant, its far superior, sand, space, no rocks, never mind that its simply closer to the bar for the beach waiters to serve you from. Have a great trip, Aruba is awesome, can't wait till next years vacation already!!

ksm - The private island WAS GREAT - wasn't it. I could have stayed on that island 'almost forever'. Glad you had a good time. I remember when you were counting down the days to go, and now your counting down the days to go BACK -Thats Aruba.<BigPapa>

Thank you for all your information. You have been a great help!

Hey KSM,

Did you snorkel on renaissance island? If so, was it good? how safe was it and what part of the island is best?

Thanks!

hi again KSM,
One more question.Is the drink card only to be used on the resort and island? Can it be used out side the renaissance?

The Beverage AI can only be used at restaurants that are part of the Ren. hotel. I'm not quite sure how many that was, perhaps 5 or 6 which would include the rest. on the island. The featured restaurant is L.G. Smiths steakhouse, heard it was very good. The Waterfront Crab House was just average. Was not given a good reccomendation for the italian rest. Don Carlos. Some off property rest. that we enjoyed were, El Gaucho, (great steak at half the price of LG Smith)$ 2 meals 2 drinks approx $100, The Driftwood, $75 , ( fresh seafood ) , Iguana Joes ( casual,fun,good food, reasonably priced, like an outdoor Chile's ). These are all within walking distance. Also, ate at Valentinos (italian), great food, but expensive, figure $100-125 depending on wine etc. Must also add $25 for taxi fare. Lots of great places within walking distance of the hotel without having to pay "hotel type prices". Depending on your alcohol consumption the beverage AI could be a good deal, however too much booze and too much sun can be a bad combination. Personally, I would rather not try to make sure that I was getting my moneys worth. Figure that 7 drinks per person is about a breakeven, ( $41 each, and both in room must purchase). A great suggestion is to bring, or buy while there a bottle of your favorite liquor, ( I did, Bombay Sapphire Gin ). You have a refridgerator in your room, makes for great night caps, or pre dinner drinks after the beach. Mixers like tonic water etc can be purchased at the convenience store on propery. Works perfectly!

Did not snorkle, however, I'm told that Aruba is considered to be one of the top 5 diving and snorkling places. Many shipwrecks to dive on.

Paradise, Bigpapa, just paradise!!! The beach was never overcrowded like sometimes has been at the Hi-Rise areas. The small lagoons formed by the breakers and sand bars were beautiful. I'm trying to find a way to sneak in another trip before our annual March vacation, however, unless you can stay atleast a week, a short stay long weekend would just be a tease. Aruba is one tough place to leave. We saw people at the airport crying because they had to go home!