My husband and I are thinking of Aruba for next spring. Will be 1st time there. Has anyone done the Renissance with the drink plan or stayed at the Tamarjin all inclusive? If so which is better for a couple in 40's to enjoy that don't care for the rowdy night life, but to relax and have drinks on a beach or pool bar?

I stayed at the Tamarjin in April and going back in November. The all inclusive plan is great. I am 35 and I don't like the rowdy night life. I felt the Tamarjin is very quiet and peacefull. Definitly a good place to relax. The bar is right next to the pool and also right on the beach. Of course the drinks are included in the plan also. I went to the "high rise" section of the island one day and it was very nice but not for me. I like the quiet end of the island. If you gamble there is also a casino very close to the Tamarjin (walking distance). While you are on the beach there are not many people around. Its very nice there.

My husband and I got back last night from the Renaissance in Aruba. They no longer offer the drink plan. You can buy an entire all-inclusive package, but not just drinks. The drinks are not that expensive so we saved by not getting a plan. There is a happy hour from 4:30-6 and 11 PM-12AM where you can get 2 for 1 drinks. BUt, you have to get 2 of the same drinks.

The Renissance discontinued the drink plan, as it was abused. People on the plan were getting drinks for their friends who were not on the plan.

They ruined it for everyone else.

Tam would be a much better choice...it's on the beach. The Renissance is downtown.

Renissance! by far the better hotel. Right in the middle of everything with a fantastic private island.

HI
My hubby and I, in our late 40's went to the Divi All Inclusive 7/23-7/26. The Tam is included also. We have the same attitude..just relaxation. We loved the Divi. We went with the all inclusive because of the drinks/food. It was nice to be able to get a drink anytime we wanted, as much as we wanted without worrying about paying.You can wake up, got sit right on the beach, wait for breakfast, sit on the beach and relax. I prefered the Divi's beach but like I said, you have access to both places.
Not much around, but buses, taxi's can take you anywhere.
Enjoy!!! We want to go back and would definately go back to the Divi.

Consider the Divi Beach Resort right next door to the Tamarijn, less kids there. The Renaissance is right downtown and although the Beach Tower does have it's own small lagoon, but for serious beach time guests use their private island. You have to take a small boat over and back, it's not a long ride but if you want to be able to just walk back and forth to your room you can't. The Renaissance Marina Tower sits amidst a shopping mall and again you have to take the boat over to the island or the boat over to the Marina Tower to use the small beach there. It's not that the island isn't nice and it does have amenities, food, beverages, and so on but it's a matter of convenience, do you want take the boat or do want to walk to a nice beach from your room? If you want the latter go to the Tamarijn if that's what suits your budget....but as I said, the Divi is nicer than the Tamarijn and has less kids.

Just returned from Renaissance Ocean Suites. Liked the location as it was close to shopping, etc. and the private island is beautiful--much nicer than the beaches where the other hotels are located. The other end of the island where the other hotels are was more like Florida, Myrtle Beach, etc. to me. I guess it depends on personal preference. One downside to Renaissance Ocean Suites, there was no bar open past 10:00 p.m. on the premesis and not much else going on at night. You could walk across to the marina hotel, but none available in ocean suites hotel. It all depends on what you are looking for.

The nice thing about staying in the Tamarjin, there is a shuttle that takes you all the way up to the casino, and the beach is also very nice.
I have also stayed at the Renissance, it is ok, but if you like the beach atmosphare, the Tamarjin is soo much nicer!