Me and my girlfriend just got back August 20 from our first trip to Aruba and must say Aruba was fabulous. Weather was great. We def. will go back. This message board helped me greatly to plan my trip. We stayed at the Wyndham and DID NOT do the all-inclusive which was a GREAT decision. Loved the wyndham. Pool and beach were great. Will def go back there when we return to Aruba. We bought beer and water at the giftshop or supermarket and took it to the beach/pool everyday which saved money on drinks. Ate cereal which we took everyday seeing me and my girlfriend aren't big breakfast eaters. First let me say that the service at all the restaurants was tremendous... The BEST I've ever seen.

Restaurant reviews:

Blossoms: ate here first night for sushi/chinese. Was excellent. Loved the sushi pizza. Went back for lunch a different day also. Highly recommended

Que pasa: Dinner and appetizer were ok, nothing great. But the Banana Fritters for dessert were FABULOUS. Would go back just for dessert and skip dinner

Papiamento: Our best meal in Aruba. Strongly recommend this place. We both ate the mahi mahi on the stone by the pool. Yummy. Pool was romantic. Excellent atmosphere and food.

Flying Fishbone: atmosphere was excellent. Very romantic. Food was very good also. I tried the shrimp shitake casserole which was different but very tasty. She tried the barracuda which was good also. Would def. go back.

El Gaucho: I tried the gaucho steak. Very tasty. Girlfriend tried the salmon which was also very good. Much enjoyed.

Cafe baci: service was kinda slow but food with tons of seafood on it was excellent. Breadsticks were very good too.

Activity reviews:

Jolly Pirates: Tons of fun and saw lots of fish. The whole boat crew made sure a good time was had by all. Strongly recommend and i would def go back. Rope swing was lots of fun.

Gold mine ranch for horseback: requested a group tour but ended up having a private tour for the group rate. Guide was excellent. Very good at matching horses with experience of riders. Strongly recommend this group. Saw other tours with big groups. This place always has smaller tours and is very accommodating.

Kukoo Kunuku: Tons of Fun. Everyone was fabulous. Strongly recommend doing this for a good time. Be prepared to drink heavily. We loved it. Food was better than expected. Even prepared vegetarian plate for my girlfriend.

Overall was a Fabulous trip. Definitely planning on returning to Aruba. I'm from Pennsylvania and i've never felt so safe in my whole life as when i was walking around and touring aruba. People of the island were all fabulous.

Thanks for all the help on this message board. Hope this posting helps as well.

Great report. Thanks for posting!

Great report, Dave. So glad you had a wonderful time!!

me and my boyfriend just got back on aug 21st from our first trip to aruba also. We too went to papimento's (my favorite meal anywhere) and the flying fishbone. both were referred to me from a friend who visits aruba every january. the food, atmosphere and service exceeded my expectations! cant wait to get back there!

Dave - Glad you had a safe trip, and thanks for sharing your time with us. Aruba waits your return.<BigPapa>

So nice to hear your positive thoughts about Aruba, but it truly is a place in paradise.