Just returned from Paradise. Was there November 23 to December 3. We had 10 days of glorious weather. Sunshine every day. Hot, hot, hot. The only thing I noticed (because this was my 12th year in a row there) was the breeze was not as strong. Aruba was decorated just beautiful for the holidays. Sun and sand all day, casino at night, great food every night. My favorite restaurants are...Chalet Suisse, Hostaria de Vittorio, Tony Romas, Blossoms (great Chinese or Japanese), Tuscany, Manchebo French Steak House and of course Madam Jeanettes. I am sooooo depressed coming home to NY and snow. There is NO PLACE LIKE ARUBA. For those of you who have been there, you know what I mean. For those of you who will be going for the first time, get ready for "Arubaitis" when you return home. I know I have it already. Counting the days til next November when I will return again.

nyygirl...I know what you mean I caught that bug a few years back. It is one bug you never want to get rid of though....

I agree with every restaurant you mention except Tuscany. In the past yr's it was one of the top recommeneded and frequented place to go, with the Marriott Casino etc. close by.
Many people in our group and many others at our timeshare complex have agreed it has went over the top in $$$$'s and their serving sizes are comparably small. I tried it again, fool that I was last yr. one more time it it was horrible. I ordered the seafood special, one of their more expensive dishes boasting lobster tail, shrimp and various assorted amounts of seafood over linguine.

It had an extremely small lobster tail about the size of a babys fist, 3 shrimp average in size and a small handful of you name it seafood. With the spinach salad and the meal itself it was over $43.00 and I left hungry and I not a huge eater. Hey Im glad you loved it but it has went down in over-all popularity since several yrs. ago. Nice atmosphere and all of that but Madamm J's blows Tuscany away.
The hotel guest keeps Tuscany alive. If you had to travel to get there just to enjoy the restaurant without any other shops, Casino, Jewelry store and big spacious lobby, doubt very much it would stay open long.
Many people do not want to leave the property to dine out at the Marriott, so when Madamm J's requires a couple of days ahead for a resv. in high season, that speaks volumms about the dining experience there. Either way, Aruba Rules!

Just returned Dec. 3 and weather was beautiful but bring bug spray!

I need to try Madame Jeanettes this time. I have been to Aruba 9 times and haven't been there yet. A buddy of mine just got back & said that it was a great restaurant. One reason we haven't gone is because we have 3 kids... can you bring kids there? They are 6, 8 & 10 and know how to behave in a restaurant. Everyone keeps talking about it so we'll have to go in February. Thanks for the trip report... sounds like the weather was good as usual.

Kids welcomed at Madamm J's. ask for outside seating its great.

If you haven't tried , The Buccaneer, its a real treat for kids your age esp. In the back seating area is a 5000 gallon fish tank with all sorts of fish, turtles, live Lobster, and more. I enjoy their food as well. Not over-high priced and plenty to eat.

we went this year with our 3 kids, 10-12-14
LOVED IT !!!!!

Hi: Reading your trip report makes me so jealous. My husband and I were there for two weeks back in October and miss it so much. We love everything about the island. We have been going to Aruba since 1975 and have returned every year. Love it, love it, love it

My kids are 9 and 12 and have been at Madame Janette's 3 years in a row. We have sat outside and inside. There is no problem with bringing kids there or any other restaurant on the island for that matter.

Thanks, we will try Madame J's. We did try the Buccaneer one year and they told us to wait. It was kind of a chilly reception. We waited for about 30 minutes while they kept seating other people and eventually we decided to punt. We assumed that maybe they didn't like the idea of three small kids in the restaurant. That was a few years ago and we haven't been back.