I'm travling to Aruba during May and was wondering what would be a good place to stay with a 5 year old. I've looked at the fancy hotels and was wondering are they worth it with the all inclusive deal. My son really won't eat that much, also I wanted to be near some shopping. I thought about the holiday Inn because then I could get the non exclusive plan and eat where ever we saw something we like. But I heard that it's not a nice hotel! Please help

I would have to say the Tamarijn all inclusive might be good for you. It is close to downtown for shopping, has a kids club and under 18 stays and eats for free, so no added expense for your 5 year old. There are lots of families there and it is on the beach. Get the superior room which is a little cheaper because you don't get to use the Divi Aruba resort next door or get the upgrade to deluxe room which allows you to use the Divi. (no difference in rooms themselves though). See pix at my website www.geocities.com/THEFEEL2002 Another place for less expense is the Mill Resorts across the street from the beach and the Wyndham. It has kitchenettes and pool. See www.millresorts.com

We just got back last weekend from our first trip to Aruba, gotta say we're going back again next year! We stayed at the Tam. We have a 6 year old daughter and a 3 year old sone and they were very accomodating to our children. They only hold the kids club if there are three or more children signed up, so we only utilized one and a half days. But there was so much for the kids to do there, and everyone was very open to having the kids around, so the fact that the club wasn't available everyday didn't turn out to be an issue for us at all. I took the bus downtown shopping one day, $2 roundtrip and it picks you up right outside of the hotel and it's only a five minute ride to all of the best shopping. You've got to hit the local shops - the chain stores are a big waste of time. I thought the all-inclusive might be a waste with the kids, but our kids actually ate a lot more there than they do at home. They'd pick at their breakfast, swim for a few hours and run over to the buffet and get some pancakes and french toast to munch on by the pool. The snack bar opened at eleven, my daughter ate so many meatballs we started to call her one! Desire, from the kids club is wonderful with the children. Very quite with the adults, but great with the kids. Our kids had a blast with the non-motorized recreational equipment that is also included. Bike rides around the area, snorkeling, you name it they've got it. It really was a great place. We checked out the other hotels when we were down there and have decided we hit it lucky our first trip and we're going back to the Tam again next year! Have fun!

I would agree with the Tam. Plenty of children and you don't have to pay for them!

HI MY NAME IS ROBERT FROM CHICAGO AND I WANT TO KNOW IF KIDS R US IS STILL HIRING .

ASK YOUR SON IF HE IS STILL HUNGRY IF HE SAYS YES TAKE HIM OUT TO EAT THAT WILL MAKE HIM FILL LIKE HES AT HOME WITH YOU.

hi that

La Cabana is great for kids. It has great pools and food and shopping centers and for you it was a nice bar. The rooms are nice too. It has a nice acess to the beach so good luck and be safe!

Does any resort have a kid's program that take kids from outside the resort. Ours doesn't have a program for an 8 year old.