Hi

We are going to be at La Cabana from 12/7-12/14

My hubby, myself, 6 yr old, 4 yr old (almost 5) and 14 month old.

Keep hearing various things on La Cabana

Bad smell on beach???? Is that true?

Moldy rooms? Or is that only at the Villas?

We have a 1 bedroom suite and I need a crib -- I called and they said they have full size cribs -- does anyone know if thats true? I think we are in room 425C, anyone been in that room before? How is it?

Is there nightime babysitting and is it reliable?

Do I need a highchair for the room (in case we eat in?)

Should we rent a car?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

It's been a while since we've been, but I've never experienced a bad smell on the beach. We stayed at the villa's and yes, they are in need of updating.

With a baby (14 mo.) I would suggest renting a car. Our girls were 7 at the time and we had a car for a few days. But with a 14 mo. old using taxi's and busses could be a problem.

I can't help you in regards to the crib or high-chair, though. Sorry.

We liked the LaCabana - but I'm hoping the update the property soon. People are friendly, though (employees and those staying there) so that's what we enjoyed best.

Enjoy your trip!

We haven't stayed there in a while as we have switched hotels but when our kids were younger we used Salima to babysit. She worked at the activity centre. Ask for her, she was really great.

We own at La Cabana for the past 10 years and we enjoy staying there. Yes, it needs some upgrading but they constantly do this.

Cribs are $5.00/ day and high chairs are free of charge. I suggest that you email La Cabana to reserve these for you. I always do.

the timeshare side is fine, i have never experienced foul smell on the beach the activity center has things going on all day for kids and another great babysitter is kathy i have friends that i meet down there that their kids love KATHY.

renting a car is totally up to you but if it is like 5 people you should cause taxi;s if you don't get a minivan will only take 4 people, if you get minivan's all the time then you don't have to worry.

hope this helps

We love Aruba and stay at both LaCabana and the Marriott Surf Club (usually a week each). We also take our three children (girls 11, and a son 3). This next year will be our son's fourth year to Aruba. La Cabana gets bad press but there are many good points....1. The kids love the pools (yes the back pool with biggest slide can get a little roudy with the all the children and not enough supervision but the kids love it. The gym is free has great hours and lots of classes. It is a huge gym and having a good place with lots of choices is important to both my husband and myself. Raquetball is a nominal cost and girls play with their father. Beach is unsurpassed by anywhere. Yes, you cross a street but it is prettier than any beach on aruba or anywhere (you can see your toes and beach is white). We can always get a chair and umbrella but early bird gets one closer to the water. There is always something going on and the kids can pick and choose what they want...often it is cheap pizza by the pool (best deal around...pastas are good too). Smell was an issue this last year...I don't know what was going on but I will continue to check board to see it is an ongoing problem. Cribs are full sized and no mold for us in three years.

Marriott is much further from the water (a longer hike than crossing the street) and the beach is not nearly as pretty down at that end. Food is hideously expensive on property but reasonable ones within walking distance, and the gym tiny (esp. for the size of the property). But the resort is way "posh" and we love the lazy river. We rented a car our first year but didn't the next two. Buses are readily available and cheap. It drives us crazy to see a car sit for days. Everything is a trade off.

We stay at the La Cabana regularly and there was only one time that we experienced the problem with the smell and that was due to two storms off shore and there were no trade winds. Otherwise it has been great.

Just came back from La Cabana Villas on 5/1/07. Thankfully there was no smell the 3 weeks I was there.