hi, i have 2 kids 12 and 15 can anyone give mw places to stay with clear water and close to things to do. and does anyone have good times to go in the summer

The water at all the resorts is clear and beautiful!! Maybe with the exception if there is a storm floating around out in the ocean.

The hi-rise area is closer walking distance to most of the water sports. The only hotel close to shopping etc is the Rennaissance downtown, which has no beach.

Definitely stay at the Radisson, Hyatt or Marriott. Those three have the most kids and tons of water sport centers affiliated with the hotels. The Hyatt has a really cool water slide in their pool. My kids did snorkeling, jet skiing, water tubing and banana boats. They also just hung out on the beach, reading, got their hair braided (super expensive $2.00/braid) and drank their virgin pina coladas. Anytime in the summer is good to go since Aruba isn't in the hurricane belt.

With teens, do the Mega all inclusive at the Divi Aruba beach which lets you use the Tamarijn next door also. Directly on the beach. All food snacks,tips and drinks included. Free nightly entertainment at both resorts for guests such as carnival dance show, mystic magic show, limbo dance/contest show synchronized swim show, and a very high energy latin dance show--don't miss it, DJ's and dancing. Audience participation in many of the shows. Free use of snorkel equipment, kayaks, windsurfers, sailfish, bikes built for one or 2, floats, beach towels,fitness center free snorkel lesson and windsurfer lesson, shuttle to and from divi/tam/alhambra casino and more. Kids under 18 stay and eat for free. 3 pools, 6 beach bars, 2 buffets, 3 a la carte restaurants to choose from. See pix of resorts and download 2 short movies of the entertainment at my website www.geocities.com/THEFEEL2002 and visit their site at www.megaresorts.com

If you want some written info about how it runs, room choices etc., e-mail me and I will send it. Go in July or August which is in low season and reduced prices.

How is the food at the Divi? We went to Cancun (All inclusive) and by the 2nd night we were very tired of the same food. Is the food different each night?

Swimmom,

The food is good to great. The buffets can be a little repititous at lunch but there are quite a few choices so just pick different ones at different meals. Also you have 3 a la carte restaurants you can use in the deal so you can go to them for a varied menu of seafood, beef, chicken, pork, Italian, vegetarian etc. In the morning there is an omelet station to boot and they make one for you with any/all toppings etc.

I personally like the beach area better up at the Hi Rise area. I agree the Hyatt for kids is great. The pool has a nice water slide and is dead center of the high rise hotels. I have stayed right next door at the Allegro (now Occidental) and they have a nice pool, lots of activities for kids and have an all-inclusive program which is nice for kids also. Have a fun time your kids will definately love anywhere in Aruba! It is a nice, safe place to enjoy a vacation with the kids.

As far as when, my first time was in October, and it was hot, but not too windy. I recommend the latter part of the year: in June, it is so windy, they host an international, world famous wind-surfing contest. The high season for North Americans is winter, then comes high season for South Americans, during summer months. It can depend on what language you want to hear the most! Don't try to go near Easter: it is a BIG holiday there and you will find it very crowded. May has alot of street-side BBQ (free food!) As you can see, I have made it a home away from home. There are no bad times to go!