Going to Aruba in April 2004. Looking for the top all-inclusive resorts to stay at in Aruba. Close to nightlife is preferred but not necessary.

Don't want to be in a resort with bad food and service.

Thanks.

There are many better resorts but from many many Posts over the years the best AI seems to be the Divi.

I've stayed at the Tamarijn many times, they have an excellent all inclusive. They also have the Mega All Inclusive with the Divi Divi, which is a very nice property. YOu get the best of both resorts all included. Good luck! If you want action and a lively crowd go to the Allegro.

i have stayed at the allegro occidental for the past 4 years. my daughter and i love it there. unfortunately, we heard they will be closing at some point (march or april) in 2005, so we may have to choose elsewhere this year.

My choice would be the Divi or Tam. As previously mentioned, you have access to both resorts. We stayed at the tam in sept. and really enjoyed ourselves. They were in the midst of construction, but I would imagine they would have it completed by April. We got a REALLY good deal through Expedia.com. Enjoy!!

Did you mean April of 2005? We love the Divi Divi because you can use both their facilities and the Tam. Beach at the Divi is fab - I would check into that one.

Divi and Tam are really not very nice at all to say the least. Pictures of the bathrooms alone creeped me out. I saw Jim Of Boston's videos on line. Holiday Inn is much nicer...and that's not saying very much at all.

The top resorts in Aruba are not all inclusive. The top three are Hyatt, Radisson, and Marriott. All 4* hotels. If you are looking to save $$$ I would get a timeshare where you have kitchen facilities instead of going AI. Marriott Ocean Club, Marriott Surf Club, and Costa Linda are the three top timeshares. AI in Aruba is not the same as AI as say in Cancun. The resorts in Aruba are smaller and IMHO you would get tired of the same food for 7 days. Aruba is a very safe island and you can leave the resort w/o being afraid. The entire island is developed. There are so many fabulous restaurants that you would be doing yourself an "injustice" by staying AI and missing out. If you are worried about drinks, you can go to the grocery store and stock up and bring your cooler to the beach.

I'm sure some people will disagree, but that is just MY opinion from MY OWN personal experience. You can listen to everyone and decide for yourself. Ask around at work and with friends at home. It seems these days that everyone knows someone who has been to Aruba.

Renee, the Tam and Divi I am sure are far better places then where you stay and they do compare to the other resorts on the island. I have been there 10+ times as well as yout 4* resorts you speak of and you can do all inclusive and still enjoy the restaurants outside of the resort. I always have. You are right, they don't compare to some of the other all inclusives on other islands, but they are more then adequate, so shut up! You do this every time this subject comes up. If you don't like it, don't go!

Gary,

Why are you go bitter? Calm down. First of all..I do what all the time? Give my opinion? Like you do? Like everyone else does? Forgive me, but I thought that was what this forum was for. I simply gave MY opinion from MY experiences, just like everyone else does. The Tam and Divi don't even come close to the places my family and I stay. If you like the Tam and Divi then by all means you stay there my friend!! You go for it!! Knock yourself out!! More power to ya!! We stay at the Marriott and Radisson.

You are right about one thing...I don't like the Divi and Tam and I don't go there. I would save $$ for another year and stay at a better resort than go and stay there. We have walked through the resort and grounds and I would not be happy staying there. Talk about run down. I am not going to shut up. I am entitled to give my opinion just like you are. I only warned John about going to the Tam and Divi. YOU should really stop midleading people by telling them how nice these 2 places are! And, I sincerely doubt that you have stayed at the places I mentioned and still prefer the Tam and Divi. Be realistic!!!!They are 1-2* resorts at best (according to AAA and Apple). The others are easily 4*+. If you like staying at 1-2* resorts then stay at the Divi and Tam. There is nothing wrong with that. It's just not for me. I just wanted to warn John what he was getting into.

So Gary....just chill out. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. If you don't like it...sorry. Grow up.

I just got back from 2 1/2 weeks in Aruba and 4 days 3 nights were a free trip to the Marriott from some of my friends in Aruba. It's the second time I have stayed there and paying for beautiful landscaping doesn't justify the price they charge. If It wouldn't of been free, I wouldn't of gone a second time. The Tam/Divi are a minimum 3 star. I have traveled throughout the Caribbean extensively so I have other places to compare them to. Also, you said it. "You have walked through the grounds." That means you haven't been in the rooms, tried the food, or the restaurants, or spent time with the staff. You can't justify your opinion! I have a friend who is a waiter at the Rad and he likes the Tam very much. How do you explain that? The resort is far from run down and you can't compare opening your back door and being 20 feet from the ocean in all of the rooms vs. leaving your room, walking down the hall, taking the elevator or stairs, walking through the lobby, and then down to the beach, plus having to be there at 6:30 in the morning to fight for a palupa. If you call that a vacation, then as you said, you can have it. So who should grow up? You can only make uneducated, unjustified opinions and that's why I take offense to yours and others comments.