We are booked at the Aruba Grand the week of June 22nd. We have a partial ocean view room. Can anyone tell me about the Grand? Thanks!

Bombed out IMHO, and definately the resort on Palm Beach that NEEDS the most renovations...I'd spend alittle extra $$ and stay at the Wyndham next door....

Biggest dump in Aruba! If you can, change your reservation to anywhere else. Partial view means the rest of the view is probably a parking lot.

Cathy,
We'll let you know how it is there. Were staying at the Grand this Monday till Friday.
Mike

Hi. I just came back from Aruba. I don't know how the hotel is inside, but from the outside it didn't look too great. Looks like they're doing renovations or something. The driveway to the hotel was torn up a bit and the sign for the hotel was down. When I took a walk on the beach, the pool area looked just ok compared to the other hotels (I was next door at the Wyndham). Hopefully, the rooms themselves are nicer. Good luck!

My husband and I have reservations for the Grand from May 30th through June 6th because we heard so many GOOD things about it. I'm disappointed to have read all the negative comments about the Grand in response to your e-mail.
Although the Wyndam, Marriott and Radisson are more luxurious, their beaches and pool areas are more crowded than the Grand's. I had been told by two couples who are close friends of ours that when they stayed at the Grand (this was between 2 to 3 years ago), they loved it - unpretentious; over-sized, clean rooms; very helpful staff; very nice and less crowded beach. They recommended it for those who appreciated less of the party-life. I guess we'll know soon enough...

Cathy - When I stayed at the Wyndham last September, we could see the grounds of the Aruba Grand from our oceanfront balcony. We never saw anyone in the pool, around the pool or at the pool bar or the outdoor restaurant. We went to their casino one night and there were only two other people there. The 4 of us were playing slot machines, which are very old, only take a maximum of 2 coins at a time and jam very frequently. No one was playing table games. Their casino closed at 12:30 PM, when the rest of the hotels on Palm Beach close their casinos between 3AM-4AM. The Aruba Grand definitely looked like a ghost town. If I were you, I would see if I could change my reservations and stay at the Wyndham instead. The Wyndham is a great hotel with a fantastic staff and wonderful restaurants. I hope this information helps you.

debbie - We stayed at the Aruba Grand in 1994 and 1996 in the month of August. It was definitely less crowded than the Wyndham or the Radisson, but there were some people there. They had happy hour at the pool bar and the restaurant was about 1/3 full, as was their casino at night. Both times we had a great time. Last September, when we stayed at the Wyndham, the Aruba Grand was so empty, it actually looked like it was "closed" both day and night.

The Aruba Grand is terrible - go elsewhere if you want to enjoy your vacation.

I'm very interested to hear your critique of this hotel. I just today confirmed that I'd like to book my honeymoon there July 28 for ten days.

Could you e-mail me when you return? I'm also going to ask my friend I'm booking through what her thoughts are.

Thanks a million. Have a great time!

Jenny