My fiance and I want to go to Aruba for our honeymoon this October. (we are getting married Oct. 4)

We are having a problem choosing a hotel.

We would like to stay in a high rise. We do not want to go all-inclusive.

Money is not really an issue, since we have saved quite a bit for this trip.

Fiance wants a view of the ocean, and that is about it. I want to stay somewhere luxurious. We want privacy when we want it but activities if we want it. We want to be near the nightlife. We like to go out at night.

So what is the best place?

thanks

Patti

I would say the Radison is nicer hands down. But the Wyndham is very nice also.

We looked at both before going... the Wyndham gave more 'more bang for your buck'.
I think in our case the Radison was about $1,000 more per week and we didn't see that being worth it. We were very happy at the Wyndham. You just need to decide if it's worth the extra cost to go next door. If we went back we'd still prob go to the Wyndham due to value and similar quality hotels.

Both have great beaches, pools, and resturants. I'm sure the rooms in the Radison are as nice as the ones in the Wyndham. The pool at the Radison was a little more 'elaborate' though.

One thing was really noticable difference though. It was the difference in the beach/pool bars. The Radison's bar was much better than the Wyndham's. The drink quality was just much better. I didn't think the drinks at the Wyndham pool/beach bar were that good. The weren't made with real fruit, instead using 'strawberry syrup'. It just wasn't that great. The drink sizes were also small. Like 10oz. So for $6.50 you got a 10oz drink made with cheap syrup. Even I can make better drinks than they could.... At the Radison you got a much larger drink made with real fruit for the same price.

So.... I know the 'bar' is a little thing on alot of peoples list, but I didn't go on vacation to sit on a great beach and drink crappy drinks. just my opinion.

mike

Have stayed at both. Most recently the Raddison in Feb of this year. The Radisson is a little better/more expensive. Both are very nice hotels. The pool area of the Raddission is really nice. Both hotels are almost next to each other. The Hyatt and Marriot are also very nice, although I have not stayed at either.

If I were you, and money were not an issue - I would definitely choose the Radisson. I say this without having seen or been to either - so this is only based on my own research, discussions with others, and preferences.

I like the looks of the pool and grounds at the Radisson better. However - I was concerned about where our room would be and if it would have a king bed or not. Seems a lot of folks had trouble with that but not at Wyndham.

We were able to get a phenomenal deal at the Wyndham with the all inclusive in a deluxe oceanview room. We joined Wyndham by Request and hope to get the upgrade to the Jr. Suite when we check in. It ended up being only $250pp to stay at Wyndham all inclusive in the deluxe oceanview vs. staying at Radisson in a partial oceanview with just breakfast. So we just could not pass up the savings.

Hopefully one day we will return and stay at the Radisson though! Good luck in your decision!

Betty

Sorry that should have said $250 MORE per person for the week to stay at the Wyndham all inclusive in a deluxe oceanview, versus staying at Rad in a partial o-view with breakfast only.

I have stayed at both....Radisson is definitely a nicer hotel hands down. Everthing is a little more upscale then the Wyndham...rooms, lobby, grounds.....so if money is not an issue, go with the Radisson. However, I really liked the Wyndham as well. It is definitely a great hotel for the difference in price. The pool area I thought was great! The chairs are extremely comfortable, and pool is very clean. Rooms at the Wyndham are nice and clean too...but don't compare to the Radisson. The good thing about the Wyndham is that you always get at least a partial ocean view room. I had no problems with either hotel. Staff is friendly at both properties. When I go back, I would stay at either. If the price difference was only a couple hundred dollars, I would choose the Radisson, but if I can get a good deal for the Wyndham (which is what I got last time), I will definitley go there. So, basically if money is not an issue, go with the Radisson-- especially if it is your honeymoon.

I recommend the Radisson especially for a honeymoon. Agree with all comments above. Only complaint was the noise from the adjoining room you share a door with. Recommend you try to get one without that feature. Ocean view is nice, but trust me the beach and weather are so perfect, you won't spend much time looking out the window. Have fun!

For a honeymoon, money no object? One of the suites at the Radisson (request jacuzzi) OR an execuive king room at the Marriott which are oceanfront with wrap around balconies.

Thanks for all of your suggestions.

I am definitely leaning toward Radisson. I guess we'll see when we visit the travel agent.



Patti

Hi, I just got back from a week in Aruba..I stayed at the radisson (RD). If $ is not an issue I would stay at the Hyatt and use the pool/beach area of the RD. Or stay at RD and book one of their top rooms... pay in the mid-upper 200's+++ for an ocean view room (you may be able to "see" the ocean), but it's definitely not that ocean front sensation. In fact, all of the hotels in this strip, RD, Hyatt, Westin, Allegro may have ocean view's, but it's nothing to write home about b/c all are set back on the beach....If you stay at the RD, I would only do it if you can pay for one of their deluxe.... b/c I stayed in low-rise building (partial ocean view, 4th floor) and the building reaks of mold, it was terrible!! we had to go buy some scented candles that did not help much...I've been to other beach front hotels in the caribbean and elsewhere and never encountered this so I don't buy the "what do you expect...you're at the beach"..thing...also, it's not humid so...even though the RD was renovated a few years ago, the room we were in was already run down and had VERY small bath.

All said, the pros of the RD were best beach (had the most waiters on the beach), pool, and really good food in their main restaurants...they had a great brunch on sundays...good food at bar...$8 a drink at the bar for non-happy hour....

I walked by the Wyndham on the beach and saw it's lobby a few times and I didn't like it much, it's definitely a step down from the RD and Hyatt...more economical hotel...also the beach was more run down..(less crowded, true), but more run-down..also the pool did not look happening at all..

I did not find the night life at any of these hotels to be great (unless you like the casino's) and then I found the casino at the allegro to be the most lively, followed by the Hyatt, and radisson (small and low-key)...if want dancing and this kind of night life you will have to head down town...not really near these strip of hotels...also, in terms of the activities...there is a tour company de palm tours, I think? that runs a great operation and the hotels in that strip were all hooked into the activites, e.g., snorkling, sea trek, safari (only do 1/2 day), snuba, etc...so that will not be a problem..very easy to set-up...re: the activities...we did a 1/2 day safari tour (fun) and a separate 1/2 day trip to de palm island for sea-treking...(our package included sea-trek for 20 minutes, unlimited snorkeling (it was great) and lunch for very reasonable rate about $80 ...I would recommend only 1/2 day morning tours so you can be back on the beach/pool by 1 or 2...all day on safari would be WAY too much (very dirty) and would not want to sun all day at de palm/paradise island which is run down...unless you are doing activities..I wouldn't want to hang out ....all day...but the 1/2 tour w/snuba/sea trek plus snorkel...was well worth it.....I think that's it...e-mail me if you have other questions....it was a great trip!! have fun.