Renaissance Resort - Hotel or Suites??

[wildewoman]

We haven't even left on our 2nd trip (which is in 78 days!!) and I am already thinking about a 3rd trip!!

We have stayed at the Surf Club ~ and we LOVE it -we book a 2 bedroom unit - love the space & the kitchen & the view, etc. (we are a couple - and they always look at us funny when we say - yes, just the 2 of us!!)

BUT ~ I like to try out different places & since I am a Marriott fan I am interested in the Renaissance. I have read very mixed reviews - is it a hotel, suites, private, adults only??

We like to have a kitchen or kitchenette - so we can load the cooler & head to the beach. Can some one give me real skinny on the resort?? I have heard it sits next to a night club & you can't sleep - then I read that it is dead after dinner??

I want to make sure when I book it - that I get the correct unit!!

Thanks so much!!

[Arubalisa]

The resort is as you know located in downtown Oranjestad.
http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.517667&lon=-70.0369835&z=17&l=0&m=b

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
http://www.aruba.com/WheretoStay/Renaissance_Aruba_Resort__Casino.aspx

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/auabr-renaissance-aruba-resort-and-casino/

Originally Posted by wildewoman

I have read very mixed reviews - is it a hotel, suites, private, adults only??

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-rooms/auabr-renaissance-aruba-resort-and-casino/
There are two towers, separated some distance, but catercorner to one another.

http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.5189212&lon=-70.0376916&z=19&l=0&m=b

"Adult-exclusive Aruba hotel accommodations at the Renaissance Marina Hotel."
"Resort Room at the Renaissance Marina Hotel - Adult Exclusive

Room Features
260sqft/23sqm
Air-conditioned
This room is non-smoking
Connecting rooms are not available
Windows may be opened
Windows, floor to ceiling
Accessible Room Features
This room type is not accessible
Hospitality Services
Evening turndown service
Newspaper delivered to room on request"

We like to have a kitchen or kitchenette - so we can load the cooler & head to the beach. Can some one give me real skinny on the resort??

For a kitchenette, you would need a unit at the Ocean Suites tower. This is the timeshare tower.

http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.5154308&lon=-70.03649&z=18&l=0&m=b
"Family-friendly Aruba vacation accommodations at the Renaissance Ocean Suites

Suite at the Renaissance Ocean Suites - Family Friendly
Room Features
452sqft/41sqm
Air-conditioned
This room is non-smoking
Connecting rooms are not available
Outdoor spaces: balcony (1)
Outdoor spaces total size 22sqft/2sqm
Living/sitting area
Living room is separated
Living area is separated from bed by privacy wall
Windows may be opened
Windows, floor to ceiling
Accessible Room Features
This room type is not accessible
Hospitality Services
Evening turndown service
Newspaper delivered to room on request

Kitchen features
Mini-refrigerator
Microwave"

[wildewoman]

So the hotel is adults only - but closer to the street. The suites are family friendly - & have the kitchenettes.

We'd go with the suites - maybe not as much noise.

Does anyone have an opinion as to which they liked better?? I just looked at YOU TUBE & the resort has something like 15 restaurants - we'd never have to leave the resort!!

[Arubalisa]

The resort lists about 8 restaurants on their website. Imo the others are within easy walking distance but not directly part of the resort.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/auabr-renaissance-aruba-resort-and-casino/

[wildewoman]

Have you ever stayed there Lisa?

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by wildewoman

Have you ever stayed there Lisa?

No. Have researched it time and time again. Maybe someday if the price were right.

You can also ask questions at http://www.aruba.com/forum/groups/1/
Renaissance Timeshare Owners Club

[Andrea J.]

we have stayed at the suites.
the resort units are just ok, nothing luxurious.
bare minimum kitchenette with 2 college sized refrigerators.
what makes the whole deal awesome is the private island.
we definitely would stay there again.

Originally Posted by wildewoman

So the hotel is adults only - but closer to the street. The suites are family friendly - & have the kitchenettes.

We'd go with the suites - maybe not as much noise.

Does anyone have an opinion as to which they liked better?? I just looked at YOU TUBE & the resort has something like 15 restaurants - we'd never have to leave the resort!!

[Liz - Aruba Lover]

I have stayed at both the Resort and Ocean Suites. Since you want a kitchen, then it you'll want the Ocean Suites. The units there are very nice. When you walk in the unit, the 1st room is the bedroom with a king bed, dresser, TV and closet. Next is a decent size bathroom . I forget if it had 1 or 2 sinks (I think 2). Down the hallway is the kitchen area which is tight as it is a narrow hall. At the end of the hallway is the living room area. The living area has a queen sofa bed, dresser, TV, table and chairs and a closet and sliding doors to go out to the balcony. The 1st, 3rd and 5th floors are timeshare units; 2nd and 4th are hotel units. The difference is that the timeshare units have a stove top, toaster, etc. The restaurants at the Ocean Suites is the pool bar and the other restaurant serves breakfast and has dinner theme nights.

Next to the Ocean Suites is Seaport Casino and Renaissance Marketplace. Restaurants there are Cafe the Plaza, Dutch Pancake House, Casa Tua (former location of Waterfront Crabhouse), CILO, Starbucks, Sushi-Ya, and Hung Paradijs Chinese. The Ren Resort is in walking distance but they have a golf cart you can take. At the Resort is L.G. Smith's Steakhouse and Aquarius Buffet and ala carte Restaurant.

The best part of staying at the Renaissance is the private island. I love it there. Except for one Easter Sunday I was there that the private sland was pretty crowed, I've never had a problem with getting a lounge chair or a shade hut.

I don't know where noise was from a nightclub unless from Cafe Choas. But that is across L.G. Smith boulevard. If you want real quite, make sure the unit is not facing the parking lot which faces the Marketplace and Casino.

If you decide to stay at the Ren, unless you are going to use Marriott points, it will be cheaper to rent someones timeshare unit. I saw that CindyO& RobO are renting their unit next April.

Here is a layout of the Resort - Renaissance Ocean Suites – Resort Layout

[wildewoman]

If I book it with a week traded into Interval - would I get a 1 bedroom unit?

Thanks so much!!

[Liz - Aruba Lover]

They are all 1 bedroom units. The only difference is the stove in the kitchen. Also, unless it has been changed with renovations, the timeshare unit had 2 refrigerators (very small) and the hotel units had 1 refrig. When you exchange call Interval to get the unit #. Check the resort layout I posted to see if the unit is on a timeshare or hotel floor and where the location is.