Has anyone else heard that the Ritz Carlton is building in Aruba ?
I heard that there will be one going up near the Marriott.

Can anyone confirm this?
Thanks!!!!

If a Ritz Carlton is built it will be no where near the Marriott. They are talking about building two hotels down near baby beach - nothing else going up near the other hi-rise hotels.

The Ritz will not be building near Baby Beacn. Sofitel, a French hotel chain is the obe.

There will be a lot of ticked off windsurfers if the Ritz builds a hotel next to the Marriott. The wind will be blocked and many of the beginners will have trouble getting SOME wind to get going.

It's bad enough now trying to get back to shore with all the hotels creating wind shadows.

The last time I was there many locals (especially windsurfers) were really upset w/ the idea of another hotel being built next to the Marriott. Also, many of the locals bring their families their to have weekend picnics, etc.

We heard that the ritz would be going between the Marriott and the lighthouse. Going down in a few weeks, will ask around and let you know if anything is diff.

ALL CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD FOR 5 YEARS IN 2000 ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNMENT!!!!! ONLY REMODELING CAN BE DONE. NO NEW BUILDING WILL BE DONE TO 2005.

Just to bring you up to speed. Construction of the new Marriott Surf Club is now underway, Bucuti will be undergoing an expansion shortly after the start of the new year, 2 small hotels are planned for Baby Beach, believe Divi Village is also soon going to begin building more time-share units. A few other expansion projects are also in the works. Perhaps the word "grandfathered" applies here.

Do you know to what extent the expansion works to the Bucuti is going to be as I am going to be staying there for my honeymoon next year and really do not want to be staying somewhere that looks like a building site.

Thanks,

Danielle

Check out the thread re the expansion on the other aruba-bb site. (www.aruba-bb.com). There is already a link to a cam that sits on the roof of the Bucuti and updates a shot overlooking the beach every ten minutes and I read on there (if I understood it correctly) that another one will be installed soon that will allow you to keep an eye on the addition going up and track it's progress. If you want specific information on the time frame, etc., your best is probably to e-mail the resort directly.

I hope they don't build on Baby Beach. What a shame that would be.