I just returned from the Tamarijn late last night. The trip was wonderful and we can't wait to go back. I can't believe I was ever worried that it wouldn't be great. The people who said this place was "a dump" must have gone somewhere else. I have been to many islands and many resorts and this was overall my best vacation. I'll cover some of the main points. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions.

Flight: We flew direct (both ways) on American Airlines from JFK. The flights were uneventful. Going down the plane was empty and we had plenty of room to spread out, but it was crowded on the way back. Airport security went smoothly. Two hours before was plenty of time in both directions. On the plane we had a meal, a movie and TV shows, so it went pretty quickly.

Transfers: I followed the advice on the board and took a cab to the hotel instead of the DePalm bus. It wasn't necessary. The Tam is the first stop on the bus, so anyone who took the bus got there at the same time as us. I would, however, recommend taking a cab on the way back to the airport. DePalm insists on picking you up 3-1/4 hours before the flight which is totally ridiculous.

The Tam: The Tamarijn is a very clean, very attractive hotel on the most incredible beach I've ever seen. The rooms are not fancy, but I would trade a fancy room any day for opening my sliding doors onto the beach. No waiting for elevators, no long lobbys. It is a place where everything you need is available an everyone makes an effort to learn your name. We went by the Hi Rise area and while those hotels may have been nicer, it looked like Miami with the hotels and the people piled on top of each other. I know a lot of people like that, but I'm not one of them.

Room: We requested the 1900 block and were given 1913. It is true that this is the best section of beach, but I don't think I would do it again. The truth is that we didn't spend that much time at the beach in front of our room and it was a long walk to everything. Next time I think I would stay in 1700 or 1800 and be closer to everything. The room itself was simple, but clean and adequate.

Tam/Divi Difference: It was exactly as explained to me by reservations -- the Tam is a great place for families and teens and the Divi is full of honeymooners. While the Divi looked a little nicer, I was traveling with my 17 year old daughter and very glad I picked the Tam. She made a lot of friends and I had a great time too. It wouldn't have been fun for either of us to be swarmed by honeymooners.

Restaurants: We went to Aruba with the intention of eating out at one of the outside restaurants at least once. We never did because we liked the choices there too much. Both the Paparazzi and the Red Parrot were really good and we wanted to go back to them. The Palm Court was good, but it was more grilled "meat and potatoes" and that wasn't something we really enjoy. The Paparazzi was especially terrific for the atmosphere. There were little alcoves for couples and an accordian player playing Italian love songs! We met people from other resorts who came there and even a few locals who said they eat there often.

Breakfasts and lunches were buffets with a nice assortment. If there was ever something we didn't like or we were hungry late afternoon, the snack bar had a great (and tasty) selection of pizza and sandwiches. We never had the dinner buffet. I like to get dressed up and be served for the evening.
We did venture out one evening after dinner for dessert at Le Dome. I was told by a friend that this was a must and I'm glad we did. The desserts (a choice of about 40!) were incredible.


Evenings: The entertainment at the Tam was very interesting. We enjoyed the Synchronized Swimming and Carnival shows. I also spent each night at the Alhambra Casino. I played "Let It Ride" and won all but one night.

Sightseeing: We took the DePalm Discover Aruba tour and it was incredible. It covers all of the island and I highly recommend it. My daughter went horseback riding to the Natural Pool and the beach.

Timeshare: We checked out the Divi timeshare and received the horseback riding free. It only took an hour. I actually thought the timeshare was a pretty good deal, but I only go to all-inclusives. I don't want to drive a car, see a kitchen or go to a supermarket on my caribbean vacations!

I think I've covered it all. We can't wait to get back.
Marcia

P.S. Don't forget the sunblock. I poured on 30 every hour and still burnt!

WOW Marcia, thats exactly what I was lookin for. Glad you had a good time, I cant wait!!!

MARCIA, WE AGREE WITH YOU COMPLETELY, YOUR TRIP REPORT RANG TRUE WITH WHAT WE EXPEREINCED!! All I have to say is let people slam the Tam, just makes it more accessible for us!

I leave tomorrow am - I cant wait - taking my
16 year old neice.. I will let ya know.
This BB has been very helpul

I am planning a honeymoon.. we want an Ocean Front room, but also want peace and quiet. The Divi does not have Ocean Front, but if the Tam has too many families, then we may be disappointed. Do you think that I should consider another property? What do you think? Are there others on Eagle Beach that are all-inclusive, Ocean Front, and quiet?

I would really appreciate the advice from someone who has stayed there already!!!

Thanks,
Eric

We are actually going to the Divi Aruba resort -I know they share facilities with the Tamarijn Aruba can anyone else give me feedback on the food - beach -property. Thanks

Marcia,

My husband and I will be vacationing at the Tam for our 16th wedding anniversay in November. We know of one individual who has a timeshare in Aruba and when he was informed as to where we had booked our reservations his only comment was "it's clean". We are not looking for a highrise with the elegance of an impressive lobby, elevators to get to your room and gobs of people everywhere. A simple room where we can walk out and be on the beach and enjoy the tropical atmosphere and celebrate with a bottle of champaigne. We are so very much looking forward to our trip 4 months from now.

Thanks for the feedback and I will continue to check the message board for additional information.

Kevin & Kim

Kathy S

go to my website at

www.geocities.com/THEFEEL2002

to see pix of Divi Aruba beach property and beach area and some of Tam.

also go to

www.visitaruba.com/guestarea/tripreports/trip351.html

to see pix and a report of tamarijn

Food is great, both a la carte and buffet restaurants at both resorts. I like the Divi better but use both resorts when I am there.

Where were you when you saw the most beautiful beaches in the world are at the Tamarjin?? The Tam. has the worse beaches on that side of the island out of all the beaches there. Full of rocks, rough shells beaches, etc. Extremely small rooms and sorry you missed out of the best of the islands adventures,
Dinning out at sit down great restaurants. AI is mostly recycled food from day to day. What do you think they do with all the left over buffet food? Throw it away? Dont knock what you havent tried. We tried the Tam. yrs ago and it was bad then, let alone now. It needs a long overdue complete make over. People keep buying it and they'll keep selling it. How come you didnt mention the old iron sea wall that used to be a beach that went out 75 yards into the ocean. Then it eroded and was never replaced. BUT all the other resorts up the beach replaced and restored their beaches. Not The Tamarjin! Tam people need to investigate all the possibilities on the island and then compare. Plenty of beautiful locations with everything you would want and not a high rise. Go look at CasaDelMars facility, pool, lobby, rooms, atmosphere. Then go back to the Tam Trailer Park. Common, get a life!

Save your breath Frankie, Tamirijin people will defend their hole in the wall even if they agree. Even the Divi-Divi is about 10 times neater, cleaner and more, than the "T". "T's" lobby is a closet compared to most facilities. The "T" gets more negativities than any other facility by 1000 to 1. WHY? Because they are lies, yea right.