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[2PharmDs]

Hello!

My family (husband, 10 year old son and myself) are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Aruba in March. We are really looking forward to visiting!

We are slightly overwhelmed by where to begin our search for lodging, so I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Is there somewhere we can find a map or other description of the various areas? I have heard about high-rise, low-rise, Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, etc. Generally we prefer to stay somewhere we can really experience the local culture, and avoid busy, loud, party all night places. We would prefer a room with a kitchenette, and ideally be on the beach, or very close to it. My husband and I would take a remote location but our son wants a little more action so hopefully we can find a nice compromise. Anyway, if someone could just point us in the direction of a thread, map or something to get us started, I would REALLY appreciate it.

Thank you, and we look forward to learning all we can from these boards!

[cindyo]

Check out the Renniassance Suites
Sleeps 4
Kitchen etc.
Location is downtown and they have the unique private island that you take a boat to
Lots of good restaurants around there within walking distance
It isn't where the action is per say,but a great place to stay.

[Andrea J.]

http://www.aruba.com/traveltoaruba/b...aspx?&brcid=14

click above link then download the map

once downloaded go to the scroll menu on the left 48 thru 60+

palm beach and eagle beach and druif beach will all be highlighted

what you and your family may need would be a place at divi dutch resort (timeshare) or Tamarijn all inclusive
on druif beach, just south of eagle beach.
there is enough "quiet" to keep you and your husband happy
and enough "kids" to keep your son happy

other thoughts :
Renaissance Ocean Suites (timeshare)
downtown, with a nice manmade beach, pools and a pretty cool private island with glorious beaches



other thoughts would be also timeshares......Casa Del Mar, Aruba Beach Club.
on Eagle Beach a quieter area than palm beach

rent timeshare directly from owners using this site (see timeshare category)
or www.redweek.com

hotels Radisson and Hyatt and Westin....on Palm Beach, a very busy area...also very nice as well!

welcome to the aruba.com community forum
i copied this and posted to the where to stay category as well as leaving it here.

Hello!

My family (husband, 10 year old son and myself) are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Aruba in March. We are really looking forward to visiting!

We are slightly overwhelmed by where to begin our search for lodging, so I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Is there somewhere we can find a map or other description of the various areas? I have heard about high-rise, low-rise, Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, etc. Generally we prefer to stay somewhere we can really experience the local culture, and avoid busy, loud, party all night places. We would prefer a room with a kitchenette, and ideally be on the beach, or very close to it. My husband and I would take a remote location but our son wants a little more action so hopefully we can find a nice compromise. Anyway, if someone could just point us in the direction of a thread, map or something to get us started, I would REALLY appreciate it.

Thank you, and we look forward to learning all we can from these boards!

[kent]

Welcome to the Aruba board.

With a 10 year old son, my vote is the Marriott Surf Club. They have a water slide and a lazy river. I also have some friends there that have xtra rooms so pm me if you are interested.

You will LOVE Aruba!!!! You will want to keep going back!!!

[kent]

Sorry but I just seen you want quiet and remote. Check out Club Arias. That is very quiet and laid back. You need a car because its a few minutes to the smaller private beaches. Baby beach is only 10 minutes away. If you stay at high rise or low rise, baby beach is 45 min to a hour away.
Clubariascom

[mjl60621]

I would say avoid the high rise area if ypu do not like tons of people, I have read several times on this site that many of the hotels have you pay to reserve the huts for shade on the beach, apx 40dollars a day. That shows you how crowed they are but the night life will be better down that end. Years ago I stayed @ the westin (it had another name). It was nice but I did not like walking down the hallway, getting into the elvator, walked past casino etc to get outside, then you have to pass the pool etc to get to the beach.

For the reasons above I love the low rise area, the places are smaller so less people. Yes you still have to wake up early and reserve a hut on the beach for shade, but that was no problem and I did not have to pay extra. If you want to do AI I recommend the tamarijin on the divi all inclusive, both have you right on the beach with the tamarijin litteraly on the beach, its insane. I will be there for 12days in november, 2 months to go! If u wana avoid all inclusive try the divi dutch village which is located right behind the tamarijin.

Have fun looking, all of the places are awesome if you love the beach! One think to keep in mind is do you want to cross a road to get to the beach. In march I have a cheap trip planned to aruba but I will stay at the mill. To ge to the beach, I have to cross a street, cut through the westin, and then beach. Not want I want, but @ least i will go to aruba 2x in 5 months! I want to try the high rise area just to change it up and try different resturaunts on the island.

But my first choice will always be the low rise due to less crowds on the beach.

Check out tripadvisor for tons of testimonals frrom actual people who have stayed in aruba, you will get the good and bad.

Have fun and enjoy! Its early but in addittion to my two planned trips I am plotting a nov and dec 2013 trips. I project nov @ divi dutch village, and dec at a condo or a timeshare rental from someone on here. I duno, it depends what I can afford.

[gaby]

maybe rent a place. I love the malmok area. beautiful homes to rent or a townhouse at the gold coast villas. literally 5 minutes to high rise area, right next to arashi beach. check vrbo.com or homeaway.com. we usually rent at the gold coast villas, across the street from tierra del sol golf course. they are 2 or 3 bedrooms with 3 baths, kitchen, etc., 24 hour security, two swimming pools. very nice. just far enough but very close to the action in palm beach (high rise area).

[kal0721]

Eagle Beach is definately quieter than Palm beach. My suggestion would be LaCabana.

Kathy

[pbumbaca]

Hello there! I just returned from Aruba last week. May I suggest the Boardwalk. It's very small, only 13 rooms all have full kitchens, living rooms and a private patio with a hammock and bbq grill. It's not directly on the beach so it's very quiet but you can walk right across the street to the Marriott beach within 3 minutes. We loved it there and plan on bringing our kids back next year.

[NUMBAH1DAD]

I have found timeshare rentals through www.sellmytimesharenow.com they set you up with the owner directly to broker the deal - but with any transaction you have to be careful. I lucked out and dealt with a great family that was on the up and up. I got a two bedroom at Paradise Beach Villas Eagle Beach for $750. Good luck and I would go with the timeshare before a hotel.