Trip Report 9/11/22 - 9/21/22

[WaltVB]

Thanks so much for sharing your trip. I agree with everyone about the waiter and the tip. Why won't the restaurants just add 18% to the meal cost and call it a day? Surprises are the best in Aruba, Pam's sister surprised her one year. Hope your friend heals quickly.

[YiaYia1983]

Thank you Colette for the great detailed trip report. How wonderful that your friends were able to surprise you. We will now put Quinta Del Carmen on our list, and are looking forward to trying the tapas. Hopefully your friend heals quickly

[Laura in NH]

Thanks for the great info and so sorry about Carolyn. Hoping she heals well and quickly.

[Colette M]

The Tapas Garden is in the front of the restaurant, not the back where the more formal section is. We didn’t love the last meal there last year - mine was very heavy. But the tappas food was great! You should try it!

So fun that your friends were able to surprise you. It’s great to have people you can travel with and enjoy. Sorry about her injury. It’s a lousy way to end a vacation!

Sounds like you had some enjoyable meals. Quinta delCarmen has a lovely atmosphere. Too bad about the server at Ocean Z though. I would have been annoyed as well. Matthews was someplace we used to enjoy but haven’t been in years because of an exceptionally bad evening there.

‘Enjoyed your trip report and thank you for sharing.

[Colette M]

Thank you. When you reserve Quinta you need to specify you want the tapas garden. Enjoy!

Thank you Colette for the great detailed trip report. How wonderful that your friends were able to surprise you. We will now put Quinta Del Carmen on our list, and are looking forward to trying the tapas. Hopefully your friend heals quickly

[Colette M]

Thanks Walt. You are right about that 18%!

Thanks so much for sharing your trip. I agree with everyone about the waiter and the tip. Why won't the restaurants just add 18% to the meal cost and call it a day? Surprises are the best in Aruba, Pam's sister surprised her one year. Hope your friend heals quickly.

[Pegmeister]

The Tapas Garden is in the front of the restaurant, not the back where the more formal section is. We didn’t love the last meal there last year - mine was very heavy. But the tappas food was great! You should try it!

Have to agree; when we dined in the back courtyard we weren’t wowed by the food. Tapas on the other hand sounds perfect. I wouldn’t mind being in the front of the restaurant.

[schexc]

We go to Mathew's a few times each trip, but mainly for a happy hour and the view. We might dine in the restaurant once each trip. The last time is was underwhelming.

[Colette M]

Agreed. Was relaxing and when we ordered additional dishes they came out quickly. It was however low season.

Have to agree; when we dined in the back courtyard we weren’t wowed by the food. Tapas on the other hand sounds perfect. I wouldn’t mind being in the front of the restaurant.

[Colette M]

To answer your question about Waves, we arrived on 9/11. That was their last day before construction. If you are staying at the Ocean Club just go to the Marriott pool bar and they have the Waves menu (we were able to order on their beach too). I so wanted to try the lobster roll but the Continental breakfast was pretty extensive and since all our dinners were planned I did not have room for a big lunch. But I should have shared a lobster roll with my friend Carolyn come to think of it! Enjoy!

Thanks for sharing your trip with us. It’s wonderful that your friends were able to surprise you guys ! Sounds like a wonderful time.
I enjoyed reading the restaurant reviews. Bummer about the OceanZ waiter! I’m glad you didn’t add to the tip! I’m sure it was awkward hearing him complain about the service charge. I’m guessing Ava the owner wasn’t there or he wouldn’t have done that.
I thought Waves was closed for renovations; did they relocate it ? We’re heading to the Ocean Club on October 3rd and I do enjoy Waves’ lobster rolls!
‘The gelato at the Marriott is the best!