Hilton News...New tower

[robin]

I was looking at a map of the property. It looks like they will use the space where there is a tennis court, kids club and Red Sail.

[crimms]

We feel the same way as you guys, too much construction with no breaks. We will be sorry when they start to build addition on Manchebo Beach Resort next to ABC. I think we may pass coming that year during contruction.
Sean and Susan

[cpjones]

We feel the same way as you guys, too much construction with no breaks. We will be sorry when they start to build addition on Manchebo Beach Resort next to ABC. I think we may pass coming that year during contruction.
Sean and Susan

It's my understanding that any eventual new construction planned for Manchebo will be limited and be mainly behind the north wing where the exercise pavilion is now....but we all know how stuff changes!

[crimms]

CP, Manchebo has a great quiet beach vibe. Can you imagine cranes, bulldozers, fencing and constuction noise going on all day. That would kill the scenic view looking over to Bucuti. Just the volleyball games disrupt the beach massages at Spa del Sol at Manchebo now. It is our best part of ABC. Pega Pega and breakfast and dinner poolside, heavenly.
Sean and Susan

[Tuckahoe]

I agree with Robin. People are going to be priced out with the new hotels and pooped out because of the sewage and infrastructure issues.

The government needs to take giant step back and put a moratorium on future hotel development. They need to get professional training in Planning and Development and immediately address the current infrastructure issues in conjunction with its long-term goals. I worry that the “new” airport is being constructed according to the rooms currently on the island, plus a few more. Did they now revisit and update the plan to take into account the hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of new units now being built? How many people is that going to add to the departure terminal?

Any development currently in place must strictly adhere to the rules and approvals. Hefty fines should be in place and levied and collected immediately.

Finally, it they are truly interested in meeting the goal of being tourist friendly they should have the survey they always have us fill out with the ED card changed to better reflect what the tourist sees as current issues on the island. It could also be a part of a departure survey.
Questions such as:
-would you like to see more hotels or rooms
-does the airport serve your needs
-does crime concern you
-were you affected by sewage small (Yes, government, please acknowledge that there IS a problem)
-as a tourist, do you prefer a quieter beach vacation
-when on vacation are you looking for an all day crowded party atmosphere
-do you think Aruba is getting too crowded
-is our downtown attractive; would you want to spend time there
-did you experience a power outage this visit
You’re all welcome to add your own thoughts to the list.

[WaltVB]

While I kinda agree with the departure questions, it's not the tourist's island. It belongs to the wonderful, beautiful residents that live there full time. It is up to them to elect the proper officials that have the islands, and not their own best interests in mind. It hasn't happened yet, although they are moving in the right direction it seems. Will the current situation with all of the building going on deter folks from coming? Maybe so. Pam and I will probably continue going for a couple more years, then after I retire, we will explore many more places with better infrastructure and airport experience in place. That may mean not traveling to any islands in the Caribbean. We're okay with that.

I think the biggest question the ED card should ask is: will you return?

[Andrea J.]

Aruba maybe has the best "infrastructure" of any Caribbean nation that I have been to. Maybe Curacao is better, but we have only been to Curacao in the last 10 years by way of cruise stops and those stops are for 8 to 10 hrs at a time.

Tuckahoe's suggestion about a departure survey would be terrific.....taken by the ATA.

While I kinda agree with the departure questions, it's not the tourist's island. It belongs to the wonderful, beautiful residents that live there full time. It is up to them to elect the proper officials that have the islands, and not their own best interests in mind. It hasn't happened yet, although they are moving in the right direction it seems. Will the current situation with all of the building going on deter folks from coming? Maybe so. Pam and I will probably continue going for a couple more years, then after I retire, we will explore many more places with better infrastructure and airport experience in place. That may mean not traveling to any islands in the Caribbean. We're okay with that.

I think the biggest question the ED card should ask is: will you return?

[schexc]

Aruba maybe has the best "infrastructure" of any Caribbean nation that I have been to. Maybe Curacao is better, but we have only been to Curacao in the last 10 years by way of cruise stops and those stops are for 8 to 10 hrs at a time.

Tuckahoe's suggestion about a departure survey would be terrific.....taken by the ATA.

A couple of years ago, there were a group of students taking a survey on Eagle Beach. A number of these questions were being asked. From what I can tell, our responses are being ignored, as they reflect on Tuckahoe's questions listed above, to which the government has failed to show as a concern. We must have been the minority...

[Aruba4ever]

I kinda agree with you BUT without us WONDERFUL tourists Aruba as we know it would not exist...I don't get the feeling Aruba cares what anyone says they are just trying to fill the coffers so to speak. I could be wrong but I don't think so. They speak out of both sides of their mouth....all the time! No more building we want high income boutique places more than high rise hotels....what is the Embassy Suites? How about the St. Regis? Or the cluster Secrets place?

While I kinda agree with the departure questions, it's not the tourist's island. It belongs to the wonderful, beautiful residents that live there full time. It is up to them to elect the proper officials that have the islands, and not their own best interests in mind. It hasn't happened yet, although they are moving in the right direction it seems. Will the current situation with all of the building going on deter folks from coming? Maybe so. Pam and I will probably continue going for a couple more years, then after I retire, we will explore many more places with better infrastructure and airport experience in place. That may mean not traveling to any islands in the Caribbean. We're okay with that.

I think the biggest question the ED card should ask is: will you return?

[Tuckahoe]

I kinda agree with you BUT without us WONDERFUL tourists Aruba as we know it would not exist...I don't get the feeling Aruba cares what anyone says they are just trying to fill the coffers so to speak. I could be wrong but I don't think so. They speak out of both sides of their mouth....all the time! No more building we want high income boutique places more than high rise hotels....what is the Embassy Suites? How about the St. Regis? Or the cluster Secrets place?

I completely agree- well said Jay.
Aruba is not our country. It belongs to its residents.
However, it is difficult for many of us tourists who visit this beautiful island to sit back without commenting and watch the overdevelopment of hotels and its effect on the infrastructure. Perhaps because we’re not there every day we can see the difference between each visit. Some of it good, like more cruise ships adding to the downtown economy. Some of it not so good, as has been discussed over and over on this forum.
We are all on this forum because we love Aruba and the Arubians with whom some of us have made great lasting friendships with.
But from what I’ve read on this thread it sounds like many are considering other options, or returning less often.