Family with teens in summer?

[suebee329]

Hi all! I guess I have a couple of questions. I have only been to Aruba once and it was 20 years ago and I know a lot has changed since then. That was a honeymoon and this would be a family vacation with two 14 year old girls! So, first off, does anyone know how busy it is in July? I don't want to be fighting people in the pool and on the beach...crowds drive me crazy when on vacation. That being said, where would be best to stay? Divi area or Palm Beach area...we want to be at a hotel near a casino and on the beach. I just wonder what kind of night life is best at this age...it doesn't have to be super quiet, but I don't want it to be party central either..lol. Any advice would be helpful. We have been thinking about the Westin and the Radisson...thanks!!!

[cindyo]

You might be better off at the high rise area...teens love that mall and just walking around the shops & kiosks. Not much nite life for teens, well, 14 yr olds. They love to walk the beach, check out the snorkel boats...Jolly Pirate is a blast. Downtown has the Rennaissance suites and Renn marketplace. There is a movie theatre, shops, wifi at starbucks, Haden Daz...now that I think of it, the Renn might be a good place for you with their private island....anyway, enjoy

[Arubalisa]

Aruba is a family island and July is summer vacation. Though not PACKED like Christmas week it will be busy.

It sounds like you, the parent, are looking for a laid back, less hectic, quieter atmosphere for your vacation. For that type of experience you would probably be better off somewhere less crowded on Eagle Beach at the Amsterdam Manor or any of the smaller resorts.

To satisfy the kids, for activity, day or night, you would want to stay somewhere along Palm Beach.

To be perfectly honest it maybe difficult deciding between Eagle Beach for you or Palm Beach for the kids.

I would make sure you do a lot of research and ask a lot of specific questions so that you are not disappointed.

[Andrea J.]

I was thinking divi dutch, village, tamarijm
golf or phoenix.
More laid back areas, less crowds but still
kids and activities for the girls.

[suebee329]

I was kind of thinking of the Divi area, too. I am not adverse to having a lot going on, but I am really concerned about crowds and the time we are traveling. End of June to beginning of July seems to be busy, but really the only time we can go. Is the beach nice there? I heard it is more rocky and not natural? Thanks again for all your thoughts...they are super helpful!

[Andrea J.]

if you are talking about the beach at the DIVI AI, Tamarijn/DIVI DUTCH, and DIVI village/Divi golf villas .............the beach name is DRUIF!! it is quite nice. i think it will be less crowded/congested in that area than up in the palm beach area.

there are lots of kids at the tamarijn which is adjacent to the divi dutch village.

the whole beach area there is lovely and sometimes the rockiest parts are in front of the 1800-1500 blocks of the Tamarijn. In my opinion it is of little concern as the campus and beach area of the DIVI area is very large .

:-)

[suebee329]

Yes, I have done a lot of research since the idea of being near the Divi resorts was mentioned and I think I agree that being in that area is better for us. I have found different opinions though as to which resort is more for teens...the Divi or the Tamarijn...thoughts?? Some people say the Tamarijn is the more quiet of the 2, but I guess it doesn't really matter if you can access both resorts.

[Andrea J.]

you can access both resorts.
imo the Tamarijn is way better for the kids than the DIVI AI.

there are more kids/families at the Tamarijn

possibly arubalisa will write a suggestion, as she and her dh and dd have been to the tamarijn a few times over the past 4 yrs.

i will try to find her latest tamarijn trip report and post it.

Yes, I have done a lot of research since the idea of being near the Divi resorts was mentioned and I think I agree that being in that area is better for us. I have found different opinions though as to which resort is more for teens...the Divi or the Tamarijn...thoughts?? Some people say the Tamarijn is the more quiet of the 2, but I guess it doesn't really matter if you can access both resorts.

[Andrea J.]

Tamarijn Aruba June 12 - 24, 2008 (Long)

check out lisa's trip report for her 2008 trip report.

[Arubalisa]

The Tamarijn is great for kids of any age.

Our first stay there was with 4 kids. That review is here.
Our second and third stays were over the summer and we traveled with friends who also had two girls.
Our fourth stay was with 5 kids, ages 17, 16, 15, 13 and 10 years old. That review is here.

Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive June 17 - 29, 2009 (Long)

All four times that we have stayed at the Tamarijn they have been sold out. With that said, you would really not know it.

I just posted these links to relevant threads in another post, but they may helps you

http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/tamarijn.html

http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/tamarijn%20alcohol.html

http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/tama...0building.html

http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/tama...ss%20code.html

http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/tamarijn%20photos.html

http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/tama...staurants.html

http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/tamarijn%20review.html

http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/tamarijn%20rooms.html

http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/tamarijn%20tipping.html

In your original post you said you were worried about a crowded beach and pool. The pool area at the Tamarijn is quite small and the pool is rather ordinary, but the beach does more than make up for it.