going_2_africa

I am just beginning to seriously look into a trip to Aruba with S.O. I think I am pretty sold on Bucuti, based on reading other posts here.

I am wondering if anyone has stayed in the bungalow suites? Or for those that have been and didn't stay in one, did you have opportunity to make observation enough to comment?

It seems that most people go for the Tara suites. They are the same price, according to Bucuti's website.

The priority is to have a very relaxed, hassle-free, vacation, and if possible the whole "walk out of the room onto the beach" thing.

Thanks in advance for any advice/comments.

Lmaev

We stayed in Bucuti in December 2007. If you go to trip advisor and type in Bucuti Beach Aruba, you can get a wealth of reviews.

The beach at Bucuti is INCREDIBLE!!
The beach makes this hotel. Without it, Bucuti is nothing to right home about. We stayed in the Tara Suites and I am not aware of the bungalow suites you are referring to but we just may not have been paying attention.

You are picking the right hotel if the beach and relaxing is important to you. It really is beautiful and quiet and there is no one around you.

As far as the hotel iteself, we had many issues with checking in, our room, getting our room cleaned. It was a not great!

We did not eat at the pirate ship restaurant. We had dinner out each night. Drinks and lunch were ordered from the beach bar which was fine. We had breakfast each morning in the Tara Suites-very basic stuff but enough to tide you over until lunchtime.

The pool is nice and right next to the beach. It was recently completely re-done. Its literally next to the restaurant so its good for a quick dip but I'm not sure if one would want to sit by the pool.

bankbabe_again

Hi everyone -

I know this thread is old, but it's one of the most recent ones on Bucuti. I am almost set to make my reservations for Sept and was wondering about the Tara Suites - not sure if we want ground floor or penthouse. Does anyone know if there is an elevator? I love the idea of stepping onto the sand from my room, but also love the view and think it might be better from above. Also, any more recent reviews from Fodorites who may have been there since '08?

thanks so much~
/bankbabe

Knowing

We were wondering the same thing. There don't seem to be any recent reports (from 2010)on any of the websites. It is our understanding that the Tara suites are a good size, but back in 2008-2009, it appears there were a number of people complaining about the dehumidifiers, and alarms going off at night as they were small. Also, talk of some mold and mildew in the suites - which would explain why they even have dehumidifers. Can anyone even comment on them?

tyler

I stayed in the Tara Suites for two weeks in 2005 and LOVED IT! What a beach! We stayed higher up because we wanted the view. And what a view it is. However, Aruba is very hot and the balconies of the tara suites are shielded from the trade winds, so it was difficult to spend much time on them. If I had to do it again, I would still probably choose to be higher up simply because I liked having my morning coffee on the balcony with the view of the ocean and I don't mind taking he elavator or the stairs to the beach. As it is, the ground floor rooms are bit back from the beach anyways. Regardless,the Bucuti would definitely be my first choice on Aruba - the quiet beach is SO much nicer than the crowded beach at the high rises.