teachertraveler

Hello, my husband and I are considering a week long trip early next summer to Aruba. We'll probably be going with another couple. We are all in our late 20's. We want a relaxing, beautiful beach experience for the day (struggling to get beach chairs is not our thing). I am a teacher and I love children, but hearing crying children isn't what we have in mind either We aren't party people, but we do like doing things at night time. For our honeymoon, we went to the Cayman Islands and although it was absolutely beautiful and fun during the day, we were bored at night. We want to be able to walk to restaurants (at least a few) and perhaps find bands playing at restaurants/bars at night. We've talked to friends who love Palm Beach but from what I've read, it seems like that will be just so congested during the day, yet the place to be at night. Eagle Beach seems absolutely perfect for the day but I'm not sure how easy it is to get around for the night. I guess I'm leaning towards Eagle Beach but I'm concerned we will be bored at night, or have to pay a lot of money for a cab into town. If anyone has suggestions, we would love to hear them! THANKS A LOT!!!!

noridog

Are you looking at hotels or condo rentals ? Go on Casa Del Mar's website and take a look. The beach is stunning and you do not fight for chairs as you do at the high rises. Very relaxing, across the street is the Alijhambra casino. Any questions just ask..

KVR

We stayed at the Holiday Inn on Palm Beach Sept. '06 and loved the location. We are much older than you and did not fine the area too congested. That strip of hotels is directly across the street from several resturants, bars, shopping and other enterainment. It's also close to the beach bar at the Marriot. The bus to downtown is very convenient and cheap. Look at the Raddison. Gets really great reviews.

We drove by Eagle Beach a few times. Yes, their beach area is much quiter, but I agree it would be too boring for us at night and you'll either need a car or taxi if you want to go to the Palm Beach area or you can take the bus into downtown.

We met a couple on-line that stayed at the Tam and the next year they meet us at the Holiday Inn. They loved the area of Palm Beach better. It depends on what's more important to you.

Gin

We stayed at the Bucuti and loved the peace and quiet. Also, we NEVER had a problem getting beach chairs under a palapa. We went to the high rise section of Palm Beach at night, for the casinos (and anything else going on). It takes about 5 minutes by car/cab and the cabs are plentiful and won't break the bank. You can walk to a couple of restaurants from the Bucuti, and you are also 5 minutes closer to town than you would be if you stayed in the Palm Beach area We felt like we had the best of both worlds at the Bucuti location. You can't help but have a great time.

SquanNJ66

My sister, brother in law and husband go to Aruba almost every November. We love the Radisson. There is never an issue with chairs at the pool or palapas on the beach. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance. The Hyatt is also beautiful but is full of kids. The breakfast buffet at the Radisson usually comes with your room and is terrific.
I hope you enjoy your trip to Aruba. Once you go you'll be as big a fan as we are.

girlonthego

Stay at the Bucuti hotel on Eagle Beach. It is geared towards adults only. (Although not enforced, just more of a request for adults only).
It has a great beach and has recently been added on to with new rooms (tara suites).
You are very close to everything in Aruba by cab and cabs are not very expensive.
We stayed at the Marriott a few years ago with our kids and had a great time. Most of the hotels on Palm beach will have lots of activites, watersports and kids! It was perfect for us.
Eagle beach is known for it's more relaxing atmosphere and Bucuti gets great reviews.
Go to aruba-bb.com for more info on Aruba. The website's bulletin board had lots of aruba regulars on it and they gave all kinds of great recommendations.
Also remember that you will be cabbing it around the island to go to the many great restaurants.

alya

girlonthego,

you forgot to mention that public transport on Aruba is amazing!

It's regular, inexpensive, used by tourists and locals alike and you get to meet some really nice people - even if just for 10 minutes The buses run late into the night, we have never rented a car on Aruba although we did on Nevis.

Eagle Beach (we also stayed at Bucuti) has a casino and quite a few restaurants within 2/10 minutes walking distance - we enjoyed Le Dome (go for the Sunday brunch) and Pizza Bob's. All the local hotels have bars, some with music.

Palm Beach is an easy reach for evening entertainment if you need a change, having said that Eagle Beach cannot be beaten for daytime relaxation.

Wherever you choose Eagle or Palm - check out the other area, you will either be pleased with your choice or disappointed, that I'm afraid we can't help you with

Vallombrosa

I agree with Gin and girlonthego; Bucuti is perfect, public transportation is easy, cabs are not terribly expensive. We loved Bucuti, and everytime we were up at or near Eagle, we were glad we werent' staying there.