Aruba or Puerto Rico?
Feb 24th, 2003, 10:35 AM
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Aruba or Puerto Rico?
My husband and I just won a trip to either The Radisson in Palm Beach, Aruba or The Hampton Inn in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Any suggestions on which is the better place to go? I think the Aruba hotel is nicer, but there seems to be more to do in San Juan. My husband doesn't like to sit on the beach for long periods of time, and we aren't gamblers. HELP us decide!
Feb 24th, 2003, 05:46 PM
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Anne-J<BR><BR>Do you and your husband enjoy the warm weather? There is alot to do in Aruba other then laying in the beach.<BR><BR>They have sunset cruises, snorkel cruises, dinners on the beach, you can rent a jeep and explore the island...very fun and adventures. Contrary to what people say, Aruba can be somewhat of a rough terain when driving around. My husband and I aren't big gamblers, but we did play $5 or $10 here or there.<BR><BR>The Radisson is one of the top rated resorts, you can't go wrong with that.<BR><BR>I've been to Aruba 3 times. I can't say enough about it.<BR><BR>If you are going late in the year July - November, it is hurricane season and your best bet would be Aruba.<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip wherever you go.<BR><BR>I can't give you insight on Puerto Rico for i've never been there, but we'd like to visit in the future.<BR><BR>Enjoy your planning.
Feb 25th, 2003, 12:06 AM
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Second Victoria's comments. We just got back from Aruba and loved it. Plenty to do there apart from gambling! Shopping, restaurants, etc. I don't know Puerto Rico so can't comment on that, but don't feel any great urge to go there. Anyway, you can't go wrong with Aruba.
Feb 26th, 2003, 05:38 AM
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We have traveled to both islands many times.<BR>Puerto Rico has spanish colonial towns, lush rain forests--El Yunque is great for hiking, luxury hotels, quiet seaside restaurants as well as very good restaurants in San Juan that are expensive. Beaches tend to be golden, one of my favorites is Luquillo which is a long beach with lots of swaying palm trees --great to walk on during the week and avoided on the weekend due to crowds. Good surfing beaches in Rincon. There is a rich history in P.R. We like walking around Fort San Cristobal overlooking the ocean in the San Juan area. Puerto Rico is a much bigger island with 200 miles of coastline. You will find many artisans and crafts centers--we have friends who create sculptures. Cannot recommend Puerto Rico from August to end of September due to summer storms.<BR>Aruba has gorgeous beaches, great weather and friendly people and hospitality. It is only a 20 mile long island off the coast of South America. Eastern part of the island is rough with rolling breakers--beaches, caves, dunes, desert and the Natural Bridge. West coast has long white sand beaches, lush flora and has a bird sanctuary. There are strong trade winds and windsurfing is very popular.<BR>We walked around the Radisson Hotel in Aruba this last December and it had beautiful lush grounds with parrots and waterfalls. I am not familiar with the Hampton Inn in P.R. <BR>So I would say you would enjoy either island. Puerto Rico is very tropical and Aruba is desert-like. There are many activities offered on both islands.
Feb 26th, 2003, 05:55 AM
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I have been to both places, although not to those properties. In my opinion, staying in SJ in a Hampton Inn would be a very different experience than the Radisson Aruba and it depends on what you want. The SJ trip will have a very "city-like" feel to it, so if you are looking for a great beach-vacation-escape, go with Aruba. If you want to tour a lot and stay in a city, then go with SJ. Personally, I don't like SJ much because when I go to the Caribbean I am looking for a beach vacation. We stay at the Hyatts, which are 45 minutes outside of SJ. Also, I hear lots of great comments about the Radisson. The only way I would consider staying in SJ is if it was at a really luxury property. I think it is fair to say that the Radisson Aruba would be comparatively more upscale than the Hampton Inn in SJ.
