bosco

I posted a few days ago regarding Playa Linda and have a few more questions. We're going with friends of ours to Aruba next February (2005). Since our friends are cashing in points (through RCI), we have 3 places to choose from - each with pros and cons. Hoping for some advice. The choices are Playa Linda, Costa Linda, or Divi Aruba Phoenix. Playa Linda has the best reviews (world's Best Awards in T&L magazine), is on a nice beach and close to restaurants and casinos, but I've heard the beach is cramped and overcrowded. Costa Linda has even better reviews, is in a quieter location on a nice beach, but have heard that the water on Eagle Beach is "murky" and the resort is not close to restaurants and casinos. Then, there is the Divi Aruba Phoenix. This one is on the nicer beach, but in a quieter location and stil close to everything. The downside - it doesn't appear that the facilities are as extensive as the others. For those that are familar with Aruba - are the reviews on target and where would you prefer to stay out of the three?

EJC

My choice would be Playa Linda.If you don't like their beach, you may want to walk a few yards and lay on the beach at Holiday Inn. Their beach is much wider; not to mention much more fun. To me, the beach at the Phoenix was much too windy. And I was never at Costa Linda.
I prefer palm beach area. (high rise section)

cdt

We didn't stay at any of these but we walked past all three (the Phoenix was being renovated at the time and was closed).

We found the water to be equally murky on Eagle and Palm beaches. Palm Beach had smaller waves and more people. The Phoenix is easily the ugliest of these three - a high-rise box. Playa Linda is also a high-rise, but more attractive; closer to other hotels than your other choices are.

Personally I would choose Costa Linda. We thought the best stretch of beach on the island was the area in front of the Manchebo, Bucuti, and Costa Linda, and there is a nice undeveloped area just north of Costa Linda. The C/L is a low-rise complex and more attractive than your other options.

bosco

Thanks for your responses. Regarding the Costa Linda, is it too far away from restaurants, casinos and activities? We'd prefer a quieter area, but still want to be within walking distance of things.

cdt

At the Costa Linda you're not as much in the thick of things as you would be on Palm Beach, but I would consider that a plus.

There is one casino within easy walking distance (Alhambra) and a couple of very good restaurants nearby. Other casinos are downtown (which is a bit closer to Eagle Beach than Palm) or in the big hotels on Palm Beach. There are some excellent restaurants in town, some near Palm Beach, some elsewhere.

Most water sports operators will pick you up at your hotel. Also, it's easy to get around in Aruba. A cab from the Costa Linda to Palm Beach is reasonable; there also are clean, safe buses. We rented a car for 3 of 8 days and did some exploring.

linman

Costa Linda would be my choice hands down! I've been to both beaches and they don't compare. Last time I stayed at Marriott(Oct.) before this La Cabana . Marriott was way too crowded even in low season. Even though LaCabana is huge the beach never felt crowded. Costa Linda is closer to town than Playa Linda and not far from Palm Beach and highrises. If you do not have car bus is always available and great and cabs are never a problem