claudiale

We are going to Aruba next month and thinking about bringing our own portable sun cabana. Has anyone done this? Staying at the Marriott Stellaris and wonder if they allow it? Also trying to find a breakfast and drink package for this hotel.
Thanks for any help. It is our first trip to Aruba.
Claudia

Carib_Ruby

Hi!

A great place for any aruba questions and information is
www.aruba-bb.com

It is an active board and people are very helpful

Ruby

MuyLinda

Hi Claudiale - Considering what I've read of late on the Marriott's (the resort, not the Ocean Club) policy to charge for cabanas on the beach (higher price for first row, lower price for middle and back rows) I would consider bringing your own portable sun cabana if shade is important and you don't want to have to pay for a palapa. From what I've read, there are those that like this new policy (you don't have to wait in lines - you just reserve your palapa and pay for it and it's yours for the week) and there are those that are upset that what once was first come, first served is now for hire. Check out Carib Ruby's website suggestion - that's a great board full of helpful people who love Aruba.

francot

Was at the Marriott in Oct and it was 1st come 1st serve and we never had a problem getting a palapa. Maybe not front row but I prefer one back a bit anyway. But so you dont have to hassle with trying to get one cant hurt to bring your own if it is convenient.

Jed

I don't understand about getting a palapa at the Marriott.

Do you always have to pay for a palapa even if you are staying there? Do you get by the day? What happens if you just want to sit on the beach for an hour - Do you need a palapa? Do they run out?

Thanks kindly for the info.

MuyLinda

If you don't want to chance not getting a palapa for the day, you can rent one in advance for three days at a time at the Marriott. I leave in nine days and will be at the Marriott and we will reserve our palapa on the beach to make sure we have shade when we need it.

Jed

This is what I found out about palapas:

A palapa is a large thatched umbrella on a pole. They are ubiquitous all along the beach. There are about 100 in front of MRS, numbered in lines. The are 2 ways to get a palapa:
1- pay for it
2 - get it free.
The odd numbered ones can be reserved at the towel hut for the next 1-3 days, by payment of $15/day for the first and second rows, or $10/day for all the others. The even numbered ones are given free out every day at 7AM. By that time there is a line, and some days, mostly on weekends, the free ones are given out. However, I asked for a free one at 11AM and 4 PM on a weekday, and they were available. As there are other shady areas, you could take your chances, unless you really, really must have one.

Near the towel hut are large piles of clean and used, large red and white towels. They can be exchanged freely. You can also take them up to the room. Nobody cares.