schectec

We are in our 50's and enjoy a fun resort atmosphere. However, do not want to stay with mostly honeymooners or young singles - mixed crowd is what we are looking for. Any recommendations for an oceanfront all-inclusive hotel, at least a 3 * rating, for January 2011 would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

KVR

We loved AI hotels and have been to 14 including Aruba. However, we learned after our trip that AI in Aruba is not the way to go.

There are 2 sections of Aruba to stay on the beach, the high rise area and the low rise area. First decide which area is what you are looking for. The high rise area has a strip of high rise hotels sitting side by side and share Palm Beach. It is much more active. There is a strip complex across the street with shops, restuarants, bars and entertainment. On the beach side of the hotels are addtional restuarants, bars and water sports centers.

The low rise area is Eagle beach. The hotels are either 2 or 3 stories and are more spread out. Eagle Beach is less crowded and not as many resturants or bars, but the bus service is easy and convenient.

There are really tons of resturants and bars in Aruba in all prices ranges and easy to get to. Unless you are huge eaters/drinkers AI is really not benefical cost wise. If you been to AI resorts in Mexico, Jamaica or the DR, you find that Aruba AI's are about twice as expensive as what you will find in those other locals.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn when we went and got their AI plan for $450 total for the both of us for a week, which was a good deal as the drinks were rather expensive. However, the food was pretty bad and we ended up eating out every night. We've been looking at a return trip for next year. If I can find another deal like that I would do again just to help with the drink prices otherwise, anything over $1,000 for 2 people for a 7 night stay is too high and not worth it.

The Radisson on Palm Beach has a food/beverage credit option. So much for so many nights and might be a good compromise if interested in that hotel.

schmerl

The Riu and the Occidental are both very good AI resorts in Aruba.

schectec

You have been very helpful. I had found the Divi Aruba complex at a decent price. I need to check prices then for the hotel room alone vs an AI price. If anyone has input on the Divi Aruba, please comment. Thanks,

KVR

I do not think the Divi has a non-AI price. It's like the RIU or Occidential, AI or nothing.

Instead look at the Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa or the Amsterdam Manor. They are also on Eagle Beach, but offer a AI or non AI plan.

shirleyk

You can stay in the Divi Complex Timeshare part without taking the AI option. There are two Timeshare parts - one is the Dutch Village which is behind the Tam and the other is the Divi Village which is across the road from the beach. Both are very convenient to the beach. Go to www.diviresorts.com for more information. Dutch Village and Divi Village have studios and one bedroom units. You can book through Divi Resorts or go to popular travel sites, whichever is the best price. Also, you might want to look the Divi Phoenix while you are there. Not an AI but directly on the beach, close to the high rise area.

Penelepy

We just got back from 3 weeks in Aruba and we learned some hard lessons! First, AI in Aruba is expensive and unneccessary. We stayed at the Tamarijn which is the Divi all inclusive resort next door Dutch Village and Divi Golf. Our room was VERY small, the brochures and their website lead you to believe certain things that are not true. We had our 2 boys with us and we booked this resort based on the things we saw they offered on their website. Like bikes that you could ride, on the brochure and website it showed a family riding bikes on the boardwalk that runs along the water in front of the rooms, not true! When we got there they informed us you can only ride bikes OFF property. The food was not good. By the 5th day we were eating out dinner and by the 10th day we were eating out lunch and dinner. What a waste of money. We rented a jeep and do recommend that for anyone versus the taxi's or bus system. We enjoyed the resort for it's friendly people and fun feel, but would not stay there again. And we would definitley be hesitant to do AI again.
Aruba was beautiful and we did everything! The Jolly Pirates cruise/snorkeling was worth every penny...we had a blast! We drove to Baby Beach almost every day to snorkel, but we could snorkel right off our hotel room as well. De Palm Island was fun and very relaxing, since we walked all the way to the last lagoon and felt like we were the only ones on our own island. We did the submarine, which was great fun too. The shopping is amazing there and we felt very safe. The people speak 4 languages mostly: Dutch, Spanish, English and Papimento.(I think I got that right!) We did visit another resort to see if we could have done better... And by far the Playa Linda was amazing! It was not as expensive as the Rui or Occidental but really nice and right in the middle of the High Rise section that KVI was talking about. That section was lots of fun and we wish we had stayed there. We regret the crazy money we spent on the Tamarijn Divi. We are planning our next one for Grand Cayman we think, just looking for great snorkeling. Our friends are in Belize right now and they are having a blast... I hope you have fun. Hope this helps!

schectec

Hi Penelepy,
Your response confirmed what others had written and just what I needed to hear. I thank you so much for taking the time to write.