CDarver

We're looking at Aruba because we want to stay out of hurricane belt and want an all-inclusive place where we can lounge around the resort. Some of our wants include:

- Good meals
- Solid beach and pool

Any suggestions?

CDarver

To clarify, when I say "good meals," I mean not a buffet. A good selection of restaurants with fantastic food.

Weadles

I wouldn't do AI in Aruba since there are so many reasonable places to eat. We're going back to the Radisson in a few weeks, and I think it has one of the nicest pool/beachfronts in the high rise area. Rooms are bigger than at the Hyatt, and the beach is wider and less crowded. What is your budget? Radisson does an AI, but again, I wouldn't recommend it since there's everything from Subway on up in Aruba.

Weadles

Since you said "fantastic food", of course take Subway out of the equation, but it is still possible to eat well and fairly cheaply at a number of restaurants, and much more fun to explore other places than staying at the resort the whole time.

qwovadis

aruba.hyatt.com my fav

but anywhere in the Palm/Eagle beach area is fine

AIs underwhelming stale similar food not HM worthy for me.

www.luxurylink.com other good options

St. Lucia Barbados south prettier more to do also good

www.jalousieplantation.com

www.almondresorts.com for AI

Congrats,Happy Hunting,

josiesxm

Grenada is pretty nice too. Try www.petiteanse.com - I'm thinking of honeymooner there myself. Nice beach and they will organise romantic trips to a local island and beaches.

CDarver

Thanks for your replies. I can see why you would recommend against AI in Aruba. It looks like there's plenty around. So, then my next question is what is a romantic resort, with great beachs/pools and close enough to good food (both casual and formal)?

Being on our honeymoon, we don't want to have to run around that much, but don't have any problem with finding a nice place for dinner.

AlnReg

Check out Sandals. What month are you going?

Weadles

I would pick The Radisson over The Hyatt because: a) it's cheaper, b) has larger rooms, c) has a much nicer beachfront/pool area, where you won't feel like you're climbing over people and strollers to go swimming. If you stay in the high-rise Palm Beach area where the Radisson is located, you will be within walking distance of many good restaurants and shopping. You can also easily grab a cab or bus into town.

Keith

The Radisson has the nicest grounds. Also that balconies you will not find at some of the other resorts. They try to take extra care of honeymooners and even gave us a free upgrade to an enormous suite on our honeymoon last October.