Aruba
 

We're going to Aruba for 4 days in mid September for our first anniversary and would love to get some suggestions/recommendations with hotels/resorts. We've been searching and can't decide. We just want to stay somewhere ON a really nice shallow beach, not too crowded where we have to wake up at 6 am to get a beach chair. Heard some beaches have lots of pebbles. We don't mind whether its all inclusive or not but our budget is up to $350 a night. So please help. We kind of like Tamarijin because its a low rise resort, but seen a few comments about it being on Druif beach which has lots of pebbles. Thanks a bunch.

Druif beach is stunning! We stayed at the Tamarijn last year and the beach is the reason to stay there ( or at the Divi which is right next door and you can use the the restaurants at either). Pebbles were not an issue but I have heard sometimes there can be some large rocks near the Tamarijn, depending on the tide. However, the beach is wide and expansive so even if there are some rocks, there is plenty of beach were there will not be any rocks. Honestly, the beach is amazing. If you have concerns about it I would stay at the Divi which I believe does not have the rock issue.

If you don't want all inclusive you could consider Eagle Beach where Amsterdam Manor is located and gets great reviews. That beach is beautiful as well. We chose an all inclusive because we had our kids with us and it's just easier to do AI with kids. However, there are a lot of restaurant choices on Aruba and we ate off the resort a few times as well.

Palm Beach in the highrise section has the calmest water however it is so crowded that personally I found it unappealing. Other people love Palm Beach so it's really a matter of preference. There are lots of restaurants in Palm Beach near the hotels.

We've been twice, once in June and once in early September and stayed both times in one of the high-rise resorts. The beaches were crowded. But we were able to pick and choose where we wanted to eat and hang out. And no pebbles, but plenty of wind.

Check out the Bucuti on Eagle Beach.

http://www.bucuti.com/

I would not recommend all inclusive for there are so many nice restaurant in Aruba. Will you be renting a car? If you are not then perhaps all inclusive may work. I would look into the Phoenix a Divi property. Get into the newer building it has a lovely beach with very shallow water and little waves. We own at the Divi Links golf resort which is not on the beach but they have a gorgeous pool but it is not on the beach. Tamarijin is ok I think from the outside it is a much older property. Bucuti on Eagle Beach is great and always gets wonderful reviews. I have never stayed there but hear positive things about it.

I would think mid september would be less crowded than the many times I went (like easter break, twice). The marriott area is crowded, but has nice sand. I don't remember any pebbles.
I would also not recommend all inclusive as the island has great restaurants!
I like Palm beach because it offers lots to do and nice hotels. I would check out the Radisson because I believe the beach is larger and therefore would feel less crowded.

I agree with, girlonthego. You aren't going at the busiest time of year.

We were at the Radison Resort in October and didn't have to fight for a spot on the beach. You could stay in a very nice room there within your budget.

For a quiet resort go with the Amsterdam Manor or a large resort with more activities around it, the Radisson. You won't have trouble getting a shade palapa at either resort. The Tamarijn's food has gone downhill and you WILL be up at 6 am to get a a palapa.

Another bonus of the Amsterdam Manor is kitchenette facilities if you wanted to self cater breakfast and lunch. Radisson does have small in room fridges, but no microwave.