Greetings!

This will be my first time to aruba this February with my husband. We are looking for a hotel to stay at. I have read alot about the Hyatt Regency Palm Beach and Bucati... I heard the Bucati is beautiful for couples while the Hyatt is centrally located. Does anyone know something/anything about either of these resorts.

My fear is that if we are to stay at the Bucuti Beach Resort and Tara Suites then we would need to rent a car, which would be more of a hassle to deal with... Is driving on the island easy? Would my husband be able to do it without a problem? How far away is the central beach area with restaurants?

My husband and I are in our 50's and are looking for a fabulous holiday together. We are not heavy drinkers, but I do appreciate some activity (however, not craziness). What is the perfect option for my husband and I to do? Rent a car and stay at the Bucuti or go to the Hyatt car-less?!

ANY information would be greatly appreciated. I know very little about this kind of stuff and in fact i am even having my daughter help me write this. Fodor's forum was her idea.... I look forward to hearing about anything involving the island or answers to my questions... Thank you so much!

That was our delimna when we took our first trip to Aruba. The Hyatt is on Palm Beach. That area is considered more lively, and depending on the time of year, more congested, as the hotels are close together. There are many resturants, bars, and shopping across the street. Easy to walk to.

The Bucuti is on Eagle Beach. Hotels are more spread out, the beach is nicer than Palm Beach. It's also closer to downtown. Aruba has a very easy, convenient, inexpensive bus system that runs up and down between Palm Beach, Eagle Beach and Downtown. You don't necessary need a car unless you just want one. Some resturants you will probably need a taxi if you chose to go to them.

We chose the Holiday Inn on Palm Beach for our first trip. We enjoyed the location, but for our next trip were are wanting to stay on Eagle Beach and have been looking at the Amsterdam Manor. The Amsterdam Manor is the first hotel located on Eagle Beach and about a 15 minute walk to the Palm Beach area. It's like getting the best of both locations. Their beach is across a street from the actual hotel, but we do not find that an issue.

We enjoy doing tours to see the Island, so never felt the need for a rental car. It's more of a personal preference. For our first trip, we really liked the Palm Beach area. Now that we've been there and know more about the Island, we feel more comfortable spreading out from that comfort zone.

I would choose the Radisson over the Hyatt. I think it's less zooey, more elegant, and has generally nicer rooms, pool, fitness club, and beachfront. Also, maybe most importantly ,it's less expensive (usually) than the Hyatt. Take a look at their website before your book. We are all going back ( seven of us) for a family reunion in Feb, because of their "winter sale" prices.

As for a car, I don't think you'll need it, either. There are plenty of good restaurants in the major hotels ( Radisson, Westin, Hyatt), and many decent restaurants that you can walk to in the neighborhood. You could take a taxi for a couple of nights to some other restaurants ( although they can be pricey!) and still probably spend less than a car rental.

Just a FYI about Amsterdam Manor: Depends what you are looking to spend, but it's across the street from the beach, and a step down or two in terms of amenities, location, from Bucuti, or Radisson.

The AM is less expensive than the Bucuti, Hyatt or Radisson and a step above the Holiday Inn. It also sits on Eagle Beach which is much nicer and less crowded than any of the hotels on Palm Beach so it depends on your priorities. Crossing the street to the beach is really not an issue. We stayed in a hotel in Grand Cayman in which 7 Mile Beach was across the street and it was set back even farther than the AM. Not an issue. But again it depends on your priorities.

I feel the location of AM is great if your wanting to be close enough to outside amenties without being right in the heart of Palm Beach. So close, but yet so far. The Bucuti is much farther to Palm Beach.

I ve been to Aruba only once (2007). And stayed at the Buccutti. It was lovely, one of the best. It's the way you put it: Buccutti, great beach. Hyatt Regency, near restos and bars.

Anyway, don't be affraid of driving there. Don't let that deprive you of Eagle Beach!! The road to go from Buccutti to downtown is easy and straight. You can even take a cab...If you are going to go out only for dinner, actually a cab will be cheapper and more confortable than renting a car...that's what I did.

Hyatt Regency is good too, but I think you get to its private beach only by boat and I don't find that very confortable (re-check this information just in case...I am not sure).

My call?...Buccutti or any hotel on Eagle beach! But that's personal, Hyatt is ok too. Have a great time there!!!

The Renaissance Hotel and Casino is in downtown Aruba and has the private beach in which guests will need to to be shuttled to by boat.

The Hyatt is on Palm Beach and has direct access to the beach.

Another option would be to stay at Bucuti and use taxis to get around. They are very convenient and the prices are regulated by the government so you won't get any surprises. Then if you have a drink (or two) with dinner, you won't have to worry about driving.

We've stayed at the Hyatt in the past (in 2002)and we felt that it was more crowded than we'd like. We thought Eagle beach was much better. Manchebo is where we've stayed at for the last two years. They are right next to Bucuti and the beach is wide and beautiful. It's a calmer more relaxing atmosphere than Palm beach.