Aruba - Bucuti or Amsterdam?
 

My husband and I are planning our first trip to Aruba for our anniversary in October. The kids will be staying at home. We are looking for a quiet and relaxing vacation at a 4 star resort. I would like to lie on the beach and read a book. We will also explore the island. We don't go to casinos or bars. We enjoy dining and red wine, but don't really drink besides that. We are nonsmokers and I can't stand the smell of smoke.

We want to be in the Eagle Beach area and don't want all inclusive because we want to explore different restaurants and pick up a couple of groceries. I have been looking at the Tara Suites at Bucuti & Tara and the 1 bedroom suites at Amsterdam Manor and here are my thoughts:

The pool at Amsterdam looks a little small, there is no fitness centre, and the beach is across the street, though that particular road may not be too busy. The 2 bedroom suites are probably booked frequently by families with kids. Are there lots of kids there?

I'm not sure the size of the pool at Bucuti - it actually may not be bigger than Amsterdam. Breakfast is included at Bucuti. The dine around plan will not suit us. It sounds like most of the place is nonsmoking. Bucuti is also adults only. However, with public beaches I'm sure we will see kids at some point.

Bucuti is about $1000 more for a week vacation. Is it worth it?

I'm far from an expert on Aruba, only been once for a couple of days. We did stop one afternoon and have a drink at the pool bar at Bucuti (I understand the bar is no longer public).

It's a lovely place. We only walked by Amsterdam Manor, but, I'd say, I'd spend the extra money for Bucuti.

Also, from reading other Aruba boards it sounds as if there will be construction at Bucuti at some point. I didn't read close enough to remember when. Be sure and check the status of that before you book.

Thank you JeanH. The construction at Bucuti will be complete by August 11, 2013, according to their newsletter. So, I figure that even if they aren't on schedule it should be over by the time we get there, with a new restaurant.

I have to agree with JeanH. I like the Amsterdam Manor because is it a smaller resort and it's much closer to the Palm Beach area, but the beach across the street might be a deal breaker to some. Unless you get the second or above room catagory, the rooms do not have private patios. They also have jacuzzi tubs in those rooms and I believe kitchenettes. There is a poster here that stays at the Amsterdam Manor about twice per year for the last 20 years or so and swears by them. Being smaller, their is not that many children there. I've been wanting to return to Aruba forever and would probably go with AM just due to location and size, but we have yet to make it back. Even if you don't stay at the AM, do try their on the beach dinner; Passions.

Thanks KVR. I read some of Amy's trip reports and that's what got me thinking about AM..and a bunch of restaurants, including Passions.

I know you didn't want to go AI and I don't blame as there are tons of really great restuarants and bars in Aruba, but have you looked at the Manchebo? I'm not sure, but the AI part may be just an optional add on. So you don't have to get it if you don't want to. It would probably be my choice in the end as we do like AI for drinks and breakfast and then we still eat off property. I believe it's adult's only also.

http://www.manchebo.com/

The Bucuti and Amsterdam Manor are quite different. Bucuti is right on one of Aruba's nicest beaches, Amsterdam Manor also, but across the street. Bucuti's rooms are more spacious and the whole resort seems to be better run an gives a more upscale feel. The owner of Bucuti is well known for his environmental commitments and has made Bucuti one of the greenest resorts in Aruba if not in the Caribbean. Amsterdam Manor also recently achieved Platinum status in Earthcheck certification for its environmental care. If you absolutely need to be on the beach (and let's face it - this is one of the big draws of Aruba) then Bucuti is the better choice. If not Amsterdam Manor would provide a great vacation too.

If the Bucuti and Amsterdam Manor were the same price, I would probably go with the Bucuti as long as it was a Tara Suite room. But the big price difference is one of the reasons we keep going back to Amsterdam Manor. Plus, we do tend to stay for about 2 weeks on each trip and like having a kitchen for breakfasts, a few lunches, and drinks so that we can splurge more on dinners out (but that's just us.)

The pools at both the Bucuti and Amsterdam Manor are about the same size.

I rarely see kids at Amsterdam Manor unless it's a U.S. or Dutch school holiday - and even then it's only a couple here or there. But the Bucuti is "adults only". I'm one of those people who rent the 2 bedroom/2 bath at Amsterdam Manor because I go with a couple of girlfriends on some trips.

All of the rooms at Amsterdam Manor have private patios or balconies with the exception of the garden view studios (those rooms have a partition but still not very private.) All of their rooms are non-smoking but you will see people smoking at the beach and pool bars.

The Bucuti does have a fitness center - Amsterdam Manor does not (I use the one next door at LaCabana for a fee.)

The Bucuti does seem a little more "upscale", if you will, but I like the more laid back, Caribbean feel at Amsterdam Manor. It's all just a matter of what you're looking for in a hotel. Both places are great choices!

The Manchebo's all inclusive plan is indeed optional. The Manchebo is NOT "adults only".

Thanks for the posts everyone! All the comments are very much appreciated.