Aruba for Christmas & New Year
 

Can anyone help please - travelling from London, UK to Aruba for Christmas and New Year with husband and young adult daughter.

Have an exchange for the second week at the Marriott Ocean Club and can spend the first week at either the Aruba Marriott Resort & Casino on the Tradewinds floor or in an Ocean Suite at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, which would you choose?

We understand that the Renaissance private island is beautiful but gets very noisy from the planes; the hotel is near 'all the life' but is in need of renovation and that the bedrooms do not have a window, although there is a balcony on the lounge area of the suite.

The Marriott Resort & Casino beach apparently gets very crowded, especially in the high season when we'll be there. Although there are other hotels in the vicinity as well as the two Marriott time share properties, Oranjastead offers more to do of an evening.

Please let me know what you think as we are obviously travelling a long way involving 3 flights - maybe Aruba isn't as wonderful as it sounds!

I haven't stayed at The Renaissance, so can't comment on that, but I'd probably choose the Marriott, crazy as it will be at that time, since it's on a really long strand of beach. Of course it's your decision but the last thing I'd want to hear after a long overnight flight is planes overhead on my vacation!

Just prepare yourselves for crowds wherever you go. That time of year is very hectic in Aruba, and many other islands, too. Do you have any flexibility with your dates? Even a few days on either side of the major holidays may be considerably better.

A FYI- Oranjested is not that far from the Marriott by taxi. And I think there is a bus stop close to the hotel, too.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately because of the distance involved in coming from Europe, we are going for the two week holiday period.

Also, thinking of hiring a car but presumably it's not really necessary to have one for the whole holiday?

I don't think you need a car for the whole vacation, possibly not at all. Maybe just a few days so that you can see the rest of the island, although that can be easily arranged through touring companies ( try not to book at the hotel!).

Just wanted to suggest that you make dinner reservations as soon as it's possible. Probably too soon now, but check into it. Some of the restaurants ( like the famous EL GAUCHO Argentinian steakhouse) offer online bookings, and that will save you a lot of hassle/ disappointment. Good luck!

The Marriott is a much more luxurious resort over the Renaissance. As to the beach, check with the amenities of the Tradewinds club, but I believe they have a section of beach dedicated only to guests of the "club". This eliminates having to worry about the crowds. http://www.tradewinds.arubamarriott....llaris-casino/

The airplanes landing at the airport are the biggest draw back of the private island at the Renaissance.

There are almost as many things to do, day and night on Palm Beach where the Marriott Resort and Marriott Ocean Club (adjacent properties)are located than in downtown Oranjestad.

Shopping in downtown Oranjestad is a very easy bus or taxi ride.

I'd choose the Marriott over Renaissance.... Christmas and New Years is an AWESOME time to go! You will LOVE New Years, tons of fireworks to enjoy of! We are heading down for New Years this year, since we have no vacation left, otherwise it would be another Christmas AND New Years for us...

Forgot to mention, I'd definitely get a car for a few days at least so you can explore the island on your own!!