In Aruba's high-rise section, which hotels have the least crowded nice beach and pool and also have swim-up bar?

The high rises are located on Palm Beach which is beautiful and not overly crowded, depending on what your definition of crowded is.

My vote would be the Marriott for pool and swim up bar. The pool has water falls, a "cave like" apperance and palm trees surrounding to provide sufficient shade.

But.... if you are going to Aruba Marriott Hotel @ Christmas/New Years or any other "high season" time be forewarned that the pool area gets extremely crowded. Uncomfortably close. Given the size of the Marriott Hotel, the pool area is small. Restaurant was also crowded every morning for breakfast w/ long, cranky line ups. Not a great way to start your day. Every morning there were a lot of people from Holiday Inn down the beach who came over to Marriott for breakfast.

How would the crowds be in late October? And I have heard only the low-rise area has uncrowded beaches, where you don't have to be up at 6 a.m. to reserve a spot. I guess we have it narrowed down to Hyatt, Marriott and La Cabana. Any thoughts on this and the above? Thanks.

Given that Radisson is much nicer than Marriott & La Cabana & marginally nicer than Hyatt why not Radisson?

Radisson does look like it might be the best, but my wife has always wanted to stay at a place with a swim-up bar and we're both night owls, so neither of us will be reserving buts at 7 a.m. Probably wouldn't hit the beach till noon anyway.

Huggybear,
If you don't want to get up early go for La Cabana - you'll have all the beach you need. The Hyatt wins hands down over the Marriott. Will you have a car? If not you really should stay at the high rise hotel area so you can walk to places.

We like the Aruba Grand. Most people think it's not up to the other hotels. But we like the fact the beach huts are first-come, first-serve, plus its a small hotel with a big beach area so sunbathers aren't crowded in. If you plan on spending the day vegging out on the beach I would recommend The Grand. We'll be there in March.