Aruba hotels?
 

We have finally decided on Aruba for our November trip. Now we need to find a hotel. We want something on Palm Beach. We like to be in the action. We were thinking maybe the Westin, Radisson or Marriott. Any recommendations?

I've been to all three. The best of the bunch in my opinion is The Radisson. It has a more Caribbean flair than the corporate style of The Westin. Also it has a much wider, less windy beachfront than The Westin. Location-wise, both the Radisson and The Westin are only within a few blocks of each other, so very close to lots of restaurants, take-out places, and closer to Oranjested.

The Marriotts ( time shares and hotel) are at the other end of the beach. That beach tends to get much more crowded than the beach at The Radisson, and it's a hike from many of the other restaurants/shops along the hotel strip. It gets really crazy there at prime vacation times- like spring break, etc.

I should have said that it gets crazy ( extremely crowded- think lines at the towel huts, etc!) at all THREE during prime vacation weeks. But for some reason, I think the Marriott beachfront is worse for that.

The Radisson is in a nice location and does have a very nice beachfront and pool. There are restaurants across the street, but we were quite disappointed in them. I would rather drive for better food. Check in takes forever at the Radisson. The staff just seem like they are not at all happy to be there. And, the long line at the towel hut is the longest I have ever stood in on any island. We would not return.

Long check-in line? It's luck- of-the-draw. We've experienced that at all three hotels mentioned above. Just depends on time of day and whether you're arriving at exactly the same time as half the other people on your plane.

We had a great experience with the staff at The Radisson. In fact they upgraded us when they found out it was our 25th.

Again, long lines at the towel huts are common in busy periods at any of these hotels. I thought the Marriott was slightly worse during a February vacation period.

As for food? It's subjective. We had decent hamburgers and ribs at two restaurants within walking distance of The Radisson. But no doubt there are better places if you're willing to get into a cab, like the fish place on the beach that's about a 20 min. drive. And, of course, EL Gaucho for Argentinian steaks in Oranjested.

Of those 3, I would go with the Radission. Better location right in the middle.

Check out their web-site also under dining. Sometimes they offer food and beverage credits for "X" amount of days.

I should have posted this before. For most of our trips, we booked through MCM Tours. They had very good pricing for most of the popular hotels on the strip. You can book just the hotel or air and hotel, sometimes with transfers and food and beverage credits included. Just check your booking carefully. The representatives handle a lot of volume, and we had a few mistakes on one of our outbound itineraries.

I've been to Aruba once before back in April 2012. That was at the Occidental for a corporate retreat.

I remember leaving our resort and walking over to the Raddison (in search of better poker tables) and noticing how much nicer and intimate the environment was. and it was then, that I decided that I would come back with my girlfriend booking a room at the raddison.

There have been complaints about the staff, and honestly.. I experienced the same thing at Occidental. I think that the staff at all of these venue's are so beaten & bitter from so many americans (or tourists in general) with higher than thou expectations and demands around the clock. its no wonder they seem to be so disgruntled. (I would be too)

So if the "Staff" is the only complaint, I look forward to visiting the place.. I know how to maximize my time without relying on Anything from the staff with the exception of a working room key and a clean room.

This time, no AI.. renting a Jeep and touring the very best of the islands restaurants. in my experience AI food is consistently sub-par.

We stayed at the Radisson in Nov 2010 and we had no complaints about anything. The room was nice, the staff was very friendly and we loved the location. There is no question we will stay there next time.

We stay at the Marriott because we use points. Free is better than paying!
It is true that the Marriott gets very crowded. It has three properties and the beach is packed, especially during school vacation weeks. That being said it is a very nice hotel with lots on property.
I was at the Radisson once. It seemed okay.I did not care for their casino. I think the Marriott was nicer for that. (I am not a big gambler).Everyone seems to love staying at the Radisson so it must have nice rooms. I agree it is an easier location for walking to restaurants.
The Westin does have the windiest beach and I would never stay there because of that. I heard of sand pelting you in the face. Yuck.

How about the Hyatt? I saw that property and it looks very nice on the outside and lobby areas. Haven't stayed there or seen the rooms though. Maybe someone else has?

I've stayed at The Hyatt. Nice property, but the rooms are smaller than at The Radisson, and the beachfront is narrower and more crowded. Agree with the comment above about the casino at The Radisson. My FIL who liked to gamble, loved his room, hated the casino.