I'm planning my honeymoon for May and haven't been able to decide between the Radisson and the Hyatt. How about purchasing the breakfast option for $20 per person more per day?

For a honeymoon, I would definitely recommend the Hyatt. I've been 2 Aruba twice and have seen most of the hotels. In my opinion, the Hyatt is the nicest of all of them. Friends of mine recently stayed there on their honeymoon and absolutely loved it. Also, my parents stayed at the Radisson in October and were pleased with it. They did get the breakfast option and felt it was worth it b/c food is on the expensive side in Aruba. Although, both hotels are very nice, I think the Hyatt is much more of a honeymoon destination and has more of a romantic feel than the Radisson

Neither, while both hotels are very nice and the grounds at the Hyatt are romantic, they are both on Palm Beach and Palm beach has lots of highrises, motorized water activity and lots of people and a lot of people use the beach as their own personal ashtray. Not very romantic if you ask me. I would take a look at the Bucuti resort, I would say it more romantic and has a more tropical feel to it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the Hyatt not ocean front? I thought I remembered that from my trip. We ate dinner there and it was lovely, but I want to be able to walk right to the beach.

We stayed at the Radisson and it was beautiful. I'm sure either place will be perfect.

Congratulations!

Trish

The Aruba Hyatt is definitely oceanfront.

I also prefer Eagle Beach to Palm Beach, but keep in mind that the Bucuti is a fairly simple property. It did recently add some new suites, however - perhaps they are more luxurious.

I see you have two posts about Marriott, Hyatt and Radisson. I have stayed at the marriott and have only seen the Hyatt grounds. We had a drink at the Hyatt and it was gorgeous. I think the Hyatt is nicer than the Marriott. That being said, the Marriott is a very nice hotel also. I don't know about the Raddison.
Breakfast is a great option because when we were at the marriott, you could eat brunch till noon everyday. We ate at 11:30 a full brunch and took a yogurt to our mini fridge for first thing the next morning. Then, we could hold off until dinner for the next meal. It was a good deal for us.
One more thing, another post mentioned that Palm Beach is busy (it was very clean when we were there). Palm beach is where all the action is. My husband would have hated Eagle beach because he likes to do things. We went as a family, but even if it was our honeymoon, he would want to banana boat, tube, snorkel trips, etc.. On Palm beach, this is all right in front of your hotel. There is also a casino in most hotels. We are not big gamblers, but this is a fun night out. Eagle beach is very quiet.

Thanks for the info.

Palm Beach IS very clean and beautiful like all beaches in Aruba. The Hyatt is definitely on the water. Hyatt vs. Radisson - I would go with whatever hotel you can get the best deal on because both are beautiful resorts. I would not do the $20 breakfast option. People say Aruba is expensive but it doesn't have to be. You could eat breakfast much cheaper elsewhere. If you are looking for the convenience of having breakfast at your resort every morning then go for it. The Bucuti is lovely but (and this is a big but for me and may not be for others) their pool is smaller than most home backyard pools. Not an issue for some but if you are looking for the whole package (nice pool, beautiful beach, beautiful resort), I would stick with either the Hyatt or Rad.

I would definitely choose the Hyatt over the Radisson. It's a very elegant property and the setting is stunning. The accommodations are attractively furnished.
The Radisson's overall service lags - badly.

HYATT. Hands down, the best hotel in Aruba!

Hi - I stayed at the Marriott but spent a few hours at the Hyatt. Both are nice hotels, but to me the Hyatt felt too confined. The pool, gardens, etc seemed too close and did not have an open feeling. It was like too much was crammed into limited space. I would not want to be staying there during a high season looking for a pool chair...


The Marriott is really 2 properties, the hotel and the timeshare. There are two large, really nice pools. It's been a few years, but then there was nothing past the Marriott, so the beach felt was spacious.
One more thing on the Marriott is the all-inclusive program. They do not advertise it but for about $100 per person for 24 hours all food & drinks are included. It is a GREAT deal especially if you want some drinks. The Italian restaurant there is excellent.
I hope this helps.

Seany:

My husband and I visted Aruba in August 2004. Aruba overall is a beautiful place.

We were also torn between the Hyatt and the Radisson. We wound up choosing the Radisson. At that time they had just completed a signifcant renovation to the property and it was stunning.

We had a Petite Suite with a small living room, Master bedroom with a Juilette Balcony, Ocean Front. It was quite and secluded, just perfect for a honeymoon.

The hotel itself was simply beautiful, open air lobby, great pool area. In my opinion the Radisson sits on the best stretch of Palm Beach, better than the Hyatt grounds.

We visted other hotels and looked very closely at the Hyatt while we were there and still I would have stayed at the Radisson.

Just a few other suggestions:

Rent a car for one day and explore the island on yur own. You really can not get lost.

Definitely have dinner at the Flying Fishbone. It will most likely be one the most romantic dinners. You dine right on the beach, with the sounds of saxaphone's. Arrange to have dinner around just before sunset,it was terrific watching it from there.


We did not take the breakfast option.
We had a honeymoon package, which included a $150.00 food & Beverage credit, welcome champagne and strawberries.

If your not big time breakfast eaters, you can grab a muffin, crossiant, bagel right in the lobby cafe or at the on the beachfront Dunkin Donuts shack.
So you can eat breakfast for less than $10.

Seany....we just got back from the Radisson. I went with hubby and son. But i love to checkout everything and i would strongly recommend the hyatt for a honeymoon!! The rad was great with lush spacious grounds, but the hyatt hotel is a bit more opulent looking. Pool area is perhaps smaller but nice. And in may you should not be fighting crowds like we were over the holidays !!!
Someone else posted that there is a dunkin donuts...yup..also just a short walk along the beach path at Playa Linda there is a cute breakfast place, all you can eat for $10 total. You can order omlette, pancake, etc. all made to order. It's very cute and right on the beach...it would take you maye 2 minutes to walk from Hyatt. And hey, why not order in breakfast too? Leave your options open.
You'll love it!! You'll be able to stroll in either direction on the beach too.
If you were my son or daughter....i'd say go Hyatt.
Congratulations!