We are planning a trio to Aruba over Christmas. WE have 3 children ages 6, 7, and 9. I like a big room and some luxury. Is this hotel/resort nice or cheesy? Ikeep reading about the Marriott, Radisson, and the Hyatt.

I have read very good reviews on this resort. It sits across the highway from the beach, but is not a very long walk at all. More info can be found at:<BR>http://www.visitaruba.com/guestarea/bboard.mv

La Cabana is huge (800 units) and not luxurious. They have various sizes of rooms/suites/condos. I would never recommend it to people traveling without children, but kids seem to enjoy it.<BR><BR>The Hyatt and Radisson are excellent but probably have little in the way of family-size units. There are condos at the Marriott that might fit the bill.<BR><BR>A really nice place that has 1-BR, 2-BR, and maybe 3-BR units is the Costa Linda. Probably pretty expensive at Christmastime.<BR>

I highly recommend La Cabana for three children at those ages. We went without our kids and are planning on going back with them (ages 5 and 9). I wouldn't call the hotel luxury, but it is a nice, clean, good all-around resort with plenty for kids to do and lots of food options nearby (an outback steakhouse next door and a dunkin donuts on the premises) We had a 1 BR and it had a large refrigerator and everything you would need for cooking -- La Cabana even has outside grills in case you want to barbecue. Several pools, at least one with a water slide. The road between the resort and the beach is small and doesn't inhibit the view in any way, however, try to get a room in the La Cabana Resort rather than the villas as the villas are in the back of the main building and do not have a view at all, also, a longer walk to the beach. We had a lovely oceanview from the 3rd floor of the main building. Other good options with condos are Costa Linda, Playa Linda or the Marriott Ocean Club which is part of the Marriott Resort. Aruba is a great family destination, your kids will love it!

Thanks for the info. I looked into Costa Lindo, however I was not able to price it out. Unfortunatly the Marriott Ocean Club is booked. Just for fun how would the La Cabana compare to a Beaches resort. We tried this once and the kids loved it, but my husband and I did not.

In my opinion La Cabana is not as nice as a Beaches.<BR><BR>Eileen mentioned Playa Linda - this might be a good choice.<BR><BR>Your kids would probably like La Cabana, because there will be a lot of other youngsters there and the pools are fun.<BR>

Playa Linda has openings. Is this resort also on Eagle Beach? When booking a unit what should I look for?

Playa Linda is right next door to the Hyatt on Palm Beach, which is busier and more crowded than Eagle Beach. I wouldn't call it a resort, it is more like a nice condo complex with a pool. With three young children, I would choose La Cabana over Playa Linda if I had the choice just because there are more activity options (three pools, kids club, gameroom, etc.) at La Cabana. But Playa Linda is nice too.

Playa Linda is on Palm Beach and Costa Linda is on Eagle Beach, its sister property.