I'm planning a honeymoon and just found out that we can stay at the Marriott for free with points. I've read some reviews and it doesn't sound like the beach is very nice and it may smell funky. Does anyone know?
Thanks.

We went there two years ago and it is a great Marriott! The beach in front of the hotel was smallish, but the time-share Marriott next door had a great beach. All of the hotel's and time-share facilities are usuable. It is a very nice Marriott and there was no funky smell when we went. Maybe that has changed?

I stayed there a couple of months ago (the Stellaris)... and the weather and surf had been somewhat unusually rough and there was a slight odor associated with it. It's not usually like that and I'm sure it's better by now.

The beach is somewhat crowded and not as quiet as those on Eagle Beach. Another option might be the location downtown... they have their own private island... never been there but have heard it's nice... personally, I just much prefer Eagle Beach.

Good luck!

The Renaissance is owned by the Marriott and you can use points to stay there at either the Renaissance Marina Hotel or the Renaissance Ocean Suites. Both are in downtown Oranjestad with the Marina Hotel being land locked and the Ocean Suites being on a small stretch of beach. The draw for these hotels is their private island, something you don't get to visit if you stay at the other Marriotts unless you pay. The private island is beautiful, relaxing, no early morning palapa hassles (can't get on the island before 8:30 a.m.) and is only a short 5-8 minute water taxi ride away (which is fun!). We've stayed at both the Marriott Ocean Club on Palm Beach and the Renaissance Ocean Suites (just this past June) and I think I would choose the Ocean Suites over the Ocean Club for the location near downtown. We loved being able to walk to shop, eat and just people watch. We loved Palm Beach four years ago when we stayed at the Ocean Club but I think with the addition of the Surf Club it would probably be too crowded for us now.

I stayed at the Renaissance 2 years ago..the staff is wonderful as is the Private Island with flamingoes wondering around. I highly recommend the Renaissance.

Christie

If possible, try to stay in the timeshare section. The place is great. The beach is good; and you can always go to Holiday Inn's beach; next door. I think they have the widest area of beach on the island.Believe me, if you are able to stay at the Marriott Aruba for free;jump on it!!!

"I think they have the widest area of beach on the island."

Maybe on Palm Beach... but certainly not the entire island.

Eagle Beach is much, much wider.

There are two Marriott time share properties next to the Marriott Stellaris Hotel. If you can use points to "buy" a week at the time share, I would recommend the Ocean Club. The Surf Club is still under construction, and only a small section of the pool is open. The Surf Club does not have access to the ocean from the beach. There is a dock in front of this beach, but you can swim at the Holiday Inn beach which is closer than the Ocean Club and Marriott beach and nicer. Marriott's beachfront is very crowded with the addition of the new properties. I can't imagine what it will be like once the Surf Club is completed. Water did smell very funky when we were there in November. Next time I am going to check out the Rennaissance Ocean Suites. Good Luck!

We have stayed at the Marriott 3 times and going back for a 4th in Feb. 1st time, weather perfect, little wind, and beach to die for....2nd time, windy, lots of seaweed washed up on the beach and a little stinky....up and down the beach......3rd time......weather in between the other two trips.....I feel they do a great job of cleaning up the beach with what washes up on shore overall. As for the private beach at the Renissance, we visited the private beach and felt a little chloesterphobic (spelling?)....and prefer the wide open beach where you can walk miles in either direction.

jazmine - the easy way to avoid being 'chloesterphobic&quot; is to go to <b>http://www.answers.com/main/product_info.jsp</b> and download their free software for spell checking and definitions.