Can anyone out there compare the Aruba Marriott with the Aruba Hyatt???

Do a search on the two, you'll find a ton of information.<BR><BR>The Marriott will be less expensive, but still it is very very nice. It has a lovely waterfall in the swimming pool, and the grounds are really pretty as well.<BR><BR>They Hyatt does (not matter what people say) seem to have alot of snobby people there, however, the grounds are very very beautiful.<BR><BR>In my opinion, the Hyatt is a resort that also caters to a LOT of children. So if you have kids...great, if not, then try the Marriott or Radisson.

Hyatt is full of "snobby people"?<BR>Oh come on now.<BR>Please be realistic.<BR>Maybe if you're from small town Arkansas or live in a trailer the Hyatt will feel stuffy, but not for &gt;90% of Americans who would travel to Aruba.<BR><BR>If perceived stuffiness makes YOU uncomfortable, the problem is typically in YOUR head, not with the hotel.<BR>We're not talking Four Seasons NYC here, this is Aruba, the Gap/McDonalds/Ford of the Caribbean.

Sam, You just proved Aurthor's point. If you feel that people who don't favor the Hyatt live in trailer,that's SNOBBY in its lowest form. If you feel that Aruba is th "McDonalds" of the Caribbean, then why do you go? Aruba is safe, clean, has some of the best activities, resturants, and moderately priced. It is a fact, there are more chidren at the Hyatt than at the Marriot or the Raddison, the rooms are average, and the balconies are inferior. Every hotel on the island caters to different needs. By the way, 90% of the Americans who travel to Aruba do NOT stay at the Hyatt and what's your problem with Arkansas. Are you being snobby again???

P.S. Sorry for the spelling, losts my contacts.

Sue, you really need some help with reading comprehension.<BR>Let's start with the name. It's Pat (who is Sam?).<BR>#2: where in the world did you come up with the conclusion that my note implied that anyone who didn't like the Hyatt lives in a trailer? My comments were that people who feel INTIMIDATED because of a perceived stuffiness at the Hyatt are deceiving themselves into feeling that way. The Hyatt is not a stuffy place...unless you've never been out of the backwoods before. Plenty of people don't LIKE the Hyatt. Which is fine. I was referring to people who are intimidated by the Hyatt. Two very different things.<BR>#3: Aruba is about the most generic, un-Caribbean feeling island in the Caribbean. Does that make it bad? Not if you like generic, un-Caribbean feeling islands. I referred to Gap, McDonald's and Ford....which are three of America's most popular and mainstream businesses. Obviously huge numbers of people love these businesses and buy their products, which is what makes them mainstream.<BR>Same with Aruba. It's very popular and offends virtually no one.<BR><BR>People who don't prefer to buy Gap clothes because they want to be different may well be seeking something unique and beyond the everyday.<BR>Similarly, people who don't like Aruba often list as their number one complaint the lack of uniqueness. Barbados and Jamaica and Bermuda and Martinique all have very different character and cultures, which makes for a novel experience and a break from the everyday in America. This type of experience is highly desirable to many travellers. Certainly not all.<BR>So, my comment was not derogatory toward Aruba. You just misinterpreted it that way.<BR><BR>I actually like Aruba for what it is. It's not high on my list of places to return to because for me it's too mainstream, but I appreciate its good points (safety, great beach, good food, decent resorts, good value, etc).<BR>But when I'm on vacation in France, I don't want McDonald's and the Gap. I want native French cuisine and things unique to France. What does Aruba have that is unique?<BR><BR>As for Arkansas, I won't expand much on that. There's no perfect place in the USA, but some places have a lot more going for them than others. This is a travel forum wherein people opine about and analyze the pros and cons of various places. My opinion is that Arkansas ranks among the bottom 10 states in the USA for overall quality of life. Average person there is less educated and certainly less well travelled than the average American. Thus, if someone is intimidated by a "highfalutin" hotel. they're a whole lot more likely to be from Arkansas than Massachusetts.

Pat..What state are you from? This forum is to comment on Aruba, not to judge the education level of people living in Akansas... That was rude.

No, John, it was NOT rude! It was a well thought out and intelligent response to an inane comment! Bravo, Pat (or is it Sam? HA!)!!!

Let me get back to the original question.<BR><BR>I can't really say how the Hyatt is compared to the Marriott (having not stayed at the Hyatt). I can tell you that the Marriott is very nice, just be careful what part of the complex they put you in. There is contruction right next door, so be sure to ask if your room is facing that part of the complex. Other then that, 2 pools which are quite large and nice. The beach that is well kept up. Rooms that are spacious and clean. <BR>Bus stop right outside so easy to jump on the bus to get to town. Hopefully someone out there has stayed at the Hyatt will be able to give you some useful info.

Aruba has unique nature for a Caribbean island. Most Americans come to Aruba and lay on the beach. They barely tour the island, and if they tour the island the claim to see it all in one day, yeah right. Aruba mainstream America, well only Oranjestad and the resort area accounts for one tenth of the island. Go the villages of Paradera, Santa Cruz, Saveneta, Brazil, Pos Chiquito, Piedra Plat and Balashi and see the real Aruba.<BR><BR><BR><BR>

As a frequent Aruba traveller, I have stayed at the Hyatt, Holiday Inn, La Cabana Beach Resort, and with my family (cousin).<BR><BR>The Hyatt is splendid. We stayed there twice. Beautiful grounds and pool, great restaurants, good location on Palm Beach so you can take a nice long walk on the beach and visit them all if you want. Also near the mini golf. Don't miss the Sunday Champagne Brunch.<BR>The bus stop is also located in front of the hotel, but this is true for ALL of the hotels.<BR><BR>Visited the Marriot, haven't stayed. My take on the Marriot is that contrary to the Hyatt, the Marriot it's set off the Hotel zone. Even though the hotel is beautiful, nice grounds, etc. if you don't rent a car, it's stranded, and may get boring. Also to take into consideration the construction nearby... <BR><BR>Aruba is pretty small, the driving is good, so renting a car is no problem. You won't get miserably lost.<BR><BR>I would also add to the list - Baby Beach as a must see (past Sabaneta). The Natural Bridge is overated, as well as the Love Caves. The best restaurant, for us, is El Gaucho (argentenean beef). <BR><BR>Don't expect much when you go downtown. Perfumes and beauty creams are a good buy, but not clothes. No typical crafts to speak of. <BR><BR>Arubans are a hodge podge of many cultures, very friendly, and you will find that whichever hotel you book, you will be very well treated.<BR><BR>Ana