It does make me chuckle every time I see the word "Americanized"

For most of the world "America" (North and South) includes Bolivia, Brazil, the United States, Chile, Argentina and Canada. So, What is "Americanized" exactly? Oh, right on this board it means the USA!

Aruba has a European government and just because it has a McD's or a Pizza Hut why would that be an insult to anyone? Should the locals who are mostly citizens of the Netherlands not have access to these restaurants just so that you can visit once and post negative comments regarding the island because of this?

Is there a La Dome, Madame Jeanette, Flying Fishbone etc in your neighborhood? So what exactly is "Americanized"?

If you go to Paris and see an American chain restaurant does that make Paris "Americanized" ? I assume not. Especially because you can buy alcohol in a Parisian Mc'Ds :-)

The problem is that the Hyatt (and hotels of its ilk) knows what appeals to its guests, there is a reason that most guests from the USA stay at the Hyatt or the Renaissance and its simply that you know what you are getting both hotel offer the same experience in Aruba as in the the US, Where's the fun in that?

There is also a reason that visitors from Europe tend to stay in the low-rise area - more laid back, more space, less entertainment.

Aruba is very good for a first time visitor to the Caribbean, I'm sure you'll enjoy it, don't forget to post a trip report - we (and future visitors) would love to know if you enjoyed your stay.

BTW where are you staying?

Alya,
I totally understand what you are saying!:) I think that what it means to some people is,that they want to go somewhere that they do not see things that make them feel like they are in the USA..not that anything is wrong with the US but that they want to feel like the place that they are at is exotic,different and new.

BTW...I wish that we had a Flyin' Fishbone here in NC!:) they had good food!

Christie

We decided on the Radisson, Aruba. Looks nice and at this point any island looks good to me.

As I said earlier, I have been at the Radisson twice before and plan to return next Jan.
I'm sure you will love it. Now for restaurants, need any recommendations?

Hi Christie,

I do know what you mean - but it still makes me smile :-)

Any holiday plans this year? Grand Cayman again? or St John?

If we visit anywhere it will be probably be Nisbet Plantation on Nevis again (thanks Marion) - It's our 25th anniversary, however we are hoping to buy another house which needs lots of work so we might just crack a bottle of champagne on site :-D

Alya,

Happy Anniversary! Nevis sounds like a place that I would like to visit sometime in the future.

We are planning to go to Negril in June (finally :) ) just my husband and I.

Good luck with whatever you end up doing...whether it's buying the new house or going to Nevis.:)

Christie

LOLO12,
Thanks for your input. Any restaurant recommendations would be appreciated. I don't want to eat at any "high dollar" places. Thanks

Christie,

Negril - Finally! yeah you managed to talk DH into it, I'm sure you'll love it. Where are you staying?

As to the vacation and house - who says we can't do both :-) The guy really doesn't want to sell the house (he's gone bankrupt) and is putting lots of roadblocks in the way. We're still holding on and will just have to wait it out.

I'll post piccies of the purple house with a turret if we buy it :-D

Alya,

We are not sure where we are staying yet.We are looking at staying at Legends as you can go to there sister property on the cliffs.We want to experience the beach and the cliffs,so this sounds good.But I am still researching.

Good luck with the house and any travel plans!:)

Please do send pictures of the purple house if you buy it!


Christie

Mariefl - sorry it's taken me so long to respond but i was having trouble with Fodor's with respect to posting a reply - obviously now it's fixed.
There are plenty of reasonably priced restaurants near the Radisson. Across the street and down a block is Salt n Pepper. I don't know how much you usually spend. Other favorites of mine are Aqua Grill, Papiemento, Madame Jeanettes, and others outside the hotel and to the right, but I can't remember the names right now. Also, there is an Italian restaurant near the lighthouse (you'll need a taxi)- if you're lucky enough to eat there at sunset, the view is beautiful!! For sure, you won't go hungry, but I would recommend making reservations ahead of time. Your concierge at the hotel can do that for you. Have a wonderful trip.

IMO, Aruba is not a very picturesque island. While the food choices are excellent, I found the better restaurants to be over-priced. Aruba lacks a lot of natural attractions (the nicest one; The Natural Bridge, has fallen into the sea). IMO, Aruba is over-developed/commercialized. While Eagle Beach is gorgeous and Palm Beach is O.K., that's about it. Snorkeling was probably the worst I've experienced, as compared to the dozens of other Caribbean islands I've visited. Aruba does offer gambling casinos, if that interests you.

Lolo 12,
Thanks so much for your help. Did you ever try the Flying Fishbone?

No - I haven't tried it but I hear it is very good ( and a bit pricey). I will be in Aruba again next January so maybe we'll try it then.

We have traveled a fair amount in the Caribbean and Mexico and Aruba was our least favourite desination. It is so commercialized, that we felt like we were on a beach in the U.S. Lots of American fast food and restaurant chains. Ocean water was not very clear either. Very disappointed in Aruba. There are many timeshares in Aruba and all the timeshare owners love it, but we would not go back unless we won a trip.

We enjoyed the Mayan Riviera, Antigua, Punta Cana, St. Lucia and Jamaica much more than Aruba.

ONZGO,
If you read the original post you'd see that the OP already took this trip back in April.

Oops!

Hopefully, my post will at least help some other posters, who are doing more recent research on Aruba or other Caribbean islands.

Good point! :)

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