need help deciding on which island to go to. we like the beach during the day and spending a little time in the evening gambling on the slot machines.any help regarding which island and what resort to stay at would be greatly appreciated. also, should we do all inclusive. i have heard cocktails and food are very expensive on both these islands.

Can't advise you on St. Martin, but any of the resorts along Palm Beach in Aruba would be perfect for your needs! <BR>Palm Beach (a.k.a. the 'high rise' hotel strip) has 2 all-inclusives (the Holiday Inn which is low end and Allegro which is high end). In between is the drop dead gorgeous but expensive Hyatt Regency, and some other hotels and time shares. The nice thing is that if you stay at one you have the convenience of gambling at any one of them by simply wandering down the boardwalk that sits between the hotels and the beach (yes, and perfectly safe!!!). Secondly, Palm Beach is a hive of watersports activity as well as a haven for just sitting on the beach, catching some rays and people watching. The infamous Aruba winds are actually quite nice as the breeze is a good thing under that sweltering sun. <BR>Palm Beach extends into Eagle Beach and so on and all make for a nice long walk along the beach in the daytime. <BR>Hope this helps. <BR>

I'm trying to decide the same thing but I was under the impression that there were no casinos in Aruba. Am I mistaken?

Yes, Mary, you are mistaken. Aruba has quite a few casinos.

Michelle, I have been to both islands I think that if you like gambling then you should opt for Aruba. I agree with Debbie about staying at a hotel on Palm Beach because then you can casino hop. The drawback with St. Martin is that the casinos are all on the Dutch side where the beaches tend to be not as pretty as the other areas.

Beaches not pretty on the dutch side ? You obviously have not been to Cupeocoy Beach. Yes, all the casinos are on the Dutch side, but considering the island is only 37 sq miles, I wouldn't let that stop you. <BR> <BR>

I agree that the beaches are nicer in Aruba, so are the casinos for that matter. I've been to both islands. I certainly wasn't impressed with the Dutch side of St. Maarten.