My husband and I just booked a week at the Marriott Surf Club in Palm Beach in Aruba. We're headed there the end of July. Has anyone been there recently??? Unfortunately we have to travel during the summer and we know it'll be really crowded, but does anyone if it's really unbearable that time of year? We just want to make sure that we don't have an awful time trying to get a chair at the beach or pool. We plan to take a few side trips while we're there, but mainly we just want to veg at the beach or pool. Is it doable? We're early risers, so we hope to beat the crowd to the beach, but we heard they have a strange "chair-tagging" policy. Any advice?

Thanks!

tgreens, Being early risers, you shd be fine. "Claim" your chairs & enjoy your time on the beach! We had a tough time getting palapas/chairs @ Marriott's sister property, Marriott Aruba Ocean Club, which is next door to Surf Club but that was in February.

Go & have fun! We love Aruba! July will be heaven & you have the famous Aruba breezes to cool you!

I notice your screen name & wonder if you are planning on playing golf while in Aruba.

From what I remember, Aruba has the same weather and temps year round. There is always a wind/breeze that blows to keep you cooler. (otherwise you would crisp up in the heat!)I don't remember it being humid, just sunny and windy. We really liked aruba. The surf club was being built while we were there. I think it opened the following year..we stayed at the hotel part (2004). Oh and bring lots of sunscreen! With the wind, it can be deceiving, but you are so close to the equator, you will get burned.

July is hotter.. but not as bad as the US.. they do have the Breeze to compensate! I always carry a hat with me, and sun screen.. take them from the US, sun screen can get pricy down there...
You should not have any problems if you're early risers...
Have fun!!

Just got back from Aruba on March 22nd! We stayed at the Westin, which was nice and each morning would walk to the other end of the 'highrise' section to the Marriott Surf Club. Looks very nice and clean. Also looked like there might have been a bit of construction going on, so make sure your room is not near any of that. Make sure you make your way to the Palm Beach Shops on the back side of the resorts. Very lively at night time and wonderful food. We had a fabulous meal at Moby Dicks. It's right in the middle of the shops, but GREAT food! Also, if you like Brazilian Steak Houses, we had incredible meat at Amazonia. It's off the beaten path, but well worth the find.

Have fun - and YES, it is HUMID. I have wavy hair I normally wear straight. Not a chance in Aruba. Curly it was.

Oh, AND, we booked a lot of our water sports and tours through Pelican Adventures. Very easy company to work with. The restaurant they work with is The Pelican's Nest right at the end of the Pier opposite the Holiday Inn. Outdoor restaurant with incredible seafood. It's all grilled and the mahi mahi and shrimp are FABULOUS!!!