Does anyone know or have an opinion on what a good/cheap vacation package price would be for Aruba - including air and hotel. I'm planning a 4 night/5 day trip, from Washington DC to Aruba in May. So far, I've been quoted: Manchebo Beach Resort and<BR>Holiday Inn Sunspree for about $800 per person. I'm hoping to find a cheaper price but am I being realistic? I think $800 is acceptable but I'm just wondering if anyone else has found something better and cheaper? Thanks.

A normal price on a major airline to Aruba from DC is around $700, so a whole vacation for $800 is fantastic. <BR><BR>You might try applevacations. I've seen specials from them in the Washington Post for the Mill Resort for a week for $800. It's probably a charter flight and the Mill is not directly on the ocean, but it would gain you a few days. <BR><BR>Another option is to find a timeshare someone is wanting to rent out. Sometimes you can get these just for the weekly maintenance fee. You can find these on the bulletin board at aruba.com under Accomodations.<BR><BR>If your choices are Manchebo Beach Resort and Holiday Inn, they are two totally different resorts and beaches. Check out the trip reports on www.visitaruba.com to get a flavor of each resort before committing. Manchebo is quiet (meaning few kids and concessions, and the resorts are far apart), Palm Beach is very busy with lots of activities and the resorts are all close together, more kids, nice walkway between resorts. Holiday Inn itself is a high rise, whereas Manchebo is really a small motel. Either way, you won't go wrong. Have fun!

I book through Amy at MCM Tours and they are the best. Check out there web site.

you will be disappointed with the Holiday Inn.... you get what you pay for

That price sounds good to me. We went to the Manchebo during President's Week last year, so we couldn't get any deals - paid $700 airfare from Newark and $165/night for the room.<BR><BR>We had debated between the same two hotels, wound up picking the Manchebo, and we loved it. It is MUCH smaller (70 rooms) and located on the best stretch of beach in Aruba, in my opinion. It is a fairly simple hotel - 2 stories, no elevator, smallish pool - but very well run and well maintained. There is a beachfront bar and restaurant, and a fancier restaurant inside.<BR><BR>We walked around the Holiday Inn and noticed it had a rather small pool considering that there are 600 rooms. The beach there (Palm Beach) has slightly smaller waves than at the Manchebo but is much more crowded with high-rise hotels and people.<BR><BR>Although we preferred the Manchebo, people who like casinos and are easily bored might prefer Palm Beach.<BR><BR>If you choose the Manchebo, you might want to consider paying a bit extra for an oceanfront room. We saved the $15/night and had a parking lot view.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

I live in Pasadena, Maryland and Pinnacle Tours in Baltimore is great booking for Aruba. I am going in April for the second time with them.

Janet - I went to Aruba for 7 nights and stayed at the Wyndham last September. I got a package from MCM Tours for $1,109 and it also included daily breakfast buffet. Visit their website at www.mcmtours.com. Good luck.

NO ONE Beats MCM tours, web add is.......www.aruba4u.com

We got a better rate with Travel Unlimited at www.travelunlimited.com and their service was also excellent!