I have just returned from a great 1 week vacation in Aruba. I stayed at the Marriott, ate very well, toured the island, and went snorkling. I have loads of advice to give, so just ask! If you have any questions about different hotels, you can also run that by me because I walked along all of the high-rises and toured them all. <BR>Looking forward to helping everyone. <BR>Best, <BR>Christina

Thanks for the offer! My husband and I are thinking of going there in Sept. 2001. We like a quiet, luxurious hotel right on the beach with few kids and access to good fitness facilities, including a pool for swimming laps. Any suggestions?

My husband and I are going to Aruba in September. We will be staying at the Sonesta Suites. Were you there? What restaurants would you reccomend? Any information about the island would be very helpful. <BR>Thanks, <BR>Barbara <BR>

Just wondering, did you encounter any topless beaches while in Aruba?

What did you think of the Marriott? Would you recommend staying there over the other hotels in that area? I am considering going to Aruba next year with my husband (both early 40s). Was thinking about the Hyatt but don't like the idea that we can't sit out on the balcony as this is something we like to do in the morning and evening. How far off the beaten path is the Marriott? (I understand it is at the "end" of the beach area.) We don't like crowds, but don't want to be too far from restaurants and activities. Can you snorkel off the beach by the Marriott? Would you recommend renting a car? Thank you.

Christina, I recall reading a past post <BR>here that said b/c the floors are <BR>tiled as opposed to carpeted @ the Marriott you can hear the people above <BR>walking around. Was that a problem for you or were you on the top floor? <BR>Thx!

I am getting married this Saturday and we have booked our honeymoon to Aruba; we also are staying at the Marriott. I read a reply that discussed tile floors - any other savvy tips to pass along for a fabulous honeymoon? Thanks!

Christina, did you happen to pass by either the COsta Linda Beach Resort or Playa Linda?

We are going for our third trip to <BR>Aruba and do have information to offer <BR>based on our previous visits to Aruba. <BR> <BR>The Marriott, and its timeshare resort <BR>called the Marriott Ocean Club are <BR>very beautiful resorts which have had <BR>consistently excellent reviews by <BR>their guests. The resorts are off a <BR>bit to itself with its own private <BR>beach. Balconies at both resorts are <BR>nice to sit out on and enjoy the sunset. <BR>Even though the resorts are set off <BR>apart from the other resorts, you are <BR>still within walking distance to the <BR>other resorts and restaurants. <BR>Other luxerious resorts would be the <BR>Hyatt (despite lack of balconies), and <BR>the newly opened Radisson. Resorts <BR>that tend to cater to adults and couples <BR>would be the expensive upscale resorts <BR>such as those mentioned above. However, <BR>I would be remiss in not mentioning <BR>the Bucuti Beach Resort which is located <BR>on Eagle Beach. This resort does not <BR>encourage children as there is no <BR>children's programs and trip reports <BR>from guests who have stayed there <BR>say that very few children are present. <BR>You are really pampered there-- it is <BR>not a high class hotel with expensive <BR>amenities, but the service there is <BR>wonderfully accommodating to their <BR>guests. For example, guests are given <BR>a red flag to take with them to the <BR>beach, and when thirsty and/or hungry, <BR>just stick the flag in the sand and a <BR>waiter will come to you and take your <BR>order! Eagle Beach is a really lovely <BR>beach which is very wide and uncrowded. <BR>It is also topless-optional. Most of <BR>the resorts located on Eagle beach <BR>are the low-rise hotels which tend to <BR>be quieter and more laid-back. Most of <BR>the activities and partying will be at <BR>the high-rise hotels. <BR>Most hotels have tiled floors for good <BR>reason-- it is easier to clean and <BR>keeps humidity and mildew problems to a <BR>minimum. Hotels that have carpeting <BR>do experience problems with humidity <BR>and mildew and musty odor, although they <BR>do take measures to keep those problems <BR>under control such as fans, keeping <BR>patio doors closed, humidifiers to suck <BR>out the moisture, etc. <BR>Pools-- most of the pools are freeform, <BR>although there may be a section set <BR>aside to swim laps. Most of the upscale <BR>resorts such as the Marriott, Hyatt, <BR>will have fitness facilities. The Mill <BR>Resort has a spa/fitness facility <BR>nearby. The timeshares such as Costa <BR>Linda, La Cabana, Playa Linda have <BR>fitness facilities as well. <BR>For a special vacation or honeymoon, <BR>the upscale resorts mentioned would be <BR>fine places to stay. If sitting out on <BR>the balcony is important, don't stay <BR>at the Hyatt for you will be disappointed. Romantic things to do in <BR>Aruba-- dine at the Flying Fishbone, <BR>Ruinas del Mar at the Hyatt, a sunset <BR>cruise or a moonlight cruise, share a <BR>bottle of wine or champagne in a quiet <BR>secluded corner of the beach at night. <BR>Aruba is considered one of the safest <BR>islands in the Caribbean. <BR>For more information about Aruba, places <BR>to stay and things to do, try these <BR>websites: <BR>www.aruba-bb.com <BR>www.visitaruba.com <BR>www.depalm.com <BR>www.arubaadventures.com <BR>www.arubadining.com <BR>www.arubatourism.com <BR> <BR>Enjoy Aruba and hope this information <BR>helps you plan your vacation! <BR>JanGail <BR> <BR>

Wondering how Aruba rates to Grand Cayman or Turks for snorkeling?? Looking at the Allegro Resorts for my family, want clean, clear water and beach with no wind!! Heard Aruba is flat and windy?? Have you seen the Allegro or any other all inclusives?? <BR>Have been to Cozumel and Jamaica, looking for new place.

Peggi, <BR>The Allegro is a very nice resort which <BR>offers an all-inclusive package as an <BR>option. Similar hotel properties <BR>comparable to the Allegro would be the <BR>Holiday Inn (which also offers an all- <BR>inclusive package as an option), the <BR>Wyndham, Aruba Grand, Aruba Phoenix <BR>among the high-rise hotels. The low-rise <BR>hotels generally do not offer an all- <BR>inclusive option, with the exception of <BR>Mega Divi Resort and the Tamarijn. <BR>Aruba is not a desert island, but it is <BR>very arid as it receives little rainfall. Aruba is also outside the <BR>hurricane belt so good weather is the <BR>norm. It is windy there, but without <BR>the wind, it would be very hot and <BR>uncomfortable. The beaches are really <BR>great with good snorkeling at DePalm <BR>Island and at Baby Beach. There are <BR>many sailing/snorkeling excursions to <BR>the Antilla shipwreck and other coral <BR>reef areas. <BR>Aruba is considered one of the safer <BR>islands in the Caribbean-- it is safe <BR>to walk on the beaches at night! <BR>I have been to Grand Cayman once, and <BR>other than good snorkeling, there is not <BR>much to do. On the other hand, in Aruba <BR>there is so much to do day and night. <BR>Check out the websites I mentioned <BR>earlier in this thread. As a visual <BR>comparison, Aruba most resembles our <BR>Southwestern states such as New Mexico. <BR>Hope this helps. <BR>JanGail