nittany1

Aruba is a desert island, it gets very little rainfall per year, and the trade winds blow 24 hours a day NE to SW, no exceptions (if you like keeping your hair neat, forget it), it takes a day or so to get use to it. We were there in August and is was hot, the wind actually made it more comfortable. On the bright side, the wind keeps the flying bugs away and its location is out of the main hurricane track. We stayed at a hotel that was noted for being a topless beach, but not many women were topless (about 5 or less each day), after a day or so you become use to it and it is really a non event. Being close to the equator you get 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night. Sunset is 7pm and by 7:30 PM it is dark, likewise is doesn't get light to around 7 AM. Kind of strange if your coming from the US where it doesn't get dark until after 9PM in the summer

lawngirl

go for the Hyatt----one of the best!

capri767

Yes, the Hyatt is the best on Palm beach...Bucuti the best on Eagle. Both are very different types of resorts and it all depends on what you want.As I have said before , Aruba is NOT tropical or luxe...it just isnt. Landscaping can try to make it so but it is what it is...which seems to me to be a place of good dining options, generally nice people,and an industrial area that seems kinda like a Venezuelan outpost.It is not a St. John, Virgin Gorda,or St, Barths.I found the Vegas Mirage pool area to be more tropical than Aruba...and more luxe.But some people love it...just depends on what you like.

srewolf

We went to Aruba and stayed at the Marriott. It was great. I highly recommend eating at Simply Fish at sunset. A table on the beach right by the water was heavenly! We took the Land Rover tour and enjoyed it. We rented a jeep, but had a terrible time with roads not marked and never could find our way. El Goucho is another place to eat. So if you love laying on the beach(liked having a tiki hut to go in the shade)and eating some fantastic food, Aruba is for you. Thank goodness there was a breeze. We will return someday, but enjoy exploring other islands.

Kristen1206

The Radisson is the best on Palm Beach (we loved it) and The Bucuti is the best on Eagle Beach (great honeymoon spot).

KeyGal

I'd like to put in a word for the Aruba Grand, which is between the Hyatt and the Wyndham. It has an Olympic size pool for swimmers, and there are one- and two-bedroom suites (in a separate part of the resort) with huge patios directly on the beach. It has a tranquil feeling somewhat like Bucuti's, though the Bucuti is incomparable. The beach at the Grand is WAY less crowded than any of the other Palm Beach resorts.

I've heard that some of the rooms at the Grand are tacky, so you have to choose carefully -- but it's another option. I prefer Eagle Beach, but my husband likes being close to the activity on Palm Beach (he's 63 going on 30.)

MeganandJ

We just returned from Bucuti last night & miss it terribly. The beach is amazing. Don't worry about toplessness, we only saw a handful of people each day & it was not a biggie at all. Huge majority of Bucuti's guests were on their honeymoons, it is a very romantic spot. People are friendly, but mostly keep to themselves. The Pirates Nest restaraunt is on premisis & lunches are yummy & affordable. Dinners are good too, especially seafood. Everything is close & the most we paid for taxi fare was $11 on a Sunday ($3 more on Sundays & holidays). We dined at Madame Jeanette's & El Gaucho- both were amazing!! We will return to Bucuti, staff was friendly & most knew us by name. Enjoy your honeymoon!