Glenn & Vicky

We are currently searching for a place to stay in Aruba in October. We have looked into La Cabana and Bucuti. Has anyone stayed at these places that could tell more about it? We are open for any other suggestion. <BR> <BR>Thank you <BR> <BR>

Karen

Stayed at the Bucuti last month and absoulutely loved it. The beach there is much wider and far less crowded than the one at La Cabana. You have to cross the street to go to the beach if you stay at La Cabana. At the Bucuti, there are only 63 units, so there are wide open spaces, plenty of chairs, a restaurant on the beach with wait service to your beach chairs. Would recommend it over the La Cabana for its privacy and quiet location. Email me if you have more questions.

simone

hi! <BR>i'm italian and me too i'm planning a vacation for my honeymoon in october in aruba with RCI, in "aruba beach club". <BR>i've to arrange only for the fly, but i'd like to know how is the weather there in that month (from 1st to 15th). <BR>many thanks in advance.

eileen

Would not recommend LaCabana for a honeymoon, too many kids and families. Bucuti is small and basic. I thought the Hyatt Regency was gorgeous and lots of people recommend the Radisson, which was just redone. Those two would be my choices if I was honeymooning on Aruba.

Kelly

My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Aruba and stayed at the Divi Beach Resort. I thought it was absolutely fabulous, as did my husband. I think it had the best beach in Aruba-wide and never crowded. Mostly couples and honeymooners stay there. It was romantic and had a very friendly staff. It is nothing luxurious, like the Hyatt, yet I think it makes up for luxury in its romantic and beautiful setting. My got the Lanuai room-which is right on the beach(only 20 feet from the water). These are the best rooms they have. The outdoor a-la-carte restaraunt was great if you get sick of buffet style. Please e-mail if you need more info. I would say Divi is your best bet. We also went at the end of September, into early October-Beautiful weather!! Good luck!

JanGail

If you are a beach person who desires <BR>to stay in a romantic Mediterranean <BR>style resort that is small, intimate <BR>with few or no children then the Bucuti <BR>is for you. <BR>If you prefer a resort that is more <BR>upscale and luxurious, then the Hyatt, <BR>Radisson or the Marriott is for you. <BR>Pricewise, the Bucuti is the better <BR>value; the Hyatt, Radisson and the <BR>Marriott more expensive. <BR>Check out these websites: <BR>www.bucuti.com <BR>www.aruba-bb.com (for trip reports) <BR>www.visitaruba.com (for trip reports) <BR>The Bucuti is located in a quieter <BR>hotel district called the low-rise <BR>hotels. The beach there is beautiful, <BR>wide, uncrowded with plenty of shade <BR>huts and palm trees. You will also get <BR>beach service if staying at the Bucuti. <BR>However, if you like to be in the middle <BR>of lots of activities then the high- <BR>rise hotel district is for you-- the <BR>Hyatt, Radisson and Marriott are located <BR>there. <BR>Hope this helps. <BR>JanGail

paula

If you are going to aruba through RCI I can recommend Costa Linda, Playa Linda, Casa del Mar and Aruba Phoenix. All are beachfront properties. I wouldn't recommend the Bucuti..it looks like a cheap motel with a beautiful beach in front..the Casa del Mar is right beside it and so is Costa Linda..my favorite. These are not easy resorts to come by so you'll have to be patient.

April

The Bucuti is lovely it's the Manchebo that looks like a cheap motel.

chazz

The Manchebo is a TERRIFIC cheap motel. <BR>One of the best values in the Caribbean, IMHO (esp. with AAA or AARP discount). <BR>

paula

April, you're right..it's the Manchebo the one I was referring to. If I'm not mistaken it is the one nextdoor to the restaurant that looks like a ship..Isn't that right?

chia

DO NOT go to the DIVI for your honeymoon - it is a Motel 6 on a beautiful beach with paper thin walls! Food is monotonous - take the other peoples suggestions - the Radisson or the costa linda would be my picks. The Hyatt is beautiful but very dressy and fancy! Depends on what you want but I am sure the DIVI is not it!!!!!

ken

My wife and I have stayed at La Cabana and the Marriott and we been throughout the rest of the island, once on a motorcyle and then again by jeep. La Cabana is okay but the atmosphere is such that you could be in Florida and not know the difference by the crowd. Big casino and Outback Steakhouse within the complex, etc. The Marriott is definetly nicer and on the northernmost end of the hotel zone next to the most popular beach for windsurfers. If we were to return to Aruba again, however, we would stay at the Bucuti, primarily because it has by far the best beach but also because it's a little more laid back, less crowded and a bit European (also less expensive). I guess it depends what your looking for. Also, the ocean at the Bucuti has a little surf whereas at La Cabana and Marriott it's VERY calm. We like the water to move a little when we're in the ocean. Generally, the Hyatt and Marriott are considered the two top hotels.

simone

Thanks for the hotels' information, <BR>now I've to work for planning my honeymoon in aruba. <BR>So Nobody know "aruba beach club"? <BR>I've found some info about through RCI's hotel list and it seems a good place with so much facilities like grocery,snaks,restaurant,etc. <BR>But these info are only written! <BR>Some lives trip's reports it would be better for me. <BR>I'm waiting for <BR>Many thanks! <BR>ciao

Sam

With all due respect to the above poster,The Hyatt &amp; The Radisson are<BR>the top 2 hotels. Marriott is run down<BR>&amp; badly in need of a facelift (hotel,<BR>not timeshares, Ocean Club, to the North).<BR>We stayed @ Aruba Marriott Hotel recently &amp; were very disappointed with room amenities,<BR>staff attitude, food, over-crowding @<BR>pool &amp; on beach.

Tracy

I just came back from Aruba and stayed at the Wyndham. It was great the staff was very attentive and they have two great restaurants. It is also located in walking distance of the Hyatt and Radison but the price was more reasonable at the Wyndham. I highly recommend it.

Chris and Kristy

Late October early November my wife and I went our honeymoon to Aruba. We stayed at the Marriott Ocen Club. Let me tell you we stayed there for 10 days and it was absolutely the best place we have ever stayed. Dollar for Dollar, our total room charge, excluding room services and other extras we purchased like the specatular pool bar amenitites, was an incredible 1400 US dollars. Mind you we have a great travel agent but we used Apple travel packages and we are going to be visiting Aruba on a consistant yearly basis.<BR>Let me list some of the atributes we noticed in comparison to other hotels.<BR>1. the Ocean Club is not a hotel, it has suites, like apartments with jacuzzi in the rooms.<BR>2. the location is at the very north shore of all the hotels, so you feel as though you are not in the thick of it.<BR>3. the beach is larger and not so compact in comparison to the Hyatt thier beach is small and you feel as though people are literally right next to you.<BR>4. the tiki huts are in much better shape since the hotel is brand new (2 years old)<BR>5. The actual Marriott Hotel is right next door so you can utilize all those ameities as well. 2 hotels for the price of one!<BR>As yo can see I strongly recommend going to the Ocean Beach Club!!!<BR>Enjoy it!!!<BR>CeB