Bucuti Hotel information
 

Hello-

My husband and I are thinking of staying at Bucuti next Feb. We have seen great reviews on this property. One note we saw from another site was that the air conditioining in the Tara Suites was not controlled by you, but my the hotel. Does anyone know if this is true? Also, does anyone know how the other rooms are, either deluxe or superior? Any other info on the hotel would be great! We don't want to stay in a high rise. Thank you!!
Jane

You can control the temperature in the rooms.... however, the A/C shuts off if/when you have one of your exterior doors open. I've only stayed in the suites so I can't say anything about the other rooms (they are in a separate building at the resort) but I can say I've heard they are fine.... clean and comfortable.

I will be at the Bucuti (again) in 2 weeks and can't wait - I do not think you would be disappointed at all.

Thank you! (We saw that comment in an Aruba.com review.) It looks like a beautiful place. Enjoy!

We stayed in deluxe oceanview room September 2004. We liked the room, very clean. We had great oceanview balcony to watch sunsets on. Room is pretty small w/ 2 queen beds.
We are going back this August & are trying the Tara Suite. Nothing wrong with the room last time just wanted to try the upgrade.
We loved Bucuti. Friendly staff, amazing beach, romantic, steel drum player at happy hour. Pirates Nest is the onsite rwstaraunt & is pretty good- not great. Lunches there are good & cheap too.
If you want to know any other specifics let me know.

We stayed last June for my 40th Birthday - left the offspring at home and we were looking for somewhere that doesn't encourage children.

It was a pure fluke that I found Bucuti, when I Googled 'adult only resort' - I had to do the Advanced Search and request 'without the words'- nude, clothing optional and swingers.

Finally, The Bucuti Beach came up and we loved it. Nice and quiet, any noise will be from the Playa Linda next door, The Tara Suites had only just opened and the rooms are very well appointed. We went off-season so I can't give you too much information about the atomosphere in February but there were plenty of Palapas, Happy Hour is twice a day and the barstaff was very friendly.

The beach was nice and clean a few topless sunbathers but it wasn't a big deal, the pool was nice to use after we'd been in the sea to lose the salty feeling but it wasn't used a lot while we were there. The Tara Suites have a dedicated Concierge to help you with your visit - not bad really since there are only 36 suites. The restaurant is really only worth using if you can't be bothered to go out. We were so lazy one night we even ordered Pizza Hut. Lots of nice restaurants - try Le Dome, it's within walking distance. and the service is attentive without being oppresive, food is very good.



For a trip try the Sea-kayaking they take you to DePalm island (AI) and while the trip sounds exhausting it wasn't, just make sure you get a double kayak - Seymour, one of the tour guides, was so funny.

Jeep tour - only take this if you don't mind being driven over rough terrain by a driver that you've never met before, the company we used didn't even check that the drivers had licenses! Can you imagine a US driver travelling without his/her driving license, why don't they check?

The conversation basically went "Who wants to drive?" customers put hands in the air, " OK you can drive!" Drivers chosen.

The Jeeps have a long base so accidents aren't likely but can you imagine any car hire company not checking licenses or that the driver is over 25!

Thanks everyone! We wanted to book the Tara Auites, they look beautiful. Has anyone stayed in the deluxe or superior rooms and are they clean and nice? Also, has anyone used GWV or TNT or any other vacation service to Aruba?

Things are getting a little shabby in the deluxe/superior room wings. Hall carpeting stained, bathroom fixtures sometimes leaked, linens threadbare and some rough. (July renov. planned )However, airconditioner worked beautifully, room was reliably clean. Pirate's Nest is to be skipped. Le Dome, Chalet Suisse dinners close by. Le Dome sensational brunch. Manchebo or Dunkin doughnuts or Dushi bagels for breakfast. Subway or Ling & Son Provisions for lunch. They will clear the minibar fridge for you if requested. Beach beautiful though huts much more in demand than in past years. Gasparito was a lovely dinner for inexpensive taxi ride.

Janie-
MCM tours did a very nice job for us.
Also provided some helpful suggestions.

Do you know when in July the renovation is scheduled to begin? And how long will the renovation last?

"any noise will be from the Playa Linda next door"

just an FYI the Playa Linda is on a completely different beach than the Bucuti, a couple of miles away ;)

Re: the July renovations, it has been reported that they are only doing 6 rooms at time so as not to disturb guests... howverI would check out what rooms they were doing before I booked

the Tara Suites are just beautiful!

"Do you know when in July the renovation is scheduled to begin? And how long will the renovation last?"


Here's a litle info from the Bucuti's web site:

ARUBA BUCUTI BEACH RESORT SCHEDULES SUMMER MAKEOVER
Renovations to Begin in July 2005
'Beauty and the Beach' Getaways Available During Renovation Period

March 8, 2005 -- Eagle Beach, Aruba -- Following the overwhelming success of the new Tara Suites, Aruba Bucuti Beach Resort has announced plans to upgrade the Bucuti wing accommodations and common areas this summer. Starting in July 2005 and scheduled for just 5 months, the renovation will upgrade the Bucuti wing in a style similar to the Tara Suite design.

In order to ensure consistency and their high standard of quality, the resort has hired the same designer, Nhora Quintero, now with NCQ Interiors Studio, Inc. out of Orlando, Florida. The interiors feature furnishings and color palettes similar to those in the Tara wing. The feel will be contemporary chic without sacrificing an ounce of comfort. The accommodations will feature dark walnut furnishing from Max Studios who also design for upscale resorts like W hotels. Natural colors and textiles like granite for the bath counters will also be used. Additions to the rooms include a built in wet bar/mini bar and a sophet or dropped ceiling for more modern lighting. In addition, the indoor and outdoor lobbies will also be renovated in this style to complement the new contemporary style.

Alva-Thank you for the informationn on finding a hotel in Aruba. We to are considering going to aruba for the first time in October. Like you looking for somewhere quiet without strange activities going on. We are also looking for possible all inclusive package. I don't know if all ofthe hotels have this option. Can anyone give me any suggesstions on all inclusive versus buying good when you get there. After being there and looking around is there anywhere else you would consider staying. Still confused as to which beach to stay at. I am gathering that Eagle beach is quieter and laid back where as palm beach is more busy. Also looking for somewhere that has a one bedroom suite.

Thank you.

ohiovacationer,

As I said, we chose Bucuti because it doesn't encourage children, since we were leaving our 'little darlings' at home we didn't want to have to deal with other peoples 'little darlings' :-)

We walked through the high-rise hotels on Palm beach and were glad we didn't stay there. The high-rise hotels have more guests but less beach area so the loungers were very close together and the noise level was high.
On the other hand Palm beach is good for restaurants within walking distance but since the buses are clean, regular, inexpensive and well used by locals and tourists distance to restaurants isn't an issue wherever you stay on Aruba.

As for AI, IMHO Aruba is the last place you should try AI there are so many good restaurants that it would be a shame not to try them, the local supermarkets are good for picking up fixings for breakfast and lunch, also a good source of alcohol.

Good luck with your vacation