Len3

I'm leaning in this direction for a 7 night stay (deluxe room). Has anyone been there recently? Are renovations completed? Suggestions for restaurants that are not so $$$$?

girlonthego

I did not stay here, but I stayed next door at the Marriott. I did walk around the outside and in the lobby areas. The lobby was suprisingly nice and not Holiday Inn like. The pool area was fine, not as nice as the Marriott. They do have a large outdoor bar by the pool where you can get food. They also had a show by the pool which looked very nice. We were cutting through the building and watched the show. I think it was a dinner/show. The beach seemed narrow. The building closest to the Marriott was not very nice looking. It looked old and dated (from the outside).
Restaurants nearby: We went to a Texas De Brazil that was walking distance. I thought it was kind of pricey, (but my kids did not eat much and were charged as adults)There is a bagel place and a dunkin donuts in walking distance for breakfast.That is all I can remember off the top of my head.

girlonthego

Almost forgot Moombas. It is a bar/restaurant next to the Holiday Inn and is on the beach. I do not know prices, but it was always packed and looked fun. It is also on the side next to the building I didn't care for. It is most likely a noisy side of the hotel. There were also topless sunbathers there. My kids would stare and then look away with shocked faces as we walked by. So, if you are traveling as a family person..beware..haha.

margiedicho

Stayed there last March. They were still fixing it up. Holiday Inn was fine, room was average, fine for the price. Would never do all inclusive again . Food was very average to poor especially when you average out what you've paid. Aruba has awesome restarants ,too many to get stuck eating at Holiday Inn all week.

Len3

How's is the beach in front of the Holiday Inn? Can you get a really good walk along it?

girlonthego

Check out the aruba forum.
aruba-bb.com is their website. They are very informative on Aruba. You can ask all kinds of questions and they can answer them better than me.

DerekD

The beach in front of the Holiday Inn is one of the nicest stretches on Palm Beach. Lots of room for loungers, clear calm water. The Holiday Inn offers excellent value and is in a great location.

Len3

I got a rate of $3700.00 deluxe room (oceanfront), taxes, transfers, and air from D.C. Is that a good rate for Feb? This is for 2 people non-all-inclusive.

girlonthego

Len: this is the high season. I still think that may be a little pricey for the HInn. Check other websites like delta vacations, us air, MCM tours, etc.. It may be cheaper if you can fly mid week to mid week. This is the most expensive time to go to Aruba. Good luck. The HInn is a fine hotel. I would make sure you are getting your money's worth.

Len3

How's the casino? I'm a slot fan!

DMetz

Len,

Across the street along with the Dunkin Donuts and the Brazillian restarurant there is a Sbarro. Good hearty and tasty portions at very reasonable prices. There is also a Subway in the Playa Linda, which is next door to the Holiday Inn.

The Hilton, which is located next to the Playa Linda, has nightly dinner specials. For instance, on Monday night they host Fajitas nite. The cost was either $15 or $20 per person. It was all you can eat and included a margarita. We eat our Fajitas on the restaurant patio overlooking the beach.

There is also a restaurant on a pier located between the Playa and the Holiday Inn. Depending on what you get, the cost wasn't too bad either.

The Playa Linda has a restaurant that serves very good food. Dishes ran $18 -$30 depending on what you ordered (I ate there 2 times really enjoyed it).

As for the casino, the Holiday Inn has a larger casino than the Hilton. You can also place bets on sporting events at the Holiday Inn.

Have a great time! Bon Bini!

DMetz

Len,

The hotel next to Playa Linda is the Hyatt, not the Hilton! The Hilton dinner and casino info I provided was is for the Hyatt. Sorry for the mix up.

Also, when we went in October, the wind was not an issue.

Traveler863

Len3,
$3700 just air and hotel to me is high for the Holiday Inn, even in high season. I'm in DC as well, and use the Wyndham because they give a good gov't rate of $129/night and are flexible with upgrades on arrival, space available of course. Upgrades they tack on $75 to $100 per night from gov't rate of $129 for junior or senior suite. If you can also get gov't rates its a thought. The casino is a reasonable size...I have no complaints my last night I walked out with $800.

aspinxtreem

We went to Aruba last May and stayed at the Wyndham. We were not impressed at all with the Holiday Inn. We stopped at most of the hotels along Palm Beach and actually thought the HI was pretty sad compared to other hotels. That price seems way too high. We left from MI, did airfare and hotel separately and found a great deal at the Wyndham. It was less than $150/night and they threw in breakfast and some drinks when we asked. Keep searching. I mean, no matter where you stay, I'm sure you'll have a great time, but I think you would be happier somewhere else. Check out www.mcmtours.com. You can do just hotels and we found great rates there. As for restaurants, Iguana Joe's downtown is really good food and not too expensive.

gottagoaway

are you kidding still under construction??? I went there 6 years ago and it was a nightmare!!!!! coachroaches in my room due to construction, noise, poor service, half the food was depleted that was on the menu only to discover it was given to private parties. It was so bad I was given 3 free nights to come back and I refused!