We're heading to aruba for the first time at the end of august which I understand is a fairly quiet time there. Some of the comments here make me wonder about the pool and beach area at the hyatt. There are six in my family and we love the beach but need shade. Do they rent umbrellas? Is shade hard to find?

The pool area is a multi-leveled one with lots of nooks and crannies and beautifully landscaped -- just about the nicest pool I have ever seen. There are also Palapas on the beach -- you shouldn't have any trouble finding shade around the pool or on the beach.

Palapas are straw huts, you see them on the resort's front page at www.hyatt.com.

See you there, my family will be returning for our 3rd visit 8/20-27.

The palapas look great but does it get very crowded and are they hard to reserve? Any other shade options at the resort?

WOW! The Hyatt is the best hotel in the carribean! better than the 4 seasons nevis! Even at chrsitmas time we were able to get HUGE umbrellas with cushioned chairs, etc. !!! the pool thie ris amazing! On the Beach, they have mini huts with some shading scattered around...get there at nine and you will be fine! also, they have 4 cabanas to rent (on the beach) at FChristmas time they were 100$ dollars a piece, but i am sure it will be lowered in the summer.

some tips in aruba: go to El Gaucho for amazing steak, Maddame jeanettes for amazing food in general, same with Le dome (elegant), tabasko (intimate and relaxed, good)

great concierge!!!

have an AMAZING trip it is soooo fun at the hyatt!