My family is going to Aruba in mid-July and currently have a reservation at the Hyatt, $300 per night for pool/oceanview room with 5th night free. Have heard such great things about the Radisson so I checked it out but they want the same price for comparable room type but no free night. They have a great package for $210 including breakfast and a category upgrade but when I asked to pay an upgrade fee now to guarantee oceanview they wouldn't do it. I've read so many postings about people staying at the Radisson for less than the Hyatt, food vouchers, etc. that I am surprised by this. Any help or recommendations out there?

Both are great properties, but the Radisson is a notch above the Hyatt and should command higher prices (or fewer discounts). I found the pool area of the Hyatt to be very loud and crowded; in contrast, the Radisson's zero-entry pools are much more peaceful. But, you can't go wrong. Enjoy Aruba!<BR>

I agree with Ted. The Hyatt is not worth the money it charges.

I have to disagree. The Hyatt is a bit more upscale than the Radisson. Since the Radisson is still very nice and with $ you would save, it would make more sense to stay there. I stayed in a pool/ocean view in the Hyatt and was extremely happy. I like the Hyatt pool better than radisson. You can make a better decision after viewing virtual tours of the hotels on www.travelhop.com.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I've stayed at both resorts in the past 18 months and the Radisson is better. The rooms are larger and better furnished; the staff is more attentive; the pool area is less crowded; and the whole atmosphere is more relaxed, less stressed. But, like I said, you can't go wrong with either. The Hyatt rates an A- while the Radisson rates an A+. Clearly the free market agrees or the Radisson couldn't charge a premium (before the renovation, the Hyatt charged a premium as the reigning resort). Enjoy!<BR>

Just checked; the Radisson oceanview is less than Hyatt. Come on, since when has a Radisson EVER been more upscale than a Hyatt???? When we get back, I will eat my words online if necessary!<BR><BR>Also, Conde Nast Traveler has rated the Marriott as being THE best there, and rating a place on their Gold List.

Be careful with the Conde Nast lists.<BR>They tend to lag, as reviewers are often reporting opinions from 2+ years prior.<BR>Also, if there are relatively few reports per resort, numbers can fluctuate widely.<BR>For example, in 2001 the Hyatt was rated higher than the Marriott, but not in 2002 or 2000 (and the numbers changed dramatically though I'm sure the resorts didn't).

Supply & demand. Radisson is larger as well - more rooms to sell. <BR><BR>Since the major $$$$ renovation, Radisson is without a doubt the superior hotel (and property). I'd say Hyatt & Marriott are tied for 2nd, depending on your specific room/view etc.<BR>

Both Fodors and Frommers say that the Hyatt is superior to the Radisson. They say it is wonderful, but doesn't reach the Hyatt pinnacle. Everyone has their own personal opinion about what is luxurious. I think I will go with the experts. They are generally on the mark.

The "experts" report on old data and outdated visits, prior to the Radisson renovations. My brand new guidebook says that since the renovation, the Radisson "surpasses even the Hyatt in luxury and amenities." You can't trust any of them, anyway, however. Bribes and kickbacks are the rule in that industry. As has been said, both are fine resorts.

One huge reason to AVOID the published travel books, Dave, is that the info is always outdated (at least 2 years from collection to your bookstore).<BR>A second is that it is often superficial or biased info. The travel books never miss the mark by a longshot. But if you're comparing two relatively comparable places, or need up to date info, they can be misleading.

Hannah:<BR><BR>Which guidebook are you referring to? I want to check it out.

I just came back from aruba for my honeymoon in may. I stayed at the radisson, very nice!!. I also checked out the hyatt, because, i too didn't know which one to choose. Almost all rooms at the radisson will have an ocean view unless you book a room with a garden view. but here are the diffences i can point out to you from what i observed:<BR><BR>the grounds at the hyatt were a notch above the radisson. but the beach was nicer near the radisson and the pool was really nice and gave everyone they're own space to swim. the beach had less rocks and seaweed also. not saying that it was bad at all near the hyatt, but i saw the difference. also the radisson had more beach property, more unbrella huts and more spread apart. so think what is more important to you. but i do have to say that no matter which one you choose they are both very nice!!<BR>

The ROOMS themselves are larger and better appointed at the Radisson. I stayed in oceanfront rooms at both resorts last Fall. The Radisson is a notch above, and the crowd was better too. (My wife & I didn't care for the low-class loudmouths around the Hyatt pool area; the Radisson pool was much more peaceful and spacious -- with a better class of people.)

We have always stayed at the Hyatt in Aruba and it is a great hotel. We are considering the Radisson because our travel agent recommended it. How is the beach at the Radisson? I heard it was small and not much beach. Vince

The beach at the Radisson is deeper and I think wider than the beach at the Hyatt.

I stayed at the Radisson in March and liked it very much. I stayed at the Hyatt in 2000. The Hyatt is a step up in service and overall asthetics. That didn't bother me because I was expecting it. I had chosen the Radisson because it was cheaper and I was happy with my choice. If you really need that upscale feeling than I would say spend the extra money and go to the Hyatt.

I have stayed at both the Hyatt and the Radisson (before and after renovation). I must say that while both are great hotels, after the renovation the Radisson surpasses the Hyatt in quality/service and overall comfort. The hyatt is kind of upscale but not as good as the radisson. Oh, and yes, the travel books are WAY outdated. Stick to the internet travel sites and posts like these. Good luck.

We are very well traveled and have stayed at or visited many of the best hotels all over the world. It is extremely RARE that Fodor's or Frommer's are not on the mark. They couldn't possibly sell books if they were not accurate. Those who keep insisting they are not up to date or accurate obviously don't recognize good taste and class. Money cannot buy those. Anyone who insists that the Radisson is superior to the Hyatt has NO TASTE or class!!!! It was obvious by the way the people were dressed for dinner at the Sunset Grille. Shorts, cut offs-----very tacky. The people at the Hyatt were dressed casually, but with some taste. Anyone who is well traveled will first and foremost go with the well established travel publications' recommendations rather than with online suggestions. I haven't known them to be wrong in 30 years of worldwide upscale travel. BUT.....I have seen some well intentioned but misguided advice on this forum.

We haven't stayed at the Hyatt but were at the Radisson in November. It is a lovely property with wonderful rooms and nice balconies that allow you to enjoy Aruba's fine breezes. The main reason we did not choose the Hyatt is the lack of balconies for the rooms. Personally, we enjoy sitting on the balcony with a good drink and a great book before dinner in the evenings. The hyatt offers a small area that you can stand on- similar to the balcony in Romeo and Juilette. As far as the class warfare goes, I found the guests at the Radisson to be very laid back and casual. No one was loud or obnoxious; people were friendly, considerate and polite. There were many folks from South America there, so it gave the place a slightly more "exotic" feel. We really enjoyed our stay at the Radisson and would highly recommend it.