Marriott Aruba
 

I am planning a trip to Aruba in late March with my
family (kids 9 and 6).
We are staying at the Marriott using points.
Can we use the pool facilities at the Surf Club and Ocean Club. I know my kids will want to use the waterslide at the Surf Club.

Thanks.

Stayed at the Surf Club last January, Beautiful resort great pool super lazy river water slide and great food. Take those pool noodles with you or some kind of inflatable ring for the kids to use in the lazy river they will have a ball. If you wait to buy them when you are there they will cost you $$.

How is the sand and water by the Marriott.
Is it rocky and seaweedy?

Rocky no but yes it was alittle seaweedy (maybe just that time of year). It is very windyin Aruba so we did not go in the ocean very much but what little we werein the water was great.

I stayed at the Marriott resort last April. No, you cannot use the pool at the Surf or Ocean Club. I think they are pretty strict at the Surf club and require wrist bands to use the lazy river.

The ocean floor was slimy and gross near the Marriott when we were there. We actually ended up taking a cab to the low rise area for our last few days for a nicer beach.

Patrice

We never had a problem we swam in both pools and nobody ever told us we could not. This might be something new I would ck at the desk when you ck in.

It seems to me that there is some confusion here, since there are 3 Marriott properties next to each other.

YGG - Are you staying at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino? If so, patrice says you can't swim at the Aruba Marriott Surf Club or Ocean Club. Since Kimberly stayed at the Surf Club, she is saying you can swim there.

Does that explain the situation? ((*))

We would stay at the Aruba Marriott Resort and Casino.
I think now my main concern is the beach and water. I went many moons ago and the sand was soft and the ocean was crystal clear and a nice soft bottom. I haven't read that about the beach/water at the Marriott. I am also now considering Grand Cayman and I'm not sure the water/beaches in Aruba compare to them.
Thoughts?

In 2004,we went and the surf club was not there yet. We stayed at the hotel and used the pools and beach at both the hotel and timeshare property. I would confirm being able to use all three before booking if that is important to you.
Now we went a few years ago, but the sand was soft, no seaweed. That may have changed.
On GC, the sand in front of the Marriott is rocky with little rocks. I don't think all of 7 mile beach is like that though. I had to wear water shoes because I didn't like the little stones. The sand is very soft though in GC and the water is extremely clear.We just went in June 07. I know you were looking at the Ritz. I would go to the Ritz if the points are the same. Food is good on both islands. The Ritz will have nicer newer rooms too. The only thing GC does not have is gambling. So, if you are gamblers go to Aruba.