Please help a woman obsessed. We're close to deciding on our trip for our family of four in April -- after much obsessive research and posting neurotic, detailed requests for help on this board. Everyone has been so helpful. One more time?

Would you rather stay in a two-bedroom, ocean-view suite w/ kitchen at the Marriott Aruba Ocean Club OR a one-bedroom, garden-view suite w/ kitchen at Half Moon in Jamaica? We have two young kids -- 1yo and 3yo -- so we think a kitchen would def come in handy. (Our budget is approx $900/night.)

PLEASE share your thoughts. Last year we stayed at the Marriott Aruba Surf Club, near the Ocean Club -- so that is more of a known entity. But the nanny services offered at Half Moon sound intriguing -- as does the dolphin refuge and other kids activities.

MANY thanks -- once again.

Half Moon is a good family resort, so I'd recommend that, especially since you just went to Aruba. But to be honest, the kitchen won't put to as much use in Jamaica since it's hard to get to the grocery store (though certainly possible---albeit expensive---by taxi).

Thanks for the info, Doug. I think we've settled on the Marriott Ocean Club -- though I feel a little lame for going back to Aruba two years in a row. But there will be time for lots more trips in the future.

Thanks!
B

Sometimes with families familiar is better, so don't feel lame. When your kids are older, there are a lot more interesting islands you can take them to.

And there's a whole world to see, too! We used to travel A LOT before the kids. Looking forward to one day taking them to some amazing places.

Thanks again!

Half Moon has an onsite market ("commissary&quot at the Half Moon shopping village and a free shuttle to it.

There is a fairly large supermarket nearby in Ironshore too. With a $900/night budget i'm thinking a $10-20 taxi ride, while overpriced, probably isn't an issue. In fact for that price you can almost have an entire staffed 4BR villa at Half Moon and your personal chef will shop for you.

Hi I was wondering about Aruba. There will be a couple of married couples in thier 30's who are going. We like to do outdoors activities and have a good time in the evenings. I have never been to any place like aruba and do not know what to expect. When is the best time of the year to go? We would stay at one of the Marriott Properties but not sure which one. Any input? What is there to do there? Thanks to anyone who is willing to help!

coffeyman: I am replying to you, but you may be better off starting your own thread so that people will see your question.
We stayed at the Marriott stellaris hotel 4 years ago. It is connected with the other Marriott time share properties. They were building the surf club when we were there.

There is gambling at all the hotels. There is a bus called the kukukanooko (?) bus that takes you bar hopping all night and drops you back at the hotel. We did not do this because we were on a family vacation, but it looked like fun.

There is great dining all over the island.
I would recommend you going to the aruba-bb.com bulletin board. There you can ask questions of people who love aruba and go all the time. I did this before our trip and knew where to eat, who to hire for a snorkel trip, etc...
Our favorite restaurant was El Gaucho in town. It is a steakhouse and the food was delicious. Enjoy!

Oh and coffeyman: Any time of year in Aruba is hot and sunny! The weather stays the same all the time. So, bring your sunscreen. It is right on the equator.
We went in the spring and had great weather.
The summer/fall may put you in the hurricane season which is usually not a problem in Aruba, but you never know. If you are open to any time, I would say go in the winter and avoid school holidays.
Early to mid January after the christmas rush would be a great time.