Mid 30's couple looking for hotel and direction for Aruba
 

My husband and I are thinking about Aruba for the first week of March. I have looked at the Renaissance and the Bucuti. I am trying to find the best hotel for us. We would like to be close to downtown as we are not planning on all inclusive. Any other thoughts for hotels or feedback on those 2 hotels? Also, what is the "must do" when you are in Aruba?

If you choose a hotel on Palm Beach you will be close to "everything" and on a great beach. Across the street from the hotels lined up on Palm Beach is a strip of resturants, bars, shopping and entertainment. On the front side of those hotels are additional resturants and beach bars. Easily walkable and more things available to you than Downtown. There are bus stops every few feet and can easily take you to the Eagle Beach area or Downtown.

The Renaissance is Downtown. They have a private beach in which you have to take a shuttle boat to reach. There is a family section and an adult section. The Bucuti is on Eagle Beach closer to Downtown. That area is spread out so you'll probably utilize the bus more to get to resturants.

There are several great hotels on Palm Beach. Look at the Westin, Hyatt, Radission, Holiday Inn and Marriott. However, that area might be more crowded in March with families.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn and liked it just fine. The location was great for what we were wanting. For our next trip, we are looking at the Amsterdam Manor. It's a smaller hotel and the first hotel on Eagle Beach, so location is good. About a 15 minute walk to the Palm Beach area and they have a bus stop right out front. Their beach is across the street, but we've seen the distance and it's not an issue for us. It's a good compromise for being close to everything, but still on the quiter area of Eagle Beach.

For things to do: Do a full day jeep tour with ABC. Wear water shoes for the Natural Pool. Go snorkeling on the Tranquillo, MiDushi, Octupus, Red Sail Sports, the Black Pearl or DePalm. If you are a drinker, do the Kukoo Kunuku Party Bus, do a beach hopping tour with DePalm, walk the area of Palm Beach and hit a few resturants, bars and shops, go shopping Downtown, there are water sports on Palm Beach, do a dinner cruise.

DePalm is one of the major tour operators on the Island. Check out their website at: www.depalm.com but also check out the other operators and see what might interest you.

KVR gave you great info about what to do, though wife and I did not do much of that when we were there last month. However one thing that we did do that KVR didn't mention is the submarine tour. We thought that was really interesting and fun. With regard to hotels, we stayed at the Renaissance and really liked it. It has 2 parts- an adults only section called the marina adjoining a retail mall and casino and the ocean suites which is across the street and obviously on the beach. Personally I would not stay at the marina one. No views, or very limited views while the ocean suites had balconies and a great pool and a private beach area. As KVR said, the Palm Beach area has nicer beaches and a lot of activity in the area with shopping, bars, and dining. I went in several of them and was most impressed with the Marriott, though the Hyatt was also very nice. However, while those 2 hotels were probably classier hotels, I thought our choice of the Renaissance was the best for us. They have a boat shuttle that takes you to their private island, which was also a great attraction for us, and we just liked being in the downtown area of action. Cabs are pretty cheap there so getting around is quite easy.

Thank you both very much for your help. We've got some planning to do!

I honestly would never stay at Renaissance... it's IS downtown.. no beach to quite walk to, even though it had a private beach it is nothing compared to the Bucuti for example.. you can grab a bus or cab for a short ride into town... I'd choose Bucuti over Ren.....

I liked the Palm Beach area as there seem to be lots of action, restaurants and such and still on a great beach! We were at the marriott which was a huge complex and it has grown since we were there. The Hyatt was also a beautiful hotel and grounds and an even closer walk to restaurants. Cabs are cheap enough and we took them to dinner everywhere. Not a big deal. So, stay where you want to look at the ocean and relax on a beach all day and walk or cab to the restaurants at night!