We Won a Trip to Aruba! Questions...

Old Jan 17th, 2009, 01:44 PM
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We Won a Trip to Aruba! Questions...

Well, my boyfriend did through his company and I get to go! We will spend a week at the beginning of April at the Hyatt and all our expenses will be covered. That being said, neither of us are big fans of mega resorts, preferring low key style of travelling. This is where I need assistance.

We can rent a car while we are there so what would be a couple of nice quiet beaches without facilities where we might enjoy some peace and quiet away from the resorts?

What are some fun, casual beach bars that aren't located in a resort? For example, on Tortola I love Bomba's Shack, Pussers and the wonderul Smugglers Cove with the honor bar, Jost Van Dyke I love the Soggy Dollar Bar, St. Maartin I love the Sunset Bar. We would love to hang out in a more locals spot under a palapa away from the crowds on an afternoon or two.

I realize that Aruba is a fairly quiet island but there must be a few fun bars to visit at night, right? Any suggestions?

Is it okay to dress casually while at the resort or are women in dresses and men in slacks?

I will probably come up with more questions as the date gets closer.

Thanks in advance!
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Old Jan 17th, 2009, 05:35 PM
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Aruba is casual, but more built up than what you are used to. The Hyatt is a very nice resort. I only saw the outside, but very pretty. We stayed at the Marriott up the beach. There was a bar next to the Marriott that was called Moombas and it was a beach bar, hang out with music. You could walk up the beach from the Hyatt.

Baby beach is a good snorkel beach. I think they do have facilities there, but it is more of a local's beach.
Someone else will have to help with more private beach ideas.
Dining is excellent. Our favorite was in town and is called El Gauchos. It is a argentinian steakhouse. Also, we liked a place called Chalet Suisse.
You can go to aruba-bb.com It is a website with a chat room of all Aruba regulars. They can give you lots of information that is very up to date. We went in 2004.
If you want a great place to lie on the beach, dine well, and have a little nightlife, Aruba is great!
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Old Jan 18th, 2009, 08:46 AM
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How nice that you won a trip. Aruba is great, we have been going for several years now.
A couple places to have dinner are
Madame Janette - make a reservation
Papiamento - very romantic
I normally dress casual in nice shorts and a top, or a beach type dress. My husand ALWAYS is dressed in shorts. Our friends stayed at the Hyatt in May 08 - it was very nice - also has a good spa and casino
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Old Jan 18th, 2009, 09:11 AM
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Thanks for the suggestions! I have been to many Caribbean islands before but this is my first trip to Aruba so I am looking forward to it!
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Old Jan 18th, 2009, 01:32 PM
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I highly recommend THE FLYING FISHBONE, a beachside restaurant with candlelit tables set in the sand. It's about a 20+ minute cab ride from The Hyatt, but it was a wonderful experience. We had excellent fish there, and after dinner walked down to the edge of the water, drinks in hand. Really a lovely evening!
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Old Jan 21st, 2009, 12:44 PM
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Yeah, the Flying Fishbone sounds like a cool place! I am going to need to extend my stay in order to try all the great restaurants!

Cheers!
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Old Jan 22nd, 2009, 05:29 AM
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You will need a car and good directions to get to the Flying Fishbone. Here's a couple of restaurant web-sites to look through:

http://www.restaurantsaruba.com/

http://www.visitaruba.com/attraction...t/restaurants/

Mambo Beach Bar is a good place to go. It's between the Holiday Inn and the Marriott on Palm Beach.

There is also a beach bar at Rodger's Beach, which is next to Baby Beach. You'll need a car to get there also.

You really won't find a beach bar like Pussers or Soggy Dollar. We've been to those also. Aruba is very built up and commericialized. You might try the beach bar at Amsterdam Manor. They also offer a beach dinner called Passions.

For an out of the way beach with no facilities, try the Mangel Hato. You'll need a car to get there. Also, do a jeep tour and go to the Natural Pool or try a snorkel tour on the Tranqillo. The Tranquillo goes to areas that are not as touristy as other tours.

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Old Jan 22nd, 2009, 11:20 AM
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Grabbing a rental car (easy, you can pick them up right by the hotel) and going down to the south end for Baby Beach is a nice trip. You can stop at Charlie's on the way back - a tourist place certainly, but fun nonetheless.

The Flying Fishbone is down that way as well, and is WELL worth going to. If you're lucky (or persistant) you'll find yourself eating right on the sand.

Aruba is a lot of fun to drive around... outside of Orangestadt the road maps only sort of approximate the real roads, but since it's a small and very friendly island, it's no problem! I remember winding up at the Orangestadt post office twice when trying to go over to the east side of the island, road map in hand... finally tossed it in the back, just turned wherever we felt, and ended up over by the natural bridge (now collapsed).

A ride to the top of the island around the California lighthouse is great in the evening. There's also a small beach north of the hotels that you need a car to get to, where you can do some good snorkeling right off the sand. Can't remember the name of it right now (is it Malmot beach?), but it's where the sunken freighter is. Half the time there is no one on that beach. I used to drive up there in the morning a couple of times and have the whole place to myself, though things may be busier in the last few years.

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Old Jan 22nd, 2009, 01:42 PM
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If you are there on a Sunday I would highly recommend the Brunch at Le Dome.

It's basically 'all you can eat' with champagne - It's not a buffet, you order from a restricted menu and the waiter serves it to you. The food is prepared individually (with regular top ups of champagne) so, it's a very relaxed atmosphere. We were there for a couple of hours but other diners who were already eating when we arrived were still ordering

Well worth the $44 IMVHO.

Eagle Beach is a much wider quieter beach than Palm Beach.

Where ever you eat and hangout I'm sure you'll have a lovely time.



http://ledome-aruba.com/menu_brunch.php
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Old Jan 22nd, 2009, 02:25 PM
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You will not be disappointed in the Hyatt - it was just refurbished about two years ago and is outstanding. Delicious restaurants on property as well as a little mall of fun restaurants across the street. The rooms are just beautiful, so feel fortunate that you landed at the Hyatt. Have a great trip!
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Old Jan 23rd, 2009, 06:29 AM
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dlundgren, we are planning on renting a car for at least a couple of days to explore the island. We definitely have Flying Fishbone on our list of places to eat!

Alya, brunch at Le Dome sounds great, too!

Travelgal, I saw the Hyatt web photos and the rooms do look very nice. We are looking forward to it!
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Old Jan 29th, 2009, 04:56 AM
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Hello eurotraveller
Are you from the US? Well anyhow ARUBA is great. I go there every Dec-timeshare owner. Must make reservations for Madame Janette before you get to the island. The Hyatt has lovely grounds. No need to dress fancy, just casual elegant will do.A visit to Charlie's Bar which is in Savaneta-you will need a car to get there as it is near Baby Beach...also need a cooler collaspable to take food and drinks there for the day. Sunscreen a must SPF 30-45 a must! If you need more inform just email me direct
Enjoy wish I won the trip!
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Old Feb 15th, 2009, 10:37 AM
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Aruba is beautiful, been there twice.The Hyatt is beautiful. Restaurants to visit: Smokey Joes, Texas de Brazil, the Italian restaruant at the point at the lighthouse ( forget the name ) and El Gauchos. You will love it there!
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Old Feb 19th, 2009, 06:40 AM
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Paris, I am from Canada but live in the US. Thanks for the suggestions.

Iroche, do you know if the El Gaucho is the same as the very nice Argentinian Steak House in the US? The website is completely different.
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Old Mar 5th, 2009, 04:55 AM
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EL GAUCHO CAN BE A RIPOFF.......THEY IGNORE YOU EVEN WITH RESERVATIONS AND NOT WORTH MONEY AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED....TRY THE FRENCH STEAKHOUSE, THEY DO A 5 COURSE DINNER THAT HAS A CHARUSSACO STEAK AS A SELECTION FROM ARGENTINA AND IT IS VERY GOOD, MAKE RESERVATIONS FROM THEIR WEBSITE FROM HOME
IF YOU NEED A RENTAL CAR, TRY TROPICRENTAL CARS, THEY AR ENOT NEW BUT IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, ASK FOR MR HANS DHOOGE AND SAID MRS PAULTER SENT YOU, I HAVE USED THEM FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS
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