MuyLinda

Hi Lisa - LaCabana Resort is geared towards families. It's an all-suite hotel located on Eagle Beach. We have stayed there twice years ago when our daughter was younger and we all had a great time. As for areas and convenience we've stayed on both Eagle & Palm Beaches and most recently downtown in Oranjestad and all have their pros. Eagle Beach is spread out and kind of quiet and you would have some restaurants to walk to. Palm Beach is where all the water activies are but you can book these activities at any resort and a water shuttle will pick you up and there are some restaurants within walking distance depending on where you stay, and downtown at either Rensaissance hotel you are very close to lots of restaurants and shopping but you have to take a water taxi to the private island to enjoy the beach. We decided next trip to Aruba we would give the Costa Linda/Casa del Mar area a try (I'm not quite sure what beach they are located on) because their stretch of beach looked the most inviting from the sailboat tour we took. The beach was pristine and the water unbelievable. At any rate I do believe it's possible to have a wonderful vacation in Aruba no matter where you choose to stay.

cougrz007

MuyLinda - We're going this November, and are planned to stay at the Reniassance (Marina, not Oceanside).

Would you recommend this hotel? Do you see being in Orangestad as any better or worse than Palm Beach? What about the private island? Also, is there airplane noise?

Any to anyone - is Aruba any more crowded than usual around the US thanksgiving?

Thanks everyone for the tips!

christiegr

Jacketwatch:
No need to say sorry..we all have different experiences while on vacation.We stayed at the Renaissance in Oranjestad.If we would have stayed on Eagle or Palm beach..I bet we would not have seen the things that we did.Any nighttime action like drugs,prostitution is normally in the downtown area of any place.

MuyLinda

Being in Oranjestad was a different kind of vacation than being on Palm Beach. We actually enjoyed both for different reasons but staying downtown wins for us by a hair. On Palm Beach we stayed at the Ocean Club and were steps from the beach and it is an active beach so you can do a lot of people watching. Downtown we had to take a water taxi to the island but the island is much more lush and picturesqe than Palm Beach (in my opinion, of course). We also loved being able to walk to many restaurants and shopping downtown. We only took a taxi to one restaurant; the rest were all within walking distance of the Renaissance. As for the Marina Tower vs. the Ocean Suites I can only recommend the Ocean Suites simply because I didn't see the Marina Tower. Walked past it many times but never went in to the hotel part (only the mall that's attached). You will hear the airplanes taking off and landing from the private island. I've seen some people complain about the noise on TripAdvisor but my husband, daughter and I loved watching the planes. Everyone on the beach would turn around to see what airline was coming in. It was neat. If you have any other questions I'll be glad to try and answer them for you.

cougrz007

Thanks, MuyLinda. We're going this year the week of Thanksgiving - family of 4, 2 Adults and kids aged 24 and 20. First trip to the Caribbean (been to Hawaii, but no longer living on the west coast and the caribbean was closer). Seems like the Reniassance will by a good choice, close to some of the city activities and with the private beach. And it seems that Palm Beach is only a short cab ride away if we want to see that beach or go to some of the restaurants there. I heard there was some airplane noise too, but I think it would be neat to see the planes as well and I doubt that the aruba airport is constantly busy all day.

Couple more questions for you:
1) Is the wind pretty annoying or is it beneficial because it keeps the temperatures down?
2) Would it be worth it to go to Palm Beach for a day or two as opposed to the private island?

girlonthego

cougrz; I would recommend the Palm Beach area with kids of any age. Palm Beach is full of watersports right in front of your hotel. We stayed at the Marriott and had a great vacation. The Hyatt was the nicest hotel I saw on Palm Beach.
I did not find the wind annoying at all. I understand that parts of the island are windier than others. For example, the Wyndam hotel is supposedly fairly windy because it juts out more than the other hotels. Down at the Marriott it was just a breeze. You would die without the wind! Enjoy your trip.
I am sure you will like the Ren., but if you are unsure, Palm beach is the action area.
Definitely go to El Gauchos restaurant, that was our favorite.

sceneisle

Aruba is flat, windy, arid, commercialized, over-populated with timeshares, expensive, and over-rated for snorkeling........it reminds me of Las Vegas with a beach. Have been to over a dozen Caribbean islands and Aruba is the only one I wouldn't return to. Aruba does have some good restaurants and one very nice beach (Eagle).

flycatcher06

Just a reminder that La Cabana is across the street from the beach with little kids it is a walk and then you have to worry about the road!

MuyLinda

We celebrated Thanksgiving twice in Aruba. It's a fun time to go; the hotels are starting to decorate for Christmas and the lights on the palm tree make it look so pretty. Wind: wind is definitely beneficial in Aruba and not a nuisance. It would be way too hot without it. Palm Beach: If you stay at the Renaissance downtown it would be nice for you to see the other beaches, Palm Beach included.

jacketwatch

Lisa: The Palm beach area is very nice with a great beach, water sports as has been mentioned and a shallow beach. I recall going out pretty far, say around 80-100 yds. and being up to my chest level only. And I'm not 7 ft. . As for convienence it is a small island and downtown is only around 10-15 min. away at most. If you go get used to the local Papiemento (the local dialect, a blend of 5 or so languages) gretting "bon dia" or as it is sometimes referred to as lazy Spanish. BTW the only thing Aruba has in common with Las Vegas IMHO is casinos but not atmosphere. Not even close. Good luck in your choice.

christiegr

sceneisle:
Hi how are you?..I agree with you on Aruba...much more beautiful places to go on this earth.

christiegr

cougrz007:
We stayed at the Renaissance on our trip in April 04.I am not a fan of Aruba..but I can tell you that staying at the Renaissance was the highlight of our trip.The staff is wonderful and very accomodating.It is a great location to everything rest.,shopping,movies,vegas style shows,bus station,butterfly farm,Palm and Eagle beaches are not far.I think you will love the Renaissance island.They have flamingos on the beach.Also a restaurant on the island with some good food and happy hour I enjoyed the island because it was never crowded and very nice with beach service for drinks.

sceneisle

Christiegr: Hope you enjoyed St. John; it's one of our favorites. We just returned from the Galapagos Archipelago.......what an experience! It's a very special place in this world.

I guess our views of Aruba are in the minority. I just think that people who ask what it's like should know it's not paradise for everyone. See ya on the other forum.

christiegr

sceneisle:
Galapagos...where is that?Pacific ocean?

I did love St John just wanna go back without the kids to explore more.We are thinking of going to either St John again or Negril, Jamaica around November.It will probably be Negril being that it is a lot cheaper than STJ.We will then probably return to STJ in March and stay at Gallow Point possibly.Take care,Christie

jacketwatch

The Galapagos islands are due west of Ecuador. They are known for giant tortoises and also as an area where Darwin studied to advance his theory of evolution.

Kelyspo

We had a great time in Aruba. It's definitely not for those seeking natural scenic beauty -- the entire island besides the beach areas is filled with cacti. But it's a fun, safe island with many great restaurants and things to do. We rented a car and drove around the island, stopping at the natural bridge, Californina lighthouse, an ostrich farm, Arikok Nat'l Park, etc. Overall, we probably had the best food experience of any trip we've taken (including Paris). The beaches are pretty nice, but not stellar. As long as your expectation isn't natural beauty, I think you'll have a good time.

christiegr

Kelyspo:
I could not agree with you more on Aruba.If someone goes there expecting tropical,lush,natural beauty...they will be disappointed.Nice beaches and good food...they will be happy.

alya

Christiegr

Anyone who does even the smallest amount of research on Aruba realizes it’s a scrubby island, that’s why they go!

It will never be a ‘lush’ island because the rainfall is so low, that’s why people visit.

Personally I feel there are many tourists who on their first visit out of the US would enjoy Aruba, the fact that there is no language issue and they accept US currency creates a ‘security blanket’. Hopefully this will lead them onto visit other Caribbean islands or who knows, even explore further and try another continent.

Despite recent events it’s a very safe island to visit – Do you know of any other island where you can safely use public transport late at night?

You will enjoy Negril, have you talked DH into it yet

christiegr

alya:
Yes I did talk my husband into going..I was surprised.I told him about all of the people on this board that go there and love it. I told him that I was going and he could go or stay behind..I think that motivated him to go.

ONZGO

I agree with sceneisle with his remarks about Aruba. It is our least favorite island in the Caribbean so far. I would not go back, unless I won a trip.