Where to stay in Aruba?
 

My family (husband, 2 daughters 18 & 15) are planning a trip to Aruba in July. Want a luxurious hotel with great pool, oceanside, interesting, etc., close to restaurants, etc. Any suggestions? And, what is there to do? Thanks!

The Hyatt or Radisson on Palm Beach may fit the bill. The Hyatt has a great pool and slide. Check out prices at www.travelunlimited.com as they specialize in Aruba.

Another vote for the Radisson and Hyatt. They both sound perfect for you. We stayed at the Radisson and loved it and we ate dinner at the Hyatt and it looked great as well.

We went to Aruba in April 2004..we stayed at The Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino.
It is in Oranjestad..in the middle of a nice shopping mall..it you stay in the beach tower..you will have a nice cove beach to sit at and a nice pool with a swim up bar.
We stayed at the Marina tower and it was across the street from the beach tower but..a boat came into the hotel center and took you to Renaissance Island(hotel's private island)it was perfect..2 nice beaches for swimming..flamingos on the beaches..a restaurant and bar with happy hour.

The hotel has a great spy and fitness center.I had the deep tissue massage and it was wonderful.

Granted this hotel is not beachfront but is great for shopping and the 24 hour casino is right in the hotel..it was a short ride to Eagle,Palm beaches..another plus is the Private Island(a short 10-15 min.boat ride)

Some great nearby restaurants..
El Gaucho..Argentine Steaks
Que Pasa..seafood,caribbean style
Rumba was also good too.
The buffet in the hotel was great too, forgot the name of the restaurant.
I suggest renting a car,because everything is spread out on Aruba.

In Aruba, there is not alot to go see, but there is alot of shopping.
The beaches were pretty..but snorkeling was not that great.The food is great there too.
Personally, I will visit other islands before I ever go back to Aruba.

We were in Aruba three weeks ago and stayed at the Radisson. I wouldn't stay there again. With a 15 and 18 year old daughter, I would stay at the Renaissance. They have three outdoor pools, theme nights, an excellent health club and spa. Because it's in a mall, it doesn't qualiy as oceanside, but you hop the free skiff to their private island for the beach and there's a separate fitness center on the island. They have a teen program and there is a large theatre that presents excellent Vegas-type shows.The shopping center also has boutiques, restaurants and a movie theatre and a coffee bar.

ToKnowing-why didnt you like Radisson? Ihave been to 12 Carribean islands and by far I love Aruba the most(been there 10 times alone) The beaches are beautiful, people friendly, clean island, good restaurants. I always stay at the yatt (handsdown) but heard rumors of a Ritz Carlton going up. Anyone hear anything about that?

Regarding the Ritz Carlton -- yes, I heard about that in November when I stayed at the Marriott. Apparently it is going to go next to the Marriott where the watersports concession is right no (the only undeveloped end of the beach) The watersports folks have been put on notice that they will have to move their location. Of course, knowing "island time" I am sure it will be at least 4 years before it is finished -- the Grand Cayman Ritz has taken five years and I still don't think it is open yet.

missatlanta-- you can take a virtual tour of the Renaissance at:
http://marriott.com/property/viewall...WT_Ref=mi_left

Thank all of you for the great info. I will check out the web sites. My only question is, what's the difference between Palm Beach and Orangestad?

Stay on Palm Beach. This is where all the high rise hotels are located. There are numerous watersports available in front of every hotel. The Hyatt and Radisson are great recommendations. We stayed at the Marriott and enjoyed it, but it is at the end so it is a longer walk to some restaurants. Orjestead (spelling?) is the city downtown. I personally would not recommend it with kids. You must take a boat to the private island to go to the beach. The shopping is so so in Aruba. I found it nothing great. It is a great lay on a nice beach resort and enjoy the many good restaurants kind of island. We had a great trip and I would definitely go back. But I would stay on Palm beach again.

Oranjestad is PERFECT for kids alot of good shopping.

The Renaissance Aruba is a great place to stay it is near restaurants,a very neat boat ride to the private island ( which is only 10 min.)if you go to the private island..you will wanna stay there most of the day..so 10 minutes is not that bad.

Also I felt safe in Oranjestad at night.The bar in the Renaissance has a very generous waitstaff..and very friendly too.Raffi was very helpful as to where to eat for great food for a good price.

Palm beach is mostly all high rises.You would have to take a taxi to the shopping malls and good restaurant.

Have you checked out the virtual tour of the Renaissance that I noted in a past post?

missatlanta-I just found the name of the restaurant that I mentioned in a previous post..that I said was good but forgot the name..it is the Cafe Brasserie..it is in the Renaissance and has a great buffet.Also at the martini bar..Blue..the food was pretty good there too.

I highly reccommend Que Pasa..it is behind the Renaissance..ask a bartender and they will gladly give you directions.It had the best food that I had on the island..#2 would be El Gaucho..and #3. for a beautiful,romantic,expensive setting..Flyin' Fishbone..it is on the beach reserve a table a few days ahead of time..for a table BESIDE the water.

Canterbury,

Although we enjoyed the resturants at the Radisson and it had a nice beach, there were things we didn't like. Our experience was that the service was just not a priority. Additionally, the bed was very uncomfortable - a thin mattress on a frame.

I keep printing out all the info from everyone. I have not checked out the Renaissance yet, but I will. Was in South Beach last week with my daughter. Just now getting back into the trip planning groove! The National at South Beach was a great hotel and staff, in case anyone might need that info!