Cat

priced both Aruba (Hyatt) and Kauai (Hyatt) and the package is very close in price for six nights/seven days for air/hotel ($4,500). Since I have never been to either the Caribbean or Hawaii, which would you choose and why. I realize I would be loosing almost two whole days in travel to Kauai, but everyone seems to rave about it. I'm looking for a gorgeous resort, with beautiful pools and beach. These places are completely different, but if I'm going to spend this amount of money, I want a vacation to be as memorable as possible. Help me decide.

One last thing, this package price for Kauai includes a rental car in it and daily breakfast at the hotel.

Rocky

C-
I have been to both on business/pleasure after work type trips.You are right.The difference is TOTAL,night and day.Aruba is beautiful but flat and windy.Kauai is lush tropical and sensuous.I enjoyed Kauai more because of the variety of scenery and the dramatic differences even within one island.Gettin to Aruba wont be easy even if you are on the East Coast like it sounds like you are.IMHO
R

Jim

Aruba is beautiful like the plains of Kansas are beautiful.
It's an arid, desert island with almost no vegetation, windswept, cacti are found there, and there's no real natural beauty.
It has a great beach and great weather.
Aruba is on the travle map only because of weather and beach. Nothing else. The Hyatt there is decent but not spectacular. It is the best hotel on the island.

Kauai is among the most beautiful places on earth and has the earth's wettest area (over 350 inches of rain per year). That's why it's verdant and lush. But weather isn't predictable, beaches aren't as big and user friendly as Aruba's.

So it depends what you want.

Paul

Hawaii is INCREDIBLE.

Just got back from Aruba. Had a great time, loved the beach. But I'll probably never return.

I'd love to MOVE to Hawaii, let alone visit there again.

It is paradise, in EVERY sense of the word.

Do not even debate this question any longer, GO TO HAWAII!!!

traveler

Hands down, I'd go with Kauai...it will be the most memorable vacation you've ever had. Aruba is very different, arid and dessert like. Kauai is green, tropical, lush with beautiful beaches. If you choose Hawaii, try to split your stay and visit Maui or Oahu, even if just for a couple of days. You will need a car in Kauai to get around the island. And you'll want to upgrade to a convertible.

Sandra

I just returned on Sunday from the Hyatt in Kauai. Before going to Kauai, I thought Aruba was just the greatest (I've been to Aruba 3x in the past 3 years). I have stayed at both the Hyatt Aruba and Hyatt Kauai. Hyatt Kauai blows the Hyatt Aruba away. GO TO KAUAI! It was just and incredible, beautiful, magical resort. The one thing that is better in Aruba is the food. I can't wait to go back to the Hyatt Kauai and we will be returning to Aruba too. You can't lose with both choices!

Tim

Kauai is the SUPERIOR island, BUT, the beaches/water are much nicer on Aruba, which is NOT beautiful at all, as one poster above stated!

pc

Just returned from Aruba and the Club Floor at the Hyatt. I was very disappointed with this resort and the club floor amenities compared to Kauai. Kauai wins hands down. The club floor and the staff in Kauai are awesome. The food presentations throughout the day in Kauai are far superior to Aruba. We were in Aruba for a family get-to-gether. We probably won't return. We felt prices overall in Aruba were much higher. It is a very arid place.
I much prefer the lush tropics of Hawaii. I also found the people in ARuba not to be as welcoming -- maybe the cruise ship folks makes it difficult or a difference. The casinos seem to be a big part of the Aruba scene.

Also, if you need internect or computer connection -- Aruba is not the place to go. The Hyatt Aruba's business center closed at 5 pm and was not open on the weekends. The front desk in ARuba told us to buy a local phone card because we could not access 800 numbers for free. They quoted a $.035 per minute connect charge. There is a internect cafe within walking distance. Oh, you can only use the phone card at telephones in the lobby.
I found the restaurant food to be average at best. The tropical drinks were average and sometimes not what was ordered.
The exercise and spa at the Aruba Hyatt were very limited. The ANARA Spa at the Kauai Hyatt is outstanding and beautiful -- great selection of clases and services. I hope this helps. I was disappointed with the Aruba Hyatt when compared to the one in Kauai.

MARK MENCHI

I own a time share in aruba..4 weeks...I actually love maui....really cant compare the two....they are totally different types of islands...it wouldnt be fare to compare the two....I enjoy both...but I have to say if I had one Island to choose...my favorite is a tie between st barts and maui....

Jill

I agree totally with Jim and the others who said Kauai. Aruba is ugly away from the beach!! Plus when I was there (several years ago) no good restaurants. Kauai has so much to see and do, you will run out of time, whereas on Aruba there is nothing to do except go to the beach.

jeanne

We went to the Hyatt Aruba this year and loved it. The island has a desert atmosphere but the beaches and restaurants on the island are great. We went there for a short, relaxing, no stress vacation for which the island is perfect. That being said, I think that $4500 for 7 nights in Aruba is very expensive. We paid around $3000 for two people out of Philly including a connecton from our local airport.

You should also ask if they have the free breakfast in the Hyatt Aruba. Each time we have stayed in a Hyatt resort we've always gotten a free buffet breakfast.

I haven't been to Kauai but we did Maui 2 years ago and I would not go to the Hawaiian islands unless I had at least 10 days. The flights are very long from the east coast.


Pros & Cons of Aruba vs Hawaii

Hawaii is a lush tropical paradise but is a long flight away. I found food and entertainment in Maui to be more expensive than in Aruba. Hawaii's scenery is stunningly beautiful and definitely worth it if you have the time and money.
Aruba is not a beautiful island. It has a desert atmosphere but it has great beaches and a fun atmosphere. It is closer and we found it to be more affordable than Hawaii for a shorter vacation

Tom

Jeanne, don't forget to put Grand Cayman on your list as well. I think you will like it even better than Aruba!

Teddy

Kauai or Aruba? Do you prefer steak or hamburger? Think about it.

Lenore

Hawaii is paradise, Aruba is just another Caribbean island....and not even a very pretty one at that. Beach wise, Aruba is great. And the Hyatt there is considered by most to be the best on the island. But there's not much to do there other than bake in the sun. It's a very windy, arid, flat island.

We stopped in Aruba during our recent Thanksgiving cruise. Late in the afternoon the power went out for the entire island. We were bummed because we wanted to shop before returning to the ship. My friend was flying in the next day for a 6 night stay at the Wyndham. The power was still out and continued for the first three days of their vacation! It was out for 4 straight days. That alone would deter me from going back for a land based vacation. Go to Hawaii. You won't regret it.....I promise!!!!!