Aruba HM

We just booked our Aruba HM!! Any info you can provide? Has anyone stayed at the RIU palace? If so, what can you say about it? We booked Oceanfront Suite. I was between this and the Bucuti, but went with this after not being able to get oceanview suite at Bucuti. Any feedback? We plan on going out to dinner intown a few nights since everyone raves about Aruba's restaurants...

Re: Aruba HM

We stayed at the Bucuti and loved it. I'm sure Riu will be great too. There are so many great restaurants - some favs: Flying Fishbone (get there just before sunset and ask for a table at the edge of the water - dine sitting on the beach with the water coming up over your feet); Madame Janettes; Mirandi - all had great food and great atmosphere (Mirandi and Flying Fishbone are a pretty far cab ride but all worth it). Congrats! You're going to love it there!

We also did the quad-ride excursion. It was a blast! You get covered in dirt, but it was so much fun (I was a little scared to drive my own quad at first - was going to ride with DH, but decided to do it any way and I'm so glad I did)

Message edited 5/7/2012 4:00:44 PM.

Re: Aruba HM

I just got back from the Riu and it was amazing. We really did not eat dinner there at all. There are too many amazing restaurants in Aruba to not go there. If you do eat at the Riu we ate at Krystal and it was really not good so I would avoid that one.

I would go back to the Riu in a heartbeat!2

Re: Aruba HM

The Rui is really nice. You will have a nice time there. I think all the rooms are suite. Just be prepared that the beds are a little hard. I heard you can ask for a mattress pad. Other than you will really enjoy your safe.

I second the Flying Fishbone. It is so romantic. You will absoulutely love it.

Re: Aruba HM

Thanks for the feedback ladies!

Mara- would you pay the extra for all iclusive over again? This was our dilemma. Or would you say you would stay at a regular resort cus you end up paying the same as all inclusive eating out?

We figured wth if we do all inclusive our snacks beverages etc are covered, if we are exhausted we eat on property, if not we eat out...

Re: Aruba HM

I think it really depends on you and your fiance. We knew that we would be drinking alot and that adds up. Also, breakfast and lunch really adds up. The price we got made sense to do the Riu and then eat out for dinner.

I really like knowing how much we are going to spend and then we allocated a certain amount of money to spend on dinners, excursions, etc.

Re: Aruba HM

I choose the bucuti and heard such great things. im having a summer wedding so i would scared the high rise would be full of kids. but i heard the riu is very nice. please give details when you get back lol

Re: Aruba HM

Flying Fishbone was very romantic but the food was not that great. I would recommend Pinchos. It is on a dock in the water and the food is really good. You also can see the sunset. Your feet are not in the water but it is pretty much the same thing (with better food)

Re: Aruba HM

The Rui was just a far walk, its the opposite end of where I stayed and that walk up that hill... I was dying. lol. Im such a lazy a$$. lol...

We didn't do Flying Fish bone but we did Passions on the Beqach, which is the similar on the beach vibe. The food was amazing, really delicious.

Theres a little crepe stand that you must visit. its right on the strip.

Madame Jeanettes is just perfection. Almost wish we ate there two nights.

We ate at the Lighthouse restaurant and even though the scenery was great the food was not at all.

Texas de Brazil is great but a lot of food. We ate too much and felt so sick after leaving... bc we really just ate too much! lol. So i'd maybe have a very light lunch if you go there.

We ate at Ruth's Chris in the Marriott and the service was great and the food was absolutely perfect!

The Hyatt has a nice atmosphere and we hung out there one night. We liked the casino at the Marriott the best, we went into all of them. lol.

We did snorkeling which was awesome and also took out the Quads from Georges. They don't give you a tour but hubby has been there before and gave us our own private tour. It was amazing and a ton of fun, but you have to be ready for a bumpy ride at times.

Theres also a little hidden gem for breakfast if you don't do all inclusive. Its in the further mall and is open from like 8am to 10pm. Taste of Belgium Bistro. Its the kind of place that gives you a liquor with your strong coffee and you just sit outside sip it and eat your breakfast. Everything is fresh and delicious!

Re: Aruba HM

Great! I'm writing all the names down lol

Linda- did you stay at Riu?

Re: Aruba HM

You know I went back and forth so much between these two.. Like I said, what detered me was that we couldn't get a "nicer" room at Bucuti. As for the kids, we have summer wedding too so I'm crossing fingers I just don't get a crying infant next to our room lol, other than that i gues it's ok... I'm still trying to get a feel though bc I will cancel Riu and exchange for Bucuti - I just read that the bill you get at then end can be a rude awakening so I dk!! oh well...

Re: Aruba HM

I can't wait to stay here :)

Re: Aruba HM

We stayed at the Marriott Ocean Club. My uncle gifted us his Timeshare. But we walked around the RUI and it looked lovely. We played in the casino, which was nice but the night we were in there the ac's weren't working. I'm sure they prob fixed it the next day though.

Re: Aruba HM

You're going to love it - it was the perfect HM hotel!

Re: Aruba HM

Just got back from Aruba and LOVED it!! We stayed at the Radisson, but have heard good things about every hotel...basically. The food is phenomenal,,,,,so even though we drink, I would recommend NOT doing all inclusive...but just my opinion. El Gaucho is a must if you like steak!!

Re: Aruba HM

We got back about 2 weeks ago and LOVED Aruba! We stayed at the Playa Linda, ny uncle gifted us a timeshare as well.
All the hotels we saw looked great so I'm sure you will have a good spot either way.
Here's some of the activites/restaurants we went to that I would recommend:
- All Day Jeep Tour - We had a blast on this and saw whole island.
- Jolly Pirates Ship - The crew is hysterical! The trip includes 3 snorkel spots, there's open bar, music, and lunch. Also a rope swing, you can swing off boat right into the ocean.
- Flying Fishbone: The food was good, not best on island but totally worth it for the ambience. Dining at sunset right on beach with your toes in the water.
- El Gaucho - Great steak house, a must vist
- Azzuro - I had an amazing pasta with sausage here.
- Texas de Brazil - Churrascaria, come hungry!

Have a great time!

Re: Aruba HM

This was our exact decision making process too! It was only $300 more for all-inclusive, and we'll eat all our breakfasts on the grounds.