Aruba help ****Update

So I know many of you went to Aruba on your honeymoon. Did anyone stay at or visit the Renaissance Marriott? We are looking into staying here for our 1 year anniversary and I was just wondering if anyone had any tips.

It says they have their own private island so everyday they have a shuttle boat to take you out there for the day. It looks awesome.

If anyone has any info let me know.

thanks.


So we finally decided on a hotel, it was either between the Marriott Stellaris or the Renaissance Marriott and we chose theMarriott Stellaris Resort & Casino

Has anyone ever stayed at this hotel or know anything about it? We think this is the better choice since it is on the better side of town and there is a lot around it to do and see.

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Posted by Soon2beMrsC

So I know many of you went to Aruba on your honeymoon. Did anyone stay at or visit the Renaissance Marriott? We are looking into staying here for our 1 year anniversary and I was just wondering if anyone had any tips.

It says they have their own private island so everyday they have a shuttle boat to take you out there for the day. It looks awesome.

If anyone has any info let me know.

thanks.

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we went to aruba... but did not stay there.

whats the name of the private island? is it de palm island?!

im pretty sure that particular marriot is near the airport, its not near the strip of hotels, its in a different part of aruba - the strip of hotels is on palm beach - the marriot you are talking about is in orejenstad and that is closer to the airport and its probably closer to downtown aruba....so its not where all the other hotels are and the beach might be a little different....

de palm island is an island you can take a ferry to and do snorkeling and things like that - but i dont think is affiliated with the marriot or any other hotels, they just have ferrys that go there and you pay a price for the whole day to be on the island

DH and I have been to aruba a few times and LOVE it!

never stayed at the Renn, but can tell you its in downtown, and the beach isn't really near you.

I would look into the Westin, Occidental and the other hotels in that area. If you like the beach and plan on being on the beach as much as possible, I would stay away from the town.

I haven't been to the island, but heard its all beach and gorgeous!

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Posted by Future Mulligan

im pretty sure that particular marriot is near the airport, its not near the strip of hotels, its in a different part of aruba - the strip of hotels is on palm beach - the marriot you are talking about is in orejenstad and that is closer to the airport and its probably closer to downtown aruba....so its not where all the other hotels are and the beach might be a little different....

de palm island is an island you can take a ferry to and do snorkeling and things like that - but i dont think is affiliated with the marriot or any other hotels, they just have ferrys that go there and you pay a price for the whole day to be on the island

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You are right it is on the Orejenstad part of Aruba.....I think the private island is owned by the Marriott and they call it Renaissance Island. Only the people staying at the hotel can access it. They also have an adults only part of the hotel which I thought was cool.

I have to do some more researd now I want to make sure there are other things around to see, I know it did say it was near shopping but I have to look into this.

Do you recommend Aruba? Was it real expensive to eat and stuff?

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Posted by Karen9508

DH and I have been to aruba a few times and LOVE it!

never stayed at the Renn, but can tell you its in downtown, and the beach isn't really near you.

I would look into the Westin, Occidental and the other hotels in that area. If you like the beach and plan on being on the beach as much as possible, I would stay away from the town.

I haven't been to the island, but heard its all beach and gorgeous!

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Where did you stay when you went?

I am almost positive that this hotel is on the beach Marriott Renaissance and they have the boat that takes you out to their private island which is beautiful. That is why I was considering this hotel. I will check out the other ones you mentioned too.

I loveeeeeeee Aruba!!!
We used to go there every year as a kid (13 years in a row) and we went there for our 1 year ann. We used to stay at the Americana which is now the Occidental and it was always really nice. We stayed at a time share in the playa linda this time and it was great! I'm not sure about the hotel you are talking about- I've never been to it- but I can tell you Aruba is beautiful and you will have an amazing time!

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Posted by CourtandJon

I loveeeeeeee Aruba!!!
We used to go there every year as a kid (13 years in a row) and we went there for our 1 year ann. We used to stay at the Americana which is now the Occidental and it was always really nice. We stayed at a time share in the playa linda this time and it was great! I'm not sure about the hotel you are talking about- I've never been to it- but I can tell you Aruba is beautiful and you will have an amazing time!

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Is it really expensive to eat there? It looks like an amazing place and I think no matter where we stay we will have an awesome time. I just want to make the most of our money. We dont really want to spend over 3k for hotel and airfare for 7 nights so thats why I am searching around

I love Aruba, been there three times and going back this summer for two weeks.
The Hyatt is absolutely lovely. The rooms, the grounds, the staff is so friendly.
It is on Palm beach, which is the better beach.

I've never stayed at any of the Marriotts, but I've heard that the ones near the California Lighthouse have a beach that is not so nice, very rocky. They are also huge.

Enjoy your trip. So many good restaurants, it's not worth doing all inclusive.

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Posted by CourtandJon

I loveeeeeeee Aruba!!!
We used to go there every year as a kid (13 years in a row) and we went there for our 1 year ann. We used to stay at the Americana which is now the Occidental and it was always really nice. We stayed at a time share in the playa linda this time and it was great! I'm not sure about the hotel you are talking about- I've never been to it- but I can tell you Aruba is beautiful and you will have an amazing time!

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playa linda was cute - we passed through there almost everyday to go to places like dunkin donuts and to go to that square/mall - one day we went there because i needed sneakers for ATVing i really liked it over there, it was a walk from our hotel but it wasn't bad at all, it was nice walking around.....

we really liked the pool at the Riu, it looked like a palace and there were so many good looking people with nice bodies staying at that hotel we snuck around there pool area one day and i think that hotel had the most attractive people hahahaha

and i liked that when we walked toward Playa Linda from the Marriot we saw more and more topless people i wanted to go topless really bad BUT i didnt feel comfortable doing that on the beach by the Marriott - lots of Americans, lots of families, lots of older couples, well not lots, it wasnt crowded at all but we didnt see a lot of honeymooners or couples....when we walked down the strip it seemed more European and there were more young couples and lots of people topless....i dont know why but i always wanted to be topless on vacation, it just seems to be so much more comfortable and freeing

The Rennisance is very nice. It is in Downtown Aruba by the port and all of the high end shopping (NO TAX!!!!)

Yes it has a private beach that you take a boat to. It also has this cute court yard of shops and little restaurants.

The main strip of High Rise Hotels is about about a 5 minute cab ride from there.

We didn't stay there but went to look and shop down there because that is where our good friend stays every year.

We stayed at the Hyatt and it was beautiful. A little pricier then some of the hotels but we were also there for two weeks.

Eating can be expensive but it doesn't have to be. I can give you a whole list of restaurants I would recommend. Some pricier some very casual and in expensive.

If you want more info FM me. Put it this way -- we almost signed the papers for a timeshare at the marriott while we were there that is how much we loved it.

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Posted by Future Mulligan

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Posted by CourtandJon

I loveeeeeeee Aruba!!!
We used to go there every year as a kid (13 years in a row) and we went there for our 1 year ann. We used to stay at the Americana which is now the Occidental and it was always really nice. We stayed at a time share in the playa linda this time and it was great! I'm not sure about the hotel you are talking about- I've never been to it- but I can tell you Aruba is beautiful and you will have an amazing time!

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playa linda was cute - we passed through there almost everyday to go to places like dunkin donuts and to go to that square/mall - one day we went there because i needed sneakers for ATVing i really liked it over there, it was a walk from our hotel but it wasn't bad at all, it was nice walking around.....

we really liked the pool at the Riu, it looked like a palace and there were so many good looking people with nice bodies staying at that hotel we snuck around there pool area one day and i think that hotel had the most attractive people hahahaha

and i liked that when we walked toward Playa Linda from the Marriot we saw more and more topless people i wanted to go topless really bad BUT i didnt feel comfortable doing that on the beach by the Marriott - lots of Americans, lots of families, lots of older couples, well not lots, it wasnt crowded at all but we didnt see a lot of honeymooners or couples....when we walked down the strip it seemed more European and there were more young couples and lots of people topless....i dont know why but i always wanted to be topless on vacation, it just seems to be so much more comfortable and freeing

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That is funny cause we were there a few weeks before you and didn't see anyone topless. Oh wait one woman but she should have left her top on!

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Posted by anneandchris

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Posted by Future Mulligan

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Posted by CourtandJon

I loveeeeeeee Aruba!!!
We used to go there every year as a kid (13 years in a row) and we went there for our 1 year ann. We used to stay at the Americana which is now the Occidental and it was always really nice. We stayed at a time share in the playa linda this time and it was great! I'm not sure about the hotel you are talking about- I've never been to it- but I can tell you Aruba is beautiful and you will have an amazing time!

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playa linda was cute - we passed through there almost everyday to go to places like dunkin donuts and to go to that square/mall - one day we went there because i needed sneakers for ATVing i really liked it over there, it was a walk from our hotel but it wasn't bad at all, it was nice walking around.....

we really liked the pool at the Riu, it looked like a palace and there were so many good looking people with nice bodies staying at that hotel we snuck around there pool area one day and i think that hotel had the most attractive people hahahaha

and i liked that when we walked toward Playa Linda from the Marriot we saw more and more topless people i wanted to go topless really bad BUT i didnt feel comfortable doing that on the beach by the Marriott - lots of Americans, lots of families, lots of older couples, well not lots, it wasnt crowded at all but we didnt see a lot of honeymooners or couples....when we walked down the strip it seemed more European and there were more young couples and lots of people topless....i dont know why but i always wanted to be topless on vacation, it just seems to be so much more comfortable and freeing

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That is funny cause we were there a few weeks before you and didn't see anyone topless. Oh wait one woman but she should have left her top on!

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we saw so many! and lots of women in thongs too! well i had a thong too but there were lots of older women who were topless and some young like around my age and older - all in good taste though, nothing inappropriate, but some should have kept their tops on!!

i think most of them were at a hotel in between marriot and playa linda - every day that we walked by we joked that it was the topless hotel

Don't forget the speedos (ewwwww).

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Posted by Soon2beMrsC

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Posted by Karen9508

DH and I have been to aruba a few times and LOVE it!

never stayed at the Renn, but can tell you its in downtown, and the beach isn't really near you.

I would look into the Westin, Occidental and the other hotels in that area. If you like the beach and plan on being on the beach as much as possible, I would stay away from the town.

I haven't been to the island, but heard its all beach and gorgeous!

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Where did you stay when you went?

I am almost positive that this hotel is on the beach Marriott Renaissance and they have the boat that takes you out to their private island which is beautiful. That is why I was considering this hotel. I will check out the other ones you mentioned too.

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I'm pretty sure he hotel isn't on the beach, the beach is across the main road... Its also by where the cruise ships come in.

We've stayed at the Westin and Occidental.

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Posted by SusiBtoM

Don't forget the speedos (ewwwww).

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Seriously, I think we saw 500 guys wearing those banana hammocks when we were there!

This was August 2008. My girlfriend's daughter got married on the beach at the Occidental.





perfect sunset.

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Posted by anneandchris

The Rennisance is very nice. It is in Downtown Aruba by the port and all of the high end shopping (NO TAX!!!!)

Yes it has a private beach that you take a boat to. It also has this cute court yard of shops and little restaurants.

The main strip of High Rise Hotels is about about a 5 minute cab ride from there.

We didn't stay there but went to look and shop down there because that is where our good friend stays every year.

We stayed at the Hyatt and it was beautiful. A little pricier then some of the hotels but we were also there for two weeks.

Eating can be expensive but it doesn't have to be. I can give you a whole list of restaurants I would recommend. Some pricier some very casual and in expensive.

If you want more info FM me. Put it this way -- we almost signed the papers for a timeshare at the marriott while we were there that is how much we loved it.

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The more info the better I am glad to hear that the hotel is nice

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Posted by skinny237

There's a Marriot by the high rise hotels---I think it's the Beach Club and the Surf Club. They r gorgeous. We wished we had stayed there instead of the way-overpriced Hyatt. The Marriot has a really cool lazy river and lots of restaurants. Food in Aruba is very expensive. Try to do AI or cook! If we ever go back there, we'd def stay at the Marriott (or Playa Linda---that place looked really cool too!).

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The Surf Club and Beach Club are their Timeshares. That is were we almost bought. Next to that is their hotel.