Aruba honeymoon

FH and I are leaning towards Aruba for our honeymoon. FH wants all inclusive, and I see the advantages of it. The top two places are the Occidental and the Riu. I'd appreciate any feedback about either place. I'll take feedback about any of the places in Aruba really. Whatdaya think?

Aruba honeymoon

I know nothing about Aruba but I know the Rius are wonderful! My travel agent highly recommends it and a friend of mine stayed there and LOVED it

Aruba honeymoon

2012er crashing. I went to Aruba on my honeymoon and I stayed at the Riu. It was amazing and highly recommend it

Re: Aruba honeymoon

I've been to both and they are both great! I think the Riu is a all suite hotel. It's really nice and have a few restaurants but the bed are hard. I think it's their signature. The occidental I think have studios and suite rooms. They have a few restaurants also and they are always selling timeshares (we ended up buying one lol). Another hotel that is nice that is in the low rise area is the Tamarin. It's nice and share their restaurants with the Divi because its in the low rise area it's quieter and the rooms are on the beach. You are food steps away from the beach at the Tamarin. I think you can't do wrong with any of the hotels you choose.

As you can see I love going to Aruba! If you have questions feel free to FM me.

Re: Aruba honeymoon

We are doing Aruba! We thought we wanted to do all inclusive but we ended up not doing it. We are staying at Bucuti instead. We felt that we wanted to go out to dinner every night to try out all of Aruba's famous restaurants - they are known for their food! - so we didn't want to feel tied into an all inclusive.

But 2 of our best friends went to Aruba, 1 stayed at Occidental and 1 stayed at Riu. They both raved about their trips so whatever you choose I'm sure will be perfect!

My travel agent gave me some good information, if this is something you care about - the Riu doesn't have queen/king size beds (EXCEPT in the Jacuzzi Suite) they just push 2 twin beds together, and they only have a certain number of mattress tops so you have to request one. If that's not something that matters to you then I suggest going with whatever hotel you like the restaurants and the ambiance better. (That's how we ended up not doing our original plan of an all inclusive!)

Re: Aruba honeymoon

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Posted by natalierose1085

We are doing Aruba! We thought we wanted to do all inclusive but we ended up not doing it. We are staying at Bucuti instead. We felt that we wanted to go out to dinner every night to try out all of Aruba's famous restaurants - they are known for their food! - so we didn't want to feel tied into an all inclusive.

But 2 of our best friends went to Aruba, 1 stayed at Occidental and 1 stayed at Riu. They both raved about their trips so whatever you choose I'm sure will be perfect!

My travel agent gave me some good information, if this is something you care about - the Riu doesn't have queen/king size beds (EXCEPT in the Jacuzzi Suite) they just push 2 twin beds together, and they only have a certain number of mattress tops so you have to request one. If that's not something that matters to you then I suggest going with whatever hotel you like the restaurants and the ambiance better. (That's how we ended up not doing our original plan of an all inclusive!)

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I agree the restaurants are amazing in Aruba. We ended up going out each night and not stay at the Riu for dinner and still came out cheaper especially when you take into account alcohol.

Aruba honeymoon

I went to Aruba in '08 and I stayed at the Holiday inn Sunspree resort. I would not recommend only because I felt the staff was rude. The rooms were beautiful and the grounds were beautiful as well.

Definitely go to Baby Beach...it's gorgeous!! Also there is a snorkeling trip where you can see a sunken german ship, it was awesome!

Re: Aruba honeymoon

We are planning for Aruba too. We were looking to stay at the Westin Resort & Casino. I was reading very mixed reviews though. Most were complaining that he decor/rooms were outdated but that it't the best spot as far as the beach and distance to attractions.
I guess its just a matter of what is important to you.

Re: Aruba honeymoon

I have been to Aruba twelve times since 1995...
You do not need an all inclusive.

For your Honeymoon I recommend the Hyatt, Marriott or the Radisson.

When you do book I can give you sooo much advise it's ridiculous. There are plenty of restaurants to go to and many within walking distance or a $5-$10 cab ride. You can get McDonalds or Ruth’s Chris. The options are endless as far as meal types and $$$.

If I hadn’t been there so much already (3 times just with FH) I would be going there for my Honeymoon!

Aruba honeymoon

My Best Friends Sister is supposed to get married in Aruba in July! She is getting married at the RIU... I have heard so many wonderful things about that place!!

Re: Aruba honeymoon

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Posted by Courtz

I have been to Aruba twelve times since 1995...
You do not need an all inclusive.

For your Honeymoon I recommend the Hyatt, Marriott or the Radisson.

When you do book I can give you sooo much advise it's ridiculous. There are plenty of restaurants to go to and many within walking distance or a $5-$10 cab ride. You can get McDonalds or Ruth’s Chris. The options are endless as far as meal types and $$$.

If I hadn’t been there so much already (3 times just with FH) I would be going there for my Honeymoon!

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pretty sure fsil & fbil stayed @ radisson there for their honeymoon & loved it

Re: Aruba honeymoon

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Posted by mara1017

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Posted by natalierose1085

We are doing Aruba! We thought we wanted to do all inclusive but we ended up not doing it. We are staying at Bucuti instead. We felt that we wanted to go out to dinner every night to try out all of Aruba's famous restaurants - they are known for their food! - so we didn't want to feel tied into an all inclusive.

But 2 of our best friends went to Aruba, 1 stayed at Occidental and 1 stayed at Riu. They both raved about their trips so whatever you choose I'm sure will be perfect!

My travel agent gave me some good information, if this is something you care about - the Riu doesn't have queen/king size beds (EXCEPT in the Jacuzzi Suite) they just push 2 twin beds together, and they only have a certain number of mattress tops so you have to request one. If that's not something that matters to you then I suggest going with whatever hotel you like the restaurants and the ambiance better. (That's how we ended up not doing our original plan of an all inclusive!)

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I agree the restaurants are amazing in Aruba. We ended up going out each night and not stay at the Riu for dinner and still came out cheaper especially when you take into account alcohol.

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If your a drinker definitely get all inclusive for the alcohol. You dont want to pay for that all day.

Aruba honeymoon

I stayed at the Occidental a few years ago and it was great. The food was ok, but like everyone else said if you're a drinker the all inclusive is worth it for breakfast/lunch/drinks and then go out for dinner. The resort itself was really nice.

Re: Aruba honeymoon

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Posted by Nichelmus

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Posted by mara1017

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Posted by natalierose1085

We are doing Aruba! We thought we wanted to do all inclusive but we ended up not doing it. We are staying at Bucuti instead. We felt that we wanted to go out to dinner every night to try out all of Aruba's famous restaurants - they are known for their food! - so we didn't want to feel tied into an all inclusive.

But 2 of our best friends went to Aruba, 1 stayed at Occidental and 1 stayed at Riu. They both raved about their trips so whatever you choose I'm sure will be perfect!

My travel agent gave me some good information, if this is something you care about - the Riu doesn't have queen/king size beds (EXCEPT in the Jacuzzi Suite) they just push 2 twin beds together, and they only have a certain number of mattress tops so you have to request one. If that's not something that matters to you then I suggest going with whatever hotel you like the restaurants and the ambiance better. (That's how we ended up not doing our original plan of an all inclusive!)

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I agree the restaurants are amazing in Aruba. We ended up going out each night and not stay at the Riu for dinner and still came out cheaper especially when you take into account alcohol.

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If your a drinker definitely get all inclusive for the alcohol. You dont want to pay for that all day.

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that's a good point too. we like to drink but would do most of our drinking with dinner. we focused more on the hotel we liked best. focus on what accommodation or factor is most important for you and choose based on that! Everyone who goes to Aruba raves about it so there really is no wrong choice!

Aruba honeymoon

Thank you all for all the information. Can't wait to make our final decision and book!