bnjoyful...ARUBA!!

I called Herricks Travel and Liberty and they gave the same price for 6/24/02 to 7/1/02: -Marriott, Deluxe Ocean view -nonstop Amer. Airlines from JFK -$1465pp (incl air, hotel, taxes, transfers, NO food) It sounds like a great deal, less than $3000 for both of us, plus food, drinks, etc. I want to book it since it seems like if 2 agencies give the same price, this is as good as it will get. But, I feel like I still need to research.....maybe look into other islands, or is the most affordable????

Aruba Help... Allegro vs. Marriott???

Allegro is $192 less pp than Marriot. Can anyone suggest which one I should go with and why? We want a quiet, relaxing HM, but would like to enjoy water sports, food etc too. Thanks!

Aruba Help... Allegro vs. Marriott???

Go with Marriott. Allegro is all inclusive, and on Aruba, it is totally unnecessary to go all inclusive. There are tons of great restaurants on the island. Also, Allegro is Honeymoon central, so if you are looking for more relaxing, choose Marriott.

Aruba Help... Allegro vs. Marriott???

I agree with Kris--if you do an all-inclusive in Aruba you might as well go to another island.....the food and restruants are the best part!!! The island is beautiful, clean and has very little if any crime---it is not worth it to be locked into your resort the whole time!!! Good luck!

Aruba Help... Allegro vs. Marriott???

I would go with the Marriott too. It is off the strip a bit and will be more private. Plus the Marriott is much newer than the Allegro. The Allegro is great, but there are so many romantic restaurants in Aruba, it would be a shame to miss them. Good Luck.

Good deal or not??

I found a deluxe ocean view room at the Marriot in Aruba for $1445 pp at the end of June for 6 nights/7 days including air, hotel, taxes. Is this a good deal or not??

aruba...

well, nina, I got your message..thanks for the info! I think the prices we have been quoted are reasonable. Have you seen the Marriott's website?? It looks like a great place!! My fiance and I decided that the room isn't so important..you know, having a view is nice, but realistically, how much time are you going to spend in the room? We want a nice balcony to sit on, and a jacuzzi in the bathroom..those things are important!! But the prices I think are really good!! We are going to go to the travel agent tomorrow and talk to her. Maybe we should both do some checking online. Maybe try to get a quote from the website itself...then do an airfare search. I just feel that having a travel agent do all that is easier!! Don't we have enough to think about!! I will keep you posted.

bnjoyful

I called both American Airlines and the Marriott to see the rates w/o a package. They are really high, no point in booking straight with them and you are right why not have a travel agent worry for us?! How much were the rooms w/ a jacuzzi?

Nina -- Marriott, Aruba

Hi Nina, we stayed at the Marriott for our honeymoon in October and we loved it. The hotel is beautiful and the room is huge! It is the end of the 'strip', but we thought that the sand and the beach were much nicer by us (it's all the same, but there were a bit more shells in the other sand). There is definitely a lot of water sports to do right there at the beach, you'll have a great time. Plus the weather is always perfect (which is the reason we went there -- no hurricanes to worry about). The price you were quoted sounds good (and I think you're going during peak season). We went for 10 days and paid $3,334 for both, including free buffet breakfast everyday (which was $15 a day pp, so that saved us $300). I would ask the travel agent if they could throw that in for you since you are on your honeymoon! Some of the restaurant prices are a bit pricey, but nothing more then any other island vacation.

I personally thought the marriot was nicer *NM*

bearsbabe

I also got a quote for 10 days ($1681 pp). I'm wondering if 7 days is enough and if 10 days is too much? I can't imagine getting bored while I'm on vacation, but the travel agent said 10 days may be too much. What kind of view did your room have? I would give up the ocean view for a less $$ room that included breakfast, since we won't be in the room as much. thanks!

bearsbabe

I also thought the same thing, but then I decided that after the whole stress-filled planning saga, I needed the break! And actually, we felt like we could have used a couple of more days because we didn't get around to doing everything we wanted. The first couple of days we just vegged because we were exhausted, so we really didn't start doing anything until around the 3rd day. It was sooooo relaxing, no stress at all, and the time didn't fly by at all. We had an ocean/pool view and it was incredible, especially when the sun set! DEFINITELY get that view because if you don't, you'll be facing barren-nothingness or the parking lot!!

Don't rule out the Hyatt its beautful! NM *NM*

Thanks brit03, but too expensive!! *NM*

Radisson

Hi! I posted earlier, but wanted to let you know that we are going to Aruba on our honeymoon in Nov. We are staying at the Radisson, which is recently renovated. It looks beautiful and the price was very good, we felt. We are both very excited to go. I have been to Aruba about 6 times, always staying at my mom's timeshare, so this will be different for me. I have heard nothing but good things about the Radisson, and Aruba is a guaranteed good time. We are staying for 8 nights, and I can't wait. You should check out the Aruba Bulletin Boards for trip reports to help you decide.

bnjoyful...ARUBA!!

Hi, we just booked Aruba for a delayed Honeymoon (6/26-7/6/02), and got a better deal. We are staying at the Wyndham, w/daily breakfast for $1250 per person (w/airfare). Check these websites http://www.visitaruba.com/guestarea/bboard.mv? and http://www.aruba4u.com/. The second is the travel agent we booked with. They had the best prices we found. Good luck and do your research on the hotels

It is cheaper after Apr 15..considered off season *NM*

gimpybride

What kind of room did you get? I was quoted $1318 w/o view at Wyndham, I just haven't heard much of it except that it is at the upper strip of the island (?) and felt better about the Marriott. What have you heard about the Wyndam? I'm going to check out those sites.

gimpybride

All the rooms have an ocean view, or so we've been told. Per the websites, travel agent and friends I have spoken with, it is a beautiful hotel with excellent customer service. For us it was between the Wyndham and the Radisson. The Radisson was more expensive, but is supposed to be 'outrageous'. We decided to go with the oceanview at the Wyndham for less than the no view at the Radisson, and save some money to eat, drink and gamble. Talk to Phil at MCM, he was very helpful. Good Luck -- Oh, we did hear that it was windy, but the people I spoke with said that it was a refreshing breeze, and kept the heat down. Either way, I'm sure you'll love it.