Keith and I are thinking about Aruba for our honeymoon. Can anyone who is going/has gone/ or looked into Aruba give me some info?
We want to go all-inclusive. What are the best places, how expensive is it, is mid-july a good time to there, are there any places where the rooms have balconies or where you can walk out onto the beach? I really don't know very much and am not sure where to begin
Any input would be appreciated. Oh, also, how early can you book something like that. Could I book now for next July?? I so want to get my ducks in a row so I know exactly how much $$$ we will need this time next year. Thanks ladies!
Karen62794
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
Becky,
I see we're getting married one day apart! My FH and I are also thinking of Aruba. His cousins went there and had a blast.
I've read some posts on these boards that it is not recommended to do all-inclusive in Aruba, because there are so many good places to eat and drink.
I believe Divi resorts is all-inclusive.
If I hear anything else, I will let you know. And I don't think its too early to book. The earlier the better!
Best wishes to you
Karen
Sonicstef
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
Ive been to Aruba. Not sure how much has changed since 1997 but you may want to compare your interests with what the island provides.
Its a beautiful place but there isn't a whole lot to do. If you just want to sit back and sunbathe - Aruba is perfect. But if you want to have nice dinners on the town or fun filled days, Aruba is definitely out.
My friend goes to Aruba every year and stays at the Hyatt which is very highly rated and recommened.
We stayed at the Divi Divi resort - it was very cheap - but the rooms were just eh, the property is less than desirable and the food was lousy.
Also - doing anything in aruba is very, very expensive, so pack lots of cash.
jpsgirl
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
hmnmm, a little less excited about my honeymoon at the divi after reading stef's post - oh well. I have to say though, about aruba in general I disagree. I think it's awesome there. I have been 4 times. The best thing is that the aruban people are SO friendly, not like the bahamas or antigua, where you get harassed to buy stuff and have your hair braided and all that. Most of the beaches are private, which means the natives can't come on them. The non AI's are definitley more upscale than the AI's, the Marriout and the Radisson being my two choices (the Hyatt is very nice buy only has step out balconies). We went parasailing, on sunset cruises, snorkling, horse back riding, exploring, (rented a jeep but you can take a tour). They have a great fun evening tour called the kookookonucu bus or something that was great. As far as where to stay, the FH wanted the convenience of an AI ( all meals and food and the divi plus you can use the sister resort the Tam) and non motorized water sports. It is costing us about 1750$ each with the non stop air out of JFK. We are also planning on having 3 or 4 dinners out since the restaurants there are great. Unlike a lot of other destinations, it is very safe outside of the resorts. Try www.aruba.com, and click on trip reports, or www.aruba-bb.com to get more info. Good luck!
Sonicstef
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
Sorry - i didn't mean to ruin your enthusiam. They may have done a lot of renovation since 1997.
jillian
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
We went for our honeymoon there last September. We absolutly loved it and would reccomend it highly.
I would not stay at an all-inclusive. The best things about Aruba is the resturants......
Here is a link to our trip report my husband wrote for an Aruba site.....
I went to Aruba for my honeymoon for 10 days in October and LOVED IT!!!! We had the BEST time and my DH didn't want to come home!!! I disagree with Stef, there is PLENTY to do during the day. You can rent a jeep, go horseback riding, go snorkeling, scuba diving, take the kookookanuku (however the heck it's spelled) bus, go to the Natural Bridge, Baby Beach, downtown to shop, eat, whatever. There is plenty of water sports available also. As a matter of fact, we didn't get to do some things because we didn't have enough time!!! And the best part is that the weather is ALWAYS good -- it never rains!! And it's out of the hurricane belt, which is the main reason we went there. All of the hotels are amazing.
As for all-inclusives, my friend stayed at the Allegro and loved it -- it really is beautiful and they have dinner shows, casino and water sports. The water sports and ALL drinks are included (as well as the shows), which is a better deal then other AIs. We were going to stay there, but decided against an AI for our honeymoon, so we stayed at the Marriott (with breakfast included every day).
Maybe when Stef was there in 97 there were no restaurants, but there are A LOT to choose from. Dinner can become expensive, but it can also be reasonable. It's up to where/what you want to eat. All the hotels have beautiful restaurants and some are pricier then others.
I highly recommend Aruba for a honeymoon!! I want to go back for our first anniversary, but I have to convince my DH to get back on a plane .
OctBride
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
Stef- Do you know which Divi Divi you stayed at? I think there are a few in Aruba. We are staying at the Divi Divi Aruba Pheonix Beach Resort. It is in the strip with all the other big Hotels, is this where you stayed?
jennbaby
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
i was in aruba 2 times already--i was just there in september where i got engaged on the beach at sunset!!! we are going a 3rd time for our honeymoon in may. we obviously love it! ok here goes: -the allegro is a nice all inclusive hotel, it has balconies and is on the beach. -definately make reservations to eat at El gauchos steak house. -there is plenty to do during the day...shopping at the downtown mall (the seaport) and rent a jeep NOT a car, and explore the rocky side (the desert side of the island). see the natural bridge, natural pool, baby beach, tunnel of love (bat caves), california lighthouse, (have dinner there at sunset) best view of the island/awesome sunset, the old gold mine ruins, build a rock & make a wish, go snorkeling, scuba diving, go on the party bus, casinos are open 24 hrs, relax on the beach, swim in the pool..... always an 8 mph wind blowing--very refreshing! aruba is the safest & cleanest island there is--i have been to quite a few of the islands so i think it is...i could type forever about aruba. check out www.aruba.com for more info or email me.
Kris
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
I have to disagree with Stef's post. I have been going to Aruba since 1992, and there has ALWAYS been awesome restaurants. There is plenty of stuff to do during the day, as stated above. Also, unlike most other Carribean islands, there is a nightlife. Almost all of the hotels have Casinos, shows and great restaurants. Plus, there is a party boat, a booze bus, and lots of nightclubs to go to. I would not go all inclusive if I were you, because of the above reasons. However, if your heart is set on all-inclusive, I would stay at the Allegra. It is in the heart of the hotel area, and there are lots of honeymooners. We are staying at the Radisson, ourselves. Rated as good as the Hyatt, only with a bigger balcony. Feel free to email me if you like.
jennbaby
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
kris-we stayed at the radisson the first time we went and we absolutely LOVED it. great choice!
Sonicstef
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
Have things changed that much? When I was there the entire town was shut down by 5PM. There were restaurants but they were mostly touristy places like TGIF and I didn't think the food was good. 5 years is a long time so its quite possible its totally different now.
And yes, there are lots of things to do in the day if you like the beach and the sand. Of course, that is true of any island. I just didn't find the nightlife there to be very good - maybe I was there on an off week.
I stayed at a place called the Divi Divi - it was right across the street from the Tamajaran casino.
anne
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
Hmmm -- I have only heard great things about Aruba!!! We are planning on honeymooning there and like JPSGIRL we are going to do an all-inclusive and plan on eating out several nights since the restaurants are supposed to be terrific!
We decided on the all inclusive for the convenience and upgraded to an ocean front room (something we probably couldn't have done if we stayed at the Hyatt)... Anyway, we can't wait!!!
Becky
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
I think I am convinced that all-inclusive is not going to be good for us. My next question is - did you all book through travel agents or did you just book rooms and airfare on your own? Also, have any of you gone to a travel agent to get the skinny on Aruba and then gone ahead and booked everything on your own? This was recommended to me!
jpsgirl
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
the reason to use a travel agent is that they are able to provide trip insurance - ie if there is a reason you can't fly or go that week, they work out the details so that you can use that flight again, and whatever. I got pretty much the same prices looking myself as what Inclusive Travel gave me, and the trip insurance was $56 a person, I believe.
LaurenS
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
I have been going to Aruba every December for the past four years and my fiance has been going for about 10 years. In Stef's defense, a lot of good restaurants have opened in the last few years. I can go on and on about Aruba. But, it is one of the most relaxing, laid back and beautiful island. I know that is was mentioned before, but the weather is always great, and the locals are so nice and they all speak English!! Here is a list of some of my fave restaurants there: El Gaucho -great Brazilian steak house (in towon) Flying Fish Bone - very romantic, your table is on the beach! Madame Jeannette's Suisse Chalet - also very romantic! Papiamento- also very romantic outdoor seating
if you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
Becky
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
I really like the rooms that walk out onto the beach Is the Aruba Grand the only place that has this? Is that hotel nice? I want to do it up becuase we do not get too many cool vacations. Between visiting my parents on LI and his parents in FLA from where we live in MD, most of our vacations are family related.
bnjoyful
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Re: Looking for some Aruba information
i just got back from Aruba and the Aruba Grand did not look like a nice hotel at all. We actually were starving one afternoon and stumbled upon their outdoor restaurant. We weren't impressed with the service or the place (looked dirty and not updated...I had to go into the hotel to use the bathroom and it was also dirty...I had to go on a scavenger hunt to find some soap to wash my hands) From the outside, the rooms don't even look that nice...the place is in desperate need of renovations. I stayed at the Hyatt and loved it...they really cater to you there.
