More Aruba Questions....

bride2be2009 Posted: Sep 10, 2008 10:59 PM

Re: More Aruba Questions....

BUMP

emomma17 Posted: Sep 11, 2008 07:18 AM

Re: More Aruba Questions....

We are staying at the Hyatt in Aruba, we didn't want to do all inclusive for our honeymoon just because we knew we would be going out to eat a lot, although the hyatt does have a breakfast package you can buy when you get there and a meal plan but it is like 90 bucks per day for breakfast and dinner i think or something along those lines.

08JulyBride Posted: Sep 11, 2008 09:45 AM

Re: More Aruba Questions....

I stayed at the Riu in July... It was very nice overall. To your point, we felt like since all our meals were included we would be wasting money going anywhere else, so we didn't... which probably would have been more fun.

Regarding the food quality... there were 2 buffets - 1 I felt was definitely better than the other - we preferred the more formal one called Don Nicholas? for breakfast & lunch. At night there are specialty restaurants that you can go to with reservations (which we did EVERY night because their food is much better than the buffet).

We are not really drinkers either, maybe had 4 a day between the 2 of us and that was only because we felt like we were paying for it, so may as well have it.

Overall, I liked it, but have nothing to compare it to. Check with someone who paid for meals 'outside' to see what that will run you and compare with the amount you'd be saving all inclusive vs. not... hopefully that amount will help you decide.

MEMEJOR Posted: Sep 11, 2008 09:59 AM

Re: More Aruba Questions....

to be honest if u guys plan to drink its worth it... we would each breakfast & lunch at our hotel and did nice dinners... so i would get the all inclusive

DeeluvsVinny Posted: Sep 11, 2008 10:23 AM

Re: More Aruba Questions....

Ok, I stayed at the Riu last month and loved it.

Now, FH and I are drinkers..not alcoholics, but we like to drink when we're hanging out. SO, for us it was totally worth it. Also, we got an amazing deal..$3600 for airfare & hotel for 7 nights. So we did it.

If you aren't going to drink...it may not be worth it. The restaurants are good..not amazing..but good. The restaurants off premises...sooo many much better ones. I didn't check out the Hyatt, so I don't know what the deal is with that one..We looked at the Occidental and in the end chose Riu..it just appealed to us more.

We had an amazing time and would definitely stay there again (in fact we're planning on it for next year), but if we weren't drinkers...we probably wouldn't. If you're going to take advantage of the all inclusive..then I don't see the point in paying for it!

Also,,my mom loves the Westin and usually gets the best price there. All the hotels are gorgeous!

lauraandrob2009 Posted: Sep 11, 2008 08:57 PM

Re: More Aruba Questions....

If you guys don't drink alcohol, I would pass on the All Inclusive. I think that's where the value comes in. No bar tabs building up. And lots of choices on Aruba at a variety of prices (in terms of food). We really enjoyed Occidental but if we weren't drinking, I wouldn't do an all inclusive.