Best Things Nearby:
Resort located between downtown Oranjestad and High Rise hotel area. You will need to take a taxi or rent a car to explore these areas.
Best Things About the Resort:
Nice units, large pool, nice bar, beautiful beach, great maid service (cleaned every day).
Our unit was oceanfront and had a spectacular view of the ocean.
Resort Experience:
We took the kids to Aruba for our 15th wedding anniversary; we wanted something more spectacular than our normal beach vacation this year.
I have to admit, we got really lucky to get an Ocean Front unit (1523 see layout on their website). Most units overlooked the pool with upper units having a partial view of the ocean. I probably would have been happy with one of these, but you should get an oceanfront if possible. You can't beat the proximity to---and the view of---the ocean.
My first impression of the ocean was a lot like Destin Florida. White sand and Emerald Blue/Green Ocean. Then I realized, they don't really get seaweed and the weather is always the same. I mean 87 - 92 degrees with no rain and a constant 15+ MPH wind, 24/7/365. It's out of the hurricane belt too. Where else can you go and be guaranteed good weather?
We rented a car and explored the high-rise hotel area, the lighthouse, baby beach and took a cruise on the Jolly Pirate Ship.
The Low-rise area where we stayed was much more laid back with fewer activities. A few kids, mostly older crowed. High Rise area seemed to be nicer for kids with lots of activity. The Marriott looked really nice for kids.
The lighthouse at the south end of the island had a nice view of Aruba. Great photo opportunities here.
Baby Beach was great! A long trip to the north of the island so you need to rent a car but definitely worth it. A large cove with water only about 2-3 feet deep. Bring your snorkel gear or rent a pair of fins. Big colorful fish can be seen. My whole family loved it, especially my 9 year old.
The Jolly Pirate ship was the best! It took you snorkeling at a couple of places including an old shipwreck. The final stop was a rope swing off the ship. A must for everyone!! The crew kept things fun and entertaining and were great.
The food in Aruba... Gosh, it was very good. But very pricey! Even the grocery store was expensive (about 30-60% higher than the States). Alcohol was the worst. A 10 oz can of beer was $2.25. No discounts for quantity either. But visit the Duty Free store at the airport. Great buys here!! Buy some good rum there and the tropical drink mix in the freezer at the grocery store. Wow, those were much better that the bar drinks. Fix them virgin style for the kids. Sit back and watch the sunset.
Aruba will not disappoint you!
- Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
- Activities: Good
- Amenities: Very Good
- Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
- Family Friendliness: Good
- Service: Very Good