The Aruba Beach Club's looks are deceiving from the Internet site. We had received the timeshare as a wedding gift and were pleasantly surprised when we arrived. Our suite was on the second floor overlooking the two pools, with beautifully manicured gardens and a hotel swim-up bar just below. Daily towel service was available, but there's never a cool towel in Aruba. Daily activities were available, even though we chose not to participate. The only activity we did splurge on was a couple's massage, for an extra but affordable fee at our resort's spa.

Taxi service is readily available at all times through the concierge. We chose not to rent a car/jeep because we felt it was not necessary.

We were able to buy groceries for breakfast and lunch and cook small meals in our full kitchen. Since everything is imported, the market near our resort was rather expensive ($5 for a half-gallon of milk-- but be sure to get the pasteurized American kind or you'll taste some strange milk with your cereal). We enjoyed drinks on our private patio. At lunchtime we came in from the beach to cool off in our fully A/C suite. For dinner we splurged and ate out at superb restaurants throughout the island. The resort's restaurant was not that great, surprisingly, but there are plenty of others within walking distance. You'll always find seafood on the menus and some exotic, spicy dishes!

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Very Good

The resort is only two stories high, and each has a view of the pool or the ocean. If you are on the second floor, you'll have a balcony; if you are on the first floor, you'll have a little patio area with table and chairs.

The ABC pool is great--very large--and there is a kiddie pool. There is also a poolside bar and barbecue that serves lunch. They are talking about bringing back a full-service restaurant to the resort. There is one (The Seagull) at sister resort CDM.

There is a minimarket, and the fitness facility is shared with CDM. There are also a hair salon, beach store, and members' lounge.

The rooms are nicely furnished, and the resort is in the process of re-doing the decor. It's not as luxurious as the CDM, but it is a perfectly comfortable and acceptable timeshare accomodation.

The beach area in front of ABC is wider than at CDM, and there are plenty of huts on the beach with lounge chairs. The beach is absolutely gorgeous, and just walking it from end to end is a joy.

There are not water sports available right at the resort, but arrangements can be made at the desk. There is also a car-rental agency in the lobby.

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent