ARUBA...Where to Stay ?
 

Planning first trip to ARUBA... who should I book thru ...where to stay... HOTEL...looking for nice relaxing vacation in February. Was originally thinking Turks but change of plans .

Go to REDWEEK.com...find the Marriott in Aruba and see what they are asking for a week. Marriott has the Ocean Club and The Surf Club..these are separate buildings. You can get a studio (which is like a hotel room - no kitchen) or 1 to 3 bedrooms fully furnished. Great windsurfing beach, a board walk and near a casino. You donot have to be a member of REDWEEK to look at their rentals.

Divi Phoenix Aruba - High rise section, but on its own and very private. It's the last/end unit high rise on the strip. Divi also has the links which is on a golf course and not the water. Don't confuse the two.

air b&B we got a one bedroom condo 1 block from the ocean with a huge pool for 1/2 the price of hotels.

Another vote for Marriott
 

The Marriott complex has two condo complexes (surf and Ocean Club) where you can get anything from a studio to a two bedroom. The Surf Club has a nice lazy river which both kids and adults like, It also has a swim up bar. The Ocean Club, right next door is a little more laid back. There is also a Full Marriott hotel and a Ritz, both of which have full operating casinos. This is in an oceanfront high rise area, an easy walk to restaurants etc . About 4 or 5 miles from the hustle bustle of downtown, where the cruise ships dock. A friend of mine is partial to Playa Linda, where he owns several timeshare weeks. It's a couple doors down from the Marriott.

No matter what time of year you go, be prepared for the wind. It takes the edge off the heat, but I'm not talking a mild breeze.

Enjoy

We found the Hyatt Regency to be awesome...and exceeded all of our expectations. :thumbup:

Oh, look at those darling dogs!

Those are the trade winds. Most people like them, but some really dislike them. We think they're lovely.

The Marriotts are great, indeed. They are at Palm Beach.
The Divi is at Eagle Beach. It is closer to the airport, but the water is rougher and most of the hotels in that area are foreign named hotels. May be great. May be not.
The Marriott has lots of great palapas on the beach with waiter service. And elegant dinners served on the beach.
We had a fabulous time at the Marriott. Highly recommend it.
Also go snorkeling in the “Jolly Pirate” great day!!!

Holiday Inn.

Divi Phoenix that I was referring to is on Palm Beach. Much nicer than the Marriott. The beach is private with two inlet islands. It's not a chain and non commercialized. But.....Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Everyone has their own taste & preference.