TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Southern Caribbean Where has/does one stay in Aruba

Yes, i know this is not the Aruba forum. But since, so many of us, had to cancel, change our vacations becuase of Irma, I do realize that so many are changing and going to Aruba. We have only been there once on a cruise, never liked it--not St.Maarten. But, since we have no option where does one recommend staying in Aruba. Any help would be appreciated. This was suppose to be a celebration for our 50th anniversary.

haven't been to Aruba, but have been to Curaçao and thought it was ok...but we really like Barbados, our favorite island after SXM and SBH...have you been?...that's where we changed our tix to after we pulled the plug on our holiday SXM/SBH trip

we just booked a villa (Merlot) in Aruba,, never been,, excited to explore a new destination,,,
WestJet made the switch no problems,,

Marriott hotels on palm beach.

Aruba isn't the only option. There is also Bonaire, Curacao and Jamaica and I'm sure others. We opted for Couples San Souci on Jamaica. Haven't stayed there before. The last time we were in Jamaica was about 35 years ago on a cruise.
Good luck and happy anniversary!!

There are a lot of islands out there that were not affected by the hurricanes. You have the western Caribbean Cozumel, Cancun, Belize, Bay islands. Grand Cayman, St. Lucia, Jamaica, Barbados, Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao, (0ne of our Favs). Don't forget the Bahamas and the out islands. Also Mexico's Pacific coast has some great resorts. There is more than just SXM. Time to see other islands at this time. You may be surprised you may find some that you like.

First of all happy 50th when it happens, wherever it happens. What a milestone to have reached. Most sincere congratulations to you both. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

We exchanged our March SXM vacation to Antigua as the Towers has advised us it will NOT be ready for guests at that time and we’re definitely looking forward to it. It won’t be SXM, for sure, but change is sometimes a good thing and in all honesty, it may just cause us to appreciate St. Maarten even more on the next trip, hopefully November 2018.

We did Aruba once and in all honesty, it was probably our least favorite of all our Caribbean vacations but I think this was for a combination of reasons, the biggest of them being we were supposed to be in SXM but a big wind-bag named Luis doused our plans, and our problem was we kept comparing the two destinations and there really is no comparison except for them both being at least half Dutch. Our biggest mistake destination wise was in settling for a high-rise hotel among a bunch of other high rises. And there was no balcony to speak of, at least not one you could sit out on and enjoy....!

And if I was booking a vacation by choice outside the hurricane belt, I’d opt for the island of Barbados if there was any availability. No casinos and no CO beaches that I’m personally aware of (though there used to be a Bajan poster here who said they were there if you knew where to look) if that’s even of importance, but the island is beautiful and there is much to see and do. The only major drawback for us was driving on the ‘other’ side of the road. It had beautiful beaches of all varieties, people who were happy to have us vacationing there, very good restaurants, lots of different things to do and and incredibly beautiful scenery. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Bucuti Tara (on Eagle Beach)... hands down the best resort we've been to in Aruba. And it's on the best beach ... Eagle Beach.... SPECTACULAR. It's a boutique style hotel.

We have visited Aruba 5 times by way of cruise, but have never been on island to stay. This year however, we did transfer our reservation from SXM after Irma, and now scheduled to stay at one of the Divi resorts starting in three weeks. We will be celebrating our 42nd wedding anniversary. Having visited by cruise, we have some idea of the island, and know it is not St Martin, but we will make the best of it. Who knows, we may actually enjoy seeing some different sights and enjoy some different experiences. Whatever the outcome, we will have a new appreciation of whatever times and opportunities that we spent on St Martin and understand that things happen in life that we have to deal with and make the best of it.

where on Barbados did you stay. That is where we will be going next year

Jeanne, there are some nice beaches on Aruba, and actually, while I greatly prefer the places I have stayed in St. Martin, the view from the Bugaloe ( a bar on a pier on Palm beach ) is one of the best in the world - the water is shallow for quite a distance so it is a very light blue, prettier than any view in St. Martin, in my opinion. The downsides - Aruba is usually pretty windy, except during the windy months, when it is even more windy. My friend went a few months ago on a cruise, and said they could not stay on the beach , it felt like being sandblasted. We had some days when it wasn't that bad, but there is usually a fair amount of wind. Next, while the beaches are pretty, they are not very wide, so they can get crowded. I think the beaches are all public, but the chairs on the nice beaches, Palm and Eagle, are owned by the hotels. We stayed at the Hilton, my brother stayed a few months later at the Raddisson, if I did this link right,https://www.google.com/maps/place/Aruba+Marriott+Resort+%26+Stellaris+Casino/@12.5694288,-70.0475751,206m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x0:0xfa199e9911786450!2sHilton+Aruba+Caribbean+Resort+%26+Casino!8m2!3d12.5684!4d-70.046749!3m4!1s0x0:0xb841f3e5ad0bb6b2!8m2!3d12.5807403!4d-70.042989
you will see there is not much open beach space. When in St. Martin, we usually stay in a condo and enjoy a little less of a crowded space, but if you like hotels, and having everything on site, you might like Aruba.

We went to Aruba for the first time last December. We stayed at the Manchebo Beach Resort on Eagle Beach. Very nice resort on a decent beach, but in all honesty, we didn't care for Aruba. That's just us and your mileage may vary. We prefer more of a 'local culture' feel and Aruba just didn't have that. To us, it was like being in Florida (too 'Americanized'). Some people like that; we didn't. It was nothing like SXM.

Like many of you, we've had to change our SXM trip this year (November). We have booked 10 days in Curacao instead at the end of October. We will be staying at the Avila Beach Resort and this will be our first trip there. We know we need to go with an open mind and a realization that it won't be St. Maarten. We're okay with that -- for the time being. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Will keep you posted on what we find.

we stay on the southern coast at Butterfly Beach Hotel...a small hotel on a small quiet beach...not super-fancy, but meets our needs...close to St. Lawrence Gap and Oistin's Fish Fry...we always have a car, so spend days driving all over the island checking out beaches, monkeys, rainforests, monkeys, rum distilleries, monkeys, caves, etc.

we haven't been in a few years, so really looking forward to our return in dec/jan <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

LINK

Southwinds and Heritage

Southwinds in St Lawrence Gap and Heritage in St James

Suggest

Amsterdam Manor
Bucuti - Tara
Divi Golf
Divi Dutch
Aruba Beach Club
Casa del Mar
Costa Linda
Manchebo
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all good choices in low-rise area