Aruba Exchange

[poohgirl100]

Looking at using my points at one of the Aruba locations. Any insight on DVC locations/resorts would be greatly appreciated. Interested in taking a family vacation there next year for my daughter's graduation gift. Thanking everyone in advance for their recommendations!

 

[Dean]

The only resort that will meet the quality of DVC is the Marriott and it has some major construction going on at present. Before the recent changes in the exchange program, you could have gotten an exchange during the high season for 98 points and for off season (summer) for 55 points for a studio. The costs now will be more like 123 or 134 points for a studio. The studios in Aruba can be a great choice, especially at La Cabana or Playa Linda if traveling with 2 people. I would likely consider staying at any on the list but not by any means an even trade with DVC outside the Marriott. I own at La Cabana and regard it fairly highly but I wouldn't trade 120-160 DVC points to stay there. I could likely get you an exchange for most times of the year for 3/4 that total. I'd put the order of preference something like this.

1. Marriott
2. Playa Linda
3. La Cabana
4. Casa Del Mar
5. Paradise Beach Villas
6. Aruba Beach Club
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   Basically 2-4 are about a dead heat with personal preferences being the deciding factor. I'd also consider Costa Linda, Aruba Pheonix, Divi Village, and the Aruba Grande. You should talk to San Francisco Exchange and some of the smaller exchange companies. You could get access to some of the other resorts and get a bonus week almost as good as the regular exchange in many cases.