Aruba?

[Hidden_Mickey]

Hi, we are planning to go in February on a short family vacation (kids are 9 and 12). Can anyone recommend a good hotel? I'm not sure if we want an all inclusive or not. Good beach and pool are a must. Rooms should be nice - I'm thinking moderate resort type... Not a motel but not the Four Seasons either. Is there anything else to do there? I'm really only interested in the beach - I need a RELAXING vacay - but I will keep an open mind on other activities. TIA!

 

[jfoofj]

Hi there... I have stayed at the Divi...but it was years ago and I'm not sure if they have changed it at all. It is an all inclusive resort combined with another resort... the Tamarin I believe. The beach at the Divi section is nicer than the Tamarin and there are a bunch of restaurants to choose from so you don't end up eating in the same place all week long.

My good friend goes to La Cabana every year with her extended family and they love it.

Make sure you take the jeep tour around the island! Have fun.

 

[Boo'sMom]

no advice, but thanks for now getting that song stuck in my head

Aruba, jamaica ooo I wanna take you
Bermuda, bahama come on pretty mama
Key largo, montego baby why dont we go

 

[FormrCastMbr]

I stayed at the Hyatt many moons ago and loved it! It looked renovated and looks even better!

http://aruba.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels...cific_hhc_2008&s_kwcid=aruba hotel|1350662798

I always tell people that go to Aruba to check out the restaurant, El Gaucho. Great steaks!

http://www.elgaucho-aruba.com/

ETA: There is not much to do in Aruba so it is very relaxing. We rented a jeep for a day and went snorkling and jet skiing...the rest of the time was at the beach and pool.

 

[grumpeeduck]

I would never go there-remember the Natalie Holloway story? I would never trust anyone there. Especially with children.
There are so many beautiful beaches to visit-Hawaii, California, Florida, Bahamas, and the list could go on and on..............

 

[jfoofj]

I have traveled all over, and I found Aruba to be very safe and friendly, and we did do the bar scene one night while there (we went on some crazy bus that bar-hopped the island). I have felt far LESS safe in Mexico, Paris and even New York and Boston while out at night. There are predators everywhere, and you need to stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you, especially if you are out drinking. I think poor Natalee was an innocent girl who was horribly victimized by a person/people who took advantage of a situation that could have happended anywhere.

The only issue I would have with Aruba is how the whole situation/investigation was handled. Not that I think it would have saved Natalee, personally I think she perished the night she went missing, but maybe her parents could have gotten some answers about what happened to her. You have to remember, while traveling in different countries (and on international waters while cruising) that laws are different than ours and their justice systems run differently.

 

[minnie56]

Bad things can happen anywhere!

Aruba is a beautiful island and I agree that I also feel very safe there. The RIU is very nice as is the Marriott. Those are the 2 that I know best..

 

[mkel34]

I would never go there-remember the Natalie Holloway story? I would never trust anyone there. Especially with children.
There are so many beautiful beaches to visit-Hawaii, California, Florida, Bahamas, and the list could go on and on..............

I hope your kidding. Have you ever seen the sex crime statistics for Florida?

 

[KAMKIM]

I would never go there-remember the Natalie Holloway story? I would never trust anyone there. Especially with children.
There are so many beautiful beaches to visit-Hawaii, California, Florida, Bahamas, and the list could go on and on..............

Statisically speaking your children are safer on a beach in Aruba than ANY beach in the US.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

We've stayed at the Divi and at Bucuti Beach Resort. The Bucuti limits you to one child per room - it's basically for adults. We stayed at the Divi Golf and Beach resort. I'd check that out first and see if you can get a condo. We stayed in a one bedroom and it was great. Bought groceries and cooked some meals there. Divi has about 3 or 4 different resorts. The Golf and Beach one is actually just across the street from the Eagle beach - the others are directly on the beach. I keep getting emails about cut rates and other specials they're having. Might be worth checking out.

The low-rise section around Eagle beach is the best. Less crowded and you can always find a nice spot on the beach.

We never took our kids with us when we went, but I always felt safe going out at night. We drove all over the island and went into some interesting out of the way places and never had a problem.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Forgot to add - DH wants it to be a casino but I couldn't care less

 

[frndshpcptn]

I stayed at the Raddison in Aruba and LOVED it. It was clean, nice and had a great beach and was in a great location.

PS - they do have a casino on property...

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Forgot to add - DH wants it to be a casino but I couldn't care less

THere is a golf cart type shuttle that runs from the Divi properties to the Alhambra casino just down the street. Takes about 5 minutes to get there and the run very frequently.

 

[DrCavin]

Stayed at the Marriott many times. Great hotel, casino on property. I have tried to find a good rate to go back, but haven't had much success