Trade to Aruba = suggesstions?

[treloarf]

We would like to go to Aruba for my big '50' in March. Any suggestions w/2 kids 9 & 11 & anything that may include an all-inclusive. We went to Jamaca (Franklin D Resort) 4 years ago & that's all the kids talk about. It was a small all inclusive resort & the kids were involved w/tons of activities. They loved it. But it did come with a nanny.

I looked in the book & La Cabana & Playa Linda look nice! Anyone have any experience with either. But I could sell my points & stay somewhere non timeshare.

 

[Dean]

The Marriott is the only one that's on the DVC list and in the same class. Playa Linda is pretty nice. Costa Linda would be my second choice but it's only RCI. You might get it through one of the independent exchange companies or directly from a member. I did own at La Cabana and doubt you'll be happy there. Besides, the AI is far too expensive and the dining options too good outside the AI. Frankly, if you want AI esp, look for a package deal and just pay cash.

 

[Geebs]

I stayed at LaCabana for my honeymoon last august. we traded my parents time share in St. Marten to go there. We thought it was really nice. Not as nice as the Marriot, but still very good. the staff was really attentive and we like it. there are 3 pools and the of course the ocean...always a plus. One of the pools has a slide and a swim up bar..can't beat that. I don't know about kids activities..wasn't paying attention to that, but there is a game room (all be it a small one) . there is a spa on premisis....very nice and you get a discount there.

if you have any more questions, please let me know...we loved aruba...can't wait to go back!

 

[eagle29]

I stayed at La Cabana a couple of years ago. We had a great time. However, there were some issues. First, the property is huge...and we had a room in the building the furtheest away from the beach. We were with three other couples and we were spread out throughout the property. We had my two year old son with us and when he needed a nap it seemed like a 20 minute hike from the beach back to our room. Also, you had to cross a somewhat busy road to get to the beach. The Pools on the property were large and a lot of fun (slides and swim-up bar). The Island itself is very dry with very little annual rain-fall. We rented a jeep and had a blast with some off-road touring. Scuba-diving was also great (along with snorkeling). It appears that the Marriott is more upscale than La Cabana and located directly on the beach. You would probably be better off renting points and using the proceeds to pay for your trip (probably a savings at La Cabana and close to a wash at Marriott?)

Either way Aruba was a very enjoyable Island for us. Good luck with your decision...

 

[Dean]

The resort itself (La Cabana) has had some issues the last couple of years as well. The AI is now $95 per day and must be purchased at least 6 days. Maint has been a little lax on the big items. The Villas (building across the road) has been in bankuptcy the last couple of years. The rooms in the BRC particularly are somewhat small. When you could get it for 55 points in the summer for a studio (and many times for a 1 BR), it was a fair deal. Remember the studio has the same kitchen as the 1 BR with a Murphy bed plus a pull out.

I owned two units there until a few months ago and I am glad I don't now as they have just announced a special assessment (right after I sold them) just to pay current expenses in addition to dipping into next years maint fees proceeds. While I'd consider owning there again, it would be at a very low price as I'd consider it quite a gamble.

As for Kids activities, this is where they excel.

 

[treloarf]

I just called MS & there's nothing any way until Aug. 04. I think I may go with Apple vacations & go with the Divi all inclusive (it seems to be pretty reasonable & I can sell some of my pts. to pay for it). Thanks for all the info.

 

[JimC]

We stayed at the Allegro (an AI resort) in Aruba and had a great time, but it was about three years ago that we were there. It was not a DVC selection.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by treloarf
I just called MS & there's nothing any way until Aug. 04. I think I may go with Apple vacations & go with the Divi all inclusive (it seems to be pretty reasonable & I can sell some of my pts. to pay for it). Thanks for all the info.

March will never just be sitting there, you must place an ongoing search. Good luck.

 

[poj7]

The Divi is a very "modest" resort. We stayed there a few years back. The location is excellent, right on the beach but accomodations and food are fair to good.

 

[DisnutDave]

We just returned from a 6 night stay in Aruba. As the trip was sponsored by DW's company, we stayed not at a timeshare but at the Hyatt Regency.

As others have said, Aruba is a great destination. It has beautiful beaches and snorkeling/scuba like many other tropical destinations. But as eagle29 hinted, it also has other kinds of terrain. We didn't expect the mixture of cacti and palm trees! We also did the jeep off-roading tour and had a blast, you should by all means do it. A warning, though- you will get very dusty and dirty. We'd suggest you do the DePalm tour that combines the off-roading with a visit to thier private island for swimming and snorkeling afterwards. That way, you can swim of the dust!

While we were in Aruba, we did one of our favorite activities- resort hopping. The Hyatt is in what is called the "high-rise" area on Palm Beach, so we pretty much contained ourselves to that area. There are many fabulous resorts and timeshares there; in our opinion, the Hyatt, Marriott Resort, the Radisson and the Wydham all seemed to be equally nice. We took a quick look at the Marriott Ocean Club and thought is was gorgeous. The new Marriott Surf Club is being built right next to it, and looks to be about 3 times its size when completed. With the resort and the 2 timeshares, Marriott will has certainly carved out a nice big area on Palm Beach.

As for the other timeshares in the area, Playa Linda had very nice grounds as well, and also had quite a few restaurant choices in it and close to it. The Aruba Grand Resort, a mixture of resort and timeshare, was very nice but seemed a step below. Although it had what seemed to be some of the very best rooms- a group of lanai rooms right on the beach. All in all, though, we think that if we do decide to trade out, Marriott would be the best choice. And, as Dean said, it's the only one on DVC's list and in it's class. (We couldn't help thinking about you as we were touring, Dean, wondering what you thought of these places!)

For those considering going to Aruba, be prepared for Disney-esque restaurant prices at the better spots. Excellent meals, steep prices are the rule. We especially enjoyed Ruinas Del Mar at the Hyatt, about as romantic a spot as you could wish for. Also good were the French Steakhouse and El Gaucho, both serving versions of Brazilian/Argentine "churrasco" steaks.

All in all, we had a wonderful time. We were there with a large group and just about everyone there was really impressed. The island offers something for everyone- beaches, pools, golf, casinos, shopping, etc. We can see why there are so many timeshares on the island, it's easy to see why people would want to return again and again.

 

[disney4me4ever]

We especially enjoyed Ruinas Del Mar at the Hyatt, about as romantic a spot as you could wish for.

Moonlight dinner here is my absolute favorite memory of our trip to Aruba a few years ago. It was wonderful!

Nancy

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by DisnutDave
And, as Dean said, it's the only one on DVC's list and in it's class. (We couldn't help thinking about you as we were touring, Dean, wondering what you thought of these places!)

So many places and so little time and money. Oh, to be on Vacation, vicariously just doesn't get it done, LOL.