Aruba Hotels

[jahhaas]

My wife (who doesn't dive) and I are trying to find a warm place to visit in February. Based on information from this board our "first" choice, the Dominican Republic, has fallen off the screen. We are now considering a trip to Aruba. Can anyone give me information on a hotel where she can enjoy herself and where I can get in some diving? Thanks for your help. Joe

 

[ppo2_diver]

We stayed at the Bucci resort. Very reasonably priced. My wife doesn't dive, and stayed on the beach all day. There is no on site dive op, but most dive ops will come and pick you up.

DJ

 

[smokey braden]

jahhaas,
we stayed at the renaissance hotel.
i dove with clive who keeps his boat right there.
http://www.divearuba.com/
they have shuttle boats to a private island where your wife can lay out and snorkel while you dive.
regards,

 

[fins]

My wife (who doesn't dive) and I are trying to find a warm place to visit in February. Based on information from this board our "first" choice, the Dominican Republic, has fallen off the screen. We are now considering a trip to Aruba. Can anyone give me information on a hotel where she can enjoy herself and where I can get in some diving? Thanks for your help. Joe

High Rise hotels: The Hyatt and Radisson (on the main beach) are both very nice full service hotels lots, of activity on the beach, full range of watersports etc.

High Rise Condos: The Marriotts at the northern end of Palm beach

Low Rise hotels: There are some smaller, more intimate hotels on Eagle beach (just a short distance from the high rise hotels) if you're looking for something quieter. Bucuti Beach and Manchebo Beach hotels are both nice (have walked around the property but have not stayed there)

Condos: Tierra Del Sol has some very nice condos for rental, some with their pool, they also have a nice pool area of their own. Rental includes beach privilidges at the Holiday Inn.

 

[rubberduck]

Did my 4 open water dives there last year. Went with Red Sail Sports and have mixed emotions about them. My 1st dive was bumped and I had to go with a bunch of Cruise people who were going for an into dive. Next 3 dives were better but since then i have read alot of reviews on this board that there are better options available.

We stayed at the Divi all inclusive, very casual laid back which was what we were looking for. As mentioned above most places will pick and drop yoy off right at your hotel so pick a place that has more of what your looking for.

 

[roblogic]

My wife & I are headed down to Aruba on Thursday. It's our second trip (went this time last year for our honeymoon), and we'll be staying at the Renaissance Ocean Suites for the second time. Fantastic hotel in midtown Oranjestad, away from the "High Rise hotel Area". Renaissance also has the Marina Tower hotel about two blocks away - also a nice hotel, although the rooms are smaller (not suites), and the hotel is part of a small shopping mall. The Ocean Suites hotel is much more laid-back, and right on the water, which sounds right up your alley. Both hotels share regular shuttles to a private island that has two beaches with swimming lagoons and a restaurant/bar.

We made our way up to the hotel area a couple of times on our last trip, and foud it to be pretty touristy. Some of the hotels are impressive, but there are tons of kids running around screaming, people offering to braid your hair or sell you weed, you get the idea. Plus, the only thing nearby is... more hotels.

Anyhow, two thumbs up for Renaissance. Enjoy your trip!

 

[mike_s]

The diving on the island is in two different areas. South of town on the reefs and a few wrecks there.... then off Palm Beach area, near the high-rises.
Dive Boats depart from either location to the other. So it doesn't matter which
you stay in based on a boat trip.

All dive ops pretty much have free pick up and drop off service also.


Besides the ones mentioned above, the Holiday Inn is on the high rise
area and is more economical than the Hyatt or Radison, but it is
a Holiday Inn also, so there is a difference. (but they do have a
good onsite dive op - Pelican).

Down betwen the Radison and the Aruba Grand is "I think" the Unique
divesports group. I know some people who used them and liked them.

the Radison and Hyatt are very nice. you can't go wrong.
The Marriott is nice also and you can't go wrong, but you might
get some contruction noise if they are still building around it.
check into that.

The Wyndham is nice (we stayed there) but I will have to say
that I've never stayed at such a nice place that had a bar
and bar service that sucked so bad. But everything else was
great.

The Renaissance is nice, but it's "in town" and some people don't like
that. It's on the "main drag" and you get a lot of traffic and
traffic noise. It's actually seperate buildings. One is in town
and across from the harbor and not on the beach, but they have
a water shuttle that goes to their private island which is right across
the way. Then they have some units that are on the water and have
a nice pool also.... but not much of a beach. But you also have access
to their private island area for that. I think that Red Sail is the
onsite dive operator at the Renaissance, but most people don't
prefer them as they have the reputation as being a cattle boat on the
island and cater also to the cruise boat lines. If I was staying at
this hotel, I'd opt for Dive Aruba as he's in the same marina and
has a much better reputation.

If I was staying up in the High Rise area, I'd use Pelican, Dive Aruba
or Unique.