The Radison is "very nice". So is the Hyatt. One the "lower end" is the Holiday Inn, which isn't that bad, but we were able to stay 7 nights at the Wyndham for only $90 more (total per person, not per night). The Wyndham is very nice and we really liked it. The only thing negative I can say about it is that the bar "sucked" and the drinks were overpriced for poor quality drinks and service.
There are some "independents" and several "time shares" places you can rent also. Most places are either on Palm Beach or Eagle Beach or downtown there is the Renassaince, which has varied accomadations that are either "inland" a block or two or on the water. They do have an island beach that they offer a shuttle boat too.
I wouldn't go "all inclusive" unless you don't plan on leaving your resort. Aruba has some of the best restaurants of most of the Caribbean island. Some are very expensive though, so beware.
As for dive op's. Most have very good reccomendations except Red Sail or Mermaids. Red Sail is constantly bashed for poor service or cattle boats.
Mermaid has all kinds of other problems as people filing criminal charges against
the owner for sexual touching underwater. You can find more negative comments
on Mermain on the
http://aruba.com/msgbrd to do further research. People like
Pelican, Uniqe, Dive Aruba a lot. I dove Pelican and liked them, but most of the
"big shops" restrict bottom time to "meet dive schedules". I've heard that you
don't have this problem with Clyde at Dive Aruba. If I ever went with a small
group of divers, then I'd most likely reserve his boat for the entire trip for all the
good things I've heard about him.
-mike
