Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Jan 12, 2009, 6:30 am
#46
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1
Call the Front desk manager directly there, this happened to me as well, made a call and they noted on my reservation I had access, then no problem
Jan 23, 2009, 8:21 am
#48
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, AA Platinum
Posts: 931
I'm just finishing up a stay here. It's a nice property. One thing that they could not handle is handling separate reservations so that I would not have to have my key reset everyday. I stayed here for 3 nights and each night was a separate reservation (I couldn't get my two FFNs to redeem consecutively). This is one of my pet peeves. Some front desks handle this fine, but the people at Aruba were clueless.
The property itself is very nice and kept in good condition. There are people constantly milling about to cater the grounds. Beach and poolside service is good. Honestly, I didn't care for the food that much. But I think that's just because I'm getting tired of seeing the same Hyatt menu over and over again.
The healthclub is well equipped and it has a nice little patio where you can jump rope or set up the ping pong table.
The Club Lounge is really nice too. But for those of you who like to take food back to your room, be aware that is not allowed, and there is a sign. I saw many people take food back and most of the club lounge attendants didn't say anything, except for this one woman who seems to work in mornings, who would always call people out on it..
Alcoholic beverages are free in the lounge.
Finally, the room I had was fine. It was decorated nicely with a nice flat screen TV and a very comfortable bed. I was upgraded to a non-club level ocean view room, but I don't think those rooms are any bigger; they just have a better view. The rainfall shower is nice too.
From looking at the outside of the hotel, there are very few rooms with full balconies. I would imagine that the rooms that do have them are suites.
The property itself is very nice and kept in good condition. There are people constantly milling about to cater the grounds. Beach and poolside service is good. Honestly, I didn't care for the food that much. But I think that's just because I'm getting tired of seeing the same Hyatt menu over and over again.
The healthclub is well equipped and it has a nice little patio where you can jump rope or set up the ping pong table.
The Club Lounge is really nice too. But for those of you who like to take food back to your room, be aware that is not allowed, and there is a sign. I saw many people take food back and most of the club lounge attendants didn't say anything, except for this one woman who seems to work in mornings, who would always call people out on it..
Alcoholic beverages are free in the lounge.
Finally, the room I had was fine. It was decorated nicely with a nice flat screen TV and a very comfortable bed. I was upgraded to a non-club level ocean view room, but I don't think those rooms are any bigger; they just have a better view. The rainfall shower is nice too.
From looking at the outside of the hotel, there are very few rooms with full balconies. I would imagine that the rooms that do have them are suites.
Jan 26, 2009, 8:09 pm
#49
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond, CO Silver, AAdavantage, USAIR
Posts: 84
I am new Diamond member and I will be staying at the Hyatt Aruba in March, I was wondering if anyone has been upgraded to RC as a Diamond, recently ( I saw 1 mention of that in June, but was curious about during the high season.)
Also, THC, were you upgraded to RC or did u use ur FFN on the club level. thnx
Also, THC, were you upgraded to RC or did u use ur FFN on the club level. thnx
Feb 22, 2009, 12:31 pm
#51
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond, CO Silver, AAdavantage, USAIR
Posts: 84
I am going there on March 7th and was wondering if anyone has been there recently? How is the shape of the hotel, beach, etc? Also, recent Diamond experiences (Club Level, Gifts, Suite Upgrade)?? Thanks.
Mar 7, 2009, 6:17 pm
#52
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,178
Mar 13, 2009, 11:07 pm
#53
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,178
Aruba Trip Report
I'm currently at the resort, staying on the RC floor. Overall, the place is really nice ...the employees are very friendly, and the food/drink is reasonably priced.
I arrived to the hotel by taxi. I'm guessing the bell who greeted the car checked out my nametag on my bag because he greeted me by name. He then said they were expecting me up on the RC floor, so another bell took my bag and brought me up there.
In the RC lounge, the two women working the desk greeted me and got me checked-in. While my credit card was being swiped, they offered me two mimosas.
I then went to my room --a nice, average-size room with a nice view of the beach and the pools below. I found the size of the room to be adequate... as is the bathroom. The shower (with rain head) is huge and wonderful. The balcony, however, is tiny and relatively useless... although it's a great place to watch the setting sun from. The room is modern, clean, and fresh... as is the entire hotel. Everything seems new and in great shape.
The public areas and outdoor areas of the hotel are very very well maintained --the gardens, pools, and eateries are all very nice.
Maybe I'm just jaded by recent expensive vacations to the Seychelles and Maldvies, but I'm a bit shocked by how reasonably priced everything is in the resort, food and drink wise. Mixed drinks at the pool are around $7 including tax/tip... and food prices are very reasonable; it's quite hard to find a dinner entree north of $35 here. You can easily enjoy a filling lunch with drinks for under $20.... and a gourmet dinner with wine/drinks for under $80.
The Regency Club lounge is nice... and even though it's small, they put out a decent spread. Mornings feature your typical continental breakfast offerings; nights feature wine/liquor plus assorted cheeses/vegetables/hot dish. During the day, you have free access to the refrigerators for water/soft drinks... and they have cookies, nuts, and dried fruits available between breakfast and dinner.
All throughout the resort I've been addressed by name. Either I look remarkably unique and am easy to spot... or Hyatt is doing a good job of tracking their guests. Whatever the case is, it's nice to be greeted throughout the resort grounds by name, unprompted. (And I don't think I've even said my name here: ever since the bell hop greeted me by name upon arrival, everyone else has my name down.)
The pools/beach is nice. The beach is clean, white sand.... no garbage, sludge, slime, or anything else that would make it anything less than a perfect beach outing. There are plenty of huts on the beach... and chairs by the pool to grab (on a first come, first served basis.)
Security is pretty tight around the pools/beach: if you're not a Hyatt guest, they do escort you out of the area. And if it looks like you might not be a guest, they challenge you for ID.
The casino is nice ...not too large, not too small. Play is rated... and comps are offered for the hotel and hotel services based on play. They have a nice mix of table games and slot machines. They had $10 and $25 blackjack tables...and they had a separate area for poker available too.
I've posted pictures from my room and the resort on my Facebook -you can check them out by viewing "Weatherboy Weather" there.
I arrived to the hotel by taxi. I'm guessing the bell who greeted the car checked out my nametag on my bag because he greeted me by name. He then said they were expecting me up on the RC floor, so another bell took my bag and brought me up there.
In the RC lounge, the two women working the desk greeted me and got me checked-in. While my credit card was being swiped, they offered me two mimosas.
I then went to my room --a nice, average-size room with a nice view of the beach and the pools below. I found the size of the room to be adequate... as is the bathroom. The shower (with rain head) is huge and wonderful. The balcony, however, is tiny and relatively useless... although it's a great place to watch the setting sun from. The room is modern, clean, and fresh... as is the entire hotel. Everything seems new and in great shape.
The public areas and outdoor areas of the hotel are very very well maintained --the gardens, pools, and eateries are all very nice.
Maybe I'm just jaded by recent expensive vacations to the Seychelles and Maldvies, but I'm a bit shocked by how reasonably priced everything is in the resort, food and drink wise. Mixed drinks at the pool are around $7 including tax/tip... and food prices are very reasonable; it's quite hard to find a dinner entree north of $35 here. You can easily enjoy a filling lunch with drinks for under $20.... and a gourmet dinner with wine/drinks for under $80.
The Regency Club lounge is nice... and even though it's small, they put out a decent spread. Mornings feature your typical continental breakfast offerings; nights feature wine/liquor plus assorted cheeses/vegetables/hot dish. During the day, you have free access to the refrigerators for water/soft drinks... and they have cookies, nuts, and dried fruits available between breakfast and dinner.
All throughout the resort I've been addressed by name. Either I look remarkably unique and am easy to spot... or Hyatt is doing a good job of tracking their guests. Whatever the case is, it's nice to be greeted throughout the resort grounds by name, unprompted. (And I don't think I've even said my name here: ever since the bell hop greeted me by name upon arrival, everyone else has my name down.)
The pools/beach is nice. The beach is clean, white sand.... no garbage, sludge, slime, or anything else that would make it anything less than a perfect beach outing. There are plenty of huts on the beach... and chairs by the pool to grab (on a first come, first served basis.)
Security is pretty tight around the pools/beach: if you're not a Hyatt guest, they do escort you out of the area. And if it looks like you might not be a guest, they challenge you for ID.
The casino is nice ...not too large, not too small. Play is rated... and comps are offered for the hotel and hotel services based on play. They have a nice mix of table games and slot machines. They had $10 and $25 blackjack tables...and they had a separate area for poker available too.
I've posted pictures from my room and the resort on my Facebook -you can check them out by viewing "Weatherboy Weather" there.
Mar 20, 2009, 5:56 pm
#54
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Connecticut
Programs: SPG, AAdvantage, TrueBlue, Gold Passport
Posts: 63
For you folks coming back from Aruba recently...
I've been reading reviews of the Hyatt, and November-December reviews indicated a major dirty beach/smell of sewage problem.
How were the beaches?
I've been reading reviews of the Hyatt, and November-December reviews indicated a major dirty beach/smell of sewage problem.
How were the beaches?
Mar 21, 2009, 9:27 am
#55
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
I just stayed there Feb. 28--March 2 & found no dirty beach/smell of sewage, only slimy muddy bottom in parts. When I ran out of FFN/ points on March 2, I moved to the Westin where the ocean bottom was fine (no mud,) but I sometimes came back to the Hyatt for the water slide & better luck at casino blackjack!
Mar 21, 2009, 12:48 pm
#56
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond, CO Silver, AAdavantage, USAIR
Posts: 84
Just got back from a 7 day stay on 3/14 and theres is NO sewage smell at the Hyatt. When you get to the Marriott complex, there is some odor there, but I don't think its sewage, smells more like decomp. Only thing is at night at the Hyatt they burn natural gas candles to get rid of the mosquitos, so there is a bit of the sulfur smell, but its not horrid. The rooms were very nice, and the club level was decent, (not RC Club Level, but ok). Not impressed with the food onsite, but thats just me. The ocean was nice, although a lot of seaweed, which surprised me, and sorta turned me off. If I wanted that I'd stay in NJ 
Any other questions PM me.
Dave
Any other questions PM me.Dave
Mar 22, 2009, 8:26 am
#57
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,178
Seaweed
Just got back from a 7 day stay on 3/14 and theres is NO sewage smell at the Hyatt. When you get to the Marriott complex, there is some odor there, but I don't think its sewage, smells more like decomp. Only thing is at night at the Hyatt they burn natural gas candles to get rid of the mosquitos, so there is a bit of the sulfur smell, but its not horrid. The rooms were very nice, and the club level was decent, (not RC Club Level, but ok). Not impressed with the food onsite, but thats just me. The ocean was nice, although a lot of seaweed, which surprised me, and sorta turned me off. If I wanted that I'd stay in NJ Any other questions PM me.
Dave
Any other questions PM me.Dave
) Other than that cosmetic issue one morning/afternoon, the beaches were clean and fine.I noticed no wierd smells anywhere on the resort nor foul beaches.
Mar 22, 2009, 10:58 am
#58
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Connecticut
Programs: SPG, AAdvantage, TrueBlue, Gold Passport
Posts: 63
Thanks for the replies about the beach.
One more question for you recent visitors... If you stayed using Gold Passport points, did you get hit with any taxes or resort fees?
One more question for you recent visitors... If you stayed using Gold Passport points, did you get hit with any taxes or resort fees?
Mar 22, 2009, 12:55 pm
#59
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,786
AJ, I stayed on FFN + points & was charged no taxes/fees of any kind ^ ! Free truly meant free--unlike the airlines!
Mar 22, 2009, 12:59 pm
#60
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Connecticut
Programs: SPG, AAdvantage, TrueBlue, Gold Passport
Posts: 63