Holiday Inn Aruba Beach Resort and Casino [Master Thread]
Apr 15, 2015, 2:55 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ireland, UnderH20, AUA, Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Charter KM, DM180, RW, DM, SC, SkyBonus; HH Diamond, IHG Plt Amb, Global Ent, TWIC
Posts: 2,191
IMHO the Holiday Inn Resort Aruba is the best value on the island in the high rise district whether you use points or $.
I stay there several times a year on points and have always been treated exceptionally well. The new emphasis on recognizing Platinum is great; a bottle of wine waiting in my room, the arrangement for huts, as well as the continued 15% discount for food and beverages.
They have really upgraded the facility over the last two years. It has everything one needs in a beach facility without high cost. This last winter I considered splitting my stay between the HI and the new Ritz Carlton. Wasn't worth the effort for me!
I will be there again in a few weeks for my 19th visit, next November, and have President's week all booked for 2016.
I stay there several times a year on points and have always been treated exceptionally well. The new emphasis on recognizing Platinum is great; a bottle of wine waiting in my room, the arrangement for huts, as well as the continued 15% discount for food and beverages.
They have really upgraded the facility over the last two years. It has everything one needs in a beach facility without high cost. This last winter I considered splitting my stay between the HI and the new Ritz Carlton. Wasn't worth the effort for me!
I will be there again in a few weeks for my 19th visit, next November, and have President's week all booked for 2016.
Apr 18, 2015, 8:57 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: HHonors Diamond, IHG Plat, Club Carlson Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 316
Are you sure? What dates are you trying to book? I checked a few random dates in April and May and there are availability for king and two doubles rooms on points. Great Platinum recognition at this hotel, by the way.
Apr 19, 2015, 5:57 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: LA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, Delta Platinum Medallion, AAdvantage Platinum Pro
Posts: 600
Step 1: Check for rewards availability at this property with a check in between December 26-30 for 1 night. There will NOT be availability.
Step 2: Click the calendar to see other available dates. Earlier December dates appear, but then keep going backwards in months. Everything is grayed out. Strange.
Jul 15, 2016, 11:12 am
#21
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NJ (EWR) - USA
Programs: UA Silver - IHG Spire AMB - Hilton Gold - Choice Hotels Platinum - Hertz Gold FiveStar
Posts: 396
What kind of room upgrades have past IHG Elite guests received? I'm Platinum right now but should be hitting Spire in the next few months. Looking to stay here early 2017... 6-nights free earned so far, might just pay for two more and call it a trip. 
Jul 27, 2016, 9:30 am
#22
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NJ (EWR) - USA
Programs: UA Silver - IHG Spire AMB - Hilton Gold - Choice Hotels Platinum - Hertz Gold FiveStar
Posts: 396
FYI reward night redemption values are quite good in Aruba due to the insane nightly tax rate of 23.58%.
Early 2017 the $285 "Your Rate" rooms are actually costing you $361 P/N with taxes and fees, so at 30K points a night that's a value of 1.20 cents each!
Early 2017 the $285 "Your Rate" rooms are actually costing you $361 P/N with taxes and fees, so at 30K points a night that's a value of 1.20 cents each!
Last edited by Tony300S; Aug 16, 2016 at 7:50 am Reason: Updated Pricing & Values
Jul 27, 2016, 3:13 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: HHonors Diamond, IHG Plat, Club Carlson Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 316
Stayed here on points for our last night in Aruba over Christmas holiday. The other nights were spent at the Radisson on points but our last night was completely sold out so we had to move to Holiday Inn. I was acknowledged as platinum at check in and given two bottles of water. Didn't think much about it until we arrived in our room to find out we were upgraded to ocean front corner room.
Even though we're only staying for one night, we were quite happy for this special treatment. Later, upon returning from dinner, found a bottle of bubbly was delivered to our room along with a hand written thank you note while we were out! Wow! Also, received late check out next day. Very impressed with service.
Even though we're only staying for one night, we were quite happy for this special treatment. Later, upon returning from dinner, found a bottle of bubbly was delivered to our room along with a hand written thank you note while we were out! Wow! Also, received late check out next day. Very impressed with service.
Aug 16, 2016, 7:54 am
#24
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NJ (EWR) - USA
Programs: UA Silver - IHG Spire AMB - Hilton Gold - Choice Hotels Platinum - Hertz Gold FiveStar
Posts: 396
I'd be happy with that! ^ I'll be booking soon and report back how my stay as a Spire turns out.
Side note they seem to have opened up a bunch more Reward Nights for early 2017... a few weeks back most of Jan & Feb were unavailable, (as I was checking almost daily) now everything is open straight into April.
Side note they seem to have opened up a bunch more Reward Nights for early 2017... a few weeks back most of Jan & Feb were unavailable, (as I was checking almost daily) now everything is open straight into April.
Aug 16, 2016, 12:59 pm
#25
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 544
Stayed as a platinum in June of '15 on points (actually cash and points) and had a good experience. I don't remember any wine (but maybe?) but we did get a nice upgrade to the ocean view corner room. The room upgrade and being able to have the hut reserved in advance made for a very nice trip.
Aug 17, 2016, 4:31 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,510
50% off Reward nights is back for Sep-Oct stays!
http://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/glob...-_-PRIMARY_CTA
http://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/glob...-_-PRIMARY_CTA
Aug 18, 2016, 2:52 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NJ (EWR) - USA
Programs: UA Silver - IHG Spire AMB - Hilton Gold - Choice Hotels Platinum - Hertz Gold FiveStar
Posts: 396
50% off Reward nights is back for Sep-Oct stays!
http://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/glob...-_-PRIMARY_CTA
http://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/glob...-_-PRIMARY_CTA
Aug 18, 2016, 2:54 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NJ (EWR) - USA
Programs: UA Silver - IHG Spire AMB - Hilton Gold - Choice Hotels Platinum - Hertz Gold FiveStar
Posts: 396
11K each way in assuming? United EWR to AUA rates have been trending down too, prob the whole Zika scare, low $400 range for non-stop flights fall 2016 and into early 2017.
Aug 18, 2016, 9:31 pm
#30
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,510