Aruba Marriott Resort vs Maui Wailea Marriott
May 18, 2012, 8:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Philly, PA
Programs: Avis First, Hertz Gold, Marriott Platinum, US Airways Platinum, AA Platinum, UA Silver, Hilton Diamo
Posts: 206
Aruba Marriott Resort vs Maui Wailea Marriott
Hi All,
You're probably wondering why I'm asking since many would default to Maui. My wife and I have been to Maui twice and this would be our third trip. We've never stayed at the Marriott, but are very familiar with Wailea, Kihei and the rest of the island. However, we've never been to Aruba.
Before booking our third trip to Maui, we were wondering about Aruba since the flight is shorter and we'd fly business class (enroute to Maui we'd be in Coach).
Is a car required at the Aruba Marriott similar to Maui Marriott? I know in Maui there are reasonably priced places to eat and shop for food just a few minutes down the road. Does anything like this exist at the Aruba Marriott or are you pretty much stuck eating/drinking at the resort?
Thanks in advance for the help.
You're probably wondering why I'm asking since many would default to Maui. My wife and I have been to Maui twice and this would be our third trip. We've never stayed at the Marriott, but are very familiar with Wailea, Kihei and the rest of the island. However, we've never been to Aruba.
Before booking our third trip to Maui, we were wondering about Aruba since the flight is shorter and we'd fly business class (enroute to Maui we'd be in Coach).
Is a car required at the Aruba Marriott similar to Maui Marriott? I know in Maui there are reasonably priced places to eat and shop for food just a few minutes down the road. Does anything like this exist at the Aruba Marriott or are you pretty much stuck eating/drinking at the resort?
Thanks in advance for the help.
May 18, 2012, 9:01 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 14
We have been to Maui and Aruba and love both places for different reasons.
For Aruba, unless you are going with kids I would suggest looking at
"Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino". It's in "downtown" Aruba with a lot of stuff within walking distance. It has a boat in the lobby that take hotel guests to their private island. Kinda neat, not the greatest beach and can be annoying to some not being able to walk to the beach but we liked it. There aren't much within walking distance outside of the Aruba Marriott.
We literally ate our way through Aruba to the point where my wife and I tried to work in 5 full meals per day.
Food can be expensive in Aruba because it is a desert island but not unlike Maui. You can find local joints in Downtown that are reasonable or you can go to El Gaucho, for example, and spend a bundle.
We didn't have a car and since Taxi's are so easy to get we felt no need for a car. In addition, fares are by zone so it is almost impossible to get ripped off. To give you an idea, the Ren to the Aruba Marriott, which are on opposite end of the island cost around ~$12-$15 USD (can't remember exact). There is a taxi surcharge to/from the airport (higher on Sunday) so don't be surprise if the fare seem wonky.
Hope that helps!
Ed
For Aruba, unless you are going with kids I would suggest looking at
"Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino". It's in "downtown" Aruba with a lot of stuff within walking distance. It has a boat in the lobby that take hotel guests to their private island. Kinda neat, not the greatest beach and can be annoying to some not being able to walk to the beach but we liked it. There aren't much within walking distance outside of the Aruba Marriott.
We literally ate our way through Aruba to the point where my wife and I tried to work in 5 full meals per day.
Food can be expensive in Aruba because it is a desert island but not unlike Maui. You can find local joints in Downtown that are reasonable or you can go to El Gaucho, for example, and spend a bundle. We didn't have a car and since Taxi's are so easy to get we felt no need for a car. In addition, fares are by zone so it is almost impossible to get ripped off. To give you an idea, the Ren to the Aruba Marriott, which are on opposite end of the island cost around ~$12-$15 USD (can't remember exact). There is a taxi surcharge to/from the airport (higher on Sunday) so don't be surprise if the fare seem wonky.
Hope that helps!
Ed
May 18, 2012, 11:01 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,036
Hi Phellow Philadelphian.
I've been to Maui many times (stayed at the Marriott Wailea once) and Aruba many times and I'm going back to both (already booked the Marriott Wailea for this fall).
When are you planning on going?
This is the biggest factor in my decision. Maui is good year round but gets a lot of kids in the summer time (I'm a parent BTW). Aruba can be a little hot in the summer but the breeze helps. Fall in Maui is best for me and Winter in Aruba.
If you haven't been to Aruba I'd recommend a car for the first trip. There are enough interesting sights to see on Aruba that you'll need a car for several days. The last time I went to Aruba I didn't rent a car and just cabbed it everywhere. It worked fine since I've seen most of the sights several times and just wanted to hang on the beach. There are a lot of very good restaurants in Aruba so no worries there (I cabbed it to them last time as well). The prices aren't that bad IMO. The other advantage is that you really get a lot of additional vacation traveling from PHL-AUA since it's a much shorter trip than to HI.
I haven't stayed at the Ren on Aruba. Pretty much every trip has been to various Palm beach properties and I really like it there. Last trip was to the Stellaris and I really enjoyed it. Heard good things about the private island and someday I'll try the Ren though just for a change of pace. Stay away from the surf club - WAY too crowded IMO and packed with kids. Ocean club looks better but haven't stayed there.
I've been to Maui many times (stayed at the Marriott Wailea once) and Aruba many times and I'm going back to both (already booked the Marriott Wailea for this fall).
When are you planning on going?
This is the biggest factor in my decision. Maui is good year round but gets a lot of kids in the summer time (I'm a parent BTW). Aruba can be a little hot in the summer but the breeze helps. Fall in Maui is best for me and Winter in Aruba.
If you haven't been to Aruba I'd recommend a car for the first trip. There are enough interesting sights to see on Aruba that you'll need a car for several days. The last time I went to Aruba I didn't rent a car and just cabbed it everywhere. It worked fine since I've seen most of the sights several times and just wanted to hang on the beach. There are a lot of very good restaurants in Aruba so no worries there (I cabbed it to them last time as well). The prices aren't that bad IMO. The other advantage is that you really get a lot of additional vacation traveling from PHL-AUA since it's a much shorter trip than to HI.
I haven't stayed at the Ren on Aruba. Pretty much every trip has been to various Palm beach properties and I really like it there. Last trip was to the Stellaris and I really enjoyed it. Heard good things about the private island and someday I'll try the Ren though just for a change of pace. Stay away from the surf club - WAY too crowded IMO and packed with kids. Ocean club looks better but haven't stayed there.
May 21, 2012, 3:22 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Woodstock, GA USA
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Delta DM & 1MM, Hertz and Avis President's Circle
Posts: 906
I would NOT stay at the Ren Aruba. Downtown Aruba is oriented towards the cruisers. The hotel is inside the city and the beach is nothing special.
The Aruba Marriott is on a great beach with good on-site food options including a Ruth's Chris. It has good bars and a casino on-site. There are lots of dining options nearby.
I would agree with getting a car for the first trip but you could get by without one and use taxis and take a tour to the areas you want to sight-see.
I'm not sure if it's open yet but there's a RC under construction next door to the Marriott.
If I were to compare Aruba to Hawaii, Kona would be a better comparison. The dry climates are very similar and the laid-back atmosphere on Aruba is more like the big island.
The Aruba Marriott is on a great beach with good on-site food options including a Ruth's Chris. It has good bars and a casino on-site. There are lots of dining options nearby.
I would agree with getting a car for the first trip but you could get by without one and use taxis and take a tour to the areas you want to sight-see.
I'm not sure if it's open yet but there's a RC under construction next door to the Marriott.
If I were to compare Aruba to Hawaii, Kona would be a better comparison. The dry climates are very similar and the laid-back atmosphere on Aruba is more like the big island.
May 21, 2012, 7:42 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,392
Just wanted to hump in this thread as another Philly guy
I've been to Maui Wailea, and boy we love it.
I've been to Maui Wailea, and boy we love it.