I don't have any personal knowledge of the hotel - I stayed at the Marriott Vacation Club last February, and also checked out the Hyatt, which are generally regarded as the two nicest hotels on the Island.

But from the Radisson web site, it sounds nice - and brand new. I didn't find the service to be anything great at the Marriott - so I suspect that a nice, new suite at the Radisson will beat a standard room at the Marriott! I note that on the Radisson reservation site it lists a variety of suites: "Aruba Jr. One Room Suite-Gardenview" at $465/nt; "Aruba 2 Room Suite-Oceanview" at $780/nt; "Bonaire 2 Room Suite-Oceanview" at $530; and "Curaco 2 Room Suite-Oceanview" at $605. Which suite are they putting you in? Remember the Vacation Club has a whirlpool - so why not insist on the suite with a whirlpool!

Good luck. Also, here's a few articles I found:

[March 1, 2000]"The 358-room RADISSON ARUBA CARIBBEAN RESORT is set to reopen late next month. The property has been closed for renovations for nearly two years."
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"Aruba: The Radisson Aruba Caribbean Resort reopened January 1 [2000] after a $ 55 million renovation project. The property now features 358 rooms, including 32 suites; four restaurants and lounges; two tennis courts; a 16,000-square-foot theme casino; and waterfalls and lagoons. Meeting facilities have also been added, including a 15,000-square-foot conference center with an 8,100-square-foot ballroom seating 900, five breakout rooms, an executive boardroom and a full-service business center."
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"The Radisson Aruba Caribbean Resort reopened on Jan. 1 [2000] following a $ 55 million renovation. To celebrate, through April 24 [2000] the resort is welcoming guests with a nightly introductory rate of $ 250 double. The rate includes full breakfast daily and represents 43 percent off the hotel's normal winter rates. As part of its soft opening, the resort features 240 refurbished rooms, including 19 one-bedroom suites. It will reopen the remaining 118 rooms--for a total of 358--in April [2000]. The renovated resort boasts exotic landscaping, including waterfalls and lagoons; lounges and restaurants."
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"Lush gardens. Tropical lagoons. And balconies to take it all in. With the debut of its $ 55 million renovation, the Radisson Aruba Caribbean Resort offers spectacular views both inside and out. The resort's 358 luxurious guest rooms and suites offer guests the finest in accommodations, including a variety of in-room amenities.

For meetings and conventions, the 15,000-square-foot conference center can accommodate groups of up to 900 people. Facilities include an 8,100-square-foot Grand Caribbean Ballroom, five meeting rooms, a boardroom and a complete business center.

The resort also features a variety of dining experiences, with four unique restaurants and bars that offer everything from fresh seafood to the island's best tropical concoctions.

A new 16,000-square-foot casino offers exciting games of chance, including blackjack, roulette, craps and slots. The 8,500-square-foot spa and fitness facility opening Fall 2000, will provide an expansive array of personal services. For recreation, the Watersports Center has something for everyone and the Tierra del Sol golf course is just minutes away."

Outside, 14 acres of tropical lagoons and lavish landscaping surround the resort, creating a setting that seems miles away from civilization. The expansive beachfront area features two free-form, zero-entry swimming pools and whirlpools divided by a sand pathway leading right down to 1,500 feet of exquisite sand lining the turquoise sea. Located on the island's finest beach, the Radisson Aruba Caribbean Resort is destined to become one of the world's most legendary retreats.