Has anyone stayed at the Marriot in Aruba?
I have booked my Honeymoon there and would like any input Good Or bad about the Hotel.

since a few of you seem to of spent some time there are there any restaurants that you recommend? Any tours that you took that you really liked/disliked. Thanks again...



[This message has been edited by pwpep (edited 08-29-2000).]

pwpep,
Welcome to Flyer Talk ! I haven't stayed at the Marriott Aruba, but I have had lunch and dinner there. The hotel is beautiful,and I did look at the rooms, which are spectacular. Nice casino, excellent high end Northern Italian Restaurant ( I forget the name) and nice grounds. The only possible downside is that the Marriott Hotel and Marriott Vacation Club, which is next door, are pretty much off by themselves. We stayed at the Hyatt which is right on the strip of hotels. The Marriott rooms are much nicer than the Hyatt Rgency Club, but I prefer the pools and slide at the Hyatt. Congratulations and enjoy.

Bob

pwpep: We were at the Marriott in Aruba last month. You will absolutely love the place. We were in the timeshare building, but that is right next door to the hotel building, and people staying at either have the use of both. As you may already know, Aruba is VERY laid back. Very little to do except move from beach to pool, all the while sipping cold drinks with rum, Kahlua, or whatever. Water sports are big, so plan to rent jet skis, snorkel, and wind surf, none of which is real cheap, but all are great fun. Sightseeing on the island is near zero, and we found the shopping disappointing. There is some night life, primarily at the hotels. We rented a car for the week and decided it was a waste of money. Sign up for an "island tour" if you want, but don't bother with a car. We felt that the Marriott properties were the nicest after walking along the beach and investigating a number of others. Enjoy your honeymoon, and don't forget to sign up to ride horses along the beach just north of the hotels, because it's a kick! Feel free to e-mail me if you have specific questions.

Also: sign up for the Marriott timeshare tour. They'll give you 15,000 Marriott points or $100 in restaurant vouchers for about 90 minutes of your time, and they're not high pressure at all!

[This message has been edited by Captain Mike (edited 08-27-2000).]

About 18 months ago, our corporate incentive group of about 40 couples loved the Marriott and the island. Our client and event planner chose it over the Hyatt. Enjoy!

I just wanted to say thanks to all of you that have replied so far... I am very glad that all of the responses have been positive!

When we get back I will post our experience at the resort.

I can't add much. The Marriott is very nice. Cool swim up bar, great beach, enjoyed a sunset open bar cruise. I might get a four-wheel drive car, however, as there are some interesting things to see. Abandoned gold mines, native petrographs, some hiking, and a pretty coastal drive. I must admit, I got the timeshare "twitch" in Aruba like never before.

This is certainly one of the better Marriott resorts. I heard a story that Marriott took over management of the property before it was opened...it may have originally been built as another resort, which would explain the very un-Marriott look of the place.

Compared to the other chain resorts in Aruba, I would head back to the Marriott. The casino is one of the most popular in Aruba--we stood in line at peak times waiting for seats at a blackjak table!

snackyx,
When I was in Aruba a few years ago, the building that is now the Mattiott Vacation Club was only a skeleton and there was no work in progress. One of the locals told us it was some scandal where someone absconded with the money. Marriott subsequently bought and completed the building, probably because it was such an eyesore !

When we were at the Marriott Aruba last month, we heard the same story about Marriott taking over this building from another company that ran out of money. I'll say this......they did one terrific job of finishing it!

The story sounds believable, since several individuals told us that the Aruban government has issued a moratorium on building new timeshares, since they don't want their island to become another Hawaii. The permit had already been issued for this particular project - Marriott therefore was not starting anything brand new when they took over and finished it. I give them credit. They're a real class act in everything they do.

Hi its me again...

since a few of you seem to of spent some time there are there any restaurants that you recommend? Any tours that you took that you really liked/disliked. Thanks again...

Pwpep

Check out http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...ur_section=din and http://www.interknowledge.com/aruba/anscripts/rest.asp? and http://www.ten-ham.com/Files/htm.files/aua.index.htm

We ate at Chez Mathilde and Le Dome, both EXCELLENT . Twinklebones has only OK food, but an interesting floor show ( even if a abit hokey)

There were a few other really good places we ate at, but I can't remember the names. I'll see if my wife remembers.

Enjoy!

El Gaucho serves Argentine beef/steaks that were wonderful. You need reservations.

Half day snorkel trip with the "Fun Factory" company was lots of fun. Snorkeling at three different locations, lunch on board, and all the drinks you want are included! Recommendation: if you've never snorkeled before, get a mask and tube and practice in a pool before you go. We didn't, and learning while we were out there took away from our full enjoyment of the underwater sights.

Horseback rides travel along the beach, north of the hotels. Riding along as the horses splashed through the water was a real kick!

Enjoy yourself. It's a great place to relax and unwind.

I stayed at the Marriott Vacation club. Its great. The Marriott Stellaris is an older one its "OK". The vacation club was built for Marriott.

Good and Bad things about Aruba.

The wind ALWAYS!!!!!!!!! Blows. That is the one thing that stinks!!! You can't avoid it.

Goto Baby beach at the opposite bottom side of the island. Its a nice snorkeling cove with fish way out.

Definitly rent a car. Call the Vacation Club and have them call Amigo's car rental. They will pick you up at the airport, for free, you just have to drop them off. They are 1 mile from the Marriott.

Eat at the Italian rest. by the "Zoo". The ravioli with cheese sauce is great!!!

ABSOLUTLY drive to the 3 indian caves. It is a hot & sweaty and dark blast. It was so much fun to go through them. 9 out of 10 people that I have talked to about Aruba have never heard of them. But it is worth the bumpy ride through the "wilderness"(really desert).

The shows downtown were poor.

And the Marriott is NOT way-away all by itself. You can walk along the beach to the Hyatt.

Let me know if you want more info.

[This message has been edited by tasnam (edited 08-30-2000).]

Since you are posting under Community, does that mean you want us all to join you on your honeymoon in Aruba? Hey, what an idea!

I don't think anymore than two makes a honeymoon...

Sorry...

Pwpep