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We have always taken a taxi from the airport to the hotel. The price is set at US$25. From what I hear, they will take up to 5 people in one taxi. If you have more than 5, you need to take more than one.
I don't know of any other options. When you exit the airport, go to the LEFT and you'll see the line of taxis. There are metal poles/fences to get people to line up properly. Usually, there is a guy there asking you how many people and where you are going -- then he'll call up the next cab. It's pretty organized (as long as people actually get in the line-up area instead of just walking straight to the curb -- which some are tempted to do as they exit the airport). But, again, just go left, get in line, and you'll be all set. Same thing coming back -- basically, if your flight is pretty much any normal time, you just walk outside your hotel after checkout and there will be a taxi sitting there ready to take you back to the airport. Note that, in general, they want you to the airport 3 hours ahead of time. This can vary and there is lots of discussion about this elsewhere if you want to search. Sometimes, you're through the airport and at your gate in 30 minutes. Sometimes, it is 2.5 hours. So, to be safe, believe the 3 hours unless you KNOW it is a less popular time (i.e. first thing in the morning). If you haven't been to Aruba before, leaving is a unique experience (if you're going back to the USA). Basically, you go through the normal Aruba side of things as you're leaving the airport... So, you check your bags at the counter, go through security and such -- like you would leaving any country. But THEN you go and PICK UP YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE AGAIN! You then take it through USA immigration/customs right there in the airport! Once you've done all that, you put it back on a conveyor belt to go onto your plane. Then you go to your gate like usual. Basically, you do the country-exiting AND USA immigration and customs right there in the airport. What that means is that when you get back to your USA destination, you get to arrive with the other normal domestic flights. No customs/immigration at the arriving airport. Pretty slick! (But that's why you have to get there so early.) - John... |
John, you are awesome! Thank you for such a detailed explanation.
Its my 1st time there with the misses. We are going for 6 nights (all at Hilton) and this was the only item on my list to plan out.
Originally Posted by jgoggan
(Post 26540056)
We have always taken a taxi from the airport to the hotel. The price is set at US$25. From what I hear, they will take up to 5 people in one taxi. If you have more than 5, you need to take more than one.
I don't know of any other options. When you exit the airport, go to the LEFT and you'll see the line of taxis. There are metal poles/fences to get people to line up properly. Usually, there is a guy there asking you how many people and where you are going -- then he'll call up the next cab. It's pretty organized (as long as people actually get in the line-up area instead of just walking straight to the curb -- which some are tempted to do as they exit the airport). But, again, just go left, get in line, and you'll be all set. Same thing coming back -- basically, if your flight is pretty much any normal time, you just walk outside your hotel after checkout and there will be a taxi sitting there ready to take you back to the airport. Note that, in general, they want you to the airport 3 hours ahead of time. This can vary and there is lots of discussion about this elsewhere if you want to search. Sometimes, you're through the airport and at your gate in 30 minutes. Sometimes, it is 2.5 hours. So, to be safe, believe the 3 hours unless you KNOW it is a less popular time (i.e. first thing in the morning). If you haven't been to Aruba before, leaving is a unique experience (if you're going back to the USA). Basically, you go through the normal Aruba side of things as you're leaving the airport... So, you check your bags at the counter, go through security and such -- like you would leaving any country. But THEN you go and PICK UP YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE AGAIN! You then take it through USA immigration/customs right there in the airport! Once you've done all that, you put it back on a conveyor belt to go onto your plane. Then you go your gate like usual. Basically, you do the country-exiting AND USA immigration and customs right there in the airport. What that means is that when you get back to your USA destination, you get to arrive with the other normal domestic flights. No customs/immigration at the arriving airport. Pretty slick! (But that's why you have to get there so early.) - John... |
Originally Posted by jgoggan
(Post 26540056)
We have always taken a taxi from the airport to the hotel. The price is set at US$25. From what I hear, they will take up to 5 people in one taxi. If you have more than 5, you need to take more than one.
I don't know of any other options. When you exit the airport, go to the LEFT and you'll see the line of taxis. There are metal poles/fences to get people to line up properly. Usually, there is a guy there asking you how many people and where you are going -- then he'll call up the next cab. It's pretty organized (as long as people actually get in the line-up area instead of just walking straight to the curb -- which some are tempted to do as they exit the airport). But, again, just go left, get in line, and you'll be all set. Same thing coming back -- basically, if your flight is pretty much any normal time, you just walk outside your hotel after checkout and there will be a taxi sitting there ready to take you back to the airport. Note that, in general, they want you to the airport 3 hours ahead of time. This can vary and there is lots of discussion about this elsewhere if you want to search. Sometimes, you're through the airport and at your gate in 30 minutes. Sometimes, it is 2.5 hours. So, to be safe, believe the 3 hours unless you KNOW it is a less popular time (i.e. first thing in the morning). If you haven't been to Aruba before, leaving is a unique experience (if you're going back to the USA). Basically, you go through the normal Aruba side of things as you're leaving the airport... So, you check your bags at the counter, go through security and such -- like you would leaving any country. But THEN you go and PICK UP YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE AGAIN! You then take it through USA immigration/customs right there in the airport! Once you've done all that, you put it back on a conveyor belt to go onto your plane. Then you go your gate like usual. Basically, you do the country-exiting AND USA immigration and customs right there in the airport. What that means is that when you get back to your USA destination, you get to arrive with the other normal domestic flights. No customs/immigration at the arriving airport. Pretty slick! (But that's why you have to get there so early.) - John... He will meet you post customs with a sign with your name and help with everything. Friendly and easy going. Just email him and make arrangements. http://www.arubabound.com/transp/bully.htm Same with the airport return. He just makes a great start/end to your vacation |
I notice that the Team USA rate does not incur the 14.5% nightly service charge but all other rates (AAA, Best, etc.) do. Please note this charge is different than the 9.5% nightly tax.
I assume the service charge rate removal was negotiated specifically by Team USA - but want to be sure that the service charge won't be assessed after the fact. I checked the "rate details" page and it doesn't show for Team USA but does for AAA, Best Available, Honors Sale rate, etc. Anyone have any experience here? Can I trust this service charge won't be assessed if it doesn't show within the "rate details"? |
Stay Report - 5/20 - 5/22
https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Ar...IMG_5768-L.jpg Location: The hotel is located an easy 15 minute drive from AUA. Getting out of the airport can be a little tricky at night (it involves a few roundabouts) but once you get through Orjanstadt it's a straight shot and the hotel is easily visible from the road. Nearby are a bunch of touristy restaurants (a Hooters, a Benihana, a Hard Rock Cafe), some gas stations and fast food places, and a half mile to the east, two great places to eat, Linda's Dutch Pancake House and the Old Cunucu House Hotel: A really beautiful property. The lobby is in an expansive open air setup which leads directly to the beach. There are two pools, a poolside bar, a coffee shop and a couple of other stores and a restaurant in the lobby. Also, the 8th floor has a small executive lounge. Do note that there is no valet parking, and while self parking is free, the lot is very small and spots can be hard to come by. Check In: Handled very well by a friendly agent. He told us we'd been upgraded to a junior suite before I could ask and explained all the benefits of the hotel. We were offered discounts on spa treatments, free slot play in the casino and a list of what the hotel offered. https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Ar...IMG_5735-L.jpg Room: Definitely more junior than suite, but having the couch and the full dining room table was nice. Wifi worked well, the bed was comfortable and there were plenty of outlets. The bathroom was a little small and the shower water temperature had a habit of switching from freezing cold to boiling hot at a moment's notice. Also, the room had a really odd smell to it. https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Ar...IMG_5726-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Ar...IMG_5727-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Ar...IMG_5728-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Ar...IMG_5738-L.jpg Lounge: On the 8th Floor is a small lounge. It serves breakfast from 7-11, tea from 3-5 and appetizers from 5-7. I only went for breakfast but it was very good. Hot dishes were scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, pancakes and they also made eggs and omelets to order. Service up there was great too. https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Ar...IMG_5739-L.jpg Beach/Pool: The pools are only open during the day. The beach is wonderful. When you arrive at the beach if you go to the towel hut you get one towel per person. You can reserve a cabana at the pool or umbrella on the beach the day before (the line starts at 4 PM). We had no trouble snagging a beach umbrella at 10 AM. Waiters come around offering drinks (they're REALLY expensive...about $10 for a Pina Colada) and you can also do a number of watersports and parasailing. https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Ar...IMG_5742-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Ar...IMG_5743-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Ar...IMG_5745-L.jpg My rate was $140/night thanks to the Hilton flash sale. I really loved this hotel, service was great, so was the beach, and the room minus the funky smell was decent enough. I'd love to be back. |
i've been looking to book a 5 night award stay at this property.
prices are decent for november and december 2016 (considering we live in a post devaluation world)... generally around 60,000 a night. but searching for february 2017, prices are outrageous... the cheapest room is 158,000 - 172,000 points a night. i stayed here many times when it was the radisson... probably as many as 100 nights... and its a lovely property. i don't care how much money hilton has put into it or how they have improved it... it ain't no 158,000 points a night property... even in the dead of winter. i can stay at a hilton property in one of the most expensive cities in world, london, at half the rate (or less) year round. are those real prices or have they just not figured out how to price this property yet? |
Originally Posted by UK Stages
(Post 26745529)
are those real prices or have they just not figured out how to price this property yet?
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amazingly, those are for their basic rooms... king bed and king bed garden view.
interestingly, on a few select nights in november, i did just see they have an "hhonors special" for 47,800 points... that's before the hhonors VIP five night discount... and that's for a king partial ocean view. so you could actually pay less for that room than the basic room. in any event, i think it may be too soon to speculate on what the prices/points may be for february 2017... i don't think they have occupancy or yield figured out yet and i think they've just set prices and points ridiculously high to avoid dealing with it in the short term... or to test the waters. |
Does Hilton do any form of comps or discounts for those intending on gambling? I have some pull with Harrah's, but they don't have a property in Aruba.
This question is for this property, or any other Hilton properties with a casino. If yes, how would one pursue this? |
When staying for "free" using HH points, do you have to pay taxes/fees for your stay?
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Originally Posted by TravelinSperry
(Post 26628698)
I notice that the Team USA rate does not incur the 14.5% nightly service charge but all other rates (AAA, Best, etc.) do. Please note this charge is different than the 9.5% nightly tax.
I assume the service charge rate removal was negotiated specifically by Team USA - but want to be sure that the service charge won't be assessed after the fact. I checked the "rate details" page and it doesn't show for Team USA but does for AAA, Best Available, Honors Sale rate, etc. Anyone have any experience here? Can I trust this service charge won't be assessed if it doesn't show within the "rate details"? |
Originally Posted by jgoggan
(Post 26538223)
We are a Hilton Diamond member. Some notes:
1. Asked for an upgrade at check-in and they checked, but said that no ocean-view rooms were available. So, we took our assigned Garden View room in the Bonaire Tower. It actually ended up having a great view of the garden area and even had a partial ocean view anyhow. 2. Without asking, we were told at check-in that we could use the Executive Lounge and were given the card with "EL" on it. (When we visited in October, the Lounge was not open at the time and I had to argue with them a bit to get them to give us a card with "CB" (Continental Breakfast) on it. As many people know, they have fluctuated back and forth a bit about honoring Hilton status with CC bookings. Right now, they seem to be fine with it. - John... No upgrade either. And one of the pools is under construction. A poor start :mad: |
Originally Posted by TravelinSperry
(Post 26816718)
I am a Diamond member and was told I am not allowed to use the Executive Lounge. I asked multiple times and the check in lady said only for people who book the "8th floor". Doesn't even seem like there are 8 floors here. Is this incorrect? Should I ask to speak to a manager? Also, my card has the words "EP" on it. What does that mean?
No upgrade either. And one of the pools is under construction. A poor start :mad: |
Originally Posted by CMK10
(Post 26817836)
During my stay last month I wasn't booked on the 8th floor, I'd escalate the situation. Sorry to hear about the lack of upgrade and closed pool though :(
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Just an fyi for those of you who are Diamonds and who used to get executive club lounge usage here as such. As of June 20, 2016 the property has discontinued allowing Diamonds access to the lounge and has renamed it to Royal Palm Club. So be forewarned if you choose this property you will solely receive comp breakfast and internet but no lounge access.
The property said they were seeing up to 20 Diamonds and their families per day and their small lounge couldn't support such numbers. |
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