platbrownguy

The beach sounds good -- but tbh I've only had good experiences at the Hyatt beach so far too... haven't had any of the reported problems getting a good chair location, but that said I typically go out and adventure/snorkel in the morning then come back to beach/pool in the afternoon. I do like the idea of a secluded beach with service though... that was one of the highlights of the palapas at the St. Regis in Puerto Rico. Aruba has plenty of secluded beaches but you have to bring your own booze! The horror!

platbrownguy

LOL what a ridiculous weekend.

So I just wrapped up my third trip here since August.

I booked the base room and used a confirmed upgrade for the usual executive suite (#366 or 466), but when I checked in, I was given the biggest suite in the house (the Governor's Suite, #941), and my friend was also upgraded to the 9th floor despite being a Hyatt newbie (and not technically my Guest of Honor either, because friend paid for the room with $ -- although I had sent an email asking for friend to get a decent room). I was certainly lucky, but I think the hotel also appreciated that I brought a new cash-paying guest to the property. One of the managers jokingly referred to me as the ambassador to Aruba. Everyone in the club lounge took the greatest care of all of us and genuinely seemed excited to have me back.

The Governor's Suite was truly ridiculous. But it was wonderful. And what made it even more special was that we got to share a sunset on the suite's balcony with a newlywed/honeymooning couple that we met on our last day, a great pair of folks who would never otherwise have a reason to be in the Governor's Suite.

Here are a few pics. The fridge came fully stocked with mixers, free of charge. The suite actually has three large balconies (the oceanfront one and then two bigger ones, one on each side) and a balconette off of the ginormous closet, which I forgot to take pictures off. Also not pictured are two Japanese toilets that have touch-screen panels with fourteen buttons to, erm, manage your sit-down experience. Let's just say I derived great joy out of watching everyone walk into the guest bathroom to be "greeted" by the toilet automatically raising its lid and illuminating its touch-screen panel.

lincoln boy

Is this property blocking rooms for point redemption like Andaz Maui? I don't see reward night available during the last week of December (12/26-12/31) at all.

platbrownguy

The standard room isn't available those nights--but it's quite likely that it's already booked out. After three trips down in the past few months, it's clear that a large number of guests are the kind of folks who come for a week (often the same week) every year... year-in, year-out. Christmas week is by far the most in-demand here. Change your dates and you'll see basic rooms on points (12/20-24, etc.).

lincoln boy

Thanks. That makes sense. I didn't know that this place is so popular among miles & points enthusiasts. I see availability 12/20-24 and from 1/1. I wish my work schedule was a bit more flexible...

platbrownguy

I don't think it's just miles & points enthusiasts. The majority of the folks I met had been coming to the same hotel for years and many of them were the kinds of large families that didn't sound like they traveled much, so I wouldn't be surprised if half or more of the "regulars" were cash-paying guests. (Bear in mind that they were also paying $300+ per day for poolside cabanas, which were fully booked Fri-Sun the week before Christmas.)

miadukes

Just booked an 8 night stay at end of August, was undecided between this and Hilton but went with Hyatt, it just looks so amazing!

kaipoman

Can anyone offer any insight as to why only cash + points bookings are showing as available for award stays? This is for February 2022...shows only this option for 2 Adults or 2 Adults & 1 Child. Have never come across this when booking a Hyatt property before.

platbrownguy

You're looking at nights when there are no standard rooms available for sale. You need the plain old "King Bed Garden View" or "2 Queen Beds" rooms to be available for cash in order to see them for 25k/night. I just tried April 14 for 2 nights and there's availability... Feb is a pretty popular time and this place has a lot of fans who have their "week" every year, so it wouldn't shock me if the standard rooms are actually booked on certain dates already. I imagine there aren't that many rooms in the standard room categories.

S.R

I'll be there May 12-15. Is it worth booking the palapas online now through Hyatts beach services website, or will it be easy enough to find one when were there?
What about pool chairs?

jameswes

I haven't stayed at this hotel, but I absolutely loved Aruba and it's on my list of places I'd like to return to. But I *did* do my scuba training in their pool

Agreed with all the above, Aruba is pretty heavy on the timeshare and/or people that come here every year.

platbrownguy

Definitely no need to book more than 1 to 2 days out unless you really really want a certain location for the palapa. If you aren't wedded to front row, just get the freebies the day before or morning of. If you want front row or a larger palapa, those will be available close in for the $45 or whatever fee (I honestly think they have the palapa price set pretty optimally -- it's high enough that the paid ones won't sell out, but not too high to be extortion as a convenience fee).

Pool chairs were plentiful given the size of the main pool and the adult pool... I didn't see any of the 7am towel games on any of my 3 stays... so just handle that when you actually want pool chairs. The poolside cabanas by the adult pool, though, are the ones that are very popular particularly on weekends, so you might book those in advance if you want one for Friday or Saturday... but still not more than a few days out.

hanly2

Just booked for July, hoping the club lounge opens up, but in the case that its not open I was wondering how they were treating Globalists at this time. Anyone been recently that can give me any insight?

kawnipi

If you've not been to Aruba for New Years Eve try to make it in your life. They really really like to celebrate NY Eve. Go to youtube and look up Aruba new years eve fireworks and enjoy the show. You pretty much will see the island explode with fireworks when it hits midnight. It's super fun to be here then so that week is always in high demand.

platbrownguy

It has been open during covid, just for evening service only... see my posts above for more. Globs have gotten full breakfast buffet for 2 at the restaurant including eggs to order (and full a la carte when there was no buffet). Unless I missed something, this is still the case.