mauld

I'm planning a trip to Aruba at the end of Aug, and as a Diamond, does anyone have any idea of the treatment I could expect? Or comments in general about this property? My other choice would be the Ocean Club, but there I would be" but a mere mortal" . I did check the search function and only found a comment that it was a 'favorite resort'.
PS--any other property recomendations would be welcome, my husband is interested in gambling (specificly a sports-book), while I just want to lay around by the pool

doc

I was there, but it was about 8-9 years ago and only as a Platinum at the time. The hotel is well located and the rooms are smallish but quite nice! The food was pretty good. Decent Regency Club! The casino was VERY happening at the time - yet as you know, this is always subject to rapid change!

I wish I was going! BTW, very few, if any, hurricanes here!

Have a great trip!

747

I've stayed there about 4 times.

As a diamond...I always had an upgraded room on the Regency Club level.

Meals at the club were good and the all-day snacks were great.

Be sure and have lunch or dinner down the road at the Hyatt run golf course.

hsilbiger

The hotel and the property are nice, especially if you get a room overlooking the beach/ocean. The room had that typical tropical/mildewy smell, however.

BatTeam

I was there in March as a Platinum at the time. The hotel is well located and the casino was VERY busy in the evening.

If you leave on a Sunday, plan on some extra time to get a taxi to the airport. On Sunday, Aruba has two cruise ships boarding and unboarding so everything around the island is busy.

Have a great time.

bonzaiflyer

I'm taking my first trip to Aruba the week after Thanksgiving, using a NAN earned earlier in the year. Has anyone experienced the Hyatt there? Anything I shouold be on the watch for?

I've stayed at the HY Grand Cayman quite a few times, as well as the former HY in St Johns, so I'm kinda familiar with what to expect in the Caribbean.

I'm Diamond, and thru some channels been upgraded to RC already.

VicOsaki

Why in the world would you want to go to Aruba. Desolate, wind blown, the Grand Caymans is much nicer.

bonzaiflyer

My thoughts exactly when I was looking into where to use the NAN. Problem was, the dates I could use the NAN and AAdvantage Miles for the air didn't match. I could find a room in GCM, but not the air..or air was available, but not the room. We've been going to GCM at least twice a year for the last 16 years.

So I thought, why not try somewhere new, Mrs Bonzai said she'd like to try the diving in AUA, so we found air and room on the 1st choice of dates.

I have a friend who owns a wholesale travel agency specializing in AUA, and he hooked me up with the ground transportation, diving, and upgrade, so let the wind blow, it's free! (except for whatever we eat and drink of course)

stimpy

I actually love Aruba although it's been many years since I've been there. The winds are a bonus when you consider how hot it would be if there was no wind.

And yes, most of the island is desolate but that is also a bonus. You can go 4-wheeling and cave exploring and the north coast is pretty neat. Back on the south side you can hang out in the casino or by the pool. Also it is a short hop to Bonaire which is much better for diving.

romadaro

I, too, really like Aruba and will be spending the Thanksgiving holiday there at the Hyatt. My wife and I have been a couple times before and the Hyatt is a great property. Plus, I think there's a lot more to do in Aruba than Grand Cayman, although the scenery in Grand Cayman is alot prettier. In addition to Bonaire, it's also a short hop to Curacao, which also offers some terrific snorkeling/diving and sightseeing.

bonzaiflyer

I was there in November, using a NAN award. I asked for an upgrade to RC at check in, but didn't need it since they had already blocked me for a RC room.

We really enjoyed the property, the variety of dining facilities was nice, having a casino on property was nice (especially since we made enough to pay for the car, diving, and a few meals).

We're both beach people and the beach there was very nice. Watch out for the older crowd that likes to get up at 0600 and put a towel down on some chairs to claim them, leaving some slim pickings on beach real estate.

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Not sure where I'm going, but I'm getting there fast.

MoonPet

I stayed there in the Springtime - about two years ago. I was very happy and comfortable. I'm in full agreement about the dining varities - there is a Spanish restaurant there that was very good, and they also served some kind of "spa menu cuisine" in the main restaurant that I thought was very good.

Some of the best places to eat (I'm thinking of Boonoonoonoo's - or something like that) is only a short ride away.

I found it difficult to get a lounge chair by the pool when I was there, but uaually I was able to snag a beach chair in the shade.

The only thing you might want to be careful of is that I think there are some rooms that only have a small sliding window instead of a balcony. There may be a thread about that somewhere.

Enjoy!

travlr

I just stayed at the new Radisson in December - LOVED it. The room furnishings are absolutely amazing and the service was fantastic.

I think a big difference btween the Radisson & Hyatt is the Radisson has a HUGE beach and their pool area is broken into two parts with two pools (probably the length of a football field), so you don't feel "packed in" at the pool. My husband & I walked over to the Hyatt and people were like sardines there - it was booked that weekend, so I couldn't get in, but I'm more than happy that we were at the Radisson.

cactuspete

FWIW, the Hyatt Aruba was ranked as the 10th best Caribbean beach resort by the Travel Channel (at least according to last night's program).

ben20

Location is perfect, excellent beach - restaurants and casino. Nice staff.

(RC)Rooms are however very small and RC-lounge is not spectacular.
(I stayed here in 1998, perhaps they have renovated the RC-lounge and rooms)