sica4

Op, just so you know. You have until March 7th to make a decision before the Aruba Marriott becomes a category 8 hotel. I strongly advise going to this property though, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

mschmid4

My wife and I stayed here on points for our honeymoon in June 2010. I booked the cheapest pointsaver rate at the time and once at the hotel check in negotiated an upgrade to an end room suite with wraparound balcony for an extra $100 per night, which I used marriott checks to pay for. Given your time of year I am sure you could get an offer, some report getting $50 per day. Also, make sure to note on your reservation that you are honeymooners...it makes a better case when pleading your case for an upgrade (combined with being platinum).

Too bad this property no longer offers the inclusive option using points, I got lucky and made my reservation before they stopped, great deal as we racked up ~$200-$300 a day in meals and drinks (food is pricey).

Justin7894

Well, we've decided to keep our reservation with this property. I booked airfare via US Airways and sealed the deal on first-class round trip awards travel for a total of 110,000 miles and $184.00.

Justin7894

I hope we get as lucky as you with the upgrade. You weren't Tradewinds level, were you?

My fiancee would REALLY like one of the corner rooms with the wrap around balcony. What room type was the pointsaver rate for? Was it the base garden/construction view room? Hopefully, we'll have better chances for an upgrade since we are starting with Ocean/Garden view. I would at least like a free upgrade to Ocean/Pool view, but would LOVE the corner room.

It is too bad the property is no longer all-inclusive, but I plan on purchasing Marriott Cheques and charging all food/drink to the room. So, it will still be somewhat all-inclusive for us.

happymommy

Sounds like you've got a plan!

I've been married almost 18 years, and always did the planning. It's fun but sometimes frustrating.

I hope Aruba is a great trip for you. Did you get non-stop flights? We are near DC and I think that there is one from IAD to AUA.

sica4

^ Good choice!

You should have a great trip. Don't go to the hotel and try and find every little negative. Relax and enjoy the time with the wife, sun and booze (if applicable) !

hungarianhc

OP, check out Grand Cayman - it is not out of the hurricane belt, but just because Aruba isn't out of the belt, does not mean there isn't a risk! They get storms too!

Here is my post about my stay there. We went to St. Kitts and Grand Cayman. Did not love St. Kitts... loved Grand Cayman.

sophiegirl

We too negotiated a corner room - but we had reserved tradewinds...so ended up with Corner on the tradewinds floor. (on what would now be construction side - but wasn't occurring then) But a note....if you get Ovean/pool towards the front of the building, the view is "almost" the same as the corner.

On charging all food/bev to the room.....remember that those certs are good at any Marriott property, in anything run by Marriott. There is a great steakhouse in the Ren - I would call and see if they will take them, if so, you would get your "Ruth Chris experience" for free. There was also an outdoor restaurant at Ocean Suites where we had breakfast/lunch one day... Just remember you don't get change from these things!

And finally, since it is your honeymoon - ask the hotel if they would be willing to call the Ren and get you a 1 day exception pass to the private island. It is really worth it, and would make a great free day trip for you. There is a restaurant, water sports, SPA, etc there - so you should be able to pay with a Marriott cheque...just ask first. The pics on the website do not do the island justice...it is really beautiful I went out early one AM and had the place to myself for several hours....great lounge chairs with flamingo's just wandering by. Most peaceful morning of my life!

Again, congratulations and have a great trip.

annerj

Yep. don't stress over what you can't control and have a great time.

*Some of our most memorable trips have been the ones where things just don't go as planned.

Justin7894

Thanks all! Looking forward to this trip. If anyone stays at the Aruba Marriott between now and October, please make a post in this thread about your experience!

Thanks!

stinger

I am taking the family this summer to the Renaissance in Aruba for two weeks on the Escape Inclusive package. I will be paying using my Marriott gift cheques to get credit for the stay/points.

The terms and conditions of the rate are as follows:
Additional Information* * * * * * * * ESCAPE! INCLUSIVE PACKAGE * * * * * * * *
PACKAGE INCLUDES
- Ocean Suite at the Renaissance Ocean Suites
- Room taxes and service charges
- Unlimited standard brand beverages including frozen
drinks in Renaissance operated outlets*
- Daily breakfast buffet in Renaissance operated outlets*
- Daily a la carte or buffet lunch in Renaissance
operated outlets*
- Daily a la carte or buffet dinner in Renaissance
operated outlets. Dinner is defined as one Appetizer or
Salad, one entree, and one dessert
- 15 percent discount on spa treatments
- Casino match play coupon of $10 per adult, per stay
- Free one-day use of Patamingo Kids Club
* Renaissance operated outlets are BLUE (L/D),
Aquarius (B/L/D), Captain's Corner (B/D),
L.G. Smith's (D), Papagayo (L), The Lounge (D), and Sole (L/D)
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Room service, in-room movies, and/or minibar
- Watersports and diving
- Retails store purchases
- Tours and transfers
- Beverages in the casinos
- Spa treatments or massages
- Incidental charges, including but limited to
phone calls and internet use
- Bottled wine, champagne, and certain deluxe
spirits and cordial purchases
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Valid for stays between April 25 and December 22, 2011
- Minimum 4 nights stay required
- Prices are in US dollars, per room, per night,
based on double occupancy

I just got off the phone with the platinum desk as I was inquiring as to how many kids club passes I would receive since I will be there for two weeks and they offer a pass for bookings of four nights or more.

Has anyone had any experience with this sort of thing at this hotel and does anyone have a contact email where I can try and clarify prior to our stay.

I was hoping for some flexibility to avoid making seperate bookings to get as many passes as possible, I would expect this when dropping over $9k for two weeks (albeit in gift cheques).

Anyway, looking for some assistance if possible.

Thanks in advance.

welookgood.com

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/worl...y_mystery.html

Looks like her internet bf killed her while snorkeling. Was anyone there around when it happened?

SkiAdcock

Other than they happened to stay at a Marriott property & given it alledgedly didn't happen at the property, why is this worth creating a thread in the Marriott forum?

welookgood.com

Sorry, the first article I saw didnt mention they went snorkeling off property. Thought it was on the private Renaissance beach..

tuono07

It also didn't mention that he killed her only that he is a suspect!