Mar 5, 2018, 8:07 pm
Last edit by: hhoope01
This thread refers to the various Marriott brands within a specific geographic area. Marriott Bonvoy hotels in XX usually have posts asking which property is better, etc. Trip reports are usually better suited in the property specific threads.
Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Aruba
Jun 9, 2013, 6:09 pm
#796
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Florida
Programs: Marriott Rewards-Lifetime Titanium, Priority Club-Platinum, Hilton-Diamond, United-Silver
Posts: 403
Palm Beach come alive in the evening whereas downtown closes up. Palm Beach is nice to stroll to dinner, or for drinks or dessert or to do some shopping.
Jun 10, 2013, 6:03 am
#797
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,207
One thing to remember... Ocean Club and Surf Club are both marriott vacationclub properties and you can cross charge (as well as with the Marriott Stellaris next door) however you are not allowed to use the Surf Club pool and lazy river facilities unless you are staying there. So if you're at the ocean club, you can only use the pool area at the ocean club.
Jun 10, 2013, 8:59 pm
#798
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 517
One other thing we noticed was the clientele was completely different. The Palm Beach properties had a lot more Americans staying there where the Renaissance had a lot more people from South American and Brazil when we were there in May. Not a plus or a minus for either area, just an observation.
Jun 11, 2013, 2:23 pm
#799
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston
Programs: AA Plat Exec
Posts: 447
This post has a lot of good information about the different hotels in Aruba: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...-aruba-53.html
Jun 11, 2013, 2:26 pm
#800
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston
Programs: AA Plat Exec
Posts: 447
For the Renaissance, I understand that there are Ocean suites (with either ocean and pool views, or park and marina view) or Marina Hotel (with ocean, Oranjestad, or the hotel atrium as a view).
What room type is best, considering that I will be with my girlfriend?
What room type is best, considering that I will be with my girlfriend?
Jun 11, 2013, 4:39 pm
#802
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NC
Programs: Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,881
Ocean Suites are suites, and you can book great water views. Marina rooms are small, and even the marina views are not that great. Marina has an elegant, infinity edge pool, great lobby and bar. Ocean suites has more of a resort type pool. Casino is on property at Marina - the list goes on, so you really need to sit down and carefully read the amenities of each, and decide which fit your vacation desires better.
We chose the Marina, but would not do so again. it was nice, but we liked the property location, and suite aspect of Ocean Suites better. YMMV.
Both of these hotels are in need of refurbishment, which if not started will soon begin. We are holding off on our next trip until suites are finished....
Last edited by sophiegirl; Jun 15, 2013 at 11:57 pm
Jun 11, 2013, 5:20 pm
#803
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,207
Jun 12, 2013, 7:16 am
#804
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston
Programs: AA Plat Exec
Posts: 447
Thanks for the input. They have started some renovation work at the Marina in April, and will work on the Ocean suites starting in April 2014.
Jun 12, 2013, 7:52 am
#805
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 157
Next to the Ocean Suites are several restaurants good for breakfast/lunch. There is also an independent (non-Marriott) casino in the same little shopping area. It's not huge but it has some sports betting (horses) as well as slots & some table games (IIRC).
If you stay there, make sure you check the cruise ship schedule. The area near the Marina hotel will be packed when they are docked.
Jun 14, 2013, 7:21 pm
#806
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,967
Does anyone have any experience with getting a local SIM card in Aruba? I'll be there for a few days in July. Data is far more important than phone calls (need it for Google Maps, and for looking up stuff).
Jun 14, 2013, 9:51 pm
#807
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: UA S, Marriott P
Posts: 1,154
the cheap $133 was soon gone from marriott, so I ended up booking $166, then LNF it to $104 via kayak
plus when topcashback kicks in I will be below $100 per night for this trip!
Jun 18, 2013, 4:40 pm
#809
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,207