Ritz Carlton Aruba [Master Thread]
May 23, 2014, 10:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Woodstock, GA USA
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Delta DM & 1MM, Hertz and Avis President's Circle
Posts: 906
Ritz Carlton Aruba [Master Thread]
I've searched the forum and there's not too much on the relatively new RC Aruba. I've got a package deal booked for late August which will run me close to $5K for 10 nights. There are a ton of bad reviews on Trip Advisor but it's hard to sort out the amateurs from the real savvy travelers.
I would appreciate any info or reviews anyone has on this property. I have an alternate stay booked at the Marriott Stellaris as a backup.
Thanks!
I would appreciate any info or reviews anyone has on this property. I have an alternate stay booked at the Marriott Stellaris as a backup.
Thanks!
Jun 4, 2014, 8:53 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 5
I'd also love to hear anyone's opinion on this property. I have my honeymoon booked for October (using the club upgrade on the RC credit card) and have been in contact with the hotel. They certainly seem aware of the original negative TripAdvisor reviews and have assured me that they're working on everything. I've been very impressed with my interactions with them so far, but would love to hear from those who have stayed at the property! Will post a detailed review when I return, but that's not for another few months.
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much!
Jun 4, 2014, 9:50 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Marriott Rewards Platinum Premier, SPG Plat, Delta Skymiles Silver Medallion
Posts: 102
We recently stayed 5 nights at the Stellaris, but walked over to the Ritz one night for drinks at the bar and spent some time in the casino. The hotel itself is very nice and new, but it felt like a ghost town. We had our drinks out on the patio and it seemed that maybe a third or less of the rooms had lights on at 9pm. Even the casino was practically empty compared to the Stellaris casino. Walking by on the beach during the day, there were always palapas available and it seemed very calm and quiet (there are no water sports huts on the beach there). So it depends what you are looking for - if you want constant entertainment and lots of people around, go with the Stellaris. If you want serenity and quiet, go with the Ritz.
Jun 4, 2014, 11:31 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP & 1MM (Lifetime Gold); Marriott Gold; National Exec Emerald's
Posts: 337
We just got back last week from a 6 night stay at the new RC Aruba. We had a great time. We normally go to Grand Cayman RC for a May or June visit but decided to try the new RC in Aruba.
The hotel is nice and service is good. There are two pools, one is for 18 years and older and they did a good job of enforcing that. The beach is also nice but windy. The beach cabanas were rarely used due to the wind. The pool cabanas were booked each day. We did a pool cabana for four of the days. The pool cabanas run $100 vs. $250 for the beach cabana.
The restaurant situation is limiting for the size of the resort. There are only three restaurants and max, only two are open at once. The Italian one serves breakfast and dinner, not lunch. The French one only does dinner and is quite pricey. The pool grill is only open for lunch. The bar only has appetizer type food. Very limiting but we went next door to the Marriott and ate at Simply Fish twice - excellent food and much better prices.
We did not encounter any of the problems that some folks discuss on another travel forum.
If you have any specific questions, I'll try to answer them.
The hotel is nice and service is good. There are two pools, one is for 18 years and older and they did a good job of enforcing that. The beach is also nice but windy. The beach cabanas were rarely used due to the wind. The pool cabanas were booked each day. We did a pool cabana for four of the days. The pool cabanas run $100 vs. $250 for the beach cabana.
The restaurant situation is limiting for the size of the resort. There are only three restaurants and max, only two are open at once. The Italian one serves breakfast and dinner, not lunch. The French one only does dinner and is quite pricey. The pool grill is only open for lunch. The bar only has appetizer type food. Very limiting but we went next door to the Marriott and ate at Simply Fish twice - excellent food and much better prices.
We did not encounter any of the problems that some folks discuss on another travel forum.
If you have any specific questions, I'll try to answer them.
Jun 17, 2014, 11:22 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
My wife just read on the Aruba Bulletin board that the entire Ritz is rented out for a wedding-the entire property. The only public area is the casino. A couple as asked to leave as they were not part of the wedding group. wow thats some party!
Jun 17, 2014, 4:21 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,037
Imagine if you could get the points for all the rooms...
Jun 17, 2014, 7:17 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
The RC Aruba has 320 rooms so that's quite the wedding party and quite the hotel bill. Guesstimate $160,000 per night for the hotel at roughly average rates for June/July. Probably at least two nights booked plus whatever catering and site fees and you're talking roughly half a million dollars.
Imagine if you could get the points for all the rooms...
Imagine if you could get the points for all the rooms...
http://www.aruba-bb.com/viewtopic.ph...01640&start=15
Plus food and incidentals! Yes, great point earning potential
We were in "Marriottville" for 2 1/2 weeks April/May had drinks and enjoyed the casino at the Ritz. My wife had a great spa treatment. It seemed deserted though. They had several groups though. Without those, the place would have had 20% occupancy.
Jun 19, 2014, 1:22 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP & 1MM (Lifetime Gold); Marriott Gold; National Exec Emerald's
Posts: 337
The staff were "training" for this event when we were there in May. They told us the hotel was reserved for a wedding for the better part of a week and they had some "overflow" rooms at the Marriott next door as well! They were constructing a special building for the wedding and it was going to be torn down after the event.
Jul 22, 2014, 3:13 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 204
The Ritz Carlton Aruba
Returned from a week in an Oceanfront Executive Suite and it was WONDERFUL! All of the employees were friendly/helpful and the customer service was perfect! There was no detail that was overlooked. They truly cater to your every wish and come through with flying colors!
The suite was incredible and food in all of the restaurants/room service was great! This is not your resort if you are one of the ones that fuss over $5 tips, look to buy your food in the convenience shop downstairs, nor if you like screaming/running kids and large crowds. It is a quiet, elegant resort which is just what we were looking for!
The casino was great/friendly and I highly recommend renting one of the cabanas by the pool! The Spa is a must! All of the rooms face the ocean/pool with a balcony, so there isn't a bad room! No more Marriott Stellaris or Hyatt for us! The Ritz is our kind of place!^
The suite was incredible and food in all of the restaurants/room service was great! This is not your resort if you are one of the ones that fuss over $5 tips, look to buy your food in the convenience shop downstairs, nor if you like screaming/running kids and large crowds. It is a quiet, elegant resort which is just what we were looking for!
The casino was great/friendly and I highly recommend renting one of the cabanas by the pool! The Spa is a must! All of the rooms face the ocean/pool with a balcony, so there isn't a bad room! No more Marriott Stellaris or Hyatt for us! The Ritz is our kind of place!^
Sep 11, 2014, 1:14 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: UA1K - SPG Plat
Posts: 921
i stayed at the RC Aruba in August 2014. the other reviews here are correct - it is a very peaceful, relaxing hotel to stay. if you are looking for a high-energy vibe, you would be better to select one of the other hotels. the grounds are beautiful - yes, it is windy at the beach, but it is windy throughout all of aruba all the time. the difference is that this hotel is at the far end of the beach, and they do not have the beach littered with palapas - a huge bonus in my book. there are two pools, and they do enforce that one is adults only. i was relaxed the entire time i was on the beach or at the pool. (the cabanas right along the pool's edge are fantastic - definitely reserve one in advance if possible).
since the hotel has just been opened a year, it does have that new hotel feel. the rooms were what one would come to expect from a ritz carlton - and each room has a great balcony. the common areas are not run down, and hopefully the management will continue to keep the property in top notch shape. the staff as a whole were great - there were a few missed steps here and there, but that is to be expected from a hotel that is still trying to establish itself.
the food outlets are expensive, but that is what you come to expect at a ritz carlton. this is not the right hotel for anyone on a tight budget - you come to the ritz because you want a relaxing experience and are willing to pay for it. too often you find people who want to stay at the ritz because of the name and they want to think they can live the luxury lifestyle but they are not willing to pay for it - i am sure those are the people who complain about this place. it is not cheap - you have been warned. if you want a cheap place, choose a different hotel along the beach...
a word about the "resort fee" - i have come to expect that a resort fee is more of the norm these days instead of the exception. IIRC, the resort fees at the RCs in both Grand Cayman and St Thomas were $60 per day. in Aruba, there is a "Service Charge" equal to 14% of your room rate per day. i have mixed feelings about this "service charge" - it is another word for resort fee, and it covers internet, non-motorized water sports, use of spa facilities, and so forth. since it is a percentage, it varies for each guest - and that bothers me. is someone who is paying less than me using any less of the services? i think not. it is just a way to see revenues increase. but what can you do? i will stay here even with the service charge.
we visited several other hotels in the high-rise hotel area. each had something different to offer, but i was happy with my choice of the ritz. it felt great and relaxed when we went home. it did not seem overcrowded even though the hotel was at near capacity - and i was told that was by design. even almost in a sell-out situation, you had no problem getting a chair poolside or a beach umbrella. and that is what i was looking for in my vacation. i cannot recommend it enough. (wow, i sound like a RC commercial)
since the hotel has just been opened a year, it does have that new hotel feel. the rooms were what one would come to expect from a ritz carlton - and each room has a great balcony. the common areas are not run down, and hopefully the management will continue to keep the property in top notch shape. the staff as a whole were great - there were a few missed steps here and there, but that is to be expected from a hotel that is still trying to establish itself.
the food outlets are expensive, but that is what you come to expect at a ritz carlton. this is not the right hotel for anyone on a tight budget - you come to the ritz because you want a relaxing experience and are willing to pay for it. too often you find people who want to stay at the ritz because of the name and they want to think they can live the luxury lifestyle but they are not willing to pay for it - i am sure those are the people who complain about this place. it is not cheap - you have been warned. if you want a cheap place, choose a different hotel along the beach...
a word about the "resort fee" - i have come to expect that a resort fee is more of the norm these days instead of the exception. IIRC, the resort fees at the RCs in both Grand Cayman and St Thomas were $60 per day. in Aruba, there is a "Service Charge" equal to 14% of your room rate per day. i have mixed feelings about this "service charge" - it is another word for resort fee, and it covers internet, non-motorized water sports, use of spa facilities, and so forth. since it is a percentage, it varies for each guest - and that bothers me. is someone who is paying less than me using any less of the services? i think not. it is just a way to see revenues increase. but what can you do? i will stay here even with the service charge.
we visited several other hotels in the high-rise hotel area. each had something different to offer, but i was happy with my choice of the ritz. it felt great and relaxed when we went home. it did not seem overcrowded even though the hotel was at near capacity - and i was told that was by design. even almost in a sell-out situation, you had no problem getting a chair poolside or a beach umbrella. and that is what i was looking for in my vacation. i cannot recommend it enough. (wow, i sound like a RC commercial)
Sep 11, 2014, 4:06 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 723
We were really happy with RC Aruba and will return
My wife and I returned from a seven night stay at this property last week and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We stayed on the Club Level and had a wonderful time. I concur with what others have written above about the resort property. I took many pictures and will post a more in-depth TR when I have time, probably later this year. I just started my MBA and working full-time means I have very little free time and I tend to use that for sleep, LOL.
I will close by saying if you want a resort where it is quiet, the beach and pool are outstanding, the food is wonderful, and the staff knows your name by day 2, this property is for you. Yes it is new and there are still some inconsistencies that I think will improve over time and mainly has to do with training and experience of the staff. Feel free to PM if there are specific questions.
I will close by saying if you want a resort where it is quiet, the beach and pool are outstanding, the food is wonderful, and the staff knows your name by day 2, this property is for you. Yes it is new and there are still some inconsistencies that I think will improve over time and mainly has to do with training and experience of the staff. Feel free to PM if there are specific questions.
Sep 21, 2014, 7:03 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Woodstock, GA USA
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Delta DM & 1MM, Hertz and Avis President's Circle
Posts: 906
We decided not to stay at the RC in Aruba. We stayed at the Marriott next door. I've stayed at a lot of Ritz-Carltons and this one just isn't that special.
We did do a couples massage at the RC and thoroughly enjoyed it. We did a walk through of the grounds and lobby areas. If you want quiet (or boring) the RC is the place. The hallways do have some sort of soapy smell to them, must be the way they are treating them.
We talked to the staff at the Marriott and they told us that their co-workers who had moved over to the RC were not happy. There's too much rigidity expected of the staff and they are scared to death of doing something wrong.
I mentioned to the front desk staff at the Marriott via email that I had decided to boot the RC in favor of the Marriott. We wound up getting a free upgrade to a Trade Winds Club room near the front facing the beach and the RC. The Marriott is a lot more lively. Highlights were the lobby bar tenders turning me on to an excellent 25 year old Guatemalan rum; recognizing the pool bar bartender (who's been there 14 years) from our last trip, dinner on the beach at Simply Fish and the adult pool cabanas.
BTW, if you're considering the Trade Winds Club, it's not worth it. It's just a concierge lounge with free booze. We snuck in there our first night just to confirm our suspicions about it. Interestingly enough, we were offered a discounted access rate of $130/night before arrival. Even at that price, it's a bust.
We did do a couples massage at the RC and thoroughly enjoyed it. We did a walk through of the grounds and lobby areas. If you want quiet (or boring) the RC is the place. The hallways do have some sort of soapy smell to them, must be the way they are treating them.
We talked to the staff at the Marriott and they told us that their co-workers who had moved over to the RC were not happy. There's too much rigidity expected of the staff and they are scared to death of doing something wrong.
I mentioned to the front desk staff at the Marriott via email that I had decided to boot the RC in favor of the Marriott. We wound up getting a free upgrade to a Trade Winds Club room near the front facing the beach and the RC. The Marriott is a lot more lively. Highlights were the lobby bar tenders turning me on to an excellent 25 year old Guatemalan rum; recognizing the pool bar bartender (who's been there 14 years) from our last trip, dinner on the beach at Simply Fish and the adult pool cabanas.
BTW, if you're considering the Trade Winds Club, it's not worth it. It's just a concierge lounge with free booze. We snuck in there our first night just to confirm our suspicions about it. Interestingly enough, we were offered a discounted access rate of $130/night before arrival. Even at that price, it's a bust.