We are landing in Aruba 3/17 - are looking for some awesome accomodations - beachfront properties - with a moderate price tag. Moderate to me is about $150-$180/night.
Any suggestions? Also ANY insights on Aruba would be appreciated.
Also, where is the hottest gambling action?
Thanks!
Naren ^

I just came back from there last weekend. I might be heading back about the time you are.

You may be able to get a room at the Holiday Inn for as low as 144/night if there is availability. Shows no rooms for one and two nights but there is availability for three or more.

Or check out Amsterdam Manor.

Most of the hotels have casinos. IMHO, the best beach is Palm Beach by the high rise hotels. You can easily walk between the Marriott and the Wyndham checking out the various hotels in between.

If you are there on Sunday, do not miss the afternoon bash at Moomba's between the Holiday Inn and the Marriott. That is "the" place to be on Sunday afternoons in Aruba.

Got to VisitAruba.com - it is a good site for what is happening on the island. Pick up a VisitAruba card - the cost is earned back on your first use.

For snorkeling, I recommend Roberto's Private Snorkeling (see visitaruba.com for the link) - take the 8:30 AM trip and ask for Nick to be your guide - tell him Jack says hi and to show you where the turtles are.

You can also take the bus ($2.00 r/t) to Arashisi Beach by the California Lighhouse - great snorkeling and beautiful scenery - the whole north and east shores are quite desolate and rugged - or look at renting a jeep and headed to the southeast to Baby Beach - swim and then head along the shore past the caves and head inland - quite isolated - expect to come across wild donkeys and goats.

Good luck - you'll have a great time

Thanks a bunch Jack!!
That iinfo's pretty awesome. That's exactly what I wanted!!
Hopefully I'll see u there:-)
N

Keep an eye out for Natalie, would ya?

LOL, I was about to say the same thing when I saw the thread.

I'd suggest using Hotwire and then veryifiyng (or at least doing your best to) which hotel it is on betterbidding.com I am going to Curacao in a few weeks and saved bout $100/night using hotwire on the Hilton so I can vouch for the fact that they do include Caribbean hotels at good deals. I use htem frequently in the U.S. and Europe and I have enver had a bad experience.

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions!!

Guys, Priceline rocks!! We got a resort suite at the Renaissance Resort in Aruba for $140/night - they are selling the same suites online for over $350!!!

I was amazed - once more!!

Cheers!!

What will FOX & HN do if they find Natalie? They will have to off the air.
On a more serious note, my heart goes out to her family, but I am sick and tired of the coverage.

My family and I stayed at the Ren last year. It isn't on the beach. It's by "downtown" Orenjastad. The Ren has a private island that you can take a boat to. The private island is limited in the length of the beach, though. The left side is the "family" side, and the right is the "adult" side. The beach is no longer than 100 yards on each side.

We wanted a long strip of beach, so we drove to the Radisson each day, and hung out at Palm Beach by the Radisson. There are a couple of vendors there that will set you up with chairs and beach umbrella's. We made a deal with one to give us a discounted rate for 5 days.

You will love Aruba....best beach vacation we ever had.

We're saddened too, but some people will continue to do foolish things and others will continue to do evil things whether the story remains "news" for the next century or not.

At least the rest of you can go to Aruba. Our governor won't let us.