Another Ocean Club problem

[AmyL4408]

There was one more thing that bothered me at the Ocean Club.....


There is ALOT of watersports companies on the beach. They all have plastic type coverings to shade them. They have the best spot ont he beach.... They were using the Ocean Club lounges, and some even brought friends along to enjoy the beach & view.


Does Marriott get money for letting these people have the great locations on the beach? Do we really need 10 different places to choose from, for a banana boat ride?

 

[gmarine]

The beaches are public. Anyone can use the beaches in front of the Marriott or any other hotel/resort.

 

[chrisnwillie]

gmarine is correct. All beaches in Aruba are public. I guess you haven't been to Aruba at Easter, when the tradition is Arubans flock to the beach and camp the whole week by the water in campers, tents, and such.

 

[AmyL4408]

gmarine is correct. All beaches in Aruba are public. I guess you haven't been to Aruba at Easter, when the tradition is Arubans flock to the beach and camp the whole week by the water in campers, tents, and such.

If Marriott doesn't own their beach, how is it that they have palapas on it? And they have beach attendants to supposedly move people who are not supposed to be in the palapas?


I thought I read, or was told... That each individual Marriott was not sharing their beach any longer with the other Marriotts? If it is public, then they can choose to sit wherever they want?

I can see why this is creating a very large problem. The surf club has a horrible beach and water area..... so of course they will be moving down to take over the ocean clubs beach & water.

 

[gmarine]

They can put palapas on the beach because, again, it is a public beach. They can regulate use of the palapas because they OWN the palapas. Beach use is not resticted to hotel/resort guests.

 

[m61376]

Marriott hasto get permits from the government to erect the palapas and is limited in the number it can construct.They are adding the bimini chairs (with canopies) to provide additional shade.

Keep in mind that the Surf Club beach was largely opened just a month or so ago. They will still be working on the old dock and improving the swimming area, as well as modifying the newly opened beach area.

I agree the beach area needs some work, which they are doing. When I was there a few weeks ago, at least a third of the area remained unused. Once it is completely renovated I think it will be sufficient in size to handle the resort guests when fully built out. It was busy but not too crowded and appeared no busier than the beaches in front of the Ocean Club or Marriott resorts, or for that matter any of the other beaches along the high rise area; as a matter of fact, there were a few beaches in front of other hotels that were more crowded.

There are several other watersport kiosks in similar locations in front of the other hotels in the strip.

As for the pool: the Surf Club pool is more utilized than the Ocean Club pool, but for the time being Ocean Club resort guests can use the SC pool, which is nicer. My understanding is that is only for 2007.

Again, our experience was quite a bit different from Amy's. We were there week 1 and found the facilities busy but not crowded.There were enough people to meet and chat,yet not feel crowded and as though others were encroaching on our family space.

 

[Cathy in Boston]

We bought at the Surf Club during the Gold Season, primarily because we just could not afford to buy Platinum, but also because we envisioned going during our anniversary week, which is in May.

However, now we are really happy that we bought Gold for another reason - although it is busy during the times we go, it is never bad enough that we feel uncomfortable or angry about it. We never, ever have a problem getting chairs at the pool, using the Lazy River, or getting a palapa. Yes, there are plenty of other people on the beach - we happen to enjoy "people watching." We love Waikiki Beach, and if you've ever been there - well, it makes the Surf Club beach area look deserted.

To each his own. If someone really has a problem with the way the Marriott is run, the crowds, etc., then the solution is simple - stay someplace else. God knows there are dozens of beautiful resorts and hotels in Aruba to choose from.

 

[chrisnwillie]

If Marriott doesn't own their beach, how is it that they have palapas on it? And they have beach attendants to supposedly move people who are not supposed to be in the palapas?


I thought I read, or was told... That each individual Marriott was not sharing their beach any longer with the other Marriotts? If it is public, then they can choose to sit wherever they want?

I can see why this is creating a very large problem. The surf club has a horrible beach and water area..... so of course they will be moving down to take over the ocean clubs beach & water.

Anyone can use any beach they want in Aruba, but you cannot use the palapas (of which the hotel/timeshare got permission to build on the public beach from the government) or the chairs or lounges. You can walk to the OC and plop down on their beach as can any local or anyone from another resort. You cannot use the shade (except for the trees), lounge or chairs owned by that facility where any given beach is located.

I have seen Pelican Watersports bring boat loads of people from the cruise ships to Palm Beach and the beach gets over run but again, they cannot use anything that belongs to the resort.

 

[AmyL4408]

Anyone can use any beach they want in Aruba, but you cannot use the palapas (of which the hotel/timeshare got permission to build on the public beach from the government) or the chairs or lounges. You can walk to the OC and plop down on their beach as can any local or anyone from another resort. You cannot use the shade (except for the trees), lounge or chairs owned by that facility where any given beach is located.

So does the surf club guests have rights to the ocean club beach? We did see many surf club guests (blue towels) using ocean club chairs.....

Or do they share?

 

[gmarine]

The Marriott hotel, Ocean club and Surf club guests can each use the other resorts amenities.

 

[AmyL4408]

The Marriott hotel, Ocean club and Surf club guests can each use the other resorts amenities.

Hmmm...

The surf club sign on the walk going to their pool said for Ocean Club & Surf Club guests only.

I don't remember where, but I thought I had heard that the Marriott Stellaris was no longer sharing their pool. They definitely have the best lounges!

Not one single red & white striped Stellaris towel was to be seen on the Ocean Club beach area. But I guess they have a nice enough beach, they don't need to come that far. Blue towels on the other hand, were plentifull.

 

[gmarine]

Hmmm...

The surf club sign on the walk going to their pool said for Ocean Club & Surf Club guests only.

I don't remember where, but I thought I had heard that the Marriott Stellaris was no longer sharing their pool. They definitely have the best lounges!

Not one single red & white striped Stellaris towel was to be seen on the Ocean Club beach area. But I guess they have a nice enough beach, they don't need to come that far. Blue towels on the other hand, were plentifull.

You know what, I forgot, you are correct.

The ownership of the Stellaris recently changed and when it did so did the policy of allowing guests to use the OC and SC facilities. The hotel is no longer owned by Marriott, though Marriott still manages it. It was sold a few months ago to a caribbean realty company.

 

[irish]

okay, this is what i was told by the president of the hoa at the ocean club.
marriott hotel and ocean club can use each others pool facilities. ocean club and surf club can use each others pools. marriott hotel and surf club CAN NOT USE EACH OTHERS POOLS.
surf club CAN NOT use ocean club PALAPAS and vice versa. lounge chairs and beach area(not palapas) can be used interchangeable.
now, unless this has changed very recently ocean club owners were not notified.