Aruba...some thoughts

[Steve A]

Yes, OC guests will have use of the new pool.

I received the following email from Marriott:

Hi XXX,

Thank you for using the Marriott Concierge Services, my name is Cliff and I'll be happy to assist you.

The new pool will only be available for guests of the Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino that are over 18 years old.

I hope that I could have been of some assistance.

--
On behalf of the Aruba Marriott Concierge,

Sunny regards,

Your Vacation Planner:
Aruba Marriott Concierge
Tel: (297) 586 9000 ext. 6225
Fax: (297) 586 2018
E-mail: marriottconcierge@depalmtours.com

 

[timeos2]

I've been vindicated!

2nd that. Hawaii IS the very definition of paradise. Aruba, while warm and with great beaches, is like Florida or the Bahama's on an isolated island. No comparison to the entirely different lifestyle & feel of Hawaii for us. Yes it's way too far to visit often from our east coast location but when we do it is a truly special stay. Not the same feeling in Aruba, nice as it is.

 

[Steve A]

We alternate. In 2012 we are going to be in Aruba for two weeks (June-July) using the gold week we own and trading for another week using a Barony silver week. In the years we don't go to Aruba we used that week to trade either to Maui or Kauai and use Marriott reward points to extend the stay at one of their hotels. Each place has its own rewards and delights, and we enjoy both.

 

[Larry]

2nd that. Hawaii IS the very definition of paradise. Aruba, while warm and with great beaches, is like Florida or the Bahama's on an isolated island.

Sorry but I completely disagree. I have been to Miami in January when it was in the 70's and have also been there when it was in the mid 50's or 60's during the day and colder at night. Bahamas is usually better but January is usually to cold to use the pools or swim in the Ocean in the Bahamas for most days.

We go to Aruba every year in January/February to get away from the cold winters in NY and it has always been sunny with temps between 80-86 every day with an occassional overcast day with rain for about 10 to 20 minutes.

Have gone swimming in Aruba every day for two weeks straight in January for the past 5 years which can't be said about Florida or the Bahamas.

 

[IngridN]

It depends on your definition of paradise!

I agree, Hawaii is wonderful and I have visited all of the islands. Living on the West Coast you would think we would go to Hawaii rather that Aruba. No way...we prefer Aruba and go for 2 weeks every year because our definition of paradise is being able to do absolutely nothing, vegging on the beach with lots of shade. Hawaii unfortunately, makes it difficult to do nothing as there are so many places to go and enjoy. DH and I (before I retired 3 weeks ago ) have/had very demanding jobs and looked forward to our time in Aruba to totally regenerate...in other words, our yearly paradise. Fortunately, that still left us 3 weeks each year for more hectic vacations which we also enjoy.

Ingrid

 

[m61376]

I'm chuckling a little reading through these comments, because they sound similar to our own family discussions. IF everything else was equal, I would pick a trip to Hawaii at least with some frequency; my family, however, prefers Aruba because of the cooling breezes and the restaurant fare. Of course, especially living on the East coast, everything else isn't equal. Forgetting about costs, being able to visit a slice of paradise with less than a 5 hour versus a 12 hour trip is a big deal for us. If traveling for only a week, Aruba is a nice distance while Hawaii is a long trip for a week, and that's a deciding factor with us.

So it isn't about "being vindicated." I don't think anybody is denigrating Hawaii, just expressing that there are other factors that come into consideration- whether it is the relaxing atmosphere, ease of access, restaurants, etc.. It is even possible to love both locales for different reasons. I think why there is so frequently a comparison is because, like Hawaii, Aruba is a year round destination, with very consistent weather throughout the year. Like others have posted, the weather in Florida or the Bahamas just isn't as consistent. Last year we were on the airport shuttle with a family who had been to Harborside for the same week in Feb.. We enjoyed the beach and the pool daily, and she commented that she wore her boots all week and the weather was in the low 50's. I felt badly for them. I think the strong likelihood of great weather is a big draw for many of us.

 

[DCBoy]

I spoke with the general manager of the OC about the new adult pool at the hotel next door when I was down in Aruba this past August. He told me that he did not expect the pool would be available to OC guests at first, but he expected that it would become available to OC guests eventually.

 

[EKniager]

LOL, I have almost responded to this Hawai'i vs. Aruba thing a couple of times. We have been to HI 8x and Aruba 3x and like them both for different reasons but as an East Coaster I have to say we got tired of the long flights to the middle of the Pacific.

Hawai'i is a tropical paradise with beaches, rain forests, and desert climates. The food, accommodations, scenery, golf, and beaches are all world class, especially if you can afford to treat yourself to places like Kapalua, Princeville, or Lanai'i. There are a variety of things to do and see because each island has its own personality. (And, we love to hike there because there are no snakes.)

Aruba is a nice, reliable, and affordable winter treat. It has, for the most part, predictably warm weather year-round. For most of us on in the East, it is inexpensive to get to and the flight is relatively short. We always feel safe there and it's about the most American place we have been to outside of the U.S. Heck, with all the Red Sox and Yankee hats (and the Dunkin Donuts) it is a bit like Cape Cod! There are a few very nice restaurants but for the most part the food is main stream and affordable to most TUG'ers.

We like both but consider Aruba to be easy and cost effective annual or bi-annual vacation while Hawaii has those magical places (e.g., The Lodge at Koele or the Hana Maui) that have to be seriously considered for very special occasions that can justify the time and expense. It's not a fair comparison because we would never consider going there to just stay in another timeshare beach resort like Ko Olina or Kaanapali. For us, each of these island destinations satisfies a totally different need.

 

[californiagirl]

Wow, did not intend this thread to be an Aruba vs Hawaii debate. I am going to let the argument go.

Oh no about the new pool!! The front desk at the Ocean Club is where we got the info about the new pool. I can't remember the name of the woman who told us. They will need to get on the same page or they will have very unhappy guests being told wrong info.

 

[Former Cruiser]

Trading Tags

There will be 4 of us 55+ adults going in May to Surf Club on a trade from MOW. Do you think we'd be able to find another group/family of 4 here on TUG that would want the Surf Club pool/lazy river that would trade tags, wrist bands or whatever they use to distinguish between the two resorts, so we could spend the time at Ocean Club pool instead? Just wondering

 

[ilene13]

There will be 4 of us 55+ adults going in May to Surf Club on a trade from MOW. Do you think we'd be able to find another group/family of 4 here on TUG that would want the Surf Club pool/lazy river that would trade tags, wrist bands or whatever they use to distinguish between the two resorts, so we could spend the time at Ocean Club pool instead? Just wondering

The Ocean Club pool does not have wrist bands. The beach towels you receive are what distinguishes the two properties. There is an adult only pool at the Surf Club, just use that!!

 

[Sunbum]

There will be 4 of us 55+ adults going in May to Surf Club on a trade from MOW. Do you think we'd be able to find another group/family of 4 here on TUG that would want the Surf Club pool/lazy river that would trade tags, wrist bands or whatever they use to distinguish between the two resorts, so we could spend the time at Ocean Club pool instead? Just wondering

So what you need to do is find an OC couple/family that will trade with you towels & SC bands. I am sure this won't be easy to do, but i admire you for thinking of it. Good luck.