At the Aruba Surf Club, island is nice, resort is fabulous!!

[MOXJO7282]

Had a really nice flight from JFK, 1st class for 60K miles is a pretty good value, and we enjoyed all the benefits of first class travel. Food was horrendous, but the champange was flowing on the second flight.

Really convenient rental car right at the airport. Resort is only 15 minutes or so. I love when the resort is so close to an airport.

Aruba seems nice enough, but the ambience is nothing like Maui, or the Grand Ocean. It seems to have a lot of flash covering a somewhat rundown infrastucture.

With that said, the resort is really fabulous!!. We were given a 14th floor corner oceanview room in the spyglass tower, which might be the best oceanview unit at the resort. Even though we've owned since 2003, this is our first trip and base on pictures, I thought the OV units were far away, but they are some of the best oceanviews units I've seen.

The place is so big that even though it is really busy it never seems overly crowded, IMHO.

I'll add more later.

 

[gores95]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the Surf Club....we have not been to Aruba since 2006 and hearing all the terrible reports about the beach, palapas, crowds, etc. made me feel a little nervous about our 2007 purchase.

Cannot wait to hear more about your trip. How WAS the beach btw??

 

[GrayFal]

I have actually stayed in that 14th floor almost oceanfront unit - the views are spectacular!

Enjoy your trip.....the kids would probably enjoy the afternoon sail on the Jolly Pirate from Moomba Beach.....here is DH 'relaxing' on board.

 

[LauraS93]

That is a great picture! Talk about an action shot!

 

[lll1929]

You swung futher than me. Good pic!

 

[GrayFal]

Beautiful Beaches.....

Joes's unit is wayyyyyyyy up front!

 

[m61376]

Marc- We just got back yesterday and the beach was wonderful. There was no problem getting a palapa (to be honest, I was lazy so chose to book them in advance for $10 each rather than stand in line for the free ones, but I got one Sunday morning with no problem for free, with waiting less than 15 minutes to reserve it), there were a lot of chaises (stacks of unused ones even mid day) and plenty of room at the beach. There were people, of course, at the beach, but the beaches in Hawaii were much more crowded.

The pool at the SC is huge and the Lazy River great. The only real issue which I know they are trying to work on is the seating at the pool. They are adding something like 113 new lounges in enlarged seating areas, but the real problem is that people seem to feel the need to go down between 7 and 7:30 and mark their territory for the day and then disappear for hours on end. Lounges sit unoccupied while guests are at the beach, shopping, golfing and/or on tours, all the while hogging poolside chaises. They will be cracking down on this and are working to develop a working plan (at least that's what I was told at the owner's meeting). The pool itself is not crowded and most times the seating areas poolside are a quarter to half empty; the real issue is the reserving. That said, I didn't have any problem finding an empty lounge to put my stuff when using the pool. Unless using the pool, I personally preferred to lounge at the beach.

Joe- Hope you have as nice a time as we did! We had a 14th floor room in the Compass tower (Oceanside) and the views were remarkable. We were commenting that the Spyglass OV rooms would have some spectacular near OF type views, just narrower because of the building. I actually took the elevator up to the 14th floor and looked out through the corner viewing window and was very impressed at the views from the new building. I also really liked the sand/beach type sitting areas poolside by the new tower.

Although Aruba doesn't have the same ambiance as Maui, it shares the same year round weather and is a much easier trip from JFK. I also love the cooling breeze so it doesn't feel as hot as Hawaii. We also find the restaurants much better. Of course, if we lived on the West coast I am sure we'd be visiting Hawaii much more frequently, but I think a lot of East coasters find Aruba as a great substitute. As you enjoy your two weeks there, it will be interesting to hear what your impressions are. Of course, next week is probably the busiest week of the year down there, so hopefully you won't be overwhelmed.

 

[qlaval]

Something like that...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6t3ZyNMJWw

"A view of the Surf Club in November 2007 around 8h30am.

Some people do complain about how crowded this resort can be.
That was not the case for us as it was almost empty.
Look at the pool chairs only a few were reserved.
I know that peak season isn't like that, still it was a very nice place to be that morning.... "

Or if you prefer an extended high quality vidoe of the Aruba island.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAuUfBaHico

 

[MOXJO7282]

Joes's unit is wayyyyyyyy up front!

Actually I'm in the oceanview Spy Glass tower, not the OF building shown here. The Spy Glass is behind the OF building,but the view in the picture above is distorted, because even though the property is huge and this shot appears to show a distant view to the ocean, it is not. The views in the OV buildings are fantastic here!! I'm so glad I didn't spring for OF, or OS at this resort. Those views are even nicer, but the OVs are just so nice, some of the nicest I've seen anywhere.

And what amazes me also is even though the resort is close to full, you would think it is 50%. Yes the early morning pool chair is a fiasco, but otherwise it has not seemed at all crowded.

Otherwise we've had a great trip overall, as well. Had a super romantic dinner at Simply Fish, using the Marriott "Dinner for two" cert. Food was just a 7, but the romantic setting, we were the closest table to the water, maybe 15 feet away, was just spectacular!!

We also found some cheaper food choices, although cheaper is relative on Aruba. Champions in the Marriott Stellaris Hotel was a great spot. This had a nice menu that was reasonably priced. Like 24 buffalo wings for $18, or the delicious fried grouper for $16. Their pizza was actually very good as well. Yesterday they had margaritas all day for $5.

Afterwards my wife and I had so much fun playing Carribbean poker at the casino. We gambled for the first time in our lives, and had such a blast!! We played for 3 hours, and walked away $25 ahead.

TGIF, which was walking distance from resort, was also surprisingly good. Better than in the US in my opinion.

I'll provide more later.

 

[GrayFal]

Actually I'm in the oceanview Spy Glass tower, not the OF building shown here. The Spy Glass is behind the OF building,but the view in the picture above is distorted, because even though the property is huge and this shot appears to show a distant view to the ocean, it is not. The views in the OV buildings are fantastic here!! I'm so glad I didn't spring for OF, or OS at this resort. Those views are even nicer, but the OVs are just so nice, some of the nicest I've seen anywhere.

And what amazes me also is even though the resort is close to full, you would think it is 50%. Yes the early morning pool chair is a fiasco, but otherwise it has not seemed at all crowded.

Otherwise we've had a great trip overall, as well. Had a super romantic dinner at Simply Fish, using the Marriott "Dinner for two" cert. Food was just a 7, but the romantic setting, we were the closest table to the water, maybe 15 feet away, was just spectacular!!

We also found some cheaper food choices, although cheaper is relative on Aruba. Champions in the Marriott Stellaris Hotel was a great spot. This had a nice menu that was reasonably priced. Like 24 buffalo wings for $18, or the delicious fried grouper for $16. Their pizza was actually very good as well. Yesterday they had margaritas all day for $5.

Afterwards my wife and I had so much fun playing Carribbean poker at the casino. We gambled for the first time in our lives, and had such a blast!! We played for 3 hours, and walked away $25 ahead.

TGIF, which was walking distance from resort, was also surprisingly good. Better than in the US in my opinion.

I'll provide more later.

Ahhh, building A - closest to the water is Lighthouse? Tower.....I was in THAT building 14th floor.....although my picture above taken from the balcony of a studio unit on the 9th floor of the "C&D" building does show part of Spyglass building to the right of the front Lighthouse building....the other view I have had which was also great was 10th floor facing the Ocean Club as you looked OVER the OC to the lighthous end of the island - really spectacular!

Enjoy your last days

 

[MOXJO7282]

Went to Baby Beach today. This is a can't miss beach. I've seen my share of beautiful beaches from Montauk to Maui, and this one is one of the best I've seen.


Also had a great time at the Marriott casino. Surprisingly won $450 at Carribbean poker last night. In total we're up $300. We're going one last time, to either win more or blow it all, which I'm sure is the likely scenerio, but we were willing to lose $500 on the trip, so worse case we leave even and had a great time gambling.

 

[taffy19]

Joe, is the water warmer than in Maui? I am glad you enjoy Aruba too. Show us a picture of your view from the condo. I see that you bought there.

 

[aceinthehole]

Well look at your bad self having a great time in Aruba! Have fun and don't worry about us Tuggers freezing in the states

 

[pioneer girl]

Question re Govt Tax

Hi everyone!
I'm here also --- first ever trip to Aruba and loving it. I live on the west coast so getting here took 2 days (had an overnight in the connecting city), but worth the trip -- going back will be one long trip IF we make our 48 min connection).

I've talked to so many guests that have been coming to Aruba for years --- the range has been 9 - 30 years! Some said come here for 2 - 4 weeks at at time. What a great plan!

Anyway, I have a question that the veteran Aruba Marriott timeshare owners can probably tell me. I reviewed my hotel charges last night (I always check BEFORE check-out day) and I noticed there is a $6.50/day govt. tax. Is that really charged on timeshare stays?

I'm a Marriott VC owner, but not in Aruba.

Thanks!!

 

[joyzilli]

Yes, it is.

 

[Zac495]

I love that picture of swinging from Jolly PIrates. As mad as I am about the maintenance fees, your post made me glad I didn't sell for 10K (an offer i thought about).

 

[m61376]

Hi everyone!
I'm here also --- first ever trip to Aruba and loving it. I live on the west coast so getting here took 2 days (had an overnight in the connecting city), but worth the trip -- going back will be one long trip IF we make our 48 min connection).

I've talked to so many guests that have been coming to Aruba for years --- the range has been 9 - 30 years! Some said come here for 2 - 4 weeks at at time. What a great plan!

Anyway, I have a question that the veteran Aruba Marriott timeshare owners can probably tell me. I reviewed my hotel charges last night (I always check BEFORE check-out day) and I noticed there is a $6.50/day govt. tax. Is that really charged on timeshare stays?

I'm a Marriott VC owner, but not in Aruba.

Thanks!!

Glad you're having a great time! The 6.50 is a government tax. 2BR units get charged $7.50 per day. Even though timeshare stays are not subject to the hotel taxes, in some locations there are small occupancy taxes that must be paid regardless of whether you are an owner or exchanger.

 

[pioneer girl]

Yes, it is.

OK. THANKS for the info. Didn't get charged on the Rewards Points portion of the stay, so I thought I would check.

 

[GrayFal]

I love that picture of swinging from Jolly PIrates. As mad as I am about the maintenance fees, your post made me glad I didn't sell for 10K (an offer i thought about).

Yup, that is what it is all about having a good time and making memories.

I hope Joe didn't give his winnings back

 

[MOXJO7282]

Yup, that is what it is all about having a good time and making memories.

I hope Joe didn't give his winnings back

Unfortunately I did, but not all and we walked away $165 on the plus side. It was so much fun at the casinos, even if we lost a few hundred we would've still enjoyed.

The Surf Club, has easily vaulted to my top 3 resorts, behind Maui and GO. Already thinking about our next trip, probably in 2-3 years.

And its really about the resort, not necessarily Aruba, which was nice enough, but without the Surf Club's quality, we probably wouldn't be considering.

We're on the 2nd leg of our trip, at Disney World now, using left over tickets that we've had for 4 years.

 

[MOXJO7282]

Latest pricing and incentives for OS

Latest pricing and incentives proposed to me during my points sales tour;

$34900 for OS - a discount of about $3400 from published pricelist

150,000 points
40,000 points for self referral
174500 points for Marriott Visa purchase which they are allowing
364500 total points

They have no 3BDRM or OF units to sell, and OV, which are so nice I wouldn't consider OS are priced the same because they have much more OS inventory to sell so they are discounting them more.