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February Aruba trip

GregT

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Marriott: Maui Ocean Club Lahaina Villas (3BRx5), Ko Olina, Shadow Ridge II, Willow Ridge, Aruba Ocean Club, DC Points HGVC: Flamingo, Sea World, I-Drive, Starwood Bella (x4), SDO, TradeWinds, Worldmark
All,

Jonell and I are going to Aruba in February and I'm starting to think about the trip. From a search of previous threads, it looks like TUGgers are split on whether or not renting a car is necessary, so a few questions:

1) Are there good/excellent restraurants within 10-15 minute walking distance
2) Are there well-known beaches that we'll want to visit that will require a car rental to reach (or does Ocean Club have a shuttle/similar?)
3) If we don't rent a car, I understand there is a shuttle from the airport to Ocean Club? Is it dedicated Marriott, or is a company?
4) Are there any excursions that are "must-do" for a first time Aruba visitor?
5) Is there a grocery store that is easy walking distance to stock up?
6) We're in a Studio unit at Ocean Club, does that have a full size or half size refrigerator?

Please advise -- our standard vacation formula for one of our Couples trips is spend about half of the days at the beach/pool doing very little, and the other half doing some sort of excursion around the island(s). I assume that Aruba lends itself well to this type of vacation?

Thanks very much!

Greg
 

mcm21078

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Thats the first time I've heard of a shuttle from the airport but I own at the Surf Club. Maybe it is specific to Ocean Club? We prefer to rent a car because you can get them for about $200/week and we usually spend close to that in taxi fare anyway. Its $30 plus tip to and from the airport so thats $60 right there. There aren't any grocery stores within walking distance that I know of. There's a mini-mart by the shops in back of the hotel that sell drinks and snacks. The studio's in Surf Club have a small dorm type fridge. Baby Beach is the only beach other than Palm Beach that I have been to and its a 40 minute ride. Bring cash if you go there because they do not accept CC's for hut rental, snorkels, food etc. We barely had enough $ to get a hut and we would have been screwed because it would have been unbearable without one. As for excursions I've done the TomCars, Mi Dushi, Kookookanuka (bus tour) and have rented a jetski a few times. Most everything is advertised along the beach or in the hotel lobby. There are obv. tons of restaurant reviews on here but I'd definitely go to Madame Jennette's and if you rent a car, Flying Fishbone. You could do that and Baby Beach in the same day since they are pretty close.
 

siesta

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All,

Jonell and I are going to Aruba in February and I'm starting to think about the trip. From a search of previous threads, it looks like TUGgers are split on whether or not renting a car is necessary, so a few questions:

1) Are there good/excellent restraurants within 10-15 minute walking distance
2) Are there well-known beaches that we'll want to visit that will require a car rental to reach (or does Ocean Club have a shuttle/similar?)
3) If we don't rent a car, I understand there is a shuttle from the airport to Ocean Club? Is it dedicated Marriott, or is a company?
4) Are there any excursions that are "must-do" for a first time Aruba visitor?
5) Is there a grocery store that is easy walking distance to stock up?
6) We're in a Studio unit at Ocean Club, does that have a full size or half size refrigerator?

Please advise -- our standard vacation formula for one of our Couples trips is spend about half of the days at the beach/pool doing very little, and the other half doing some sort of excursion around the island(s). I assume that Aruba lends itself well to this type of vacation?

Thanks very much!

Greg

I will say a rental car is not necessary for a visit to Aruba, but it does allow the more experienced traveler to get off the beaten path.

1) there are restaraunts within walking distance, and also a short/cheap cab ride away.

2) Obviously Palm and Eagle Beach are the main ones. some others are Malmok, Arashi, and Baby beach. Malmok is the best spot on the island to scuba/snorkle, the water is so clear you can see the SS Antilla shipwreck with snorkles.

3) i dont know about the Marriott shuttle

4) tripadivosr "things to do list" is good to check and see what interests you an your travel companion. Donkey Sanctuary is a fun to check out.

5) Ling and Sons is the main one, you should stop on the way to resort if possible.

6) dont know

Have fun.
 
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EKniager

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We, too, are going to Aruba in February. It will be our 4th time in 6 years and we have never rented a car. Whether it is Lings & Sons or Tierra Del Sol or downtown, the taxi service has worked out just fine for us. We walk from the Marriott area down to the windmill/Westin/Aruhiba cigar shop end of the beach regularly. The new, nearby strip mall also provides restaurants, movies, and shopping to the neighborhood that are only a block away.

Have a great time!
 

ilene13

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Hi Greg,
We own at the Ocean Club and there is no shuttle from the airport. This is year 27 for us and we always rent a car-- it is very convenient. There are some good restaurants within walking distance but you must drive or taxi it to some of the best. Such as Madame Jeannettes, Swiss Chalet, Screaming Eagle, El Gaucho, Yemanja Grill, Chef's Table. You need to find out if you are in an actual 1 bedroom unit or the lock-off from a two bedroom. If it's the lock off it is a small refrigerator if it's a one bedroom it's a full sized one.
Ling and Sons is a good grocery store but you can't walk there. If you have any other questions send me a pm. Also if you are going president's week you will need to make dinner reservations soon.:cheer:
 

m61376

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Renting versus taking cabs is probably a wash, but I like the convenience of having a car at my disposal. If you rent a car, definitely go to Flying Fishbone for dinner.

Another nice thing not mentioned is taking a sunset sail. We did that a few years ago and really enjoyed it. While we haven't done it, the ABC Jeep tour is supposed to be a lot of fun too. Besides vegging at the pool or beach, the three beaches mentioned just a couple of miles N of the resort are great for snorkeling, and Baby Beach is a beautiful beach as well, although we didn't love it enough to make it a must do. Of course, your wife may enjoy some shopping downtown; not sure how much you'll appreciate it though ;) . There are some very nice jewelry stores- enough said!

Lots of great restaurants, and while some are within walking distance, either grab a cab or rent a car so as to enjoy some of the better ones that aren't really walkable.

While the studios have the half frig. and just a microwave, coffeemaker and toaster, there are grills on site so if you want to barbecue it's easy. We generally do that 2 nights just to break up the daily going out to dinner., although you can easily go to a good restaurant every night for two weeks let alone one.

Although the OC doesn't have the Lazy River, you may want to bring floats or tubes for lounging in the ocean; many people do.

Since Feb. can be busy there, I would suggest making dinner reservations in advance, although the last few years the restaurants have generally not been booked.

I must say that while there are sites to see, Aruba really does entice one to veg, at least for us. The cooling breeze and the warm sun are a perfect combo and it is the only place that I actually enjoy planting myself down and reading a book, enjoying the water or long walks on the beach. Usually my hubbie has always needed a vacation from one of my vacations, they are so packed full of things to do/see, but Aruba is conducive to just relaxing.
 

puckmanfl

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good evening...

Greg...

When are you going??? My brother owns Pres. week at SC and will be there with his 2 cash drains!!!!

puck...
 

amycurl

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We're really big fans of the Arubus. :) Usually, we might rent a car for one day to get off the beaten track to places like Baby Beach. But if you're planning to spend half of your time at the resort, I don't think you'll need a car each day. Plenty of restaurants are easily gotten to for cheaper.
 

GregT

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All,

Thank you very much for the excellent feedback and recommendations! I'm very excited for the trip and we will likely rent a car. I must have misunderstand a shuttle comment from a previous thread.

If other TUGgers are there (including Puck's brother), we'll be at Aruba Ocean Club Feb 10-Feb 17. I know Marilyn will be next door at the same time and we hope to meet her and her family for an island drink.

I really like the recurring theme of relaxation in Aruba -- because that's what we really like to do on our trips when its just Jonell and me. And yes...we'll shop too....I need to bring back a beautiful momento from the trip!

Thanks all again -- we are indeed staying on the Studio side of a lock-off unit, and when we hit day 59, I'll start calling to look to see if I can get a 1BR in Flex.

We are looking forward to it -- and please keep the suggestions coming. This is actually an important trip (from an evaluation perspective), because we've found spots we really like in the USVI, and we hope to learn if we like Aruba as much. I hope so!!!

Best,

Greg
 

m61376

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Greg-
:) I'd be happy to give you (or Jonell) some recommendations for places to shop:wave: And, yes, it will be nice to meet up.

I think you'll be glad you rented a car- it does give a bit more freedom. I have friends who come down all the time and never rented, but did last time on our recommendation and will again in the future. The island is very easy to get around. Street signs are limited, but the concierge has great maps to the restaurants with landmarks indicated making it very easy to find your way. Just so you know, cars tend to well used there, so if you care you might want to arrange to rent from one of the companies that offer "new" models; several began to offer that option last year and it was nice to have a car that was in good condition. Esp. since you're not in the US, keep in mind that the $25 per rental Amex insurance plan is in effect in Aruba, so if you have an Amex you might want to sign up for that for peace of mind.

Hope you enjoy the island as much as we do. I traded our summer week last year with a Starwood owner, whose family loved it so much they were thinking about purchasing a unit. It is just an easy vacation. Residents are friendly and you feel safe, unlike some of the other Caribbean islands unfortunately.

Make sure to make 6:30 reservations at Flying Fishbone to catch the sunset; there are several on the beach restaurants, but that's a favorite of ours.
 
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dioxide45

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We took our first trip to Aruba in September, and while I agree that a car isn't a necessity, it sure was great to have for convenience. There were not many places that I would consider walkable. If you want groceries, you need a car. If you want to go to any other beach than that in front of your resort, you need a car. If you want Taco Bell :D , you need a car. That car is either a taxi or a rental.

We found that we were able to drive to most things we wanted to see on the island in a couple days. With a regular car you are limited in where you can go as many places require a Jeep or 4x4.

Oh and that Donkey Sanctuary. First it was very hard to find, and when we did find it, we discovered a narrow gravel driveway that had about a 50% grade decline and was washed out. Lets just say we didn't chance it in our small compact car from Alamo.
 
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classiclincoln

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For what it's worth, I'd get a car. If you want to go to the downtown shopping area, you can take a bus or taxi, but you need to schelp all the stuff back with you. Also, there are some really great restaurants in the downtown area. We own at the Ren and have always rented a car; like others, we like the convenience.

If you do rent a car, get a jeep. That way you can go on the north side of the island where the scenery is great. We hop on by the lighthouse and head down past the fort and natural bridge. If you get off at the natural bridge, you go past the ostrich farm, which is a nice place to stop and have a meal or drink (or do the tour if you've never done it). Also, go to the Aruba Aloe factory; you can take a tour and get the best aloe products in the world (says wifey).

Some restaurants we like in the downtown area are Gostoso's, Mirandi (go for a sunset dinner), Que Pasa (not Mexican) and Yumanji. Casa Tua Barcelona is a neat Tapas place, and I hear their sister place Casa Tua Mediterranean (high rise area) is also good. Also some good places at the Marketplace; the mall next to the Ren timeshare property (not the Ren Mall next to the hotel).

Check out the Visitaruba.com website and consider getting the Visit Aruba card. It give all kinds of discounts on food, tours, car rental and shopping. Well worth it.

Stu
 

sparty

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For what it's worth, I'd get a car. If you want to go to the downtown shopping area, you can take a bus or taxi, but you need to schelp all the stuff back with you. Also, there are some really great restaurants in the downtown area. We own at the Ren and have always rented a car; like others, we like the convenience.

If you do rent a car, get a jeep. That way you can go on the north side of the island where the scenery is great. We hop on by the lighthouse and head down past the fort and natural bridge. If you get off at the natural bridge, you go past the ostrich farm, which is a nice place to stop and have a meal or drink (or do the tour if you've never done it). Also, go to the Aruba Aloe factory; you can take a tour and get the best aloe products in the world (says wifey).

Some restaurants we like in the downtown area are Gostoso's, Mirandi (go for a sunset dinner), Que Pasa (not Mexican) and Yumanji. Casa Tua Barcelona is a neat Tapas place, and I hear their sister place Casa Tua Mediterranean (high rise area) is also good. Also some good places at the Marketplace; the mall next to the Ren timeshare property (not the Ren Mall next to the hotel).

Check out the Visitaruba.com website and consider getting the Visit Aruba card. It give all kinds of discounts on food, tours, car rental and shopping. Well worth it.

Stu

Just remember - if it looks like you've been to the beach and you want to take a cab - most cabs will refuse to take you anywhere.

I used the bus between the Marriott and downtown a lot. It was quick and I think 25 or 50 cents. Made easy access to shopping and restaurants.
 
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