First trip to Aruba - trading with II

[quezsmith]

Hey Guys,
We are looking to trade our florida timeshare for a week in Aruba. We have never been so we need all kinds of advice. When is the best time to go? We would love to go in March or April 2020. I can currently see a few options for trade in May 2020 (Marriott's Aruba Surf Club, Marriott's Aruba Ocean Club, Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, Eagle Aruba Resort & Casino, Caribbean Palm Village, Paradise Beach Villas) I would love your feedback please!!!
~jan

 

[alwysonvac]

Where to stay
“Aruba Question on which resort” (Feb 2018) - https://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?threads/aruba-question-on-which-resort.270438/
TUG Timeshare Ranking & Reviews - https://tug2.com/timeshare-resorts/default.aspx?Caribbean-Aruba&area=7&group=67

Best time to travel to Aruba

• https://travel.usnews.com/Aruba/When_To_Visit/
• https://www.visitaruba.com/traveling-to-aruba/when-to-travel/
• https://www.frommers.com/destinations/aruba/planning-a-trip/when-to-go

For timeshare exchanges, January through March is high demand time (which means less availability for trading). Easter is in April next year (4/12/20) so the weeks before and might be difficult to get an exchange as well unless you own at a sister resort which has a priority booking window in Interval International (II). For example, all Marriott owners trading in II will have access to Marriott deposits into Interval International for several weeks before they are released to II’s general public for trading. Higher demand weeks are booked by a Marriott owner during their priority booking window.

According to II’s travel demand table, availability in Aruba will increase starting the week after Easter (see week 16 below).

 

[dmbrand]

Aruba is one happy island, so I don’t think there is a bad time to go.

We were there in early May, 2013 at the Surf Club. The trade winds had died that week, so it was very hot during the day..90s. That wouldn’t stop me from returning again. Lazy river is great and the restaurants around the Palm Beach area were plentiful. There are great snorkel sites throughout the island, so you may want to rent a car.

We also stayed one night at Eagle Aruba Resort(old Tropicana) last December, after disembarking from a cruise. They have been renovating, and the one bedroom we had was perfect for us. It is a bit strange walking through the La Cabana Resort to get to Eagle beach, but everyone is having such a great time that we are barely noticeable. That said, we prefer Eagle beach over Palm beach, so when we trade in again, we try for La Cabana, Paradise Beach Villas, or Eagle Aruba Resort.

If you are a walking fiend like us...there is a combo road/path that takes you all the way from Eagle Beach to Palm Beach, through and past several resorts. We did this to have dinner at Moombas on the beach; we felt safe and comfortable as a pair....don’t do this alone though.

 

[quezsmith]

Thank you so much for all of the info! I think we will go with Surf club (May 2020)!! Do the studios have a fridge? How close is the nearest liquor store? We love to explore so should we rent a car ahead of time or wait until we are ready to use it? Many Many thanks.

 

[turkel]

Definitely rent a car if you like to explore. Preferably a Jeep so you can explore the back of the island. Cheapest Jeeps are from Royal. Now they aren’t new, think rent a wreck, but as my husband said since their not nice and new you can drive it like you stole it on the dunes and off road in the national park. Other rental companies say you can’t drive in the park .
I just sent a coworker to the Surf Club every time she sees me she raves about how wonderful the resort was.

 

[quezsmith]

Definitely rent a car if you like to explore. Preferably a Jeep so you can explore the back of the island. Cheapest Jeeps are from Royal. Now they aren’t new, think rent a wreck, but as my husband said since their not nice and new you can drive it like you stole it on the dunes and off road in the national park. Other rental companies say you can’t drive in the park .
I just sent a coworker to the Surf Club every time she sees me she raves about how wonderful the resort was.

Awesome!! Thank you so much. Have you ever stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Beach Resort and Hotel? I'm so torn on where to stay. I should probably just grab the Marriott while I have the chance!
Also - for the jeep rental, should I book it in advance? Are the prices on the website for Royal good? Looks like about $500/week.

I can't thank you enough!!!!!

 

[turkel]

I have never stayed at the Ren. But have driven by it,many times. Although not a Marriott ( and I am a Marriott owner) I would stay there if given the chance.

To stay outside of Marriott costs more in trading fees for me so I have only stayed at the Surf Club and Ocean Club. We like both for different reasons.

I have always booked from Royal on their website and received email confirmation,no issues. They usually advertise 20% off so $400 a week is what we have paid. Expensive for old and yucky looking but soooo worth it!

 

[Successful4life]

This review is a little late, but we stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Beach Resort and Hotel this year during the week of July 4th. Also, we stayed the 2nd week at Divi Phoenix. The Renaissance is very nice, within walking distance to shopping and good eats. There are 3 or 4 restaurants in the hotel. One is an overpriced steakhouse (not worth the money).

The resort is not on a beach, but there is a marina across the street and they have a private beach island which a boat runs every 15 minutes to and fro. Their private island is beautiful with its own restaurant. The beach is not overly crowded. There are pelicans that walk up and you can feed them. You will not be disappointed at the Renaissance. I hope this helps.

 

[quezsmith]

Thank you!!

 

[rboesl]

You've been given a lot of good information here. But, most of the recommendations have been for the high rise section of the resort area. And, as they already told you, there's lots of restaurants off the resort properties. We own at Divi Golf & Beach Resort which is in the low rise section which is closer to town. We like it there because even a studio gives you a full kitchen and in room laundry. Plus, you get to use the restaurants at that resort plus the 3 sister resorts that are a short walk away. That gives you a selection of 8 or 9 different restaurants and 5 or 6 pools.