Checked flights to Aruba, and they seem to be the cheapest as well...So, starting at the airport, lead us in the right direction. If it's all-inclusive, that's fine, if not, any recommendations from hotels to dining and entertainment would be great...5-7 day stay.
DO NOT DO ALL INCLUSIVE, there are too many awesome restaurants on the island to lock yourself in.
We prefer to stay in the high rise section as oppose to the low rise. Calm waters which make relaxing in the water with a drink in your hand easy. Also within walking distance of a lot of activity.
Our favorite hotel
Our favorite hotel in the high rise section is the Divi Phoenix. It's at the very end of the strip, it's quite with a lot less traffic. When you stay at the other resorts, there's a lot more activity and usually a battle to get chairs and canopies. But you can't go wrong with any of them, it's all about location location location.
The hotels on the beach in that area include
Divi Phoenix
Ritz Carlton (brand new)
Marriott Vacation Club
Holiday Inn (looks older)
Playa Linda (looks like a fun place)
Hyatt (we've stayed here, very nice)
The Divi, Marriott & Playa Linda are all timeshares, usually have more space and a kitchen.
In the low rise, which is more "European", Becuti Beach Resort is very nice as is the Divi Golf Resort if you like golfing (Divi Golf is across the street from the beach)
let me know if you have any more questions on resorts
I give you the restaurant guide another time
We go to Aruba every other year, we're going this August for 17 days or so
at the Divi Phoenix, try to get a room in the newer building, you might have to talk to somebody to make sure
the Tower, which is older, is nice and has better views, but I like the newer and larger facilities more (you're going to have great views your entire stay)
the Tower, which is older, is nice and has better views, but I like the newer and larger facilities more (you're going to have great views your entire stay)
how does this tipping tactic work. Before you check in you slip the bill to the receptionist? Do you say anything or ask anything? Can you eloborate. Do you tip and ask for upgrade or do you tip and take a chance and leave it up to the receptionist.
I was in vegas a while back on a standard room in bellagio and i asked the girl if she takes tips and she said sure with a smile...i handed a 50 and told her to hook me up with upgrades but she said she cant do it. she gaveme some usless coupons instead that i never used.
I think I will head to St. Maarten in March. Do i get a 5 star luxury all inclusive for 1 week (it has 7 restaurants) or is it better to do non inclusive? I stayed in some of the top all inclusive resorts in Punta Cana and Cancun but the food was no ware close to 5 star....it was all about quantity and variety rather than quality. I was surprised many praising this food...don't get me wrong, the food is decent but no where near 5 star or even 4 star. I am guessing most people who go to all inclusive are middle class and they get get excited when they see the sheer volume and variety of food and hype it up. But ST. Maartern is more of first world island.....so anyone with experience let me know. Should go with all inclusive or non?
St Maarten has many amazing restaurants and great beaches to see all over the island. It's another place I would not lock myself in with an all inclusive
Plus liquor there is pretty cheap too, just hit the local store
There are places you have to do all inclusive, like the Riviera Maya and Jamaica, but NOT Aruba and NOT St Maarten
Cancun is a total shit hole - all chain restaurants and the white trash capital of the world - I wouldn't go for free - now 40 mins down the road Playa del Carmen is nice
Going to the DR Wednesday for golf: Corrales, Punta Espada, Teeth of the Dog and Dye Fore
But I agree - nothing tops Virginia Beach
Going to the DR Wednesday for golf: Corrales, Punta Espada, Teeth of the Dog and Dye Fore
But I agree - nothing tops Virginia Beach
