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Marriott Aruba Beach Resort
Trip Report - Arrival May 21,
2000
Sent in by: Auntyoct@aol.com
I have found the trip reports to be instrumental in planning our recent trip
to Aruba and wanted to share our experiences also. We stayed at the Marriott for 4 nights
starting Sunday, May 21. Arriving via TWA (on time) to the airport which is under alot of
construction, we took a taxi (as recommended) to the hotel. It cost roughly $20 and took
approximately 15 minutes.
As we arrived at the lobby, we were impressed with its beauty but also by the
very helpful staff. We didn't have to wait in line to check in, as someone
came over and immediately helped us with the process. We had arrived earlier than the 4pm
check in but were directed towards the La Vista restaurant and grounds with the promise to
try and get us into the room early. After a quick stroll around the pool, the three gift
shops (which have beach wear, toiletries, food provisions, jewelry and a United Benetton
shop) and a nice lunch we were able to check in at 3.
The room was very clean and simply decorated with a tile floor and very nice
balcony. We were on the 5th floor and just above the palm trees so we had a
good view of the ocean. With a very nice sized closet, minibar, double vanity, plenty of
towels and a safe, the room showed good planning. However, the tile floor doesn't offer
much in terms of noise reduction and we could hear the footsteps of what was most likely
the maid upstairs. It wasn't a problem encountered often though.
With rest and relaxation on my husband's agenda we spent that evening walking down the
beach. We ran into the last few minutes of a private party on the beach near the Hyatt. We
enjoyed a light dinner at the Hyatt's Palms
restaurant on the beach listening to the music from the party and then from
the bar nearby. After hearing about how nice the Hyatt's decor was we walked
through the pool area and lobby. I would say that the Hyatt has a more
enticing pool area than the Marriott featuring caged tropical birds, swans
and a nice view from and into the restaurants. However, I prefer the more
lush, tropical feel of the Marriott's lobby to the more austere Hyatt. We
visited the casino at the Marriott before returning to our room and lost $20
in about as many minutes in the slot machines. It was interesting watching
the crowd though and we did have a few winning pulls.
I awoke early and made my way down to the beach huts around 8:15 Monday
morning. The staff on the beach were helpful in pointing out a hut where I
wanted (as near the beach as possible) and providing the lounge chairs. By
the time I went back upstairs to rouse my husband for breakfast most of the
other huts had been claimed (around 9 am). I had checked into the offered
activites when we arrived and found Merengue lessons were to be offered at 4
on Sunday, however when I called they had been cancelled (although the staff
member offered to set something up the next day for us). I decided however
to try wind-surfing and signed up for a beginner's clinic at the beach ($48/2
hr clinic). So while my husband relaxed, read and ordered his pina-colada, I
attempted to wind-surf. Not too successfully, but alot of fun. Aruba is a
great place to windsurf however, with the constant wind and calm waters and
alot of people were obviously enjoying themselves.
Eating is one of our favorite activities, and I spent a lot of time researching the
options. I made reservations at El Gaucho
over the internet prior to arriving for Monday night. We received a prompt and courteous
confirmation. We took the taxi downtown to the restaurant and were seated immediately.
Unfortunately, the concept of non-smoking areas in restaurants has not reached all of
Aruba but we were moved down wind. I had a sampler plate and my husband enjoyed his steak
immensely. We were very happy with the service and food. The check including a bottle of
wine and dessert was about $100.
I had called the concierge to help make additional reservations. Tuesday we
spent at the pool, and found no problem in getting lounge chairs under an
umbrella, although other couples were making their way around as the shade
moved. As my husband again enjoyed his reading and pina colada, I joined in
the water aerobics class which was more fun than work. I rented a float from
the towel area and visited the pool bar. That afternoon we went to a presentation on the
Marriott's Ocean Club promotion. We actually enjoyed the presentation and thought the
offer was quite good but decided to decline and reconsider when our finances are more
stable. For our incentive, we picked out tickets to the "Hot Tickets" show at the downtown
Sonesta and were given a certificate to present at the box office. We arranged to rent a
car from Economy
and with a coupon we got an airconditioned, manual transmission Toyota for approximately
$33/day. The representative picked us up from the hotel within an hour of us calling, and
we went to their office for the paper work. We took the car downtown for our reservations
at Three Little Birds. It was the highlight of our dining experiences in Aruba. I could
not recommend it more other than to say do not miss dining here. For an appetizer I had
the foie gras, while my husband enjoyed his favorite, escargot. The entrees we picked out
from their chalkboard menu were the lobster and lamb. I had the torte tatin for dessert
and my husband, who sually forgoes dessert couldn't help himself and ordered an ice cream
dessert with a liquor sauce. The restaurant sits on top of a roof under a canvas awning of
a building undergoing some remodeling. It is small (about 10 tables), has an inviting
tropical decor with a calming indoor(?) water element and is located on a one-way street
across from the Little Switzerland. The chefs are from Belgium and the Dominican Republic
and have created a wonderful culinary experience. Again, the service was prompt and very
helpful and our check including a bottle of wine and dessert was about $150. After dinner
we drove the few blocks over to the Sonesta for that evenings show of "Hot Tickets". Unfortunately, one of
their lead acts, a white tiger was cancelled and one couple took up the offer of
reimbursing their ticket price. We and about 100 other people enjoyed the rest of the show
(about 1 1/2 hr). We had heard a disparaging remark from a couple from New York who were
used to Broadway quality shows, but for free entertainment, we weren't complaining.
The concierge had unsuccessfully attempted to make reservations for my
husband and I to attend a golf clinic at Tierra del Sol which was offered a
few times a week. Undaunted, I called directly and someone at the Pro Shop
arranged for us to have a lesson Wednesday morning. We both enjoyed
ourselves thoroughly. We had never played 'real' golf before and got a 1 1/2
hr great lesson on driving and putting, a golf cart and lunch for about $40/person. The
views of the island from Tierra del Sol (about 15 minute
trip from the high-rise hotels) were great and you can see the lighthouse
from the Resort. Lunch at the Ventanas del Mar was also very nice and worth
the trip out there just for that and the view. After our lunch, we headed
out to see the rest of the island. With compass and road map in hand, we
drove down to see the Rock formations, stopping to pick up some souveniers.
We then headed out to find the Natural Bridge. We ran into a couple of jeep
tours along the way in addition to a crew of workers fixing telephone lines
so we were able to find our way relatively easily. After some ice cream and
soft drinks, we drove down to find Baby Beach.
The days trip had been
involved, but not impossible, however I did feel sorry for those running
around in topless, and unairconditioned jeeps. By the time we got to Baby Beach
which is recommended for snorkeling and shallow waters the winds had picked up (usually
happens in the afternoons) and the views of the fish and coral reefs were not as good
(especially if you don't have the snorkeling
equipment like me!). Still there were plently of people from the snorkeling
tours enjoying themselves and I could make out some fish swimming around.
We made our way back up to the hotel around 5 pm in time to change and get back down to
the southern part of the island for our last night. We had
reservations for the Flying Fishbone which is down the street from Brisas del
Mar (so follow the signs!). While the ambiance was the best of the restaurants we visited
(tables are primarily on the beach, candles flicker,
boats docked float peacefully in the water and a cat lazily makes its way
around the tables) the food was unfortunately mediocre. I had the specials
of the day, curry shrimp soup followed by Blackened Mahi-Mahi. My husband
again had lobster. Service was friendly, but when we asked for a dessert
menu we sat for about 20 minutes and then gave up. By that time, most of the other diners
had departed and so we headed off. The check came to about $130.
Thursday was the day for departure and the only day we saw any rain. It
started as a very light sprinkle and never made it to a real shower before we
left. While the clouds do tend to linger around the island to various degrees, I guess
rain is relatively uncommon. After some souvenir shopping at the nearby mall (very nice
toy shop inside the mall near the Hong King (?)
food store mall, at the hotels). We attempted to find gas to fill up our car
(not that we had made much of a dent in the tank). Be advised that there are
not a lot of gas stations on the island (or at least it seems so when you are
running late for the plane). There are however 3 Wendy's on the Happy Island
(sorry inside joke). By the time we got to the airport, dropped off our car
at the office across the street and made it through customs, etc. we didn't
make our flight. Enter the infamous Air Aruba.
We sat with some very
disgruntled vacationeers trying to make it back home. They had been moved
from one gate to another and by the time the plane arrived, to the cheers of
the gate personnel, had been waiting for at least 3 hours to board. Not
taking into account the suggested 2 hours prior to boarding time recommended for
international flights, you have a long wait at the airport. I was not happy, but my
husband had to get back immediately so we commiserated with everyone else and boarded. The
flight crew was excellent however and very apologetic. If you like promptness though, try
another airline.
The standouts in Aruba were the hotel, good restaurants, great weather,
beaches and people. Downs were the prices, lengthy flights (we came from
TN), lots of dirt and rocks and lack of vegetation (I really like that tropical look) and
roads. All in all we really had a good time and I would recommend a trip here.
Auntyoct@aol.com
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