Aruba Trip Report - Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino

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Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

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Aruba Trip Report - Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino
July 1 - July 8, 2000
Sent in by: Larry & Cathy

This was our first trip to Aruba, but it won't be our last. It was our honeymoon, so we wanted it to be perfect and it was with the help of other trip reports we read. We chose Apple Vacations because they flew direct from Pittsburgh and were the least expensive.

Saturday - July 1
Left Pittsburgh at 7:10 AM and arrived in Aruba on UPS (United Parcel Service) airlines at 11:20 AM (on schedule). Customs was no problem. The Apple Vacations representative met us at the exit to the airport to help us with transportation. We had decided to rent a car, so we walked across the street where all of the car rental places are lined up side by side. We had planned to use Budget (no air, standard transmission for $136 a week) based upon Internet research we had done. As we were walking towards Budget, a man approached us from Top Drive Car Rental. He offered us a weekly rental for $225, so we turned him down. Then he lowered it to $200 and finally $175. When he told us that this was for an air conditioned, automatic transmission car, we went for it. The paperwork took less than 10 minutes and we were on
our way to the Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino.

We got lost, but soon found our way again. How long can you be lost on an island this small? We checked in at the front desk at about 12:30 PM and were told that our room would not be ready until 3:30 PM. To kill some time, we went over to the Marriott Ocean Club tour desk to sign up with Theolinda Richardson for our tour and presentation (they give you a $100 credit to be used at different restaurants, shopping, casinos, etc.). She asked us what our room number was and when we told her that we didn't have one yet, she picked up the phone and made a call to the front desk. We had our room within 15 minutes. We had asked for the deluxe ocean view, which we got. It was on the side facing town and the other hotels. We wanted one that faced the inside of our hotel overlooking the pool area. We asked for a different room and were moved the next day. The Marriott staff moved everything while we were at the pool.

The Aruba Marriott is a fabulous hotel, the best on the island. The staff is extremely accommodating, friendly, and always smiling. As it says on their automobile license plates, this is "One Happy Island". Our room was great. King size bed, living area, big balcony, a large bathroom with double sinks, and a safe with a user changeable combination. The only problem was we couldn't turn the air conditioning down low enough, so we just turned it off at night and still stayed plenty cool. The staff was always constantly cleaning the lobby, grounds, etc.

Changed into our swimsuits and went to the pool. Very nice. Water temp was just right for when you got hot and wanted to cool off. Nice swim up bar or they would come by your lounge chairs and take your order. Drinks were about $4.50 - $5.50 each. However, we brought our own wine from home so we took our own bottle (you could buy Merlot and Cabernet in the gift shop for $14.75 a bottle) to the pool most of the afternoons and then just waited for our 4:00 Happy Hour at the beach and had 2/1 drinks until 6:00 PM. This was an afternoon ritual---live Caribbean music, dancing and sometimes snacking.

Dinner at Pavarotti's. Very quaint, romantic, private, excellent service. Table music by roaming guitarist and accordion player. My wife had Manicotti ($13.00) and I had veal ($22.00). Bottle of wine complimentary because it was our Honeymoon. Were given 10% discount coupons upon leaving to give to others.

We got the Visit Aruba Plus card for $10.00 off the Internet and picked up the One Cool Honeymoon card at the hotel--both gave us valuable discounts.

Went back to the hotel casino, played blackjack (Las Vegas rules) and won $40.00.

Sunday - July 2
Slept in, went to the pool, 4:00-5:00 PM happy hour on the beach and at 7:30 PM dinner at Madame Jeannette. New restaurant, just over 1 year old, off the beaten path, very romantic, unique, one-of-a-kind, great service, no air conditioning, sit under covered area with tile floor or open air on white stones (we chose the latter). Lots of trees with little white lights. Got free honeymoon drink (Kir Royale) which was champagne with sugar on rim of glass, a cherry and some kind of liquer---really different---a must see restaurant. My wife had grilled grouper ($14.00) very tender and well seasoned and I had the seafood trio (Mahi Mahi, shrimp and lobster $24.50). The food was absolutely excellent! Wonderful dining experience, reasonably priced wine.

Went back to the hotel casino, which was packed. Dennis Miller (the comedian) was playing the $50.00 minimum blackjack table. We couldn't get on a blackjack table, so we went to bed early.

Monday - July 3
Got up early, went over to the Marriott Ocean Club for our vacation package/tour. Received our voucher (after approx. 1 1/2 hrs. of presentation).

Went to the pool and walked on the beach. Skipped happy hour and went downtown to the Seaport Mall and shopped. Back to the hotel casino, won $45.00 at blackjack.

Dinner at El Gaucho (downtown). We had heard about this restaurant from other trip reports and folks we met on the island. All was true! Very good food, large quantities. My wife had the seafood medley and I had one of the El Gaucho steak dinners (total bill $65.00). Back to our casino and won $60.00 at blackjack. Dennis Miller still at the same table (all by himself again) still playing.

Tuesday - July 4
Coffee at TCBY in our hotel. Went downtown shopping, best prices off the main street, back to the pool. 5:30-6:30 Manager's reception, free drinks and drawings for prizes.

Twinklebones, Caribbean dancing show and dinner. Food was just OK, reasonably priced, service was slow. However, show was fun, audience participation.

Wednesday - July 5
Coffee and juice at TCBY. Drove to the California Lighthouse and the drive there was fascinating. Much to see, at the lighthouse (one of the highest points on the island) the view was incredible. Took many pictures. From there, drove to the Alto Vista Chapel. Again the scenery was breathtaking from the chapel and it was a very quaint, must-see attraction. Took pictures both inside and outside the chapel. Saw lots of beautiful flowers, cactus, huge rocks and scenery on the drive. Stopped and bought gas ($3.10 a gal.)

Went back to our pool. 4:00-6:00 PM happy hour. Got ready for dinner early so we stopped by our casino and won $60.00 at blackjack. 8:00 dinner at Ole at the Hyatt Regency hotel. Very romantic, guitar player, excellent food and
service ($100.00 with tip). Went downtown and bar hopped. Stopped by Iguana Joe's, sat upstairs and drank island beer (Balashi). We sat above one of the busiest intersections and to watch the way islanders drive was very entertaining, to say the least. Went to Carlos and Charlie's (packed) very small, very loud, lots of teenager---didn't stay long. Went back to the casino and lost $90.00.

Thursday - July 6
Coffee, juice and rolls at TCBY. Went back to town for a little more shopping and then drove to the other end of the island (San Nicolas) on a little sightseeing tour of our own. Very educational. Island very different at the other end. Seemed as though we saw the poor side of the island there. Lots of factories, oil refineries. Did, however, find the Balashi Beer Brewery. Followed our map and came back a different route through Santa Cruz and Paradera. Lots of rugged scenery. Went back to our pool---very thirsty after this trip.

Dinner at Three Little Birds. Rooftop dining, extremely romantic, small, quaint, dimly lit, candles and moonlight, menu on blackboards. Mahi Mahi and Salmon were great! ($75.00 with wine). Walked to our Hot Tickets show (which was very close to our restaurant). Located in the Seaport Mall. The show was a mini Vegas show and at the end of the 1 1/2 hour entertainment they coaxed out a white Bengal Tiger. His trainer gave factual information regarding white Bengals and had a question and answer session with the audience.

Friday - July 7
Snorkeling trip (1/2 day). Went to 3 locations---all good, 2nd one was a shipwreck site. Lots of fish, coral, etc. Open bar, sandwiches and fresh fruit were served on the boat (included in the package). Pool and happy hour. Walked on the beach. Got ready for dinner and went to the casino (won $30.00). Dinner at Tuscany's in the Marriott (used our $100.00 coupon). Great food, wonderful service and atmosphere ($130.00 with wine and coffee). Went to the casino and lost $100.00. Last walk around hotel grounds, feeling very sad it was our last night on the island.

Saturday - July 8
Woke up early to pack, had to be at the airport 2 hours before departure. (It's a good idea to call the airport in the morning to find out if flight is on time or delayed). Did that, drove to the airport, turned in the car ($175 for the week and no more for taxes or extra service charges) and checked in at 10:30----long lines, much waiting, cleared immigration and customs for
both Aruba and the U.S. Our flight was to depart at 12:30 but we were over 1/2 hour late. Because our flight was full (113 passengers) we had to make a fuel stop in Orlando, FL. Arrived there at approximately 4:00 PM and sat in a bad storm on the runway for 1 1/2 hours. They shut down the engines to save the fuel we had just filled up with. Finally took off at approximately 5:30 PM and arrived in Pittsburgh at 7:30 PM. Got our luggage without much waiting at all.

Summary
Fabulous trip. Already planning to go again. Lots and lots of fun things to see and do. Met lots of people that had been there multiple times (some as many as 5-6 times). Great places to eat. Dining was not as expensive as we had been led to believe and dress was very casual. We had read that some restaurants and casinos required men to wear jackets (wrong!). People were wearing nice shorts and Dockers at the most expensive places we went. Some people dressed up, but it was not required. We over packed thinking we would have to dress up more.

Reservations for dinner and excursion trips are a really good idea. The hotel consiere will take care of everything for you and save you $0.75 per phone call. They take American money everywhere and almost always give you American money in change.

Can't say enough good things about the Aruba Marriott.

Weather is hot (about 84 every day and 70 at night) and very windy. Wear lots of sunscreen and hats (not the wide brimmed kind - they blow away). Saw lots of people sunburned.

Make sure that you get to the airport early. It takes well over an hour to do everything.

We have been to several Caribbean islands and places in Mexico, but this is the best overall location that we have found. The people are all so very friendly. They speak to you first and are very pleasant. We were told that there is 0 crime and 0 unemployment. You feel very safe everywhere that you go. Can't wait to go back.

If you would like additional information, please send us an email at LEBlair@EarthLink.net

Larry & Cathy