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Marriott Ocean Club Trip Report
November 3 - 11, 2000
Sent in by: Tim Horgan
We used this site a great deal as we prepared for our trip, so it's only fair that we
share our experiences with other readers.
We had a great time--and we can't wait to go back. We bought the time-share
from Marriott despite the fact we'd never been to Aruba (don't ask, a long story), and we
were a little apprehensive. We shouldn't have been . The accomodations at the Ocean Club
were first-rate. I'd expected a glorified one room hotel room--and it was actually a very
nice one bedroom suite. There is a lot of room, with a good sized dining room/kitchen area
with all the things you'd need to prepare meals (or at least, in our cases, breakfast and
snacks), a good sized bedroom complete with whirlpool, bath, and the balcony, which in our
case overlooked the pool andhad a pretty good peek at the ocean. Everything is new, and
everything worked as we'd expected. Very nice.
We arrived totally exhaused from lives that have been way too hectic, and
desperately in need of a good rest. After a few days we settled into a routine
that involved getting up late in the morning, eating a light breakfast in the
room (there's a mini-grocery downstairs with cereal, snacks, newspapers --pricey, maybe,
but very convenient). Spent 15 minutes liberally applying sunscreen, and left the building
a little after noon, and spending however long it took to stroll down the beach, which is
about a mile long, maybe a bit more. On the way there are people to gawk at, all sorts of
water activities (it was much busier the further we headed away from the Marriott), and
when we felt like it we'd dive in the water. And the water was wonderful - the perfect
temperature, crystal clear, a bit salty, but... ahhhhh! We'd reach the end, take a swim,
start the walk back, and on the way we'd stop at one (or more) of the bars that are on
piers that jut out into the water. Very relaxed places, great place to have a beer, or
marguerita, watch the world go by. By the time we got back to the Marriott it was mid to
late afternoon, we were easily able to find chairs under one of the trees, I'd go round up
a "bucket" of cold beer and ice from the bar (provided it was happy hour by then
- half price!), and we'd get our books, keep track of water events, and watch the sun
settle over the ocean.
Try that for 4-5 days in a row, ending each with dinner somewhere, and it's the perfect
prescription for burnout.
We tried some of the places others have recommended. Chez Mathilde was
wonderful, although pricey, but very classy. We did not rent a car (who needed it?), so we
took cabs to dinner. Brisas del Mar was okay, but a long ride. Tuscanys at the Marriott
was very good, but one of the most expensive meals I'd had in a long time (and I travel a
lot). But the service was first-rate, and the food exquisite.
We found that at the end of our day on the beach we didn't much care about
getting dressed up and doing a fancy dinner. So we did it a couple of times, but were fine
with Champions or a light snack.
We can't wait to go back. And I suspect we'll quickly fall into our routine.
Can't wait!
Tim Horgan
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