I just returned from Aruba on
10/13 and had a BLAST at the Allegro!! I read so many trip reports before I went
that I thought I
would share my experiences!! I was there with my boyfriend and another couple, all in our
20's.
Left on 10/6 from Logan Airport in Boston. That part was a nightmare!!
We arrived three and a half hours early and if it hadn't been for airline employees
pulling people out of line as their departure times got closer, we NEVER would have made
it to the counter on time to check our bags. It was a hassle, but everyone was in good
spirits because we knew it was for our own safety.
We arrived without a hitch, customs in Aruba was no problem. We got our bags and headed
out to the shuttle. I had heard to try
to take a taxi instead, but since the shuttle was included with our package, we decided to
chance it. It took about a half hour or
so to make it to the Allegro, but since it was our first time, we didn't mind seeing all
the other hotels along the way.
We had no problems checking in once we were there. There were four or five people working
behind the desk and I don't think we
waited more than 5 minutes. We had our all inclusive bracelets, towel cards, room keys,
and safe keys within about 15 minutes
of arriving! We had requested rooms near each other and got put in different buildings,
but when we asked to be moved they were
very accommodating and we ended up with only one room between us! It was perfect! We were
in the North Tower. I would have liked to have been a few floors higher for a
slightly better view...but we had a pool view and could see the beach and the ocean so
that was good! The rooms weren't the nicest I've ever seen, but they were clean and had
everything we needed so they were fine. We never had to ask for towels or anything.
The resort was GREAT! The pool was really nice, the hot tubs were awesome and in a really
pretty setting. We spent a lot of
time at the swim up bar! The beach in front of the hotel was nice, too! The ocean was
absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Perfect
temperature, nice and calm... We never had a problem getting chairs and believe me, we're
not early risers. We sometimes had
to move them around a little if we wanted some shade, but that was no problem. The only
thing we had trouble getting were floats
for the ocean. They were available at the Red Sail Sports Shop and you could take
them out for up to four hours. One day we
had to share two between the four of us and one day we were able to get four. If you go
and there aren't any, you just have to
watch for people going to return them and follow them in there!!
Drinks: I had heard that the drinks were watered down...not true!! I drank frozen drinks
all week from the pool bar and beach
bars and never had a weak one!! They pour the rum right on the top! If there wasn't
enough, they were glad to give more! The
guys drank beer...not too impressed with the local Balashi beer...but there was
always Amstel and sometimes Miller Lite. The Cabernet was
always very good. The beach bar had ice water readily available, so that was good!!
Food: We were a little nervous about the food since it was all included...but it was very
good for the most part. The Allegro has
four restaurants and we tried all of them. Topaz served a breakfast buffet every morning.
That was GREAT. Made to order
omelets and eggs, French toast, pancakes, cereal, lots of breads and such, fruit, bacon,
sausage...everything! They also served
a lunch buffet. We tried that once, it wasn't that great. Papayas is the
restaurant near the pool. They had burgers and sandwiches for lunch. We went there a few
times, it was good. For dinner it was more of a steak house type setting. We went there
once and all loved our meals, I had the Filet Mignon! There was a Dinner Show and Buffet
in the Ball Room. We only went once. The show left a little something the be desired, but
the buffet was REALLY good. The show starts at 8:30...we got there about 7:30 or so and
were seated at a table near the back of the room...get there earlier if you really want a
good seat! The best restaurant in the hotel was Caruso's, the Italian restaurant.
We went there once at the beginning of the week and loved it so much we requested to go
back for our last night. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was very nice. The
waiters were really friendly and very funny!! We were not disappointed with anything
there!
Fun stuff: We had originally decided to rent a jeep for a day on our own. We wanted to see
the Natural Bridge and Natural
Pool. I am SO glad we decided against it! We went on the half day Extreme Off Road
Jeep Safari (I think it was with ABC Tours
or something like that). It was AWESOME!! There were six of us and a driver in a Land
Rover. We went to the Bushiribana Gold
Mill ruins, the Natural Bridge, Black Pebble Beach, and the Natural
Pool. It was tough terrain even in a Land Rover! It was well worth the ride and the
$50!! We also did the Kukukoonookoo Bus. That was the best night!! It was a non-stop party!!
The drinks
were good, the dinner was good, the bars were fun, the bus was fun!! We had Ramon and Art
(?) and they were a lot of fun!
Everyone on the bus had a blast...lots of drunk people!! We did the Tattoo Cruise, too. That
was a good time. You cruise and for
about three hours to one end of the island and back, drinking and eating the whole time.
Then they drop the anchor and open up
the rope swing and slide!! It was so much fun! All in all, everything we did was worth the
money!! We ended the week with couples massages right at the Intermezzo Spa at
the Allegro...ahhhhhh!!!
Misc.: I went against things I read and got my hair braided on the beach by a woman named
Jennifer. She was right between
the Radisson and the Allegro. I did at the beginning of the week...it
was the best! The wind really blows you around it was so nice to have my hair out of my
face all week! The casino at the Allegro was a lot of fun. They do free BINGO twice every
night, I
hit once and my friend hit once. We played a lot of Blackjack and with one exception,
everyone at the tables were really friendly
and just there to have fun. The dealers were very friendly, too! Overall, the staff at the
Allegro was great. Very attentive and
friendly. There was always something going on, too. They did a lot of poolside games, lots
of dancing, watersports, etc.
We had so much fun!! I would recommend Aruba and the Allegro all inclusive to anyone.
Email me with any other questions!!
Have fun, and don't forget your hats and sunscreen....you'll need them both!! =)
Jessica
