First off.... don’t believe anything you have read about the Holiday Inn
Resort. I am the first to say, I love a fancy hotel and many a time I have stayed in
Hyatt's, Marriott's and Ritz Carlton's. Having just returned from the Holiday Inn Resort -
I HIGHLY recommend it!!!
Yes, the property is not as lush as the other resorts, but for the price YOU CAN'T BEAT
IT!! Save your money and stay at the HI. The food was great and drinks were perfect. In
fact, before you go, make sure you sign up for the preferred membership available through
Holiday Inn nationwide. I did this and was treated like a king.
We spent five days on beautiful Aruba and walked up and down the beach
checking out the other resorts. NONE had the beach that the HI does. By far - HI has the
best beach in Aruba. The pool is ok - but you are in Aruba.... you don't hang out by the
pool - you lay on the beach in awe of the beautiful water. Here's a little secret too...
If you can, make regular reservations for your room. Your first few days eat out for
dinner away from the resort. Our two favorite restaurants were - Madam Jeannette's a must
for a romantic dinner and The French
Stake House - a great deal for the money and incredible food. The l
ast
three days of your visit make all-inclusive. Then eat and drink away. You can eat
every night at The Miramar restaurant at the HI and the food is A+. For a few days you
will have to pay for drinks, just cut back a little and they're not bad only 3-5 bucks
anyway. What my wife and I did was spend our first few days away from the hotel - doing
fun things that included drinks with the price. Our recommendations:
Jolly Pirates - had a blast - great snorkeling and the drinks keep
flowing.
ABC Extreme Tour - incredible time - make sure you get Ivan, he's a riot. Best tour on the
island.
Gambling??? - The Hyatt is by far the nicest and ONLY place I won money ($850.00) not bad
- and it helped pay for the little extra's we wanted to do.
The Holiday Inn has it all right there on the beach - parasailing,
tubing, banana boats, kayaks (they are free with AI plan) and of course the incredible
beach!!
Ask for a room in the Caracas tower - it's the newest of the buildings and we were even
upgraded to an ocean front suite because we (1) ASKED for a free upgrade and (2) Got it
because were on the preferred guest plan and with it you don’t pay the surcharges.
Listen, don't waste your money on a fancy hotel that has water falls and a big pool - the
HI is very nice (quaint) and with all of the money you'll be saving - enjoy ARUBA - that's
why you came - not because you wanted a awesome hotel.
I have way too many pictures to post here but e-mail me and I'll be happy to send you
some. Take it from me - "Mr. Splurger" - I love fancy things - but the HI made
my wife's and my trip the best anniversary ever.
Randy
Randy
