Rambiss
05-25-2005, 06:22 PM
Recently, my wife and I returned from reviewing the island of Aruba. If Aruba is an option for your honeymoon or destination wedding, we hope this information will help you with your decision. We spent seven days and six nights exploring the island (there were times it got pretty scary for my wife). We have a grading scale that we like to use:
A) Paradise
B) Almost Paradise
C) Oasis
D) Mirage
F) Pockmark
We’ve broken our review into five sections. Keep reading to see how Aruba scored: Paradise or Pockmark!
THE WEATHER: According to the locals, Aruba only receives about 20 inches of rainfall per year. It is a dry, humid, and hot island. The sun in Aruba is very unforgiving. Sun screen and eye shades are a must. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and do not fall asleep in direct sunlight! Since Aruba receives so little rainfall, it is an excellent option for honeymooners who are concerned about traveling during the Caribbean rainy and hurricane seasons.
THE LANDSCAPE: Aruba is not what I expected to see in the Caribbean. The best way to describe it is to say it is a mixture of Arizona and Hawaii. You’ll find the most beautiful beaches in the world with fine sand, turquoise, green, and crystal clear water like Hawaii; however, when you leave the beach, the vast majority of the island is desert like, similar to what you’ll find in Arizona — complimented with cactus and lizards! Iguanas and other lizards are as common as squirrels. Surprisingly, my wife ignored the lizards after the first day. And this is the woman that will run from a common housefly! Most of the tropical plants and trees on the island can’t survive the torrid climate without a man-made water supply. You’ll usually find Palm tress thriving at your resorts, but barely clinging to life on the road there.
THINGS TO DO: There are many water activities to include parasailing, snorkeling, jet skis, sailing, scuba diving, and swimming. Island tours are available by bus, four-wheel all terrain vehicles (ATVs), or jeeps. If you’re not much into being covered in dirt and sand, stick to the bus tour! There are casinos in just about every hotel. You’ll also be able to attend Vegas style shows. You’ll find a party bus that will take you from bar to bar or a party boat that will sail out on the ocean, so you can drink like a fish!
The food is spectacular. If you are a fan of red snapper, you’ve found your island. My favorite place for red snapper was a restaurant called “Fishes and More.” Try it pan-fried with the Creole sauce on the side. Creole sauce is tomato based with onions, green peppers, and mushroom. The sauce isn’t spicy as you might assume.
Shopping for jewelry and souvenirs is plentiful. There are also a few golf courses. However, don’t expect any great deals for jewelry and I was told the green fees on the golf courses will cost about $150.
CRIME STATS: According to the locals, the crime rate is very low. The island relies a great deal on tourism, so you’ll see frequent police patrols in the tourist areas and private security guards in the hotels. My wife and I walked through dark alleys almost nightly to return to our hotel. We felt safe and actually saw women walking alone in the same through ways. Although, I would recommend that you play it safe and avoid the alleys. I’m a little on the adventurous side.
THE DOWN AND DIRTY: In our experience, we came to the opinion that Aruba is best suited for people who would enjoy relaxing and/or people who enjoy casinos. We don’t spend a lot of time in casinos, so we were pretty much left to spending time on the beach, taking the island tour, seeing a show, eating, exercising, and working. Speaking of the casinos, we were told by a few people that it’s kind of hard to win on the slot machines. I tested one myself with a crisp, clean $20 bill at a resort, which will remain nameless. Needless to say, that $20 bill is still in Aruba! We asked the folks at the Renaissance hotel about the pay rates of the slot machines on the island. They couldn’t vouch for the other casinos, but they assured us that their machines pay. From the sounds of the bells and whistles, they probably told us the truth. One $20 bill is all I could bear to sacrifice, so I took them at their word. It isn’t the island that never sleeps like Manhattan and it isn’t bright lights of the fabulous Las Vegas, but there’s plenty of sun and an adequate amount of fun.
For honeymooners who want to have some privacy, relax and avoid big crowds -- Aruba is for you. You just have to make sure you go at a time when there isn’t some kind of festival. We just missed the Aruba Jazz Fest by four days. They were expecting thousands of spectators to invade the island. The best resort we found was without a doubt the Renaissance Hotel and Resort properties. The Renaissance is probably the largest resort per square foot on the island. The hotel is attached to a shopping mall that they also own. The lower lobby leads you to the mall and is also the location of a boat dock, which is designed to look like a lagoon and is filled with actual sea water that leads to the marina. From there, a 25 passenger boat will take you on a five minute ride to their private island, where you’ll find Flamingo and Iguana Beaches, respectively. You’ll also find the world’s only pink duck! Go and talk to the Renaissance Island’s manager; he’ll tell you all about it!
The private island can also be rented for weddings and receptions in the evening hours. It is equipped with a restaurant and a dance floor, which is buried beneath the sand during day hours. They will also set up a red carpet cocktail bar.
The hotel also sports 15 restaurants, a separate resort of ocean suites, a very chic pool bar that overlooks the downtown and marina area, a casino, and a 1,600 person capacity convention center. You truly get the best of both worlds at this hotel and resort: peace, quiet, and intimacy at the suites and the limited night-life of the downtown area at the hotel. I have to also mention the L.G. Smith Steakhouse, located by their casino and theater. They served the best New York Strip that I’ve ever tasted in my life.
You can usually find great deals at the hotels and resorts. Check with a travel agent. Be cautioned, though! Everything on the island seemed a bit pricey from the food to the tours. The average dinner meal will cost between $20 - $25 dollars per adult. If you’re cost conscience, try to find an all-inclusive package. It’ll save you money. The island tour will cost about $40 per person.
Although we gave the Renaissance Hotel and Resort an A+, the island was a B- over all. After being there for five days, I was ready to return to the island we gave an A+…I’ll have to tell you about that one next time!
A) Paradise
B) Almost Paradise
C) Oasis
D) Mirage
F) Pockmark
We’ve broken our review into five sections. Keep reading to see how Aruba scored: Paradise or Pockmark!
THE WEATHER: According to the locals, Aruba only receives about 20 inches of rainfall per year. It is a dry, humid, and hot island. The sun in Aruba is very unforgiving. Sun screen and eye shades are a must. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and do not fall asleep in direct sunlight! Since Aruba receives so little rainfall, it is an excellent option for honeymooners who are concerned about traveling during the Caribbean rainy and hurricane seasons.
THE LANDSCAPE: Aruba is not what I expected to see in the Caribbean. The best way to describe it is to say it is a mixture of Arizona and Hawaii. You’ll find the most beautiful beaches in the world with fine sand, turquoise, green, and crystal clear water like Hawaii; however, when you leave the beach, the vast majority of the island is desert like, similar to what you’ll find in Arizona — complimented with cactus and lizards! Iguanas and other lizards are as common as squirrels. Surprisingly, my wife ignored the lizards after the first day. And this is the woman that will run from a common housefly! Most of the tropical plants and trees on the island can’t survive the torrid climate without a man-made water supply. You’ll usually find Palm tress thriving at your resorts, but barely clinging to life on the road there.
THINGS TO DO: There are many water activities to include parasailing, snorkeling, jet skis, sailing, scuba diving, and swimming. Island tours are available by bus, four-wheel all terrain vehicles (ATVs), or jeeps. If you’re not much into being covered in dirt and sand, stick to the bus tour! There are casinos in just about every hotel. You’ll also be able to attend Vegas style shows. You’ll find a party bus that will take you from bar to bar or a party boat that will sail out on the ocean, so you can drink like a fish!
The food is spectacular. If you are a fan of red snapper, you’ve found your island. My favorite place for red snapper was a restaurant called “Fishes and More.” Try it pan-fried with the Creole sauce on the side. Creole sauce is tomato based with onions, green peppers, and mushroom. The sauce isn’t spicy as you might assume.
Shopping for jewelry and souvenirs is plentiful. There are also a few golf courses. However, don’t expect any great deals for jewelry and I was told the green fees on the golf courses will cost about $150.
CRIME STATS: According to the locals, the crime rate is very low. The island relies a great deal on tourism, so you’ll see frequent police patrols in the tourist areas and private security guards in the hotels. My wife and I walked through dark alleys almost nightly to return to our hotel. We felt safe and actually saw women walking alone in the same through ways. Although, I would recommend that you play it safe and avoid the alleys. I’m a little on the adventurous side.
THE DOWN AND DIRTY: In our experience, we came to the opinion that Aruba is best suited for people who would enjoy relaxing and/or people who enjoy casinos. We don’t spend a lot of time in casinos, so we were pretty much left to spending time on the beach, taking the island tour, seeing a show, eating, exercising, and working. Speaking of the casinos, we were told by a few people that it’s kind of hard to win on the slot machines. I tested one myself with a crisp, clean $20 bill at a resort, which will remain nameless. Needless to say, that $20 bill is still in Aruba! We asked the folks at the Renaissance hotel about the pay rates of the slot machines on the island. They couldn’t vouch for the other casinos, but they assured us that their machines pay. From the sounds of the bells and whistles, they probably told us the truth. One $20 bill is all I could bear to sacrifice, so I took them at their word. It isn’t the island that never sleeps like Manhattan and it isn’t bright lights of the fabulous Las Vegas, but there’s plenty of sun and an adequate amount of fun.
For honeymooners who want to have some privacy, relax and avoid big crowds -- Aruba is for you. You just have to make sure you go at a time when there isn’t some kind of festival. We just missed the Aruba Jazz Fest by four days. They were expecting thousands of spectators to invade the island. The best resort we found was without a doubt the Renaissance Hotel and Resort properties. The Renaissance is probably the largest resort per square foot on the island. The hotel is attached to a shopping mall that they also own. The lower lobby leads you to the mall and is also the location of a boat dock, which is designed to look like a lagoon and is filled with actual sea water that leads to the marina. From there, a 25 passenger boat will take you on a five minute ride to their private island, where you’ll find Flamingo and Iguana Beaches, respectively. You’ll also find the world’s only pink duck! Go and talk to the Renaissance Island’s manager; he’ll tell you all about it!
The private island can also be rented for weddings and receptions in the evening hours. It is equipped with a restaurant and a dance floor, which is buried beneath the sand during day hours. They will also set up a red carpet cocktail bar.
The hotel also sports 15 restaurants, a separate resort of ocean suites, a very chic pool bar that overlooks the downtown and marina area, a casino, and a 1,600 person capacity convention center. You truly get the best of both worlds at this hotel and resort: peace, quiet, and intimacy at the suites and the limited night-life of the downtown area at the hotel. I have to also mention the L.G. Smith Steakhouse, located by their casino and theater. They served the best New York Strip that I’ve ever tasted in my life.
You can usually find great deals at the hotels and resorts. Check with a travel agent. Be cautioned, though! Everything on the island seemed a bit pricey from the food to the tours. The average dinner meal will cost between $20 - $25 dollars per adult. If you’re cost conscience, try to find an all-inclusive package. It’ll save you money. The island tour will cost about $40 per person.
Although we gave the Renaissance Hotel and Resort an A+, the island was a B- over all. After being there for five days, I was ready to return to the island we gave an A+…I’ll have to tell you about that one next time!