This was our third time in Aruba (stayed at Playa Linda and Hyatt Resort previously). When we checked in, everyone was very nice and attentive.
We got a junior suite overlooking the ocean and part of town. The views were breathtaking. The beach was sandy white, with warm, clear water. The only negative about the beach was that you have to wake up at 7:00 am in the morning to reserve a (free) cabana.
Yes, it was expensive to eat and drink at the Westin. So, we typically walked to nearby restaurants for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can order lunch by the Westin pool, which will run $10-$17 for sandwiches with fries/fruits or salad.
The area where the resort was located was very near to all the major hotels, restaurants, bars, etc. They were a slight walk (10-15 minutes) away.
Watch out for the service charge on your bill -- this can be 15%-17% that's already added to your bill (don't need to tip more).
This time, we did not rent a car. We took the bus or taxi to town. From the Westin, a taxi was $10 one way; and the bus was $1.30 one way. The bus stop was right outside of the Westin, so it was extremely convenient.
The people at the front desk and all over the resort were very friendly.
We have stayed at other Westins in the Caribbean (Grand Cayman, Grand Bahama, St. Maarten). I would have to say that Westin Aruba is one of the friendliest resorts we've stayed in.
1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
It was okay, but our expectations were higher.Visited: May 2007
Posted by ralphfers
We had never been to Aruba before, so we decided to stay here in 2007.
There were two separate parts to this resort, one had a beach (where we stayed) and the other was across from the marina. Forget the beach resort. It offered common motel style accommodations. Things were pretty old inside. The beach resort just had a little breakfast area by the pool, too.
The food was okay, so long as you don't mind lizards crawling over your toes while you eat. The sister hotel across from the marina was better, but I wouldn't recommend staying at it either. We took day trips and went to different areas for dinner.
In addition, the "private island" was nice, but nothing to write home about.
The Hyatt and Marriott were the places to stay. There was an RUI under construction, also. We liked the Hyatt area best. There were places right across the street to eat (like Texas de Brazil and other restaurants).
The airport was very close to the Renaissance Hotel. What I found people apparently do is stay there the last day or two of their vacation so they can hit the local places - then be right around the corner from the airport.
It wouldn't be a bad thing to consider as there are some top restaurants in walking distance of the Renaissance, including the #1 Steakhouse on the island.
So, to sum it up, I would stay here again (not the beach site) but only for the last two days of the vacation.
3 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
This was a below average Westin in beautiful location.Visited: August 2008
Posted by rugbyliz
The people are so wonderful, you don't want to find anything wrong.
However, the folks who bought this hotel and turned it into a Westin didn't spend like it was a Westin resort (i.e. Westin Cabo, etc.). They are still remodeling, but the doors to the rooms were painted over and show the red underneath.
Housekeeping is okay for a Holiday Inn, but is not up to Westin standards. Beach and pool service is below comparable hotels down the road. Also, the spa isn't a spa - it is a spa service. You share the locker room with the gym, and they tell you not to leve your belongings there.
Maybe it will improve, but it has a long way to go.
2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
This is the only place I would ever consider staying.Visited: September 2007
Posted by balagary
We have been coming here for almost ten years. We have walked through the other hi-rise hotels, and none compare to the Radisson. Even with the promise of free rooms with the time share deals, or last minute cheap ocean front condos, we wouldn't even risk it to stay anywhere else.
This place is just perfect. The staff seems to stay the same year after year, so it is nice to feel like coming back home every year when everyone remembers you.
Say hi to Winnie at the bar and Victor, the person in charge of the wonderful bird interaction every day about 11 am.
The food has always been wonderful, and the new fitness center looks amazing, too (but we haven't tried it yet - maybe next time).
4 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
The property itself was very nice. There were two nice pools, an adequate work-out facility, a restaurant (though it seemed to close early), and the grounds were well maintained.
The room was clean, and in good repair. We had all we needed to prepare our own meals. A small grocery store was within walking distance.
The problem was that the area it was in. It was kind of run down, not seedy or dangerous, just old and not very pretty.
Also, Palm Beach (where all the high-rise, super nice and expensive hotels are) was about a 20-30 minute walk along a well traveled street. Safety was not an issue - unless you count the traffic. They seemed to drive abnormally fast in Aruba. My wife made the trip alone at night, though.
A cab ride was about $9. If you are looking to save a $100 a night from one of the beach side hotels, I'd recommend it. You will definitely want to rent a car, however, if you want to leave the resort. We tried to get away without one, and walking got old after day two.
5 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
We had a terrible experience, and were unhappy on the “Happy Island”!Visited: July 2008
Posted by unhappyinaruba
Finally, after several complaints over two days of a completely dead and unusable telephone, I said I was going to post our problems with the Holiday Inn on the Internet, our room phone was checked. After they went up to our room to “check” the phone, it worked.
Not only was our phone not working, but the shower would not give hot water.
Make sure you don’t rely on the front desk check-in staff who say that you have everything you need for your stay. You may need tickets for each person, each breakfast, and not just the paid voucher.
The hostess told us that we needed to get the yellow tickets. After three attempts to get the tickets, the hostess said that “all you had to do was stop at the cashier and she would have let you in.” When I told her that no one was stopping at the cashier- everyone seemed to have yellow tickets- I was asked “If everyone was running into the ocean, would you follow them?’.
When the computer system in the casino was down, there was no sign posted. I was told that the slots were not broken, but “the system is down- we can’t track your Player’s Card or give you a ticket payout, but you can still play.” The system was down at various intervals over three days. What good is a Player’s Club if you can’t earn points?
We booked a tour that included the Aloe Factory for our last full day in Aruba. They "cancelled" it at the last minute, forcing us to book a more expensive tour instead of telling us that free tours of the factory were offered that week.
7 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
This was paradise in the tropics!Visited: May 2008
Posted by angmo
This is a great place to stay with a family. All the facilities are at hand, and the owners are very engaged, happy people. They made us feel right at home, and helped us to find the best spots on the island!
This is definitely a place that we hope to return to one day!
3 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful.
When I got to my hotel room, the AC was not working. I had to make three phone calls to the front desk before it was fixed. We were here for five days, and we had a horrible experience.
My son got food poisoned at the Divi Aruba. I ended up in the emergency room and spent four of my five-day stay cooked up inside my room taking care of my sick son. He got 103 fever, and could not stop going to the bathroom.
The staff seemed more concerned about me not suing the hotel, but not concerned about my son. I will never go to the Divi Aruba All Inclusive hotel.
9 users found this review helpful. 4 found this review unhelpful.
A Aruba travel review
This hotel is the place to stay.
Posted by xoxmegglesxo
I am fourteen years old, and I had the best time of my life while staying at this hotel.
My whole family on my father's side had come here for the grandparents' 50th anniversary (which was about 25 people). The parents got to party, and the kids were free to do whatever.
The best part was we didn't even need to leave the resort for anything. Although, we rented Jeeps and went on the Banana Bus Tour. I highly recommend both.
This resort was truly magnificent. I would request the patio rooms, because then you can go out the slider door, and the beach will be right in front of you.
Hope you have fun in Aruba!
0 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
I own one of these, and I was embarassed by how dirty this place was.
The staff was rude and unfriendly; the food was awful; and the bartenders at the Bunker Bar wouldn't let us buy beverages there. We had to go to the Divi Village to get a drink.
Do not stay here!
4 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
This was the wrong place to stay.Visited: May 2008
Posted by mvsingleton
If you are accustomed to four- and five-star resorts, this is not the place for you.
The rooms were outdated, and the hallway smelled of mold and mildew. The bathroom was dirty, and there was only one restaurant.
It was so bad that no sooner had we checked in and got to our room, we checked out - with no where to stay. There were four people in our group, and instead of staying at the Caribbean Palm in a two-bedroom, we chose to stay in a one-bedroom at the Marriot.
I would not recommend this resort to anyone.
4 users found this review helpful. 3 found this review unhelpful.
We thought the accommodations were wonderful. The restaurants had amazing food that I still crave! The all-inclusive option was definitely worth the money.
The wait staff around the pool was great. They handed us cool cloths and fresh fruit kabobs while we were tanning. There was also crystal clear water at the beach, and the snorkeling was fun.
This was a great place to relax.
2 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
My husband and I stayed at the Radisson in July, 2002 as honeymooners, and I am still dreaming about it today! What an enchanting place - and what excellent service.
We actually just booked our second trip to Aruba (six years later) with our two-year-old daughter. Although we're not staying at the Radisson, I wish we were! The accommodations were amazing, and I didn't want to leave!
0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
It was as far from a high-rise as possible!Visited: March 2007
Posted by darcymarsden
This place was wonderful. It was across the street from the ocean, and far enough from the hotel strip to be quiet and peaceful.
The outdoor kitchen let us do our own meals when we liked. These were great accomodations and wonderful hosts.
Two of us stayed in one of the garden view units last year. We're coming back this March with a couple of friends, and staying in the two-bedroom ocean view unit.
14 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
Although this resort is not a five-star accommodition, it is perfect for the budget minded traveler!
The rooms are spacious and clean, room service is impeccable, and the beach and pools are fabulous!
26 users found this review helpful. 15 found this review unhelpful.
A Aruba travel review
Would I go back? Absolutely!
Posted by ic_496
My wife and I, and our 24-year-old son took a two-bedroom suite Jan 10-13, 2008. We had a great time.
Phil set us up with kite board lessons that were fun and exciting. We enjoyed the three-minute walk down and back to the fisherman huts for our lessons.
The suite was very clean and big, and had a beautiful view of the ocean. We spent a lot of time on the deck enjoying a beer and talking about what we learned kite boarding.
We also met a guy named Jon who is an 86-year-old windsurfer. Jon windsurfs twice a day. He comes every year for three weeks and stays at the Aruba Beach Villas.
This is, by far, the best plan going in Aruba for the money. Phil gave us snorkel equipment, and told us several great spots to go. He also offered free windsurfing equipment. I thought about it, but decided I wanted to save my energy for the kiteboarding.
This is not a glitzy place. It is casual, with wonderful people and a great staff. The view is awesome, too!
3 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
I had a great time. I had a nice bedroom with king sized bed and en suite bathroom. The kitchen had granite tops, a gas stove, and a big fridge and dishwasher.
The living room had a 42-inch plasma tTV. There was also a washer and dryer, and an extra bathroom with a shower.
The balcony had a view of the ocean and golf course. The infinity pool was beautiful, with a water slide for the kids.
Most of all, the beach is one of the finest in the Caribbean. Huts were always available at any time - even during Christmas and New Years.
It was a short walk, and if you are lazy there is always a tram going around.
11 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
Westin is a nice resort. 
It was okay, but our expectations were higher. 
This was a below average Westin in beautiful location. 
This is the only place I would ever consider staying. 
We had a terrible experience, and were unhappy on the “Happy Island”! 
