Lora

My Fiance and I have just booked an all-inclusive package at the Tamarin in Aruba for our honeymoon at the first of Feb. I had read several good postings on Fodor's hotel index, but just read some bad ones on another posting. Any advice? Should we cancel and book somewhere else? We are not expecting it to be a luxury resort, but do want it to be nice. Are the resturaunts and bars okay? I heard the beach is supposed to be nice.

sally

Lora,don't pay attention one bit to those negative posters(obviously impossible to please or idiots),the Tamarijn is a fantastic place.My husband and I were there a couple of years ago and we both loved it.It was our first time in the Caribbean but we're always comparing every other place to this one.It is not really a luxury resort but everything you could want on a honeymoon,they have.I much prefer the low-rises to the high-rises because you can be so close to the beach,we stayed on the first floor and the beach was about twenty ft. from our patio door.A.I. is the way to go there,unlimmited drinks and the dinner spreads were awesome.Make sure you try the swordfish if they have it,I've never tasted anything as good as that was.I hope you don't change your mind,you won't be sorry.

Susan

Hi Lora! When my Mom and I escaped to Aruba 10 years ago, we stayed at the Tamarin and had a very nice stay. It is one of the older hotels, but very comfortable. The restaurants were good and I seem to recall that there was a shuttle bus between the Tamarin and Divi Divi hotels. You are just a hop, skip and a jump to some of the newer facilities, but I think you will be quite happy there. Congratulation on your impending marriage and have a wonderful time in Aruba.

jill

if i were you i would switch. The food is not very good and on your honeymoon you want it to be special. The Radisson i believe costs the same and i believe there is also a Wyndham. If you drink alot and that is what you want to do i would say the Tamarjin is the place for you. We were very disapointed and found the front desk people to be very unaccomodating to the point where we got most of our money back. I would switch

Kim

I stayed at the Divi resort last October, they had just finished remodeling and the place was great! The Tam wasn't as nice, but was not a dump or anything. I'd go with the Divi if I were you, but if you can't switch don't worry it's still a nice place, the Divi is just better in my opinion. The Tam is in need of a facelift and there was always a strange sewer smell when we went there. The beach and food there are great though, be sure to make reservations for the Italian restaurant at the Tam! Good luck and congratulations, you'll have a great time!

Lora

Thanks for all the advice! Now I feel better about our decision. I am sure it will be nice, we are easily pleased. What about the island of Aruba? We would like to rent a moped and explore the island. I hope there are plenty of out-of-the way beaches and fun things to do. Are there places to go sailing? Any suggestions?

xxx

Lora, I just read the comments to your question and I'm confused. Based on what was said, if I had to make this decision, I would switch to somewhere else. Your comment that you feel better about the decision and that you know it will be nice comes right after someone said the Tamarin needed a face lift and smelled of sewer! <BR><BR>I guess I would do more research and perhaps choose a place in my price range that had more positive comments about it. If you still have time, why not check some other places out?<BR><BR>Good luck and best wishes to you!

janey

Believe me i wish that we had listened to all the negative comments and switched! I thought because we were pretty easy going people how bad could it be but let me tell you if it had been our honeymoon i would have been heart broken!!!!

xxx

Hope Lora will see these last two suggestions.

Lora

I was referring to the first two posts when I said I felt better about our decision. We are basically doing the all inclusive for the drinks, breakfast &amp; lunch. We will probably try several places for dinner. We don't expect it to be a luxury resort and are prepared for that. We prefer the low rise section so we will be closer to the beach. Thanks for all the advice!

Barry

My wife and I were in Aruba in 98. We stayed at the Divi/Divi(not an all inclusive at the time). We walked To the TamarinA couple of times on the beach. Each time we were thankful that we hadn't made that our choice. The place was run down and just not the nicest spot. The Divi is a good alternative for accomadations I reccomend the 700 block (A bit more secluded).Wherever you end up I hope you have a memorable time.

xxx

You would be better off renting a 4-Wheel drive Jeep than a moped because some of Aruba's best sites you can't access with a moped. You can't go to the Natural Pool or the Natural Bridge with a moped. Well, you could go to the Natural Bridge but you'd get filthy, it is a dirt road.

shelly

STAYED AT DIVI TWICE. DID THE ALL INCLUSIVE AND LOVED IT. THE FOOD WAS MORE EXCLUSIVE THE FIRST STAY, BUT IT WAS STILL GOOD. THE BEACH IS REALLY NICE. WE WALKED AROUND AND CHECKED OUT THE OTHER MOTEL BEACHES. DIVI IS LESS CROWDED AND LESS WINDY. AT THE OTHERS YOU GET PELTED WITH SAND DUE TO THE WIND. I WOULD RECOMMEND THE DIVI TO ANYONE. WEVE CHECKED OUT ALOT OF THE OTHERS, THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST LOCATION, CASINO DOWN THE STREET, AND IT IS QUIET. GOOD LUCK. ARUBA IS BEAUTIFUL.

jb

stayed at divi in april 2000,back then you could eat drink at both resorts with the all-inclusive deal..prob. still can?? agree divi little better, better beach, closer to casino(right across street),great beach bar w/ great sunset view. rooms just ok..dont expect too much, it is a third world country. we loved it!

WHY

Shelly, why did you yell you're response to this question or don't you know that capitol letters mean that? just wondering.