Lynne

It's our first trip to Aruba (June 2001). We don't want the high rise prices and we don't want to go all-inclusive. Where should we stay??? Please steer us away from dumps, dirty accomodations and places we're sure to have a bad experience. Ocean front is not a must if it's nice and a good deal. Thanks for your help. <BR> <BR>

Sooooz

Lynne, <BR> <BR>There are 3 very active Aruba BBs that you may want to post your question on: www.visitaruba.com, www.aruba-bb.com, and www.aruba-travelguide.com. The people on those boards are well traveled to Aruba and I'm sure they can suggest the perfect place for your trip. Also, all of those sites have great trip report sections, so you can read about all of the places people have stayed. <BR> <BR>Best of luck and hope that helps! <BR> <BR>Sooooz

Lisa

The Bucuti is a small lovely european style resort directly on a huge beach. Also Amsterdam Manor (which is just across a small road from the beach) are good choices.

Judy

Try the Costa Linda! It has suites and the best best and was a lovely resort. It is a timeshare resort so the accomodations are large. You will enjoy it!

Kay

Lynne: <BR> <BR>The Busuti Beahc Resort is a very charming lovely european style hotel on a grat big huge quiet beach. The restaurant is really cool too.

killer

I must agree strongly that the Becuti Beach club is the place to stay. Low key place with an excellent staff. It is not the cheapest place, but it has the best beach access of anywhere that I have stayed in Aruba. I have been to Aruba three times and will not go back without staying here. Not all inclusive. I can not help out on price comparison against high rises. <BR> <BR>Good luck, <BR> <BR>Killer

chazz

We liked the Manchebo, which is next door to the Bucuti and less expensive. <BR>Costa Linda was too pricey for us. If you want a kitchen/apt. setup, Amsterdam Manor seems like a good choice, and the small road between it and the beach is no big deal. By the way, AAA discount saved us 10% at Manchebo - not an insignificant sum over 7 nights during President's Week ! <BR> <BR>

JanGail

All previous suggestions are excellent! <BR>For more information about the Bucuti, <BR>Manchebo, and other low-rise hotels <BR>check out these websites: <BR> <BR>www.bucuti.com (Bucuti Beach Resort) <BR>www.manchebo.com (Manchebo Beach Resort) <BR>www.costalinda-aruba.com (Costa Linda) <BR>www.aruba-amsterdammanor.com (Amsterdam <BR> Manor Resort) <BR>www.diviaruba.com (The Divi Mega Resort <BR> and Tamarijn Resort) <BR>www.lacabana.com (La Cabana) <BR> <BR>All of the above resorts are located <BR>on Eagle Beach; La Cabana and the <BR>Amsterdam Manor have just a small road <BR>to cross to get to the beach. Also, <BR>La Cabana and Costa Linda are time-share <BR>properties that have kitchen facilities. <BR>Another hotel possibility is the <BR>Sonesta Seaport Village Resort-- no <BR>beach but has private island with <BR>several beaches, access by boat, a 5 <BR>minute ride. Their website for more <BR>information is: <BR>www.arubasonesta.com/index.html <BR>The Sonesta is located in downtown <BR>Oranjestaad, close to all the shops, <BR>restaurants and other activities. <BR>One other hotel to consider is the <BR>Mill Resort-- however, it is not on <BR>a beach but does have beach privileges <BR>on the Manchebo Beach, I believe. <BR>The Mill's website is: www.millresort.com <BR>Hope this helps get you started-- as <BR>you can see, lots of possibilities! <BR>Aruba also has guesthouses and apart- <BR>ments that you might want to consider. <BR>More information about these facilities <BR>can be found at www.visitaruba.com <BR>as well as www.aruba-bb.com and <BR>www.aruba-travelguide.com <BR>JanGail

Cheryl

How is the beach/water by the Bucuti? I understand that the Eagle Beach where Bucuti is, is wider than Palm Beach where the high rises are. But I have also heard that the water is rougher for swimming (more waves) than the waters off Palm Beach.

Eileen

I was there last March and I did not notice anything rough about the water at all. It was gorgeous, the beach near Bucuti and Costa Linda was nearly empty. In my opinion, the Costa Linda is a much better property than the Bucuti -- I checked them both out. They have the same beach though -- so no difference there.