julie

To Mike Definitely go to Flying Fishbone to eat. Great place with tables right on the beach. Make a reservation. About 4 miles east of airport. Also El Gaucho is awesome for steak. have fun

Brian in Atlanta

Stephanie (or anyone else), is a car necessary to get around? Are there any restaurants/bars within walking distance of each other? My wife and I drink a bit (especially on vacation) so don't want to drive, but also don't want to have to get a cab every time we want to go out. Previous posts have made Aruba seem kind of spread out. Thanks.

Nancy

I am wondering about the Bucuti resort, if Stephanie or anyone else has information on it, I would appreciate it. Stephanie, do you know if your travel agent has packages from Newark or JFK? I need to leave from there, and I am looking for good prices, like you said she has. I would like a smaller, quiet resort, not a big touristy place. Thank You for your advice and help.

Amy

The Bucuti is a small European type resort on Eagle Beach. Always read very favorable trip reports. For great packaage rates from Newark go to: <BR> <BR>http://www.travelunlimited.com <BR>Travel Center 1-800-228-1502

Stephanie

TO MIKE: See my restaurant recommendation above in this topic for my favorite restaurants. We did two great tours through DePalm tours. An island tour with a Jeep, and a snorkeling day trip to their private island. We had a great time. You can arrange those tours through the front desk at your hotel. E-mail me if you want for more details. <BR> <BR>TO BRIAN: Yes, there are hotel bars around Palm Beach that are pretty close, and some down in Oranjestad. Be careful though. While Aruba is very safe, you should use caution when walking around any hotel district late at night, some times the distance between some of the hotels gets a bit spread out. Unless we stayed at the bars at the Allegro or Hyatt, we took cabs. They're cheap and fast - the island is spread out, but it's real small, so your ride will be quick. Just my advice - it's worth spending a few more bucks to have peace of mind! <BR> <BR>TO NANCY: <BR>The Bucuti is a European style resort just like Amy said, and I thought it was very pretty and has a lot of local charm. It's definitely perfect if you don't want a typical resort. I have heard that the staff there are super-nice, and the rooms are real nice with great views. The beach is beautiful there too. <BR>Yes, Victoria has packages from Newark and JFK (we're from that area). <BR>Her phone number and e-mail are: <BR> <BR> (212)740-4601 <BR> [email protected] <BR> <BR>Another hotel we saw that had a lot of local charm and is not real touristy was the Amsterdam Manor - a big yellow, Dutch style complex on the beach. Don't know what the rooms are like though. E-mail me if you have any other questions! I'm already planning my next trip back to Aruba already!

rich

how is

Nancy

I want to thank everyone for their help in answering my questions about Aruba and its hotels. We finally decided on the Bucuti, and got a great air/land package for $899 from Newark from Vacations By Victoria. To those who recommended her, thank you, you were right, she is great. Her info. is, for others going to Aruba: <BR> (212) 740-4601 <BR> [email protected] <BR> <BR>I think her website will be up this summer at Aruba On-line. <BR> <BR>I will be sure to post a trip report when I return, and give you guys all the great details. <BR> <BR>I'm so excited! Our first time there! Thanks again! <BR> <BR>

Donna

My boyfriend and I are wanting to go to Aruba in Sept. 99. We are looking for an all-inclusive package - any suggestions? who was your agent? what did the dine-around pass give you? what was your room like? ocean front or ocean view? any suggestions for renting a cabana? <BR> <BR>Thanks! <BR>Donna and Mark <BR>

Mary

Have never been to Aruba. Leaving from Newark but not until April/May 2000 but would like to plan now and make reservations. Have been reading all information and found it quite informative. Am only going for 4 nites and 5 days. Would like a clean,updated, hotel with a quiet, relaxed atmosphere for couple who needs to "chill and de-stress" for 5 days. It seems that the airfare is running at about $600. round trip p.p. Yet the hotel rates seem to be low. Who can give a great package for 5 days? Do we want a meal plan? Has anyone stayed at Bucati Beach Resort or Aruba Marriott or Holiday Inn. Honest opinions would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Amy

The Bucuti is a lovely small resort on a beautiful stretch of beach. The Marriott is much nicer than the Holiday Inn. All-inclusive is not really necessary in Aruba as there are so many fine and reasonable restaurants. For a great rate to Aruba check out: <BR> <BR>http://www.travelunlimited.com

Nancy

TO MARY: We're going to stay at the Bucuti, and we are leaving from Newark also. We shopped around and got the best rate from Vacations By Victoria, who has been recommended on this board and others numerous times. <BR> <BR>Our package, with air and hotel, was $899 pp for a week! You can't beat that! We have heard great things about the Bucuti, and Victoria and many others highly recommend it. We can't wait! <BR> <BR>I e-mailed Victoria at: <BR> <BR> [email protected] <BR> <BR>and she got right back to me - really nice, and extremely knowledgeable about the island. She only works with Aruba, and I think Bonaire and Curacao. You should contact her - she had the best rates that we found, and we went into a couple of storefront agencies,and Internet agencies also. <BR> <BR>I would defintely go with Bucuti over the H.I. Again, good luck and thank you to everyone here for your help and recommending Victoria - all of your hints and opinions made a world of difference in planning this first trip to Aruba! <BR> <BR>

Samantha

We are going to Aruba either in late August or mid September, and also are thinking about staying at the Bucuti (actually, I think we've already decided on it!). Can anyone tell me what the weather is like then? I know it's not humid, thank goodness, but 90+ temp and trade winds should cool it off a bit. I'm glad I've found all these positive comments about the Bucuti, and we may check the rates at the Hyatt, thanks to your comments, Stephanie! <BR>Also, I noticed that the Sonesta has two hotels/suites there - on an *island* it appears... is that true? <BR> <BR>

Lilly

We, too, are going to the Bucuti in August leaving from Newark. But we got a rate of $739 per person if we go mid-week to mid-week or $819 per person if we got weekend to weekend. We got this at Travel Center 1-800-228-1502 <BR>or see their webpage at: http://www.travelunlimited.com

Sara

The Sonesta does have two hotels downtown. The Sonesta Resorts is on the main street and there is a boat that comes into the lobby about every 20 minutes or so and then there is approximately a 15 minute boat ride to their private island. The Sonesta Suites is located across the street and on the waterfront with a small man-made beach. If you want to go to the island you have to go across the street to the Sonesta Resorts. These are nice locations if you like to be in-town and able to walk to fine dining or shop till your drop. Only downfall...no beach to walk on in the moonlight!

ArubaHooiser

For our 4th trip to Aruba, my husband and I stayed at the Allegro. It was terrific! Our trip report is at: <BR> <BR>http://www.angelfire.com/nj/ArubaExperts <BR> <BR>Almost 150 Aruba photos can also be found here. Enjoy!

Jeff

Aruba Hoosier - Great pics - real helpful. Thanks. What do you guys think about the Wyndham? Curious.

Jan

Jeff, We stayed at the Wyndham last Sept. and really liked it. They were remodeling the rooms on 2 or 3 floors. The room they gave us at first was one that needed to be remodeled so we asked for another room. They gave us the honeymoon suite on the top floor for the same price. The location on the beach is great and the pool was really nice. The service in the hotel was excellent. We loved our trip to Aruba and plan to go back again.

Charlie Massey

I would like to know exactly what the dining coupons cost and if they are a 2 for one type coupon. <BR>I would also like to know if there are any reasonable priced trips to South America from Aruba.

Stephanie Martin

Hi Charlie! Go to <BR> <BR> www.arubadining.com/agadinearound.html <BR> <BR>There are passes you buy for different amounts of meals. It will explain everything at the website. <BR> <BR>As for S.A., I think you can go to Venezuela for the day, but I don't know toom much about it. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps a little.

Jesse

I really enjoyed reading all the responses to this thread as we are considering a trip to Aruba next summer. I did, however, find it a little sales like with everyone pushing their favorite travel agent. I suppose there's nothing wrong with that if it gives someone a chance to get a quote or two on their vacation. A word of caution however. Be advised that although the Allegro is billed as an all-inclusive resort, the rates quoted in these threads are not all-inclusive rates. The price is considerably higher for those. Also, last year, we got a matching price from our local travel agent after showing her the quotes we got off the web. I felt more comfortable having a face to take any problems/concerns we may have had. It never hurts to ask.