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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Aruba Trip Planning - Help Needed
We are currently planning our 5 year anniversary trip to Aruba. We will be going late August/early September over Labor Day weekend. I am looking for any feedback on restaurants, activities, etc. that we should consider. I am also hoping for any feedback on The Westin versus The Hyatt. We've always had the idea to stay at The Hyatt based on wonderful reviews and feedback. However it is very expensive. We can get an awesome deal through a friend to stay at The Westin. Any feedback on one versus the other? Also, does 7 days, 6 nights seem too long for Aruba or just right?
Thanks so much!
Married 
8.31.2008<br>
8.31.2008<br>
Re: Aruba Trip Planning - Help Needed
I have no opinion about the hotels as we stay in a timeshare at the Aruba Beach Club. DH's family has gone for about 20 years ranging 2 or 3 weeks at a time. Every time we have gone we make a reservation to "The Chalet Suisse" and "Chef's Table". They are a bit pricey but nice. There are also less expensive restaurants on the island which I think is what makes it so appealing. We also like the Iguana Cantina. There are restaurants and activities for everyone. There are two different areas of the island and the new "mall" area has many shops and restaurants of food variety and price.
We went for two weeks on our honeymoon. We went snorkeling with the Jolly Rogers Pirates, which was a lot of fun. We also took a tour of the island which I found a little long in the heat and sun but showed some great highlights of the island, although could be done on your own if you rent a car. Car rentals seem to be cheaper there. I also seek out lots of beach and reading time when I go on vacation and there is plenty of that.
Hope this helps!
We love Aruba and are considering two weeks next time.
Either of those hotels will be walking distance to many good restaurants. One great inexpensive place is Salt and Pepper, a lot of tourists and Dutch locals eat there, casual and great food. If you sit outside there is usually a band playing outside of the strip of restaurants. I really like the Italian restaurant on the other end of that strip too, cannot think of the name of it. Madame Janette's is a great romantic restaurant, good food and incredible atmosphere, need a reservation.
I've been to Aruba 10 times and love it. We spent 15 days there on our honeymoon, so I don't think you'll be bored after 6. It's an easy vacation for us from the east coast... 4.5 hours on the plane, never more than a few minutes going through customs/luggage, and 10 minutes to the hotel. My parents own a timeshare at the Costa Linda, but we've also stayed at the Aruba Beach Club, the Divi Tamarijn, and the Divi Aruba and love them all.
I've heard great things about both the Westin and the Hyatt. Check out tripadvisor reviews to see which fit your style more.
As another poster said, the Jolly Pirates snorkeling cruise is a lot of fun, as is the Kukoo Kunuku bar-hopping bus (even my parents love going on this with us, so it's not just a drunken "booze cruise"). Another thing that is fun is to rent a Jeep and explore the rocky side of the island where regular cars can't go. We've done this on ATV's as well, which was dirty, but a blast!
Restaurants we love: Chalet Suisse, Madame Janette, El Goucho, Chef's Table, Yamanja, Cuba's Cookin'... just to name a few.
i would prefer the Hyatt hands down. It is a much nicer property in a much better location. 7 days sounds perfect to me. the westin is at the end of the strip and honestly just doesn't compare. if you are looking for something a little more reasonable, check out the Radisson which is next door to the Hyatt. It is a great property. we are headed back for our 3rd trip in May and I am already counting down the days!
we had fun on the Jolly Roger snorkeling trip. we've also parasailed there - holy crap it was sooo windy that I'd never do it again in Aruba. I'd personally skip the Kukuu Kanoo party bus -- (sp?) it was awful!!
food - Yemenja has probably been my favorite. The pier next to the Hyatt has a cool bar/restaurant for something more casual - they always have live music. there is so much good food in Aruba that is hard to narrow it down!
aruba is great - have fun!