Oranjestad or Palm Beach which is better for a week vacation in Aruba?

Question

We are a young couple who likes to dive and enjoys nice restaurants and night life. I have a ton of hotel points with both Hyatt and Marriott so costs is not a determining factor. Would love to hear input from those of you who have been....

Answer 1

Neither of those hotels are actually in Oranjestad. The Renaissance is the only national hotel "in town".

Nice restaurants are all over the island, so no worries. The Hyatt is the best hotel on the island and the highest expense. The Marriot is not far down the beach from there, it's also a very nice hotel. You will enjoy both. The Radisson (on the same strand of beach) has a hoppin' pier bar and is loads of fun but the best night life is in downtown Oranjestad. Be sure to check out Happy Hour 4-6:30 at La Cabana on Tues., Fri & Sun. the band Oreo is loads of fun and drinks are 2 for 1. Sat night try El Gaucho for dinner then cross the street to Garufa for drinks and dancing 'til 3am...You'll LOVE it!

Diving is best with a "tour". Free diving is fabulous at Baby's Beach. Rent a car spend the day, have lunch at Coco Beach Grill and swim in a giant aquarium all day long at your leisure.

Check out http://www.aruba.com for lots of details on Aruba

Answer 2

The Marriott Ocean Club on Palm Beach is a very nice place.  It is next door to the Marriott Hotel as well as the Marriott Surf Club.  The water is not crystal clear but is still very nice.  Lots of things to do there everyday.  

The pools are great, the beach is very nice, and there are plenty of water sports at the Marriott.

For something really fun to do, I suggest the DePalm Tour Company and the Jeep Off Road Adventure.  You do the driving of Land Rovers and go all over the island and lots of it is off-road.  Very exciting and you see everything.

You do not need to rent a car.  The island bus goes every half hour and the round trip to Oranjestad from the Marriott is only $4 per person.  It goes by all of the Palm Beach hotels and restaurants.

Definitely, drink the Balashi beer.  It is Aruban beer and is made with desalinated sea water (like all of the drinking water on the island).  It is excellent beer.

Answer 3

Palm beach which is where all of the high rise hotles are located also there is much more stuff to do like water sports and stuff and also if you do go check here to stay at the Playa Linda you can pay like 1,000 for one whole week.

http://playalinda.com/members/phpBB2/vie...

Answer 4

Theres alot of info on this site go to the feature resort link also check out the traveler tips link

redhotescapes.com

Answer 5

The high rise hotels has a little more action. I've been to Aruba twice, and I can't recall much of a night life. Unless you hang at one of the many casino's. The low rise hotels (divi & tamjarian) have a better beach, (less people). The weather and water are GREAT. Have fun.