Holiday Inn Near Marriott Resort?

[IMCruisin04]

Hello. I have a quick question for someone who knows where the hotels in Aruba are located. Is the Holiday Inn close to the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino? I'm going on the Jolly Pirates ship, which leaves from the Holiday Inn. I'd like to make a quick visit to the Marriott afterwards, if they're close (my in-laws are Marriott VacationClub owners, and I'd like to take some pictures of the resort on Aruba, so I can convince them to stay there).

 

Thanks for your help!

[IMCruisin04]

Thank you so much for your reply! We'll definitely check out the Marriott, if they're that close (we're not pressed for time at all).

Thanks again!

[cmjaffe]

You don't even need to take a taxi from the Holiday Inn area (from excursion) to Marriott's timeshare... (which is before you get to the hotel.. hotel's North of it). I believe it goes HOliday Inn then another timeshare, think it's CostaLinda and then it's Marriott's Ocean Club.. don't forget right now they're building another area of the timeshare..

Carolyn

[IMCruisin04]

Carolyn: Thanks for the info. Hopefully my next vacation will be at that Marriott timeshare hotel (if I can convince the in-laws)! Looking forward to checking it out!

[jolly pirates]

Hi!

If you take the bus to the Jolly Pirates, u wld get off at the Holiday Inn and walk through the resort and onto the beach. When ur facing the ocean, the Jolly Pirates boarding area (MOOMBA) is directly to the right. The Marriott Resorts are directly to the right of MOOMBA.

This is a short walk; hop skip and jump!

 

For those interested in the order of the highrise hotels;

 

Phoenix

Wyndham

Aruba Grand

Radisson

Allegro-Occidental

Hyatt

Playa Linda

Holiday Inn

Marriott

 

 

See you soon!

[Tania]

From the Holiday Inn, it is about a 10 minute walk north to the Marriott.

 

Costa Linda is on Eagle Beach. The poster may have been thinking about Playa Linda, our home away from home, which is south of the Holiday Inn.

[lscole]

You can walk on the beach from the Holiday Inn to the Marriott. DH and I have stayed at the hotel and time share, we would walk to the Holiday Inn on the beach cut through to the street and go to Tony Roma's for dinner. It will take alot longer if you walk out to the street. Walk the beach. Try to convince to go to Msrriott time share it's wonderful.

 

Does anyone know if cruise passengers can use the beach at Marriott hotel/time share? I want to go to the beach for a few hours and don't want to get involved with a tour.

[OKIE CLAN]

I would like to know the answer to that also.

[Ronzoco]

I would like to know the answer to that myself. I have been to Aruba on a land trip but now would like to be able to visit one of the beach resorts for the day off our cruise ship. Sue hope somebody who knows the answer will respond!

[bahamapapa]

All beaches in Aruba are open and free.....no hassle.

 

Something to think about, though, there are two main beaches on the west coast--Eagle is closest to town in what is called the "low rise" district. This area has older, but still very nice and friendly resorts, like Manchebo Beach Resort, Playa Linda and La Cabana; Palm Beach is another five minutes up the coast in the "high rise" district with the name brand resorts, including Wyndham, Radisson, Holiday Inn, Hyatt and Marriott.

 

Both areas are great, but have different offerings, depending on your style. Here are pros and cons:

 

Eagle Beach pros:

1. Closer to ship

2. Beautiful wide beach

3. Lots of space and beach loungers usually available.

4. Friendly, laid back atmosphere.

5. Cheaper drink prices generally.

 

Eagle Beach cons:

1. Less "action"

2. Older, less convenient casinos

3. No "wow" factor (except for the wonderful beach)

 

Palm Beach pros:

1. Lots of very nice resorts (from the Wyndham at the south to Marriott at north connected by a walking path along the ocean)

2. Very nice facilities, especially pools and casinos

3. Lots of water sports

4. Two piers with activities and bars.

5. Shopping village in center of hotel area

 

Palm Beach cons:

1. Further from ship--15-20 minutes from town, depending on traffic.

2. Pools often not accessible (ID required), although you can walk through

3. "Resort" drink prices

4. Very crowded beaches at times, especially near Radisson north to Marriott.

 

In short, we have stayed in both areas and love both for what they have to offer. If you want a beautiful, wide open beach that is fairly quiet, Eagle Beach is great. If you want lots of people and action, go to Palm Beach.

 

Hope that helps. E-mail with any questions.

 

To learn more about Aruba, go to aruba-bb.com.

 

BP

[pema]

Thank you so much for your reply! We'll definitely check out the Marriott, if they're that close (we're not pressed for time at all).

Thanks again!

I believe you could walk the talk !!!!!!

[cmjaffe]

Oh, I forgot to mention there's a concrete "boardwalk" path between the hotels... it's really close by.

When are you going to Aruba?

Please let everyone on the board how you enjoyed the Jolly Pirates trip.

Carolyn

[Shine]

The Holiday Inn does offer a day pass...earlier this year it was $45pp for lunch and drinks...also the use of lounge chairs and pool. Not sure if it included any watersports...we didn't inquire. Beach was beautiful....had a really nice day.

[Arubalisa]

Eagle is closest to town in what is called the "low rise" district. This area has older, but still very nice and friendly resorts, like Manchebo Beach Resort, Playa Linda and La Cabana.

The Playa Linda Beach Resort is located on Palm Beach between the Hyatt and the Holiday Inn.

 

I believe the poster meant to say Costa Linda Beach Resort is on Eagle Beach, the "low rise" district.

[Arubalisa]

Oh, I forgot to mention there's a concrete "boardwalk" path between the hotels... it's really close by.

All resorts along Palm Beach, as listed in a previous quote, are connected by the "boardwalk". The only exception being the Marriott Resort & the two Marriott Vacation Clubs (timeshare units).

 

On Eagle Beach to Manchebo Beach to Punta Brabo beach from north to south, the resorts that are 'next to one another' are:

Amsterdam Manor, LaCabana, Costa Linda, Manchebo Beach Resort, Bucuti Beach Resort, Aruba Beach Club/Casa Del Mar, Divi, Tamarijn & Divi Village/Dutch Village. This last resort is just north of Oranjestad.

 

On Palm Beach: from south to north are:

Phoenix, Wyndham, Aruba Grand, Radisson, Allegro-Occidental, Hyatt, Playa Linda, Holiday Inn and then a 10 minute walk down the beach are the 2 Marriott Vacation Club timeshare units & Marriott hotel.

[CCress9324]

Bahamapapa: Reading the message boards, you seem to know a lot about Aruba. There is a big group of us going in April on cruise. I was told that the best location at the beach to go to is between the Aruba Grand and the Radisson. Can you confirm that? What would be your suggestion? Should we use taxi or bus transportation from the pier? Are the rates such as $20 for a taxi from pier to beach per person or for everyone? Please let me know and if you have any tips, please let me know so that I can pass them on to my entire group.

 

Thanks,

Cindy

[bahamapapa]

As noted in my earlier post, there are some real advantages to Palm Beach over Eagle Beach. Most notably, it has a lot more activities and attracts a generally younger crowd IMO. The downside is that the beach is not as wide and can become quite crowded. This is especially the case from the Radisson up to the Marriott. I would not discourage you from going there, but if it is too packed (especially because the hotels tend to fill up the beach with lounge chairs for their guests) just walk south toward the Wyndham (1/4 mile or so), where things are not as compact. There is a public beach south of the Wyndham with lots of wide open spaces.

 

Other notes:

 

1. All of the major hotels have decent casinos, but don't expect Vegas. They are relatively small. Fun, but little action during the day. The Marriot and Wyndham are the nicest IMO.

 

2. As I recall, it is about 1.5 miles from the Wyndham on the southern tip of Palm Beach to the Marriott on the north. It is a nice walk with sidewalks much of the way.

 

3. If you want a good inexpensive lunch, ask for the nearest Dushi Bagels. These are little snack shacks on the street side of the beach in front of the hotels. Carryout only and not much to look at, but GREAT chicken salad and other sandwiches at very reasonable ($3) prices. We read about it on an Arbua website and loved it. If you want to save a few

bucks on lunch and sodas, well worth tracking down. If you prefer pizza, get carryout at Charlie Tomato's, across from the Hyatt.

 

4. The buses are very dependable, but I am not much of an expert because we have always visited on land-based vacations, and rented a car.

 

5. For good aruba info, visit http://www.aruba-bb.com.

 

Have a great trip.

 

BP

[cruislovin]

papa,

 

Can you recommend a beach in Aruba that is family oriented, not too crowded, and offers watersport rentals as well as snorkeling from the beach? Also, how far is it from the cruise ship dock?

[bahamapapa]

For better, wider beach and less crowd, go to Eagle near Costa Linda (which has a big playground on the beach) and Manchebo Beach Resort.

 

For a little more action and piers, go to Palm near Wyndham or Allegro.

 

Both have watersports (parasail, jetski) in multiple locations set up on the beach. In both areas, snokeling is okay, but not great---again, great sandy beach means marginal snorkeling. If you want the option of taking a boat trip, those leave from Palm.

 

If you want quiet sandy beach with great snorkeling (but no watersports or other services) go to Ashari.

 

BP