Day pass Renaissance?

[kcdancerkc]

They have their own private island with flamingos and iguanas!

 

Anyone know about this....is it an option?

 

Thanks!

[Arubalisa]

Do a search here in the forum for more info. Day passes will be sold as occupancy permits. I know a family who were denied last week, definitely have a plan "B". ;)

[xeriod]

They have their own private island with flamingos and iguanas!

 

Anyone know about this....is it an option?

 

Did this a few years ago when it was $50 p/p and included lunch and a drink, I heard its $75 now. Just go to hotel lobby get your tickets and ride the launch from the lobby to the island. They have 2 coves and kayaks for your use. Made for a very nice day. They feed the Iguanas at noon and they all seem to be able to tell the time. Like had been said, you might need a plan B.

[kcdancerkc]

We have a year LOL

 

THANKS!

[Arubalisa]

$99 now.

[skiiergirl]

$99 now.

 

Any updates? Price? What it includes? Email address to ask about reservations?

 

Thanks!

[OC PAT]

Hi Skiier Girl. We plan to go there and have a back-up if there is no room at the inn. The cost last check was $99.00 and IMHO it is still a good deal. You can not book ahead of time. One walks to their hotel lobby off the ship make a right and walk about 2 blocks to the Renaissance Hotel. If they are not fully booked they will sell a day pass to you. In the 5 or so times we have been there, there was only one time we couldn't utilize the island. The motor boat you to their island. It has a shacked/beach rest. Your money includes beach chairs, lunch, 1 drink, use of their beach toys. The island is parallel to Aruba's runway so it tends to get a bit noisy at times. Their are beautiful flamingos, iguanas. There's the adult beach side meaning topless ladies and a family side. You can walk out on the rock leveled jetty and lounge in chairs surrounded by the sea. You can purchase additional drinks and food. Transportation back to the mainland is steady. As you can tell we love this place.

[RFerrington]

Anyone know if there are any all-inclusives that do day passes ? I tried contacting Riu (apparently they do day passes) but got a bogus email address and it got kicked back.

 

The Renaissance is a beautiful property and I wouldn't mind doing that one if it was all-inclusive.

 

We'll be on Navigator, arriving Aruba around Dec. 27. Aruba is the longest port time of any, during this 11 night cruise. Would like to take advantage of it with a nice all-inclusive.

[Hatteras51]

Anyone know if there are any all-inclusives that do day passes ? I tried contacting Riu (apparently they do day passes) but got a bogus email address and it got kicked back.

 

The Renaissance is a beautiful property and I wouldn't mind doing that one if it was all-inclusive.

 

We'll be on Navigator, arriving Aruba around Dec. 27. Aruba is the longest port time of any, during this 11 night cruise. Would like to take advantage of it with a nice all-inclusive.

 

 

Hi there felow Virginian! Occidental also has day passes. They have changed ownership, but have continued to offer day passes so far. You really don't need a day pass unless you want a pool. There are so many places right on Palm Beach that rent chairs and umbrellas, with tons of bars, restaurants, water sports, shopping and casinos. This would save you a ton of money. There are a few chair vendors also along Eagle Beach, but much less places to eat and drink. There is also a place called Reflextions downtown that rents chairs, etc. and has a restaurant and bar. You can find a lot of info about all of this if you search this board.

[Arzeena]

They have their own private island with flamingos and iguanas!

 

Anyone know about this....is it an option?

 

Thanks!

 

We just did this a couple of weeks ago. Well worth a visit.

What Arubalisa and others have posted about day passes based on occupancy is 100% correct, so have a plan B ready. Day passes are $99 pp.

[cb at sea]

Iguanas are everywhere! No worries about that!

[mymichelle1]

we're going in May, our ship does not get in until 1pm and stays there until 9pm We booked a 1 night stay for 4 people at the hotel. We figured it would be sold out so this is our guarantee to get to see the flamingos. Has anyone else ever done this? I'm nervous but the hotel allows 1 day stays, I've heard of people doing this in Nassau. I'd love to see if someone else has done this. The one night stay ends up being only $65 per person :)

[Hatteras51]

we're going in May, our ship does not get in until 1pm and stays there until 9pm We booked a 1 night stay for 4 people at the hotel. We figured it would be sold out so this is our guarantee to get to see the flamingos. Has anyone else ever done this? I'm nervous but the hotel allows 1 day stays, I've heard of people doing this in Nassau. I'd love to see if someone else has done this. The one night stay ends up being only $65 per person :)[/quote

 

Lots of people book one night to get to use the island. You should be fine. You mentioned that you have four people. Does this include children? Just so you know - the flamingos are on the adult side. They have recently put up a sign that says that children are allowed to come over to the adult side to see the flamingos between 9 and 10 am. I don't know how strictly they are enforcing that. We have stayed at Renn. for the last two years. This year, there was some damage on the adult side, due to a storm, and we sat on the family side. Everything is fixed now. Last year, we spent a week on the adult side. We would see families venture over to the adult side to see the flamingos throughout the day. Security would only allow them to stay for a minute. Just so you know, flamingos are not native to Aruba. Renn. has six flamingos that they have imported. They have their wings clipped. If the primary purpose of your visit is to show your kids the flamingos, you might want to rethink your plans. Since you are arriving so late, they might not be allowed on the adult side at all. There are often topless women, sunbathing, and security is tight.

[koalagurl]

we're going in May, our ship does not get in until 1pm and stays there until 9pm We booked a 1 night stay for 4 people at the hotel. We figured it would be sold out so this is our guarantee to get to see the flamingos. Has anyone else ever done this? I'm nervous but the hotel allows 1 day stays, I've heard of people doing this in Nassau. I'd love to see if someone else has done this. The one night stay ends up being only $65 per person :)

 

I had this idea too, but we get in early (8am). I know most hotels will let you check in early to use facilities, but wondering if the Renaissance would allow it. I have points too, so could book a "free" room.

[Hatteras51]

I had this idea too, but we get in early (8am). I know most hotels will let you check in early to use facilities, but wondering if the Renaissance would allow it. I have points too, so could book a "free" room.

 

That should work fine. I suggest booking the hotel before you leave home. Just walk over and get your pass cards at the front desk. They only allow 4 people per room. Make sure that you bring your own towels. We've taken the boat over to the private island around 8am many times. You'll get a better spot by going over early.

[sunny2runner]

we're going in May, our ship does not get in until 1pm and stays there until 9pm We booked a 1 night stay for 4 people at the hotel. We figured it would be sold out so this is our guarantee to get to see the flamingos. Has anyone else ever done this? I'm nervous but the hotel allows 1 day stays, I've heard of people doing this in Nassau. I'd love to see if someone else has done this. The one night stay ends up being only $65 per person :)[/quote

 

Lots of people book one night to get to use the island. You should be fine. You mentioned that you have four people. Does this include children? Just so you know - the flamingos are on the adult side. They have recently put up a sign that says that children are allowed to come over to the adult side to see the flamingos between 9 and 10 am. I don't know how strictly they are enforcing that. We have stayed at Renn. for the last two years. This year, there was some damage on the adult side, due to a storm, and we sat on the family side. Everything is fixed now. Last year, we spent a week on the adult side. We would see families venture over to the adult side to see the flamingos throughout the day. Security would only allow them to stay for a minute. Just so you know, flamingos are not native to Aruba. Renn. has six flamingos that they have imported. They have their wings clipped. If the primary purpose of your visit is to show your kids the flamingos, you might want to rethink your plans. Since you are arriving so late, they might not be allowed on the adult side at all. There are often topless women, sunbathing, and security is tight.

 

I am so glad I just read this as we were thinking of paying the $99 per person for a visit to the island and we have two kids. It wouldn't be worth it to get there and find out that Flamingos on the adult side of the island only. Very happy to have read that.

[Hatteras51]

 

I am so glad I just read this as we were thinking of paying the $99 per person for a visit to the island and we have two kids. It wouldn't be worth it to get there and find out that Flamingos on the adult side of the island only. Very happy to have read that.

 

 

I'm happy that you read this before you paid that much money and went over there.

[JFontaine]

I was there last Tuesday off of a cruise ship, here are my thoughts:

 

This was the week after Thanksgiving, a traditionally slow travel time. Before the trip I searched the hotel to see if rooms were available, and there were, in all categories, starting at about $200 a night. I thought I wouldn't have a problem getting a day pass.

 

I was wrong.

 

After the short walk to get there, at about 9:30 am, we inquired at the hotel front desk (fairly long line of people checking out, seemed somewhat chaotic). No guest passes available. I asked to make a reservation for a room, and that wasn't a problem. With taxes it cost about $250 for two. I didn't bother asking about AAA rate or any other discount. I had thought about stepping aside and trying to get a room on their website using Marriott points, but I was just anxious to get out of there. A four person room would have been about $300, and seems like a better value than day passes (not sure if day passes included anything). I did get to use the wifi which worked well on the island as did my cell phone.

 

The shuttle boat had been relocated across the street due to the high water table (it had been in the lobby of the hotel). They have three boats and the wait should have been about ten minutes, but ours was closer to 45. During the wait I met a nice woman staying at the time share, who told me that the water had been extremely rough three days earlier, and the ten minute trip had turned into a torturous hour trip as the shuttle boat had to go out past the island and then come back in. When they finally got in they decided to stay on the boat and just go back to the hotel.

 

Hearing that I was not too happy as we left (overcrowded) into the waves, but after a few hard bounces things improved and we got to the island in about 15 minutes.

 

We went to the adult section first, and it was much smaller than it was on my last visit a few years ago - the beach has eroded and they added four cabanas. There was still the opportunity for shade if you wanted it. Bring quarters for the vending machine if you would like to feed the flamingos. The last time we were there they had dozens of flamingos, now obviously gone. The beach was clean, and quiet and there is a small bar, but the restroom is about a five minute walk. We filled a small cooler from the ship with water and sodas and had no problem bringing it (it's a cooler from LLBean that looks like a beach bag - love it!!). We also brought towels from the ship but it appeared towels were available there. The beach was VERY crowded - last visit we had it to ourselves, pretty much.

 

We had lunch in their new restaurant and the service was great and very fast. The restaurant was pretty, food was good - expensive as you would imagine and the menu was not huge. There is a small shop, a water sports pavilion, and two sets of bathrooms - both clean. The family beach looked appealing to me, wider and less crowded. There are some stationary umbrellas and some trees for shade.

 

We took the boat back without incident, and the cruise ship is an easy ten minute walk or so away - a bit long for seniors/others who have trouble walking in the heat. I did not bother to check out, and I never saw the room. I was given a card to show the boat captain, and to use to charge to the account. I charged lunch to a credit card. My credit card reflected the charges correctly.

 

I know this was a fairly expensive beach day and it is not for everyone but I love it out there. No vendors, no hassles, no problems at all. I would do it again in a minute.

 

Edited to add: a storm came out of nowhere as we were exiting the restaurant. So we sat at our chairs and waited it out. It rained HARD for about a half hour - me huddled under towels to keep our bags dry, my husband managing to sleep through it in the rain. When it was over, the sun came out brightly and our clothes were nearly dry two hours later when we headed to the ship.

Edited December 6, 2017 by JFontaine