Wyndham Aruba Beach Resort & Casino?

[PhillyTom]

I hope someone out there can help me with some questions I have about the Wyndham Aruba Beach Resort & Casino. I'm planning a trip there in August and I'd like to know what the Resort is like. I'm undecided about whether to book the "all inclusive" package or pay for things as I go. What's the weather like that time of year, what are prices of food and drinks if I decide to nix the "all inclusive" option? I heard the even number rooms face the ocean. Can I request an even number room if this is true?

Help! If these questions can't be answered on these boards, does anyone know of a website that I could go to where I can get some of my questioned answered?

[Arubalisa]

Tom, check my website, link below. Tons of photos, plus our comphrehensive reviews of our 3 stays at the Wyndham. We've been to the island about 12 times and would be happy to answer any of your questions.

Even numbered rooms are nice, but I would book what you would be willing to accept. With the kids being out of school, the resort is busy even in summer, and the availability of rooms for upgrade is not guaranteed.

Unless you are heavy drinkers, when visiting Aruba, irregardless of where you stay, I would not advise taking an All Inclusive Package. Aruba has too many fine restaurants, in every price range to make the AIP worth the $$$. The Wyndham's package is especially pricey and is very limited in variety and has a fair number of surcharges.

If you read our 8 reviews, you will get an idea of what dh and I consume food wise, the types of restaurants and pricing. My in laws actually save money, by taking a package at the Wyndham which includes their breakfast buffet. They eat late breakfasts (they are not interested in eating when they first awaken, not becuase they are cheap :)) and then are not really interested in eating lunch. You can of course, always order snacks delivered to you on the beach if you find yourself hungry later on :D

Weather? In one word, HOT. High's each day of 90, but with an 18 mph wind, more tolerable. A water temp of 82 is just right :D

Any questions, just let me know.

[NRWPA]

I agree with Arubalisa. We stayed at the Wyndham in November 2004. our package from aruba4u included breakfast each day. We are By Request members and, taking the advice of the agent who booked us, we booked the lowest category room. When we arrived, I showed my card and we were upgraded to a room overlooking the pool. I believe all the rooms have some kind of ocean view (I'm going by my faulty memory) because the building is perpendicular to the ocean. We didn't eat any other except 2 meals (& breakfast) at the Wyndham since it was an easy walk to numerous other dining places. Walk out of the hotel along the beach toward the Holiday Inn for 2 for 1 happy hour and reasonably priced drinks (can't remember the name of the place, but it's open air and right on the beach walkway). I believe the happy hour goes from noon to 5 (it's one long hour!) Food is pretty expensive at the resort hotels, but there are lots of reasonably priced restaurants all around the Palm Beach area. There's a store in the lowest floor (where the breakfast buffet restaurant is) that carries food & drinks. I bought beer for (again faulty memory) I think - either $1 or $2 /bottle and cheese and crackers were very reasonably priced. We did not have a rental car but made use of the public buses which are cheap, clean and plentiful. Enjoy your time in Aruba! We loved every minute and hated to leave (we'll be back in April but only for a day during our next cruise).

[PhillyTom]

Thanks nlrjkr for the additional info.

You and Lisa have been very helpful in our decision making process.

We're attending a wedding at this resort in August and we're going to make a vacation week out of it. A group of about 10 might be going. We're still taking head counts.

As I told Lisa, we'll have other questions in the future, but right now, we're concentrating on booking the flights and hotel.

[out2sea]

We stayed here Oct 2004 and loved it. Didn't do the AI so we were able to take in many restaurants. No need to get a rental, bus runs cheap back and forth to town. Our room was facing west toward Holiday Inn and I believe ALL rooms had ocean views some overlooking the pool as well. Nice size rooms and very friendly staff. Beach is nice but I remember having to get up early to go down and secure chairs and palm hut. Very windy, doesn't make it feel so hot, but once you exit the ocean you can easily be covered in sand by the time you reach your chair :eek: .

Would definately make a return visit! Plenty of shops/restaurants up in the Palm Beach area accesible by the walking path. ENJOY