Thread: [Articles] Aruba All-inclusive

Thanks for the trip report and pics, the picture of the iguana brings back memories of my trip to Aruba. I loved everything about the island except the Iguanas ( I know most islands have them) but they seem to be in abundance in Aruba.

I just got back from a week at the Divi. I loved the island but the vibe at Divi was not really for me. If I was was 50+, it would have been fantastic. We were lucky and got a room with an ocean view, not many rooms at the Divi have that.

The grill at the Tam was the best restaurant of the bunch to me, I liked cooking directly on the table.

Just got back from a second trip to Aruba, we got out a few hours before the effects of Felix hit the island. We stayed at the Tamarijn and were very disappointed in it compared to the Divi-Divi as it's called by the locals. Divi has five facilities on the island, hence the need for a nickname.

The waiters at the Tamarijn were surly in many cases and the service was abysmal. During a few meals we had no beverage service at all and during most of the others it was spotty at best. It took three days until I got through a meal without finding hair in it and that included one at the palm grill. The best meal of the trip was at the Red Parrot back at the Divi. Service was so much more crisp and professional there.

Our room was about a quarter mile from the restaurants and other main infrastructure of the Tamarijn, with the exception of the Bunker bar and that has more limited hours than the rest of the resort. There is more street noise down around buildings 21-25 but it is far more private. Assuming of course, you don't mind the walk. The room was also a lot smaller than the ocean view room at the Divi. Then again, every room at the Tamarijn is an ocean view room and they come in at least $20 cheaper per person/per night.

We also did a jeep tour of the island that was supposed to include a snorkeling stop at the Natural pool. ABC Tours didn't send any equipment with our driver but he was able to grab a mask from another jeep at the pool for the 8 of us to share.

The Palm Pleasure afternoon cruise was a neat experience. It was my wife's first time actually snorkeling and the water was perfect for it. The Antilla wreck was alive with hundreds of fish, making it easy to have a good time. The reef stop near the lighthouse had far fewer fish but the coral was impressive.

I was kind of hoping this hurricane FELIX THAT BRUSHED against ARUBA would release the body of that lady that was killed there a couple of years back, somehow the errossion would unbury her or something like that.