Things to know...

The Marriott's Aruba Ocean Club is shaped like a "U." The inner courtyard units usually have nice views of the pool area (and ocean), although many lower units could be considered "Garden View" instead of "Ocean View" by some people. The "outside" of the "U" to the north looks out on the Marriott Hotel over a wide green belt, the south side predominately looks into Marriott's Aruba Surf Club, both with varying degrees of Ocean View clips.

During my last visit, a mid-week house cleaning was included. Pool towels were in the units and could be exchanged daily at the towel hut. This provided us plenty of towels. The unit did not have a washer/dryer in the unit, but floors 2 to 6 had a complimentary laundry room (provide your own consumables).

The resort has lots of amenities; casino, shops, beach actvity vendors, etc. It is located in the middle of what could be considered a "Marriott compound" (no fence) consisting of a Hotel, the Aruba Ocean Club, and the huge Aruba Surf Club, all adjacent to each other. Consequently, there is plenty of room to roam. Beach Palapas are at a premium and may be hard to get during busy weeks of the year.

Rooms are spacious and well appointed. Refurbishment took place around 2005-ish. Our unit had a DVD player and the television had lots of channels to view.

The property is in a great location within walking distance to the developing Palm Beach shopping area for a variety of restaurants., across from the Holiday Inn, Radission, Hyatt Hotels. Downtown Orangestad is too far to walk, you will need a taxi. Orangestad is developing some very high end shopping as cruise ships are now making Aruba a port of call. During our last visit, high end shopping includes: Gucci, Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton (coming soon), Cartier, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren. There are loads of jewelry shops.

I have owned at the Aruba Ocean Club for around five years. Compared to other timeshare resorts (Marriott) that I have visited, this one is my favorites. In 15 years of visiting Aruba, the activities seem endless! The island slogan "One Happy Island" has held true for me; I have found the residents to be welcoming and helpful. Renting a car and driving around the island can be a great way to explore. The road infrastructure is generally very good.

I have had the privilage of meeting many people at the pool who have "exchanged" into this propery and have been pleased. I think the biggest issue has been lack of daily housekeeping (available for an additional fee), difficulty getting a beach palapa, cost of airfare to Aruba, crowds at pool and beach, and being assigned a "non-view" unit when they expected one. However, I think these issues are generally common to "timeshares" and "come with the territory." My experience is that the staff at this resort want to be helpful, but are expected to "follow rules."

The child care program is slowly evolving, but grammer/middle school aged kids may have difficulty finding organized activities of interest. to them. The kids program seemed focused on kids under age 7 to me. The expansion of "game rooms" has provided activities for older kids at an additioinal cost.

Nice job detailing all the advantages of visiting Aruba, one of our favorite islands! I would also add that their modern bus system makes it convenient to travel downtown from the Marriott as well, and for a very reasonable fee.

Do you know if you can see the ocean if staying on the 4th floor facing the pool of the ocean club? i have heard it may be tree lined?

I couldn't say exactly. It depends how close to the beach end of the "U" that you are located. The closer to the beach, the more likelihood that there will be no or limited obstructions as I recall. I don't think that there are any trees that fully obstruct the views if you are on the inside of the "U". I would gladly be happy with any location inside the "U" overlooking the pool as opposed to the outside of the "U" looking at buildings.

Howardh37, Thank you for this information! Questions: Did your unit have free internet? Will a $$ tip get us a better room or higher floor? Did you call or email and reguest your room inside the "U" ? We appreciate all you can tell us. Is there a manager's party? Thank you!

Yes, there was free internet at the Ocean Club. Although nothing is actually for certain, I'm 99.99% certain that a tip will NOT help. There is a lot of integrity in Aruba. People really seem to want to keep their jobs.

If anything might help, it would be a fax to the Front Desk with your requests about three to five days prior to your arrival. I have done this before and they were pretty accomodating, but I am an owner. The "Company Line" is that they are supposed to issue the best view rooms to returning owners at the resort before trades or rentals. Please be advised that there are tradeoffs with almost every room.

While inside the "U" has the best views, if you are in a room that is closer to the beach end of the building, then you will probably want to use the fire stairwell to get to the pool and beach. In this instance, a lower floor isn't bad unless you love climbing stairs. There is only one laundry room on each floor (excluding first floor which has no laundry) and it is in the lower right corner of the "U" if that is important to you.

The best location in my opinion is the bottom of the "U" that looks straight out over the center garden towards the Ocean if you can get it. These units start on the second floor above the Lobby. The best way to request this is to ask for a room on any floor located directly above the Main Lobby facing the pool. If you get too specific, you run a risk. For instance, if you ask for this view on the fifth or sixth floor, they may give you a lousy view and say that they best they could do was get you on the fifth or sixth floor (which may not look to the inside of the "U"). If you give them flexability, they will usually try to accomodate you. Your request might look something like:

Our preference of room location is: 1. Above the lobby facing the pool; 2. Any room facing the Pool (higher floor preferred).

There was not a Manager's party that I recall. However, there is a weekly Marriott Surf/Ocean Club Owner's coffee and donut breakfast where the provide updates to owners about the property. Also, there is a great Cafe Britt coffee shop that can whip up a great Iced Latte in the morning!

Feel free to ask anymore questions...

howardh37, yes we agree the integrity we seen our first time to Aruba in 2001 was refreshing and one of many things I loved about Aruba. This will be our second trip and first time staying at the Aruba Marriott. After a week in MX last year I found money talks and tips were very important. I never want to insult so I asked that question before we arrive. You said to fax a room request .. I wonder if an email would work as well? Thank you for all your help.

Email may work. The GM will have an assistant who works with pre-arrival arrangements.

howardh37 wrote:

Email may work. The GM will have an assistant who works with pre-arrival arrangements.

Some resorts list their restaurants with menu. Is the a website for Marriott's Simply Fish or Tuscany?

I don't know anything specific about the Marriott Web Page. We have eaten at both Simply Fish and Tuscany. I thought both were way overpriced. We were eaten alive by bugs (sand fleas?) at Simply Fish. Tuscany was just so-so. I think the best restaurant on-site is Champions Sports Bar in the Ocean Club. We also like the Breakfast Panini by the pool at the Surf Club.

There are better restaurants within walking distance than the ones you mentioned at the Marriott. Some names that come to mind are Hostaria Da Vittorio for Italian and Aqua Grill or Fishes and More for Fish.

You will see a row of resaurants across from the Hyatt (three hotels down from the Marriott Compound) that will include Texas de Brazil, Benihana, Hooters, Salt and Peppar, Argentine Grill, Fishes and More, Tony Roma's and more.

In-hotel favorites of ours are the Teppan Japanese restaurant "Blossoms" at the Westin (formerly Wyndam). The Steakhouse there is good too.

Also try Sunset Grill for steak and seafood at the Radisson and be sure to order the Martini Salad (no alcohol). The salad presentation is fun. It is large enough to share.

Thanks! You have been most helpful!

howardh37 wrote:

I don't know anything specific about the Marriott Web Page. We have eaten at both Simply Fish and Tuscany. I thought both were way overpriced. We were eaten alive by bugs (sand fleas?) at Simply Fish. Tuscany was just so-so. I think the best restaurant on-site is Champions Sports Bar in the Ocean Club. We also like the Breakfast Panini by the pool at the Surf Club.

There are better restaurants within walking distance than the ones you mentioned at the Marriott. Some names that come to mind are Hostaria Da Vittorio for Italian and Aqua Grill or Fishes and More for Fish.

You will see a row of resaurants across from the Hyatt (three hotels down from the Marriott Compound) that will include Texas de Brazil, Benihana, Hooters, Salt and Peppar, Argentine Grill, Fishes and More, Tony Roma's and more.

In-hotel favorites of ours are the Teppan Japanese restaurant "Blossoms" at the Westin (formerly Wyndam). The Steakhouse there is good too.

Also try Sunset Grill for steak and seafood at the Radisson and be sure to order the Martini Salad (no alcohol). The salad presentation is fun. It is large enough to share.

We have been going to the Ocean Club since 2002. In 2001 we stayed at the hotel and had no intention of buying a timeshare. Well, before we left the island we had signed on the dotted line and have never regretted it. Aruba is great and the Marriott facilties and personnel are the best.

I must diagree with Howard about Simply Fish and Tuscany. Yes, they are expensive but so is everything on the island. Nothing is made on Aruba besides aloe, water and Coca Cola. Everything else has to be brought in. I guess that since I come from NY nothing surprises me.

It is our tradition to eat our first dinner at Simply Fish and the atmosphere is casual and great. You can sit on the deck or the sand and face the ocean where the sun sets right over your head (you are facing west).

Tuscany is as good a fine dining experience as you will have on the island and Aruba is full of great restauarants. You may experience a mediocre meal in Aruba but you would have to work hard to have a bad one.

OK Jerry, put on the gloves :) Just kidding. But I do have a few things to say...

It is possible for anyone to have a bad meal so perhaps I shouldn't bash the Marriott too much. I know that I tend to be more critical than most people, about annoying little things like bugs, air conditioning, comfort of chairs, service, attitude and cleanliness. I don't just rate a restaurant by the quality of my mood, the company who is with me, my traditions, or the experience of family or romance (these are definately great things, but they are often unrepeatable experiences, or difficult at best). If I am guilty of anything, it is overrating something based on value (fast food EXCLUDED).

For example, lots of people like Madame Jeanette's. However, my experience was that I was HOT and SWEATY through the whole meal. The service was OK, nowhere near enough water served. The floor was gravel, and the chairs were plastic yard chairs. Not my idea of top notch.

I also do not rate restaurants on quantity of food for the price (El Gaucho, Texas de Brazil, or Amazonia), but rather on the quality of food (flavor, freshness, etc.). I also am not a fan of donuts and hamburgers, so I am not a good person to ask about that type of food. I have been criticized for suggesting healthier food at the Marriott and told that the greasier the burger the better (may he live to see 60).

Coming from the west coast, it is very difficult to find food as good and fresh as I am accustomed. So, I am trying to balance the best that Aruba has to offer against world class restaurants. You will never find "World Class Food" in Aruba, so as far as I am concerned, you may as well shoot for atmosphere and comfort.

howardh37 wrote:

OK Jerry, put on the gloves :) Just kidding. But I do have a few things to say...

It is possible for anyone to have a bad meal so perhaps I shouldn't bash the Marriott too much. I know that I tend to be more critical than most people, about annoying little things like bugs, air conditioning, comfort of chairs, service, attitude and cleanliness. I don't just rate a restaurant by the quality of my mood, the company who is with me, my traditions, or the experience of family or romance (these are definately great things, but they are often unrepeatable experiences, or difficult at best). If I am guilty of anything, it is overrating something based on value (fast food EXCLUDED).

For example, lots of people like Madame Jeanette's. However, my experience was that I was HOT and SWEATY through the whole meal. The service was OK, nowhere near enough water served. The floor was gravel, and the chairs were plastic yard chairs. Not my idea of top notch.

I also do not rate restaurants on quantity of food for the price (El Gaucho, Texas de Brazil, or Amazonia), but rather on the quality of food (flavor, freshness, etc.). I also am not a fan of donuts and hamburgers, so I am not a good person to ask about that type of food. I have been criticized for suggesting healthier food at the Marriott and told that the greasier the burger the better (may he live to see 60).

Coming from the west coast, it is very difficult to find food as good and fresh as I am accustomed. So, I am trying to balance the best that Aruba has to offer against world class restaurants. You will never find "World Class Food" in Aruba, so as far as I am concerned, you may as well shoot for atmosphere and comfort.

OK California surfer guy, you're forgiven. But the fact that you come from the left coast all the way to Aruba says something about the island. I thought that most west coasters went to places like Hawaii (which after spending 3 weeks there falls intothe category of "been there, done that."

jerryg36 wrote:

howardh37 wrote:

OK Jerry, put on the gloves :) Just kidding. But I do have a few things to say...

It is possible for anyone to have a bad meal so perhaps I shouldn't bash the Marriott too much. I know that I tend to be more critical than most people, about annoying little things like bugs, air conditioning, comfort of chairs, service, attitude and cleanliness. I don't just rate a restaurant by the quality of my mood, the company who is with me, my traditions, or the experience of family or romance (these are definately great things, but they are often unrepeatable experiences, or difficult at best). If I am guilty of anything, it is overrating something based on value (fast food EXCLUDED).

For example, lots of people like Madame Jeanette's. However, my experience was that I was HOT and SWEATY through the whole meal. The service was OK, nowhere near enough water served. The floor was gravel, and the chairs were plastic yard chairs. Not my idea of top notch.

I also do not rate restaurants on quantity of food for the price (El Gaucho, Texas de Brazil, or Amazonia), but rather on the quality of food (flavor, freshness, etc.). I also am not a fan of donuts and hamburgers, so I am not a good person to ask about that type of food. I have been criticized for suggesting healthier food at the Marriott and told that the greasier the burger the better (may he live to see 60).

Coming from the west coast, it is very difficult to find food as good and fresh as I am accustomed. So, I am trying to balance the best that Aruba has to offer against world class restaurants. You will never find "World Class Food" in Aruba, so as far as I am concerned, you may as well shoot for atmosphere and comfort.

OK California surfer guy, you're forgiven. But the fact that you come from the left coast all the way to Aruba says something about the island. I thought that most west coasters went to places like Hawaii (which after spending 3 weeks there falls intothe category of "been there, done that."

howardh37 wrote:

jerryg36 wrote:

howardh37 wrote:

OK Jerry, put on the gloves :) Just kidding. But I do have a few things to say...

It is possible for anyone to have a bad meal so perhaps I shouldn't bash the Marriott too much. I know that I tend to be more critical than most people, about annoying little things like bugs, air conditioning, comfort of chairs, service, attitude and cleanliness. I don't just rate a restaurant by the quality of my mood, the company who is with me, my traditions, or the experience of family or romance (these are definately great things, but they are often unrepeatable experiences, or difficult at best). If I am guilty of anything, it is overrating something based on value (fast food EXCLUDED).

For example, lots of people like Madame Jeanette's. However, my experience was that I was HOT and SWEATY through the whole meal. The service was OK, nowhere near enough water served. The floor was gravel, and the chairs were plastic yard chairs. Not my idea of top notch.

I also do not rate restaurants on quantity of food for the price (El Gaucho, Texas de Brazil, or Amazonia), but rather on the quality of food (flavor, freshness, etc.). I also am not a fan of donuts and hamburgers, so I am not a good person to ask about that type of food. I have been criticized for suggesting healthier food at the Marriott and told that the greasier the burger the better (may he live to see 60).

Coming from the west coast, it is very difficult to find food as good and fresh as I am accustomed. So, I am trying to balance the best that Aruba has to offer against world class restaurants. You will never find "World Class Food" in Aruba, so as far as I am concerned, you may as well shoot for atmosphere and comfort.

OK California surfer guy, you're forgiven. But the fact that you come from the left coast all the way to Aruba says something about the island. I thought that most west coasters went to places like Hawaii (which after spending 3 weeks there falls intothe category of "been there, done that."

You are correct! It does say something about Aruba. I've been going there since 1991 and honeymooned there. Your are also correct that a lot of people give me a bad time about flying all the way to Aruba from California. Mostly it is because of the people. When I get to Hawaii, I feel as if it is "Welcome to Hawaii, now leave lots of tourist money and go home after we pretend nothing has changed here in 150 years."

The Aruba slogan "One Happy Island" has historically been true, although recent overcrowding by tourists and cruise ships is making life much more hectic for a once quiet island. I also like the nightlife and gambling in Aruba, and coming from California, it is easy to stay awake. If I go to Hawaii I wake up at 4:00am and can't get a cup of coffee until 7:00am. Hawaii is definately more modern and upscale, and the prices reflect it. There is no Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton in Aruba! What Aruba lacks in infrastructure, it makes up in it's Latin/Caribbean hospitality.

howardh37 We're back from Marriott OC. Loved the clean beautiful spacious unit, The pool could have been cleaner, loved the service and staff. Our unit was just steps away from the pool. I requested a first floor poolside. We were able to walk out our door turn right and out to the pool! Room #5187. Having free internet service in the room was wonderful for staying in touch with home and check-in for our returning flight. The 3pm-5pm happy hour with live music was fun and entertaining. The happy hour drinks selection was limited but good. A different selection each day. Lunch at the pool grill was limited to sandwich selections but always hot and fresh. Moomba's was also fun and entertaining. We went to Fish and More.. ok food and service, I won $100.00 on a nickle machine at the Marriott casino. That gave me a few more days of play but soon it too was gone. Only complain was the lizards. Lots and lots of BIG ugly one! They were everywhere around the pool and on the sidewalks. One BIG one tried to get under my chair! One lizard stopped beside my pool chair and did his job. The little droppings were everywhere around the pool. Yuck After first day I never went barefoot at the pool. We had to reserve a hut even if we weren't paying. Each morning we have to go to the towel office, picked a hut, they asked for name and room # then gave us a yellow slip. A beach attendant then took the slip, towels and walked us to the hut and sat up the chairs. Learned of this proceedure on day 2 when after 2 hours under a hut we had to move. I appreciate all your advise.

Thanks for the update. I will advise the Board of Directors about the lizard situation. They continually have to monitor this. I believe they catch them and release them on the other side of the island.

I forgot to mention that my opinion is that the drinks are slightly overpriced for the amount of alcohol in them. Did you try a "Slippery Monkey" their signature drink?

As far as the pool being clean, this is an ongoing issue. I think they are in the process of replacing the cleaning mechanism. Also, the pool isn't colored as nicely as the Surf Club, so comparatively it doesn't look as clean.

Was there a problem getting chairs at the pool? Historically, there was a problem with folks from the Surf Club coming over and claiming chairs early in the morning so they could be at a more spacious, quieter, and less crowded pool.

howardh37, We seen many couples from the SC but I was always able to find a pool chair. just not always where I preferred. We walked over to SC and found it to be very crowded. I hope the pool cleaning mechanism is replace soon. And the lizards are soon gone. I'm already planning a return trip. No, didn't try the Slippery Monkey. The sex-on-the- beach drink was very good.

sl44: Two more questions.

They are supposed to be keeping each Vacation Club to its own pool until 10:00am, to keep SC folks from coming over and staking out the best places at the OC at 8:00am; and vice versa. Did you see anything about this?

Also, the OC is supposed to have the new Marriott bedding. How were the beds?