Aruba this January - tips?
 

Wife and I are takin' a much-needed Aruba vaca in January.

Best resort? Things to do and see?

I loved the Renaissance Aruba. Their rooms are nothing to write home about, but their private beach island is really great. It´s only for hotel guests and you get there by boat from the lobby. I also liked the location with local dining options better then the "hotel mile" location where the most other hotels are.

http://www.curacaochronicle.com/wp-c...ba_21nov03.jpg

lay on the beach

http://images.travelpod.com/tripwow/...02aw-25096.jpg

snorkel a bit

http://aruba-daily.com/newspaper/wp-...1/submarin.jpg


ride the submarine

http://www.portagequarry.com/images/...20Wreck_05.jpg

find a dead guy

http://images.oyster.com/aruba/hotel...90914-1600.jpg

get fucking drunk

Thanks for the suggestions so far. :thumbsup :)

Definitely gonna take the Atlantis sub trip - a good excuse to use the GoPro cam for some video.

The wife's been mentioning the Divi resort...but the Rennaisance sounds good, too. I'd prefer being away from the 'hotel strip' myself.

Get horses and take a trail ride over the east side - the view is unbelievable. Rent a jeep. Stay at Riu Palace.

Or a dead girl

http://s10.postimg.org/ulo3uyg89/image.jpg
photo sharing

Have to take a pass on horses.

But yeah, we'll likely rent a 4WD to check out some of the rugged coast areas (and Natural Pool). I want to get to some of the backroad areas for photography.

Tips? Just the tip. Riu Palace Aruba is a 5 star all inclusive resort on the most beautiful beach. I would avoid DIVI. (time share + hotel) It is literally a few min walk to DIVI. There are other less expensive hotels all along Malmok Beach such as Holiday In, Radisson, Marriot, Westin if you're looking for something cost effective.
The beaches are public, anyone from any of the hotels on that beach can go anywhere really so if you're just looking for the best beach - can stay at any of the less expensive not all inclusive resorts. (Bars/Restaurants all within walking distance near by)

Renaissance Hotel is on a different beach & like someone already mentioned you can't walk there, only by boat from your hotel.

White sand, blue water paradise!
This is Riu Palace ;)
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https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...61608319_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...00438472_n.jpg

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Also "SUPZ" has been to Aruba, I am sure he will jump in here when he sees the thread and will reply.

Things to see underwater: Antilla shipwreck, CRAZY
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Kfy6cPsuQJg
https://youtube.com/watch?v=gHvQhQ-juH4

Much obliged for the info and insight. :thumbsup

We'll definitely be going with all inclusive (my food and alcohol intake is legend, lol)...and cost isn't a consideration.

Mainly we just want good value for whatever we spend.

haha, that's awesome :thumbsup
Check out the reviews on TripAdvisor for Riu VS Renaissance.
They are both a short ride from the airport. I think those would be my top 2 choices. Riu is a big resort with entertainment during day -the other hotels near by are mostly time share + smaller hotel styles. The rooms are not fancy, it's not Vegas 5 star hehe. One thing I wanted to give you a heads up about, my cell phone had NO reception, NO RECEPTION, NADA no phone network & many other Canadians, same story. Might be different for Americans. Bring laptop, free wifi! Other than that was pretty much amazing, good weather always, good food, tons of alcohol, amazing beach. I don't drink, they made money on me :)
Google Boca Catalina Reef for snorkeling. The dudes on the beach can book all the tours for you, (jeep/scuba) if you don't want to pay double I can give you a number to a guide we booked catamaran/snorkling/jeep tour with. They were so awesome. I paid the beach guys first "deposit" then they call the main boat dudes to come pick you up for the tours. Referral system :1orglaugh

I'm sure it will be great whatever you choose :)

Thanks again!

I'll be packing my tablet and laptop - don't really need the cell (although it'd be nice to be able to use Google maps and satellite GPS for navigating the off-road areas along the coast I'd like to see).

I see car rentals are about $175usd for a week - likely a little more for a 4WD (jeep) I'd assume. Hopefully the rental availability is good in mid-January.

Riu does sound good, though. Rennaissance apparently has constant jet noise after midday being so close to the airport.

Never been there...

Seems legit...

What...you don't believe in Atlantis?

Plainly obvious...that's Plato himself at the helm. :1orglaugh

Bookings made - we went with the Tamarijn...oceanfront - all inclusive. :)

Gives us full access to the Divi resorts as well.