Aruba- Marriott Surf Club

YAY we're all booked to go in october for a week.

So who wants to give me the good, the bad and the ugly?

Any suggestions on places to eat? things to do?

We'll have our 2 year old son with us.

Re: Aruba- Marriott Surf Club

I go there every year..my parents have a timeshare there! My DD who will be three in august will be going there for a third time come December! (lucky girl egh!?!?lol)

We love it! The whole island is so kid friendly and esp the Marriott! The lazy river is awesome for the kiddies and my 2 yr old went down the slide with her daddy in the pool!

Get a tiki hut on the beach (have to go down super early to reserve one) and they make for nice large area for shade. Both my kids took 2+ hr nap in a jogging stroller under the hut every day! (I refused to go up to the room to wait for my kids to nap so I am lucky they sleep well in the stroller) - def recc the jogging stroller - the wheels are awesome for going on the sand!

we never have rented a car...The High rise sec of hotels all have a connecting path that you can walk the strip and stop at a diff restaurant every night and if you want to "splurge" 1 night to go into town you can take the bus or a cab!
Restaurants we like: tony Romas and TGIFridays are always a quick very kid friendly meal and very close. Sunset grill and el gacho are our spurge nice fancy restaurants but had no prob bringing a 2 yr old and 11 month old. Azzuro (I think is the name) is a great Italian restaurant along the hotel strip. there is also a bunch along the outside path aimelong the hotels like a Igana Joe's type, a casual Italian pizza type place, Mexican, etc...there really isnt a bad restaurant in our experience!

we dont bring car seats which is a great way to save of the amt of stuff you will bring. we pack a bag of just baby stuff...diapers,swim diapers, snacks, cereal, raisins, goldfish, animal crackers and fruit cups, jelly and peanut butter! then when we get down there we get things like milk, cheese, yogurt, bread, fresh fruit, etc at the supermarket (which has everything a supermarket has up here)

Def bring 1 or both of these:




they are great for the ocean and pool/lazy river bec they blow up and seconds and fold up to the size of frizbee and large platter...def great to have down there!

Re: Aruba- Marriott Surf Club

We go every year, but we're at the Ocean Club next door. We go to the Surf Club a lot b/c friends stay there

The slide and lazy river is great
You can go to lunch at any of the Marriots and put it on the room. Even the hotel.
Great gym (if you go)
Walking distance to shops and lots of restaurants
Gotta hit the jewlery store like Little Switzerland

The Palm is great
El Gaucho - you have to take a taxi to
Casa Tue for pizza for a cheaper, but fun night. still can walk to

If I think of more I'll let you know

Re: Aruba- Marriott Surf Club

Re: Aruba- Marriott Surf Club

it is not required just suggested!

Re: Aruba- Marriott Surf Club

We also own and stay here every year...we love it! I am due anyday with our first,and can't wait to go next Spring! It's in such a great location, you can walk to so much. Right on the hotel strip there is a great new Italian restaurant called Gianni's and it's good! Our favorite is Madame Janette, but you need to take a cab to this one! We also liked the steakhouse at the Renaissance (better than El Goucho but more $$$) I can't think of the name of it right now. There are also a few good quick small places right on the strip and also some good restaurants in the Westin (Blossoms is one). I highly recommend getting a palapa (hut) on the beach, but as a pp said, reserve EARLY!!! I am also big into the lazy river and always bring a float!!! Have a great time!