Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

Just arrived back end of January, 09. We find the resort lovely and have never experienced the difficulties that are described in these other reviews. Really appreciate the Marriott management of the resort. I always felt the resort wa terrific but it has been improved upon even more. It is not crowded and you can get adequate and relaxing space on the beach. The pool is not crowded for a premier resort isn't during high season? I do not agree or understand many of these negative comments. It appears to me to be just angry people who could never be pleased no matter what was done. We are very pleased we purchased and have made friends with other unit owners who are there at the same time. We eat in restaurants almost every evening and don't find them any more expensive than at home in the states (Northeast USA). We cannot wait to get back in January and watch the sunsets in Aruba. I also enjoy the golfing opportunities and recommend the 9-hole Divi Links over Tierra del Sol as it doesn't tie up a whole day, not as windy and can arrive back in time to enjoy the beach and hotel. Of course you can play it twice for 18 holes if necessary for a minimal second round fee.

beautiful location. great beaches. aruba - the safest island in the caribean.

We stayed at the Renaissance Week 52 or New Year's Week and LOVED it. We had maid service early every day and found the units to be very clean and perfect for our family of four. We liked staying in a place that is big enough to make us feel like we're part of a community but small enough that we got personal service. We rented a car but found we didn't need it because there are so many fabulous restaurants, shops and sights within a 5 minute walk. Best of all is the Renaissance private beach island with the flamingos -- not crowded and very pretty. We think this place is special and unique. If you rented the same unit as a hotel guest you would be talking about $600 a day.

We have stayed at the Renaissance four New Years (week 52) in a row, and plan to return. The resort in particular, and Aruba in general, have a lot to offer.

Aruba is a fun, small, arid island with lots of tourism. There is excellent local and cosmopolitan dining which is pricey but not ridiculous. Golf, beaches, casino's, shopping, dining, and nightlife are outstanding. Crime is low but may be on the upswing as the economy declines. The dollar is accepted everywhere and English is spoken by all.

The Renaissance resort is good but deteriorating with the recent economic downturn. Rooms at the ocean suites are comfortable but maintenance has declined. There is evidence of water damage and some rooms are showing mold and disodor. Neither TV in our suite worked well. Only a single elevator was working, for example and often a concierge was not to be found. The Renaissance private island is a short boat trip away but the frequency of shuttles has declined and waits averaged 15 minutes. Food service and portions are reduced from previous years, and the flies seem to have taken over. The beach consists of two fully enclosed lagoons that have nice sandy beaches with good swimming, sunning, and snorkeling. There are ample shade trees and huts at no charge. The lagoons are very safe for children. The water and weather are always perfect-- high 85/low 75 every day with breezes and an occasional brief, warm rain. The beaches were understandably a bit crowded at peak times but this is expected for week 52, and I understand the situation is much worse by Palm and Eagle beach resorts up the road. The crowd is mixed-- probably 2/3 American with the balance Dutch and South American. Kids were present and welcome but most of the guests were adult.

The pools are nice, well-maintained. Same with the two fitness centers in the Marina and on the island, where there is tennis, as well. The resort is located in the heart of Orangestad which is small but has ample shopping and dining. You are ten miles from everywhere on the island, and a rental car is convenient but not necessary. Taxi's are inexpensive, reliable, but you generally need to wait 10-20 minutes.

The Renaissance staff is generally warm and competent, but reductions in staffing have clearly diminished service. Frequently the concierge was absent and cleaning service was late and limited.

Prices are modest and I feel we get pretty fair value.

JUST THE BEST PLACE YOU COULD EVER GO!

PRIVATE ISLAND, SHOPPING GREAT CASINOS.

EXCELLENT FOOD.

YOU CAN'T GO WRONG!

Although rating it a 5 star would be to over the top, my wife prefers it over the Oceanfront Marriot which we also stayed at. We had a better room here, it was close to lots of action and the private beach is the best, best best. This year I will book at least one of two weeks here for those reasons alone. Staff was fine here, we had no problems and everyone was helpful. As far as I could tell, the RIU is the only real 5 star and you can tell by the prices there. This could be considered a 'best buy' place, everything you need and more at a price point that makes it a good value.

My wife and i have stayed at the renaissance at least once a year usually for two week's for the last 10 years and rate this resort a 4 1/2, This is the only resort that has it's own private island, and is close to all the shopping and dining in Oranijestad. We find the staff to be top notch and very accomodating if there is any problems, the pools are alway's in great shape and there is a large beach area for volleyball at the ocean suites. regarding the rooms thay have all recently been renovated and have alway's been very comfortable for me and my wife. If you open up the patio shade's the room is very lit up and have great views, I have stayed at many resorts in Aruba and find this resort to be the best in Aruba l

Whoever rated this resort 5 stars must not get out much because this place is far from a true 5 star resort. I wished that I would have read the guys rating from Oct of 05 because hes pretty right on. I had a chance to stay at the Marriott Surf Club but passed it up for this place. What a mistake!

The location is in the heart of downtown and there is lots of shopping nearby. The pool is nice and the surroundings feel very tropical. The rooms were small, dark and narrow. The only light comes from a sole sliding door located in the front of the units. I know the pictures of the rooms looks bright but they must have brought in flood lights for those pictures. The bedrooms have no windows and very limited privacy as one of the walls is made out of glass blocks to try to let a little light in.

Although the pictures look like its on the beach, its really not. There are rocks seperating the ocean from the resort so you must take a boat shuttle to a private island which is nice.

There are no washers and dryers in the units but there is a coin laundry downstairs. Ive been to many islands in the Carribean and Hawaii and Id have to rate the island itself as below par. Its very arid and you can save a couple of hours flight time and go to St. Thomas or the Cayman Islands and get a much prettier view, although Aruba does have casinos if you like to gamble.

Jan.2006 visit. Great locat'n, fun boat shuttle to beautiful island beach with snorkeling, iguanas, HUGE hermit crabs (look for them at beginning of nature walk...wear insect repellent on walk.) Wear water shoes if you plan to go into water at the adult beach; can be purchased on Island. Don't spill food or drink onto sand..flys will gravitate.

Hotel close to shopping, resturants, casino. So if you enjoy variety, stay in Oranjestad, not Palm Beach. Oranjestad also seemed more international to me than Palm Beach.

Hotel was clean and renovated with a helpful, friendly staff. Landscaped grounds with a large freeform pool and separate man-made beach.

Although Aruba has convenient bus/taxi services. We rented a car (local car companies are less expensive than AVIS, Hertz, etc.)and spent some time in Palm Beach for water tubing, parasailing etc. Snorkel with 'Ventura', not 'Red Sail' if you don't want to be with masses of people. Best snorkeling and diving are at the sunken ship. For other activities, ie horsebk riding, DePalm Island, etc. we were provided with shuttles.

This was the best 'beach' vacation I have had; great hotel in a GREAT location.

just stayed there. Beautiful resort. The private island is great. Iguana's are fed each day & it is an attraction for the kids. The adult beach has flamingo's - which were beautiful.

We just returned from the resort. We happen to own a week there, but have not stayed there for the last 10 years. Rooms we recently refurbished. Nice decor. Initially had a first floor suite which was so damp with a strong musty odor- could not stand it after 3 days. We were moved to a 5th floor suite- no problems.

The activities were all but nonexistent. What there was had little enthusiasm by the staff. The pool bar was being renovated. Temporary bar adequate,but again, unfriendly staff. Pool could have been cleaner. Staff not very friendly as we had remembered in the past.

The private island was gorgeous. Excellent food and ambiance. We would probably choose to exchange to a different resorrt next time. This is not a five star resort!

Just returned from 2 weeks in timeshare, our 7th year. We return because there is nothing else on the island that is as unique as the Renaissance and its surroundings. To stay in either the low rise or high rise hotel section of Aruba would be the same as staying at a Holiday Inn at Myrtle Beach.

This is a fantastic place and we are glad we made this choice a few years ago. We have expanded our stay at the Beach Towers from one week to three weeks. It is an Aruba experience and safe, very safe; as is the whole island.

Very clean ,Great Private Island, a car is wonderful to have for the evenings.

The units are very simple but are being renovated at the time we went in Sept. The staff was helpful especially Linda Garcia the concierge. The location of the resort is great if you don't want to rent a car. The private island was the greatest. We would go there again.

Excellent downtown location, nice pools, and amenities with two casinos. Private island is awesome with a beautiful, uncrowded beach. Rooms are a nice size with maid service every day. Marriott has put a great deal of money into upgrading the rooms. We had an excellent view of the pools and the ocean.

Adjacent to the Seaport Village and Market Place, walking distance to all downtown shops, dining and the only movie theaters on the island.

I would highly recommend this resort.