Considering ownership

My husband and I just returned from Aruba. We are Marriott platinum members and received an upgrade to stay at the Ocean Suites instead of the Marina Hotel. We love the private island and hope to purchase a week at the Ocean Suites in the future. We would be interested in any comments regarding ownership, maintenance fees and general satisfaction ratings from the other owners.

I own week 12 March 23-30 this year. I've owned it for 5 years now. I just love this timeshare. We find we don't need to rent a vehicle as everything is right downtown waiting for you to discover. Our yearly maintenance fee is roughly $560.00, relatively low compared to the other timeshares around. Our rooms have always been clean and well stocked with linens and toiletries and help is just a phone call away. The front desk is very helpful to call a cab if you want to venture out of the bus route. I purchased this timeshare through a private sale and saved thousands of $$$$. Hope this helps.

You could not choose wiser. This is the place to enjoy the island and to get away for calm, it's your choice. We have 3 weeks and have been coming for 4 years. We would never consider the high rise section...you miss the delightful interaction with the people of Aruba.

jana168 wrote:

My husband and I just returned from Aruba. We are Marriott platinum members and received an upgrade to stay at the Ocean Suites instead of the Marina Hotel. We love the private island and hope to purchase a week at the Ocean Suites in the future. We would be interested in any comments regarding ownership, maintenance fees and general satisfaction ratings from the other owners.

We have owned at the Renaissance Ocean Suites for the past 16 years. We go every October and have seen all the improvements they have made in the units. We went this past March and were very pleased with the service and all the staff were very accommodating. We started back in 1996 to go to Aruba between Feb and March. We rent from other owners so we don't have to give up our weeks in October. We love the idea that you can walk to all the restaurants in town and the private island is so relaxing.

kennethk9 wrote:

You could not choose wiser. This is the place to enjoy the island and to get away for calm, it's your choice. We have 3 weeks and have been coming for 4 years. We would never consider the high rise section...you miss the delightful interaction with the people of Aruba.

_~~Could you please tell me which units are Ocean Front? Is there a resort lay out that would show this? Thank you~~~~

jana168 wrote:

My husband and I just returned from Aruba. We are Marriott platinum members and received an upgrade to stay at the Ocean Suites instead of the Marina Hotel. We love the private island and hope to purchase a week at the Ocean Suites in the future. We would be interested in any comments regarding ownership, maintenance fees and general satisfaction ratings from the other owners.

Our daughter purchased the unit in 1989 before it was built. Due to circumstance we took over the unit. I was first there in 1991 and my husband and friends and I went back in 1992. We then purchased another week. After a while we started going twice a year and enjoyed it very much. So we have seen the units change over the years. We purchased another week 3 years ago. Our unit faces the town and harbor view and is on the fifth floor. Our maintance fee for the two weeks is around 540.00. The last week we purchased in facing the ocean on the first floor unit 2146 right on the side corner facing the beach. The maintance fee for that was 620.00. Both the prices are close I can't off hand remember the exact fee however I would look it up in you need it. So as you can see by the number of years we have been going to Aruba we love it. We owned at Divi Village also and only used that unit to trade to other islands. We finally sold that unit and only go to Aruba and stay at the Renaissance. I even have convinced other family members to purchase units. WE go every Oct and have made a lot of friends and see them every year. We now are meeting new friedns going in Feb or Mar. I hope this helps if you enjoyed your first stay you will always enjoy your stays at the Renaissance.

What are the unit numbers for Oceanfront on the 5th floor? Is there a resort lay out that shows Oceanfront units? Thanks

lynnb2 wrote:

What are the unit numbers for Oceanfront on the 5th floor? Is there a resort lay out that shows Oceanfront units? Thanks

The odd numbers face the pool/ocean. The even numbers face a park or the parking lot. I would never consider the even numbers. We went to the beach towers on honeymoon and now have 3 consecutive weeks in same room, 2535...that means 5th floor room 35. We would not stay anywhere else on Aruba. In the high rise section you have people going out at 7am to put a towel on a chair in order to have a place to sit!!!! Ugh.

kennethk9 wrote:

lynnb2 wrote:

What are the unit numbers for Oceanfront on the 5th floor? Is there a resort lay out that shows Oceanfront units? Thanks

The odd numbers face the pool/ocean. The even numbers face a park or the parking lot. I would never consider the even numbers. We went to the beach towers on honeymoon and now have 3 consecutive weeks in same room, 2535...that means 5th floor room 35. We would not stay anywhere else on Aruba. In the high rise section you have people going out at 7am to put a towel on a chair in order to have a place to sit!!!! Ugh.

I have one week in 2146 and my other two weeks are in 2520. The first week in facing the ocean and is on the cornor of the building. The second 2 weeks over look the parking lot and the town and the harbor where the cruise ships dock. It really isn't a bad view. We were on the first floor this past March in 2131 and the noise from the pool was unbeliveable. I sure the third and fifth floors over looking the pool are a little more quite. Everyone has their own choice but I would not stay at any other resort but Renaissance. We owned at Divi Village and sold that week. We felt isolated there.

kennethk9 wrote:

lynnb2 wrote:

What are the unit numbers for Oceanfront on the 5th floor? Is there a resort lay out that shows Oceanfront units? Thanks

The odd numbers face the pool/ocean. The even numbers face a park or the parking lot. I would never consider the even numbers. We went to the beach towers on honeymoon and now have 3 consecutive weeks in same room, 2535...that means 5th floor room 35. We would not stay anywhere else on Aruba. In the high rise section you have people going out at 7am to put a towel on a chair in order to have a place to sit!!!! Ugh.

Thank you for the information-that is very helpful.

Lynnb2....you might consider looking at this site for more detailed information http://www.marriott.com/hotels/fact-sheet/travel/auabr-renaissance-aruba-resort-and-casino/?WT_Ref=ePreArrival

The units facing the Ocean are 2146,2147,2148,2149 First floor 2246,2247,2248,2249 Second floor The rest just repeats itself. The rest of the odd numbers face the pool and Ocean Even numbers face either the Harbor or The Town