CLTKate

jmp0930

Hi Kate! Where have you been?? I hope you are doing well. FI and I are thinking about honeymooning in Aruba and I was just wondering if you could give me some recommendations on where to stay and what to do? We had originally planned for St. Lucia, but the weather there can be very tricky in September and Aruba seems like a safer bet. Thanks for the help!

CltBride2008

If I could jump in - dinner at El Guacho is a MUST - best food ever. We stayed at the Hyatt and it was probably the nicest on the island (and the casino was great!) I'm blanking on the other restaurant - I think its Madame Jeanettes - also a must and amazing. All week when we would run into people and start chatting, inevitabley everyone would make sure we hit those two restauants. Good luck!

jmp0930

Thanks for the recommendations..I was looking at the Hyatt so glad to know that someone liked it!! I will def have to try those restaurants!!

CLTKate

Hey there...barely have time to get online for fun these days! 

Aruba is the BEST...!!  i guarantee you will love it there!  We've stayed at the Marriott, Westin, and Radisson.  Of them all, I can't say that I have a favorite. All were really nice.  The Marriott was the most crowded but they had a really nice pool/hot tub area.  You have to reserve a palapa for a fee in advance or stand in line and hope you get one (we saw the line starting before 6am!).  The Westin is nice because it's at the end of the strip and it's not so crowded on the beach.  All  were affordable (around $200/night). 

The Aruba Hyatt was featured as one of the best Carribean destination spots on the Travel Channel, so it's def worth checking out but when I was looking for  a wedding venue, I noticed that the room rates at the Hyatt were closer to $300/night.

El Gaucho def has a fun atmosphere. Avoid Simply Fish upscale beachside dining at the Marriott.  The most terrible food we had while there and around $30-40/plate.  Passions is a good restaurant for beach dining, but you have to take a cab there.  Across from the resorts is Gianni's, a great Italian place.  Taj Mahal has Awesome Indian food.  We heard great things abt madame jeanette's too but havent been there yet.

CLTKate

also if you google best destination wedding forum, you will come across a lot of great info.  a wedding planner posted a ton of pics from a tour at the hyatt on there. easy to find if you look in the aruba forum.

jmp0930

Thanks Kate!! Im so excited to go! Thanks for the heads up about Simply Fish..I actually looked into that place for dinner. Hope all is well!!