Destination Weddings Discussions

hotels in Aruba

I am having trouble deciding on what hotel to recommend to my guests. We are having all our events for the wedding at the Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa. Fi and I read reviews and thought it would be a good place to stay as well. Our wedding planner keeps telling me there is not much to do on the resort and there isn't much night life, etc. Reviewers on trip advisor keep talking about how amazing the beach is, which Fi and I consider more important, given that we're more day drinkers than night partiers on vacation. Also, part of our intention for having a DW is to spend time with our family. We don't see them much on a regular basis because of geographical distribution.

She is recommending that we stay at the Holiday Inn Sunspree instead because there is more to do, closer to restaurants, etc. The Holiday Inn does not get as positive reviews, so I am concerened about recommending it to guests; it is also on the opposite end of the hotel strip from the Manchebo.

The Holiday Inn is $126 versus $200 at the Manchebo.

Has anyone encountered this problem? How did you handle it? I am very confused about which to recommend to guests. We're having a small group so I would like everyone to stay at the same hotel. I don't want to overly compromise quality for cost, but I do want to keep it affordable.

Sorry for the long post, but both Fi and I are at a bit of a loss for how to proceed.

Re: hotels in Aruba

  • It sounds like the Manchebo has what you are looking for.  I would never stay at a Holiday Inn over a resort and spa.  escpecially since the reviews are not positive at the HI and they are at the resort.  Maybe you could offer the HI to your guest as an option.    Doesn't sound like your WC is listening to your needs but maybe she has a friend at HI that she wants to help out.

    IVF#1 May 2011 15 Eggs Retrieved, 11 Fertilized using ICSI + HPT on 6/9/11 Beta #1 420 Beta #2 2167 US 7/1 TWINS!! Due 2/18/2012 Brooke and Nora born at 35.6 weeks Jan 20th 2012
  • Thanks, Alison! We've decided to recommend the Manchebo to guests. I spoke with  my budget minded guests about the Bucuti and the Divi and both of those were more than they were willing to pay. I'm happy to stay at the Manchebo with everyone. I think that will be more fun. Also, I found that by booking or Expedia both flight and hotel, guests could find a better rate. Hopefully this will help guests as well. I spoke to the wedding planner and she was more accepting of that than I expected. Yay! Hopefully, Fi will confirm his vacation days today and we will book our room tonight. We already have the ceremony site booked at Manchebo. I can't wait.
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