I also posted this on the September board, so if you read it there, no need to continue.
I am going to Aruba in March and was asking around for advice. This information came from a friend of a friend who has a timeshare and goes to Aruba every year. My friend described them as "drinkers/gamblers/fisherman/hunters and definitely know how to have fun."
Here you go:
MY FAVORITES IN THIS ORDER:
Que Pasa (downtown behind the Renaissance)L.G Smith (in Renaissance downtown) Great Food- Reasonable prices!
Lighthouse- La Trattoria Faro Blanco- cool view. can eat outside or in
Ruths Chris Steak House- in the Marriott Stellaris-- same as a great steak house here
Simply Fish- on the beach in front of Marriott
There is a good italian restaurant across from the Hyatt- don't remember the name- but we sat under a white awning
Trent Here is our 2010 list.
Barefoot
Jamanja (sp?)
Que Pasa (not Mexican food)
LG Smiths (downtown)
Mirandi (past the airport)
Aruba is hot, but winds make it not feel so bad so were your sun block. Depending on the time of the year, rains do come and go but usually last about 10 minutes and they're gone. My family was just there in November and it rained half the time. (worst they'll had in the 10 years of going) The food on the island is the best I've had anywhere. Make reservations early, we usually make them the day before but you'll be able to get in anywhere if you make them by 1 or 2 usually. If you like to gamble, I've always had the best luck in the holiday inn.
Food
1. Marandi (best filet you'll ever have, problem is it's long cab ride from the holiday inn (or any hotel)for most but unbelievable food) Time dinner for sunset if possible.
2. Que Pasa? (this is new but my family said it was great, waiting response from my sis)
3. Papiamentos (very unique restaurant, most things are served on a stone and the atmosphere is neat, but different, it's almost like they made a home a restaurant, seating outside is around a pool with tents and candles. Queen of England actually visits here once in awhile. This is one of Stacey's and my favorites.
4. Passions on the Beach - Good food and nice atmosphere
5. Amazonia - If you've been to one of these Brazilian Steak houses, you been here and I'd skip it.
6. If you're eating downtown, stop in the Renaissance for a pre-dinner cocktail by the pool, L.G. Smith's is in the hotel, it good but pricing with more of an urban feel.
7. Madame Janette - overrated but still good
8. Fish - Wahoo and Barracuda are caught daily and are excellent, don't under estimate barracuda as it's great.
9. If you have kids, buccaneer restaurant is good.
10. The lighthouse- The best views from the restaurant, the food is ok and is expensive.
Sporting
1. Don't pay up for De Palm Island, for is terrible, costly, snorkeling is good but shallow, kids park is fun for young kids.
2. Definitely go snorkeling on a catamaran to the sunken German U-Boat, I think a couple places do this but we usually go off a pier up by the R
3. If you like fishing, call the Driftwood Restaurant, Herby takes people out at a reasonable rate and they'll cook the fish up for you at the restaurant that night. You don't get all the fish, that's why it's reasonable but remember the waves on the non-hotel side of the island are 25-30ft a times.
4. If you like water sports, up and down the beach they sell all sorts of stuff. (parasailing, jet skis, kite boarding, skiing, etc. )
5. I've heard the four wheeler trip on the other side of the island with a natural bridge is neat, but never went.
Other
1. Plenty of gambling
2. Shopping downtown, but I'd wouldn't go out for nightlife there.
3. Moomba Bar on the beach is a great place at night, its right between the holiday inn and the Marriott.