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Aruba Honeymoon Bucuti/Tara Beach Suites or Riu Palace AI

LADY324LADY324
2500 Comments Combo Breaker
in New Jersey

We have plenty of time to decide but I dont know if I would rather stay at the Bucuti/Tara beach Suites.  Not all inclusive but on a really nice less crowded beach.  Also we would have to go out to eat every night.

Or stay at an all inclusive with I hear a very crowded pool and beach area at the Riu palace.  However we can stay in and eat at their restaurants and then still go out to eat in town a couple of the nights that we are there.

Our budget is $5K.   If we stayed at Bucuti it would be around $3K for air and hotel.  Which would leave us about $2k for food and drinks. 

The RIU is right at the $5k budget.  I dont know which would be better.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I posted on the honeymoon board too I just wanted to see if any of you ladies had any reviews.  I know the RIU got great reviews I just wasn't sure which one would be more romantic and quiet for a honeymoon.

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Re: Aruba Honeymoon Bucuti/Tara Beach Suites or Riu Palace AI

  • Reilly626Reilly626 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I stayed at the RIU and its not romantic and quiet, go for Bucuti Beach. We regret staying at th RIU, not our scene. Its probably the nicest and most majestic hotel besides the Hilton, but you get tired of their food and unless you are a major drinker do you really need the free drinks.  Our suite was fabulous, so if you choose the RIU get the suite because if not you are stuck in the older building.
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  • gymchick05gymchick05
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    we will be staying at the Divi/ Tamajerian AI in Aruba- no reviews yet since we are going in June, but from ppl I know who have went its a very nice Ai and on a more secluded beach. And since it is 2 resorts, you can eat at both
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  • LADY324LADY324
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_aruba-honeymoon-bucutitara-beach-suites-riu-palace-ai?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:06210dba-8997-4044-b164-1fc6eebb1700Post:4c859ba8-e282-44b4-a2c2-1ce65bbdd5de">Re: Aruba Honeymoon Bucuti/Tara Beach Suites or Riu Palace AI</a>:
    [QUOTE]we will be staying at the Divi/ Tamajerian AI in Aruba- no reviews yet since we are going in June, but from ppl I know who have went its a very nice Ai and on a more secluded beach. And since it is 2 resorts, you can eat at both
    Posted by gymchick05[/QUOTE]

    Ok great we won't be booking probably until this fall so I will stand by for your review!
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  • gymchick05gymchick05
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    terrific- I will make sure to post. I know a few ppl that went there and there were some posts on this board that it was very nice, so I hope it will be great, but I will make sure to post a review as soon as we get back :)
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  • kristen8040kristen8040 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    FI and I aren't big foodies, we'll pretty much eat anything and love booze on vacation, which is why we're doing all-inclusive.  If you'd rather take the time to go to the great restaurants in Aruba, then I think your better off in the beach suites!
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  • BrideBeanieBrideBeanie
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If this is your first time in Aruba, just know that it's unlike most islands in that there are a ton of restaurants and places to go in the evening! I've stayed at the RIU Palace in Aruba, as well as non-all inclusive hotels. Depends on the vacation you're looking for; Riu is more of a party scene and we didn't love the food. BUT, many of the restaurants can get pricey and unless you rent a car, taxi rides are typically $9 (depending on the time of year) anywhere within town and go upwards of $35/way outside of the main town. Aruba is amazing though! Regardless of where you stay, you'll have a great time!
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  • kellybee83kellybee83 member
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree with PP, Aruba is amazing!!!  If you aren't staying at an all inclusive, I will recommend my favorite restaurants!  Personally I would never stay at an all inclusive in Aruba because there are so many phenomenal restaurants!  We were there for 9 nights and went out to dinner every night.  Some were better than others, but we enjoyed every one. 
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  • Reilly626Reilly626 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The Tamajirin Hotel was not very appealing, its far down the strip not near anything and not very pretty. The people on the bus complained that their fridge was rarely stocked with water, etc. and that only one bar stayed open. I would guess and say it was probably and inexpensive choice.
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  • RamsKR01RamsKR01 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are actually going to Aruba for our honeymoon and staying at the Marriot (in their Tradewinds which is semi-inclusive).  I know a few people who stayed at Marriot and loved it, another place that we were considering was the Occidental Grand.  My brother and girlfriend went last spring and raved about it (it is all-inclusive), but it was a little pricier.  Everyone I know that has been have said the same as people on this post - there are some great restaurants.  So, we are planning on going out to eat a few times.

    Wherever you stay, I'm sure after the planning and running around putting a wedding toegher, the two of you will enjoy some time alone on a beach.
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  • LADY324LADY324
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for all of the advice!  We are definitley big drinkers so I am now almost thinking that the RIU is probably our best bet or the Occidental.  I am not sure if we would want to leave the resort every single night to go out to eat.  I think it could be nice to just spend some days at the resort without leaving and then maybe we will just go out to eat in town 3 or 4 of the nights we are there. 
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  • Reilly626Reilly626 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Well if you do the RIU right across the street is a nice shopping/club/dining (Senor Frogs) too.  You will find that you will eat on the property bc it is so expensive to dine out there, or take cabs places, plus drinks are free.  Senor Frogs wanted $12 for a beer, we crossed the street back to the RIU and got them free- ha ha.  
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  • kristen8040kristen8040 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_aruba-honeymoon-bucutitara-beach-suites-riu-palace-ai?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:06210dba-8997-4044-b164-1fc6eebb1700Post:4e1c1187-4107-4050-a7d9-d986f0fa2de6">Re: Aruba Honeymoon Bucuti/Tara Beach Suites or Riu Palace AI</a>:
    [QUOTE]Thanks for all of the advice!  We are definitley big drinkers so I am now almost thinking that the RIU is probably our best bet or the Occidental.  I am not sure if we would want to leave the resort every single night to go out to eat.  I think it could be nice to just spend some days at the resort without leaving and then maybe we will just go out to eat in town 3 or 4 of the nights we are there. 
    Posted by LADY324[/QUOTE]

    <div>I've been going back and forth between those two all week!!</div>
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  • LADY324LADY324
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_aruba-honeymoon-bucutitara-beach-suites-riu-palace-ai?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:06210dba-8997-4044-b164-1fc6eebb1700Post:a2b9324b-9880-4d5c-9212-d60b8a77964c">Re: Aruba Honeymoon Bucuti/Tara Beach Suites or Riu Palace AI</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Aruba Honeymoon Bucuti/Tara Beach Suites or Riu Palace AI : I've been going back and forth between those two all week!!
    Posted by kristen8040[/QUOTE]

    Well you said you are big drinkers too right?  I plan on having cocktails pool/beach side everyday.  So I think we are going to go with the Riu.  Plus I like having the option of 5 different restaurants onsite if we dont feel like having to hop in a cab everyday to go to dinner. 

    We will still most likely go out to dinner outside of the resort 4 of the nights that we are there.  I just heard you have to wake up early to reserve a spot by the pool or the beach and also that you have to make your dinner reservations early in the morning before the restaurants book up!
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  • mrsdevilguymrsdevilguy member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We stayed at the RIU in October and loved it. You do have to be down early to make reservations if you want to eat in one of the restaurants there but do always have the option of the buffet. We ate at the resort the entire time we were there in part because we couldn't justify spending $150 for dinner for the two of us.

    It is close to Senor Frogs and a small shopping/dining area. Plus you can walk through a few of the other hotels/resorts there to go to casinos or other shops.

    There isn't too much night life on that side of the island but we never ventured to the other side so I can't say much about that.
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  • DJen2010DJen2010
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    We stayed at the Rui in Aruba in December and it was amazing.  By far one of the nicest all inclusive places ive been to.  There were not young kdis around, just mainly couples and older people.  Very nice I would def recommend!
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  • weddingzzzzweddingzzzz
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    We stayed at the Bucuti Beach Resorts Last year in the Tara Suites -- it was hands down the best decision we ever made and our honeymoon was amazing.  The Food on the Island is AMAZING and you miss out on all of that with the all inclusive.  Flying Fishbone -- you eat with your feet in the water overlooking the sunset - nothing better!  Screaming Eeagle -- you eat in a BED!!! surrounded by candles - AMAZING...Madame Janette's - i strill dream about that food!!!!!

    Bucuti is in a world of its own -- the staff is amazing - the beach is completely private and gorgeous --- everyone there is on thier honeymoon or anniversary! NO KIDS ALLOWED!!! soooo romantic!

    If you want a drink - you post a red flag on a stick in the sand...and the waiters come right up to you, take your order and bring you a drink!  We spent our days at the beach, then at night..we took a 5 minute cabride to the restaurants and then into town where all of the high rise hotels are -- in my opinion the highrises are too commercialized.  kids everywhere...and you have to get up early to get a spot on the beach!!!

    IF YOU LOVE DRINKING -- DEFINITELY DO THE KUKUKUNUKU PARTY BUS!! IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!!

    Good luck with whatever you chose....we cannot WAIT to go back to BUCUTI this year!!!!!
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