Just back from Aruba Marriott Ocean Club

[AmyL4408 Member Find all posts View Profile Close AmyL4408]

Hubby & I travelled to the Ocean Club January 21-28

Loved the Island of Aruba!


The Ocean Club was just a bit too crowded for our taste. It was miserable on the first day, when we realized we could not get a chair by the pool. Lots of kids running around. But the we settled in on the beach, under a palapa. Very large numbers of people on the beach, but we enjoyed the sun.


I thought the food & drinks were overpriced. $6 for a 10oz beer. $2.25 for a glass of diet coke, no refills even in the restaurants.


Our room was very nice inside, but a dissapointing view. Actually no view really, we faced the Surf Club. Some of the Surf Club people were worse off though, they had rooms that faced the Ocean Club parking lot.

Enjoyed the Marriott Stellaris Casino! Free Beer


I think we may give it one more chance someday, in a less busy time. We were told that the low rise hotels on the Island are much less crowded.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

What Restaurants did you eat at?

[AmyL4408 Member Find all posts View Profile Close AmyL4408]

What Restaurants did you eat at?

Are you sure you want to ask that question?



Well first of all, let me say.... Hubby has been out of work for 3 months now due to a work related injury followed by an unknown illness. So money is tight.

We did eat the beach type restaurant at the Ocean Club, for lunch. I think its called the Pavillion? Hamburgers are very tasty! But I do think $11.95 is a bit much for a hamburg & fries.

We ate at Champions one day. One Nacho with Chicken (Very little chicken), one quesadilla with chicken (Don't remember the chicken), one beer, and two diet cokes.... I think with tip it was about $40!

Hubby enjoyed Carlos & Charlies the most. Loved their Nachos, loaded with chicken..... I think the Nachos were about the same price as at Champions, maybe $12 with the chicken. But definitely included alot more chicken.

McDonalds, Wendys, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut were also on our visits. Made for quick cheap lunches. Taco Bell was funny because they serve fries with their tacos, but they were good fries. And Taco Bell was also the only one that didn't have an exact exchange rate. They had a little chart, which ended up with a rounding by guess. Pizza hut was definitely more expensive than home, but very good. They had an Aruba special, but we were afraid to try it!

Our big night out was at the Texas De Brazil. Absolutely loved it! The salad bar is a bit quirky, I'm not really one to try things that I dont know what is in it. Great Salad. The meat was really fun, we enjoyed our meal. Finished off with a Brazillian Cheesecake, which hubby says is the best cheesecake he has ever had in his life!! (And thats alot of years of life too)



We did enjoy visiting the casino! In two visits we had profitted $10. Third visit we each lost.... So we ended up in the hole by $30 total.



We absolutely loved the Island of Aruba. So many things we wanted to do, that we just never got to. Lots of restaurants we wanted to try, but just ran out of time and money.

Hubby says next time we will try the restaurant at the California Lighthouse.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Amy, you might want to see the 'stickie' on the top of the Caribbean board before you make your next trip to Aruba, lots of good tips.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

The Light House was our favorite it was so romantic. You can not beat the view. Next time try it , You will love it.