Pictures of Costa Linda ....

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

One of our members Larry is a new owner at this resort.
I stopped by when I was in Aruba in March.
I was very impressed by the large open air lobby and the friendliness of the employees I encountered. There was a nice lobby bar and a large store with the usual 'island stuff' that is at all the resorts.

The resort was obviously full but did not have a crowded feel.
There appeared to be ample lounges at the pool and on the beach.
I was visiting the day after a large storm surge that had caused an unusually high tide and much seaweed was washed up on all the island beaches.
This TS is located next to a large public beach/park that is very popular with the locals. It is also located 'down the beach' from La Cabana and Paradise Beach Villas - a very nice area - you could walk from the resort to Alhambra Casino and shopping area. The parking area seemed to be small and crowded - not many empty spaces.

The beach was very nice with adequate palapas and was fairly wide. There was a beach side bar and a stage area that looked as if they had frequent entertainment.
I did not notice the restaurant??? but I am sure there was one there....hmmmm, maybe on the other side of the lobby?
Sorry!

All and all I had a good impression of the resort - I did not actually get into a unit but 'glanced in' - I found it to be typical island decor - think Casa Del Mar - nicer then La Cabana.
I would not hesitate to recommend the resort or stay there myself.

Here is a photo slideshow of the resort
Slideshow of Costa Linda Aruba - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Costa Linda Beach Resort Aruba

[Larry Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Larry]

Costa Linda

Thank you Pat for the information on Costa Linda and for taking pictures from the unit we purchased this year. Since I have never seen the unit and have not been to Costa Linda except for checking it out when it was first built this gives me a much better idea of what I bought. There was also a TUG member who stayed in unit 1018 in January and sent me an email with the pictures of the inside of the unit so I now have a more complete picture of what I purchased.

Now that the Royal resorts are managing Costa Linda on a trial basis I am hoping they get the contract extention and put this resort back to a true five star property. There are already significant indications that they and the new board are headed in the right direction.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I have added it to my Aruba request, now to include Casa Del Mar and Costa Linda. I may add Playa Linda though I think I would prefer the lowrise section.

Refurbs are planned at Costa Linda but will take some time as per this email received in response to my inquiry:

".....the remodeling project just launched on the North Wing A section, with five units as the materials just arrived. The updates will be posted on the website on the Members Only section. The project will be completed in approximately three years.

Pat (or anyone else), is the beach much wider here than at Casa Del Mar? I like a short walk to the water's edge...

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Glitter, CL is definitely improving! It is wise to add it to your list. As for width, a pretty good walk to water line, as beach has grown over the years. CDM is much narrower, Aruba Beach Club wider, Manchebo wider, and CL the widest!

Edited to add: The restaurant is an open air one near beach and pool.

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

I would also add La Cabana - they are almost done with their renovation (starting on Lobby today X 4 months) and the new interiors are very nice.
Spacious units/even the studios - you have to cross a 2 lane road to the beach but still very very nice. Family friendly pool area. Check resort website - but I think Friday check-in have what they call garden view and I call street view - your best bet is to request Sat/Sun.

[Larry Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Larry]

I would also add La Cabana - they are almost done with their renovation (starting on Lobby today X 4 months) and the new interiors are very nice.
Spacious units/even the studios - you have to cross a 2 lane road to the beach but still very very nice. Family friendly pool area. Check resort website - but I think Friday check-in have what they call garden view and I call street view - your best bet is to request Sat/Sun.

Sat/Sun definetly have the best views however I own a Friday check in 3rd floor unit and I have a partial ocean view from balcony.

I also own a Sunday unit which is right near the center of the U shaped middle of resort with very nice pool and Ocean view. The Thursday check in units are on the side and back of resort and have mostly garden views.

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

Yes Larry, after I posted I checked the website - it is Thursday that has the 'garden view' aka street view.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I would also add La Cabana - they are almost done with their renovation (starting on Lobby today X 4 months) and the new interiors are very nice.
Spacious units/even the studios - you have to cross a 2 lane road to the beach but still very very nice. Family friendly pool area. Check resort website - but I think Friday check-in have what they call garden view and I call street view - your best bet is to request Sat/Sun.

Thanks for this info. The two lane road is less than ideal with young kids but I will consider it if time gets short. The deposit against which I'm placing my request in SFX is Gold Crown beachfront prime season, I'd like to avoid a downgrade.

The CL units sound nice, but the wide beach not a big plus for us. At home I tend to drive an extra 10 minutes to the narrow beach rather than hike so far in the sand with stuff and kids... The more I hear the more I think I want to hold out for CDM, it sounds really perfect for what we want.

[suskey Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close suskey]

I am a CDM owner..just love it. You cannot go wrong with a 2 bedroom unit. More than likely you will have a gorgeous water view. I have stayed at CL..it is also nice..bigger property. Also stayed at La Cabana but prefer CDM or CL.

Susan

[Larry Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Larry]

I would also add La Cabana - Spacious units/even the studios -

you have to cross a 2 lane road to the beach but still very very nice..

Regarding the "2 lane road to beach" if I had never been to La Cabana this would be a big negative but having stayed there it is almost a non issue as the road is not very wide and not busy at all with speed bumps at road crossing and cars must slow down and stop for anyone about to cross.

I don't think I have ever had to wait more than 5-10 seconds to cross the road and 9 out of 10 times there are no cars and you just cross over.

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

Glitter, when we are saying "wide beaches" do not think Long Island wide beaches.
In front of the Holiday Inn. Hyatt, RIU, Wyndham - the beach is maybe 40-50 feet from end of resort to waterline.
Some places the beach is only 15 feet.
At one time there was no usable beach in front of Casa del Mar and u had to walk over to Aruba Beach Club to have any sand to sit on.

So don't compare these to what u know here at home.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Glitter, when we are saying "wide beaches" do not think Long Island wide beaches.
In front of the Holiday Inn. Hyatt, RIU, Wyndham - the beach is maybe 40-50 feet from end of resort to waterline.
Some places the beach is only 15 feet.
At one time there was no usable beach in front of Casa del Mar and u had to walk over to Aruba Beach Club to have any sand to sit on.

So don't compare these to what u know here at home.

Thanks, Pat, that is very helpful - you know my frame of reference! The walk from the lot to the water at Nickerson (Lido Beach) is a killer!

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

Thanks, Pat, that is very helpful - you know my frame of reference! The walk from the lot to the water at Nickerson (Lido Beach) is a killer!

Yup, I realized what u were getting at!

[Linda VH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Linda VH]

If you want to see the beach at Costa Linda go to costalinda-aruba.com and click on the webcam - there is a shot of the pool and one of the beach.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Just to wrap up my part of this thread... I will definitely take a look at Costa Linda while I am enjoying my week at Casa Del Mar

Thanks all!!