I tell you the other thing I liked about this hotel that I didn't mention in my review, the all-inc wristbands are made of cloth and much nicer than the usual scratchy plastic !

Hi there was wondering what hotel you were in in aruba or can u recommend one i was looking at going myself nest year thanks for your help

I stayed at the tamarijn all inclusive. I really loved it, and it's where we'll be staying next year. There are 'better' hotels, but we loved it. Very relaxed place, right in-between the high rise area, and Oranjestad. Great beach too.

Thanks for that i will have a look at that one i was looking at the riu palace any of you know anything about that one ???

The Riu is in the high rise area which has a lot more options if you like a lively evening (eg Senor Frogs, Hooters, Hard Rock Cafe etc.). The hotel looks very impressive and has a huge footprint, but despite that the beaches up the high rise end are pretty packed. I have a photo of the Divi/Tam beach with just a sprinkling of people on it and also a shot of the Marriott (high rise end) beach which is Sardine City and the same goes for the Riu.

Anyway, the Riu generally gets good reviews but there appears to be one problem for UK guests and that is called Block C. I gather when Riu bought the plot it was the Aruba Grand Hotel and although most of the Riu is new built, they kept the old Block C section as it contained a lot of timeshares. For some reason, unless you upgrade to a much better room category, all Thomson guests are put in Block C and the rooms are apparently very shabby and dated with no balcony.

We did look at the Riu, but it was 3000GBP more than the Tam so it was an easy decision at the time and one I've certainly not regretted. But if you like the large marble palace type hotel (and we certainly like them in Mexico) then the Riu would certainly suit, it's whether you can stipulate "not Block C" on the booking.

Thanks so much for this crockett..... we have done riu in dominican and jamacia that is why we were thinking of that for aruba but ye your right the block c thing was puttin us of a bit and that why i asked about it incase any of you had been in the past. Will have to take a good look at it as it is a lot of money to upgrade so maybe better trying another hotel chain.

Thanks again
Katy

I haven't been there, but I agree with Crockett. I read loads about both hotels before we booked anything. The block C thing put me off a bit, but to be honest, the cost was so much more than the tam, and the beaches seems to be packed in every review I read. Although the money was right, the beach at the tam seemed much better than the high rise. Like I say, we were more than happy with our choice.

My stepson and his fiancee have booked the Tam for their honeymoon next july/august

ATB,J.

We stayed at the Tam in August. I would choose the Tam over the RIU, mainly because of the location. All rooms at the Tam are beach front, rooms, although small, are comfortable, bathrooms, small and need updating, but nevertheless are kepy very clean. The beauty of the Tam is the location and also the use of the Divi (which in my option) has the better restaurants and is more upscale than the Tam. As for the RIU, it very much dominates Palm Beach (very large and imposing)

Regards,
Pat