Hyatt Regency Aruba Palm/Eagle Beach

Fun activities for a family vacation, but... The popular stretch of beach where the Hyatt Aruba is located is very densely developed, and the island of Aruba is a desert island, not a lush tropical paradise.

The weather is basically the same all year with a range of 85-90 degrees F, and always a strong tradewind. The Hyatt's beach was relatively small, and the pool area and beach were crowded - even in off-season August. We typically stay at a Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons caliber property, so the rooms at the Hyatt did not meet our standard for spaciousness and luxury. We had two connecting rooms on the "concierge/club" level, and the rooms were small and in need of an update. Because our rooms were not ready when we checked in, we obtained an upgrade to the concierge level which was nice because it included an expanded continental breakfast every morning from 7:00-11:00AM, and a presentation of hot snacks and cocktails in the late afternoon. However, this would not be worth the extra cost if you had to pay for the large price difference between the regular rooms and concierge level rooms. Because of the way the building is positioned on the beach, there was really no view from our rooms unless we physically leaned out the sliding door - the only step-out balconies are with the 17 suites. The Hyatt was also experiencing problems with their water system, and the water was shut off 3 times during our 9-day stay (no toilets, showers, etc.) We had to be down at the beach at 6:30AM in order to reserve a hut/beach umbrella for the day. The good locations were all taken very early, but we discovered for an extra $35 per day plus $8 for 4 floats plus tips for the beach staff, we could reserve a tent at the far end of the property which worked out great - well worth the extra money. They would set it up for us with the lounge chairs, towels and floats, and it was ours for the entire day regardless of when we showed up to occupy it. They reassign the other free huts if you leave them unoccupied for 2 hours during the day. The kids (ages 5 to 16) enjoyed the big water slide at the pool and the watersports at the beach. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The open-air lobby was sizable and pleasant. The food in the Hyatt restaurants was actually quite good. Our best off-property dining at was a restaurant called Pasion (Wine Spectator reccommended) located about 5 minutes from the hotel. The rest of the offsite restaurants we sampled were nothing special, at best. At the Hyatt, my husband and I dined privately on the beach one evening - we preselected the wine and food, and a waiter attended to us personally at the table they set up for us at the water's edge. This was a beautiful dinner (although a little pricy with a total price including the tip we left of almost $600). We had a lot of fun, but would not go back to this property or to Aruba.

It was not exotic or a tropical paradise, and felt to us like we could have been on any commercialized beach in Florida (lots of McDonalds, Pizza Hut, etc). Even my teenage girls said they much preferred our vacation last year to the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall in Jamaica for basically the same price as we paid for the Hyatt Aruba.

Our family of four just returned from a week at the Hyatt and we all agree it was a great trip. Prior to this trip I was not a beach enthusiast and preferred mountain resorts. I may enjoy the mountains in the summer and fall but you couldn't talk me into another winter snow ski trip! Aruba and the Hyatt changed my idea of what a relaxing vacation is all about. My wife planned the trip and read the previous reviews about all the Aruba resorts. She chose the Hyatt and of the resorts we saw, we agree with the reviews that consider it the best resort on Palm Beach if not the entire island. We have no complaints.

Although the Hyatt was very busy, we never felt that we were slighted in any way. The staff was magnificent and very friendly. In fact, we found everyone on the island to be the same. Everyone we encountered worked hard to accomodate us and make our trip relaxing, hassle free, and enjoyable. We used Red Sail sports for scuba diving, snorkeling (my first attempt at both and I am hooked!!), and other water sports. I highly recommend them. Although Aruba is a desert island, we found it different and loved it. The Hyatt in particular and the other resorts on Palm Beach are beautifully landscaped. Aruba's beaches and people are great and the main reason we would return and recommend it to others.

The Hyatt is a beautiful place. The rooms are very clean and the service is great all around which included a bottle of champagne upon arrival and our last night. The only warning is that the pool area is packed beyond capacity and everyone is on top of each other. If you love to swim forget it since you will bang into people constantly. Get out early because chairs are taken by 10:00. as well as the Beach Huts.

The beach is great but again very crowded with kids and Family. Not the place for a quiet,relaxing honeymoon or vacation for that matter. It's a haven for families with kids.

The Hyatt was awesome . It is pricy but a class act. Aruba was more than I thought it would be. Enjoyed Jolly Pirates snorkeling . the live music at the bar was the minus . cheesy . Staff was excellent and the hotel was very clean . Plam beach is wonderful . The Hyatt is the best resort on palm beach and we visited all the resorts . Enjoy Aruba it`s a great island and locals are great . Were coming back!!!!!

Recently visited Aruba and spent a few days at the Hyatt until going onto the Marriott Ocean Club. The pool area at the Hyatt, while beautifully landscaped, was extremely overcrowded. If you didn't get down to the pool very early in the a.m. to put a towel on a chair, you had to scrounge around to hopefully find something to sit on. Not a great situation to have to deal with on vacation!

We just came home from a week at the Hyatt Aruba on June 8th. I felt it was superb and easily up to Ritz-Carlton/Four Seasons standards. The one time I had a minor dispute with them over their restaurant package, they sent complimentary wine and cheese along with cookies and milk for the kids in addition to a $100 room credit!!Service was excellent. The housekeeping was top notch, everything was very clean. We will definitely stay here again.

When we started planning my trip to Aruba we were torn on where to stay. We made the right choice in picking the Hyatt. My wife and I were warmly recepted at the registration desk and escorted to the room. The room was very clean and about the same size as most hotel rooms. We were not concerned with the small balcony because we intend on enjoying the hotel grounds and the beach. The open air lobby, pool area, casino, Restaraunts and the beach were immaculate. The staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome. The food was great At Ruins del Mar, and the Palms. If you want a great steak go to El-Gaucho. We walked through the other resorts and found them inferior. The wind was calmer at the Hyatt and we were able to get a great hut every morning on the beach. We will never stay anywhere but the Hyatt when we return to Aruba ( the best Caribean Island by a long shot).

We have stayed with the kids (now early teens) at the Hyatt Regency 4 times over the past 7 years. They always overbook the Regency Club and then they try to pressure you to take rooms on other floors with Club access but don't adjust the price. The Club level beverage and food service was a lot better before 9/11. They insist you reserve a beach umbrella by 6:30am (who really wants to do that on vacation??) The food in the restauarants is expensive and not consistent. The pool slide has been known to open and the net guard at the base of the slide into the pool has been left on while children are coming down the slide. It is overrun on the weekends by those who take the short trip from south america and it changes the whole atmosphere of the place from relaxed to circus. The casino and the casino staff are nice but the airconditioning in the casino is unreliable. Unless you get a great room deal, go some place else.

This was our second time in Aruba, but our first with our child, who was 5yrs. old at time of travel. We stayed at the Hyatt. On a scale of 1-10, this hotel rates an 11! Service is superior and always friendly, atmosphere is fabulous, rooms are large and spotlessly clean, the pool and beach are magnificent, and the restaurants, although pricey, have many choices, even for our daughter, who is a very picky eater. There are too many wonderful restaurants to enjoy on the island, so going to Aruba all inclusive would be a shame, IMO. Aruba is not a poverty stricken country like many other Caribbean islands, so you don't see the squalor and filth seen elsewhere. No pushy vendors trying to sell you things, and almost no crime. English is spoken everywhere, the American dollar is universally accepted.

I can't imagine anyplace being nicer than Aruba. And there is NO hotel nicer than the Hyatt. Spend the money.....you won't regret it.

We've been to Jamaica, the Bahamas, and twice to Aruba. Aruba is definitely the nicest place we've been....by far.

We recently spent 6 days/5 nights in Aruba and it was wonderful. Tickets were bought online from Travelocity and everything went like clock work. They even informed us via e-mail about a slight schedule change. I thought the ticket prices were very fair and reasonable.

Following a 20 minute cab ride ($19), we checked into the Hyatt Regency and were given an excellent room. Nice view and very comfortable. The Hyatt was very pretty and it was everything I had read about. Prices for everything however, were high. We didn't gamble, but the casino was very nice. The health spa was great. No charge for using all the equipment and there was plenty. Free beach towels each day too. The only complaint is that on check out, the Hyatt included 3-4 extra nights onto our bill. When we pointed out their error they never apologized. Make sure you study the bill at Hyatt before accepting it.

We ate breakfast each day across the street from the Hyatt. There were two nice little places-Amici (spelling ?) and Salt & Pepper. At both places you could get a nice meal for two for $11 total (versus the $25-$30 you'd pay at the Hyatt). Free coffee refills at Salt & Pepper, not at Amici. For dinner, I'd recommend El Gaucho and the Driftwood. El Gaucho was one of the best steaks I ever had and the Driftwood's seafood was great. Both of these are in downtown Oranjestad. We were told that the downtown area was very safe to walk at any hours, but I couldn't help feel a little nervous. There were always guys hanging out on the corners. We were never bothered, but still I wasn't sure.

We left the hotel 2 1/2 hours before our flight. This was plenty of time. The interesting thing is that you go thru US customs before leaving Aruba. First you check in at the airline and they accept your luggage. Then you go thru some US custom checkpoints and then you have to pick up your luggage and carry it thru customs for inspections. It all went smoothly.

I would definitely go back to Aruba and probably stay at the Hyatt, but there were plenty of other nice hotels. The Marriott seemed huge, but out of the way. The Allegro and the Wyndam appeared nice from the outside.