It was work the 12 hour trip

I just got back today and for the 1st time my wife was sad that we had to leave. I have traveled quite a bit on business so I am not a strager to different customs and cultures. With that said, I give this hotel 3+ star rating. We took our children (age 8 and 5) and the room was comfortable for all 4 of us. We stayed at the beach tower, which is far better than the marina tower if you go with kids. The private island was nice, but you are quite aware that you can throw a rock to the airport. It is VERY loud at times. I didn't mind because I didn't spend a lot of money to stay here, and there was plenty of room on the island for everyone. I heard that one side of the island was for families and the oter sidewas 'adult'. If we decide to go back we would stay here again, because we like the downtown location

Great location, great time!

Stayed here the last week of July. Got 2 r/t tickets (from DC) and 6 days at the Marina Tower for $1000 via Priceline Vacations, so I can't complain much. However, I was shocked at the number of people paying $200 and up per night. Wouldn't pay that for this hotel, would go to Palm Beach instead.

Read a lot of these reviews before going. Everything was pretty fair from other reviewers. Private island is the best part of this hotel.

Beautiful view, great swimming beach, not too crowded, and the planes everyone talks about only interrupt you ever 30 minutes of so (they fly right over head to land at the airport). Marina tower was very nice.

Recently renovated. Ask for a room on the 6th floor as the ceilings are vaulted and make the room seem much bigger. The Beach Tower is ocean front, and has a much nicer pool area (the Marina tower's pool is literally overlooking the main road and the sidewalk 10 ft below). I would definitely stay here over Palm Beach given the price difference.

All of the shopping and a ton of restaurants are right at the Renaissance and in downtown Oranjestad. Considering how small Aruba is, you can easily drive to Palm Beach, which does have nicer beaches. The best beaches we saw were at Baby Beach and Arashi Beach (the best snorkeling spots by far). We also thought the Natural Bridge was cool.

Other things to know........Iguana Joe's a block down from the Marina Tower has the best drinks in town (lots of alcohol and cheaper). The Crystal Casino is a total rip-off. We won lots more money at the Seaport Casino across the street. That seems like a common theme.

Waterfront Crab House was great, and the Argentine place right around the corner from it was also fantastic (sorry, can't remember the name, La something or another). Breakfast buffet at Renaissance was $13 a person, and so-so.

Get to the airport 2+ hours early. Aruba is a Customs "pre-clearing" country meaning that you clear both Aruba and US Customs before departing back home.

Also, Delta didn't disappoint as usual. They managed to make me 6 hours late and lose my luggage. Okay, use Priceline and you get what you deserve.

Aruba was a great place. The best thing was the people. Friendlist I've met. Considering the rest of the world doesn't seem to like American tourists these days (got spit on this Spring in Madrid), it was refreshing to be so welcomed. And absolutely everybody takes American Dollars! Have a great trip.

PS- Very family friendly at the Renaissance and Aruba in general.

Perfect Private Beach

My hubby and I stayed at the beach suites building for our honeymoon in August 2002 (the building without the casino). The service was pretty good and the rooms were clean. The pool was gorgeous with a swim up bar & happy hour specials! The best part about this hotel is the private island for hotel guests only! It is gorgeous and has 2 beaches to choose from! There is snorkeling equipment for rent (or bring your own) and you can snorkel in the calm water or just past a breakwater wall.

The water is clear & clean (no boats so no gasoline like at the public beaches)! Back on the mainland, there is also a small inlet of water with a beach right next to the pool at the beach suites building. Also clean and pretty! DEFINATELY tour the island - there are some gorgeous rocky shores and you wouldn't believe the landscapes! At the public beaches, the locals didn't try to sell us anything like they do at many other Caribbean islands. The hotel was very convenient because there is a small shopping center next door with several restaurants and shops.

Overall we loved Aruba and this hotel and would love to go back - once we save our money to pay for the food! The average meal was about $100 for 2 people!! But so yummy!

Not what I was expecting, and, had paid for!

Loved the private island; room locations had a lot to be desired. We paid for an 2 "oceanfront" adjoining rooms. What we got were 2 rooms far apart from each other and a view of the pool. I complained and was told to come down daily and they would see what they could do to change the rooms; I got the same response every day - they were overbooked and could not change me to what I paid for (nor was I given any credit for the pool view versus and "oceanfront"). The private island is lovely; the beach massage was spectacular. This was the only part of the resort I have no complaints about. I was disappointed that the only beach area at the resort (on site) was a very small cove. There were no beaches to walk on at the resort outside of the private island (which required a boat ride); the island closed at 7 p.m. You could certainly hear the planes takeoff and land (it is located within minutes of the airport and sounds like you are right next to them!). I did like the central location to the downtown shops and restaurants. I felt the front desk staff to be unaccomodating; the rest of the staff was nice. Due to the non-oceanfront rooms, and lack of a true beach right outside the hotel, I will never stay at this resort again.

Loved the Renaissance

We just returned from the Renaissance in Aruba and loved the trip. We stayed at the Beach Tower resort and couldn't have been more pleased with the facilities and the staff. The private island is a wonderful exotic retreat, very private and very intimate. We spent long days lying in hammocks, reading, and enjoying tropical drinks! If you want to unwind and relax - Aruba is the place to be and the Renaissance private island is the perfect location!

It was great! No problems.

went for 6 nights in the last week of April 2003 with 1 night at Wyndham Resort. Hotel location was pretty good since it was in downtown. Only hotel in downtown! Hotel and grounds are very clean and well maintained. Employees there are friendly. There are two buildings here. I recommend staying at the beach tower since it would be a nicer oceanview area and more private than the Marina tower since the marina tower is across the street. I heard that the marina tower is going to be remodeled. The pool is better at the beach tower. you have 2 of them there. There is one at the marina tower but it is in a weird spot where you can see the ocean but you see everything down the street. The private island is excellent besides the occasional noise of the planes landing nearby. It is NOT bad. Lots of Iguanas there. Pretty neat! Plenty of space on the private island. Boats takes you there from either tower, every 20 minutes. One negative aspect is that it closes at 7PM. The small beach area that is in front of the Beach tower is sufficient enough. Never crowded there. Most are either swimming or at the private island. The rooms are nice and clean. Comes with a kitchen. My room came with 2 mini fridge. Hotel is right next to restaurants in the area, casino's and shops. Also near the marina as well. You will see a cruise ship or 2 near the dock which is about a 10 minute walk to get to. It is a 10-15 minute walk to the bus stop if you want to go to the other beaches or restaurants in the high rise or low rise area. It is not necessary to rent a car since the bus will take you there or the taxis which there are plenty of will take you there. The bus is far cheaper, $2.00 pp round trip. I would skip getting all inclusive packages in Aruba since there are lots of good restaurants to eat in the area but if you are a big drinker, then all inclusive will be the way to go since drinks are about $4-7. Try getting them during happy hours which works well for me since i wanted to sample the retaurants in the area. IF yoou want good seafood, you must go to AQUA GRILL! Both were excellent! May be a bit on the pricey side but worth it. When leaving Aruba, Be sure you get to the airport 2-3 hours early or risk not making it thru customs before boarding and miss your flight. Will go back again!

Not Happy

After traveling for over 6 hours, we throught once we arrived at the hotel we would get settled in right away. This was not the case. After waiting on line at the Marina Tower to check-in we were told we needed to check-in at the Beach Tower, which was quite a walk away. We waited approximately 15 minutes for the club car to take us there. Once we arrived at the Beach Tower we had to wait on line for an additional 15 minutes to check-in. We finally checked-in only to be completely disappointed that our ocean-view room was situated on a low floor, which was facing the pool and bar with no ocean-view in sight. There were loud music and noises in this area. We immediately asked for a change of room, however there were no rooms available on that day. (This hotel offers timeshare as well.) The next day we inquired again about a change in room. We got the same answer, but continued to demand a quieter room with an ocean-view, which we paid for. Finally, our perseverance paid-off. According to the front desk, someone checked-out of an ocean-view room (on a higher floor) earlier than expected, so we immediately moved into that room. After that experience, our stay was comfortable, but not very impressive. The hotel's (Beach Tower) ambiance needs improvement. I guess since we are experience travelers, and at times have stayed at luxurious properties, we expected more. This is just a moderate property with very basic amenities and services. However, the location is within walking distance to several good restaurants.

Fantesy Island

We were just at the Rnaissance Beach Resort last month and I'm looking to go back already!!!! Their private island is the best. It's like a dream. We have been going there for years and every year we bring someone new with us because we want to let the3m see what a wonderful place this is.

One Happy Island

Spent Thanksgiving week at this resort, and loved the private island, the massage and treatment by the staff.

Had electricity problems the whole time we were there, but in spite of that had a great time.

Highly recommend the Flying Fishbone restaurant, Don Carlos, and L'Escale.

Didn't like the Marina Casino, but the main casino was standard and pleasant.

Tierra Del Sol is a must for golfers, and the views are spectacular. The other side of the island you can find in Death Valley, not recommended.

Great Hotel, Great Service, Perfect Location

I didn't even notice the "Airport" that everyone keeps talking about. The private island was beautiful, the room was very clean, the pools were great, and the happy hour prices were reasonable. The resort is walking distance from everything. I had the perfect vacation. Next time I go to Aruba there is no question where I am staying.