The Riu is a great chain so I would think they will put much thought in to their renovations so as not to disturb guests. Have you checked out the Riu's website? Perhaps they have ino on the renovation there? Either way it's Aruba and it's beautiful so go and enjoy and make sure you let us know how your stay at the Riu turned out. :0)

Sam, we just came back from our weddding/honeymoon and stayed at the Riu Aruba Grand for a good part of the time. We were told that it is going to close in the spring of 2006 for about a year for rennovations. They were bought by a European company and are adding something like 200 more rooms. Its a great place to stay. I hope they don't ruin their fabulously large and very open beach.

Hi Steven and Jean -

my family is staying at the Riu Aruba Grand in a few weeks - what else can you tell us about the hotel? Anything to watch out for?

Thanks!

Please let us know how the RIU Aruba was. We arebooked for Christmas

Thanks,Steve

Hey all -

Just got back from Aruba. Stayed at the Aruba Grand for Thanksgiving weekend. We booked through Orbitz - but the hotel had NO record of our reservation. Luckily, I brought my confirmation so they got us a room w/o a problem. They also upgraded us, which was REALLY nice. The staff there is really friendly. I will have to say that it seems to be an older crowd that hangs out there. 60s+ My husband and I are 25 and we didn't see any one else close to our age. The beach there is WONDERFUL. Probably the best beach of the hotels. The pool is not that great - maybe the worst of the hotels. It's OK - just a lap pool - but nothing like the other pools. We only ate breakfast there - which was great - so I don't really know about food. The website seems misleading - they really only have one restaurant that people go to - that is the one outside and then, of course, the bar. Inside the hotel, it seems like a ghost town. Nobody there. I have to admit when I saw NOBODY - I got a bit worried, but it was overall a great experience. The casino is not that great - better off goint to the Hyatt if you are into that.