My wife was four months pregnant when we stayed at the Tamarijn, so it was a couples vacation, but certainly more subdued given her physical limitations. We heard some bad reviews, so we were a bit wary going in, but I can safely say they were grossly exaggerated. This place is perfect if you're a couple on a budget. Where else can you get a great price for an ocean view room that you just walk out of, straight onto the beach?? Every room is ocean view, so you can't lose. That really turned the scales in favor of this place,

The rooms themselves are not terribly impressive. They are small and don't look ravishingly new like some of the other big-name Caribbean resorts. But it really gives you a sweet, quaint feeling. And the place is pretty large, too. So it's not like you're crammed in. The pool was small and pretty far from us - we were the last complex at the end of the hotel neighborhood. But it was still awesome to dip into and it was rarely full. They had great MCs, nice music and entertainment, and a nice market once a week at night with lovely, small local items to purchase. The restaurants are also delicious. And doing stuff on the island is easy because it's so tiny. We did a tour of the whole island and go to see the main attractions all in one day. And we did a sunset cruise which was terribly romantic.

I can also say that the Aruban beaches are breathtaking. Go to this place - you won't regret waking up right next to the beautiful sea.

Just one note of caution - I did leave my sandals outside of our room, in the porch area, overnight, and they were not found the next morning. They were likely stolen by some wanderer into the hotel area, which is not a surprise considering we were literally at the end of the hotel, and the end of the hotel neighborhood, next to the actual town with local residents. Can't blame the hotel for this, though, nor Aruba. It was my fault for leaving my stuff out. So definitely take care of your things and leave all valuables in the safe.

I spent a wk., here, with my sister. (we are both "young" 50's). Basically, we knew what to expect, ..but, hoped to maybe, find, more "single" people. Didn't happen. Lots of couple's (all ages), newlyweds, and, few kids. Our beach front room had it's ups and downs. We were too close to the bar/pool...that we never had "quiet", until 11:30pm. Someone?? even stole my bathing suit bottoms off my patio. (it was clipped on a drying line) . Our room (possible section) ran out of water, one night (12am to 3am)..the night I was "sick"!!!!! Yuck. No one at the front desk had any explanation, of course. I would have loved a small broom in the room, to sweep up the sand, we kept dragging in on our feet. Otherwise, the beds were amazingly comfy!!!! The ac and ceiling fan were good, and, being so close to the main area...we could easily run back and forth. (I'd be happier running further!!) We really enjoyed the choice of restaurants, great food at all, ...but, we prefered the Red Parrot at the Divi, for the island ambience overlooking the beach/ocean. We loved eating outside, there. We were told the "outside" is mostly for smokers, and, they moved us to another table one night, when the smoke blew our way. (we are non-smokers)...and, it amazes me that people still eat and smoke. We took the bus into the high rise area, 3 evenings, just to walk around, shop, and try to find a dancing place(???). The bus is $1.25 each way to this area. Taxi is $9.00. We decided, maybe, we'd like to be in the high rise area, for the ease of evening acivities; but, we liked the idea of no elevators, at the low rise, and, the all inclusive. We borrowed the bikes, twice...and, joined the bike snorkel tour , which turned into a 20 mile bike ride in a thunderstorm!! (our choice, to continue to the lighthouse in the storm)
We booked a half day tour with Tiger Safari, got rained out in am, but, we changed to the afternoon departure...lots of fun and laughs. Rough ride over terrain in hummer style jeeps!
Our weather was iffy by the end of the week...later to be called Hurricane Sandy !!!!
I felt the ladies at the reservation desk were fabulous, and, most of the waiters at the restaurants, and the bartenders. The main desk, and, kayak people need a pep talk.
(we inadvertently had to stay an extra night in Aruba, due to our planes engine problem, and, were "put up" at the Renaissance. We decided we were delighted with our Tamarijn choice, after this night.)

We also started our vacay at the Tam - we then headed to the Renaissance downtown bc of hurricane Sandy. The pros for us was the ocean front location was great. The all inclusive for drinks and food was good too. The Red Parrot was the best dining and they had the best server too. Most of the waitstaff there was not overly friendly. It seemed like they were just going thru the motions. That was the con for me but overall great experience. The bikes were good to grab bc the Divi location was a hike and in the heat - not so fun walk. They do have carts going back and forth which they said run every 15 mins but there was def no set schedule for them and even the cart drivers wouldn't go out of their way to assist you, I think it was 2 times that we were told by someone in an empty cart someone else was coming by in 10. But other than that the amenities were great, the food was good and the atmosphere was nice. Not much to do at night if you like to eat a little later like 8 pm. Most events were held at that early time so by the time dinner was over we were only able to enjoy the tail end of the music.

We started our vacation in Tamarijn but due to Hurricane Sandy we continued our prolonged stay at the Holiday Inn, so this review will be pretty well rounded. The pros: the hotel is located at druiff beach so it's not as crowded and as rocky as palm beach where holiday inn is located. The hotel offers free bikes and shuttles to and from the Divi. The Divi has the fantastic Red Parrot with delicious grouper and ice cream. The cons: the other restaurants were just OK. My bf and are both Asian so Ginger was disappointing. It was a fusion of thai, chinese, japanese and korean but it was bland and muddled. Compared to the holiday inn, the Tam employees seemed not as friendly or as helpful. We were so upset at the reception for giving us the run-around with the gift certificates from travelocity and it seemed fishy that they gave us some person's gcs because he didn't claim them. Room service and a mini bar is not included in the all inclusive unlike those in the Dominican Republic.