We booked our room through the Tam-which is why I post on this section, but it was technically included in the time share Divi Dutch Village at the Tamarijn, but Tam classifies it as a suite. So, anyway, we had a studio suite in this section, which is located directly behind the beach front Tamarijn buildings, and the room was decent. I'll break this review down into sections so it's easier to skim.
The Room: I have cleaned hotel rooms so I know some inside stuff, which makes staying hotels a little difficult for me (little tip, in most hotels, that top comforter isn't always washed), so our room, to me, wasn't quite clean enough. There was a noticeable odor of mildew/mold when we walked in and we eventually decided it was coming from the drains, but it either aired out or we got used to it. There are mold spots in same places, and the majority of our pillows had a distinct mildew smell to them, not terrible but certainly noticeable. Also, in the range of smells-the beach/pool towels, to me, always smelled like sour milk-not completely clean. Also, the floor was never very clean, but the maid service was quite good. The best thing about this room, however, was the Dutch Village pool, which all sets of Dutch Village rooms share-there are a couple, so you didn't have to walk all the way to the main resort to swim.
The Food: If you are able to get reservations at the 4 restaurants that require them (Red Parrot, Ginger, Paparazzi, and Palm Grill), do it! The food at those restaurants is quite good, as is the service, but the service in all the food establishments was exceptional. Aside from that, the buffets are not very good. Breakfast is the exception here, with an omlete bar and french toast, pancakes and waffles-all quite good. But lunch and dinner were, despite all efforts to provide many options, pretty monotonous. The resort has theme nights for dinner but they all seem strangely very similar to not very good chinese food-even simple pasta didn't taste quite right to me. For lunch, I recommend going to Pizza Per Tutti instead of the buffet, and Red Parrot was my personal favorite restaurant. As for the bars, some bartenders were great, others were very quiet, not mean just not involved with patrons. A tip-if you look young (or are young), but are 18 or above, make a point of showing your wristband (a different color for those of age) to the bartender, because some don't really pay attentions and will give you a virgin drink if they decide you look young.
The Beach: The beach in front of the Tam isn't perfect, but if you're in the business of laying on a chair and only putting your feet in the water occasionally, I recommend staying on the Tam side. The wind is very strong so when you're on the beach at the Divi, which is longer and doesn't have the barrier of hotel rooms to block some wind, you get sand blown at you, and it's not very comfortable. If you'll be in the water the whole time, this isn't a problem, but the water at the Tam is just as nice, you just have to find a spot to get in-and watch for rocks, I almost broke my toe! Also, if you're squemish about stepping on things, try Eagle Beach instead because Druif, where Tam is located, has a lot of coral that washes up that you must step over to get to the smooth sand farther out in the water.
I did truly have a fantastic vacation-I recommend parasailing-and all-inclusive worked well for my travel needs and the Tam beach was perfect because there wasn't constantly blowing sand, but just know what you're getting into-i.e. maybe use the money you save on the rooms, which are a good deal, to buy a travel sleeping bag (which keeps you from having to deal with not quite clean or nice sheets) or bigger luggage to bring your own pillow and towel.

Always dreamt of going to Aruba and had high expectations - the Tamarijn delivered everything we hoped for and more. The view from our room was absolutely stunning, no camera could ever do it justice. We contacted the hotel prior to our trip as we were aware that some of the beach area has restricted access to the sea due to rocks and we wanted to ensure our two young children (1& 4) were able to paddle safely. They provided a perfect area for us at terrace level in block 22. The rooms are a little dated and could do with smartening up but for the length of time spent in them it really wasn't an issue, it was kept immaculately clean and had everything you need (ie iron & board and fridge). We tried each of the speciality restaurants and found the Red Parrot to be the best however we have no complaints with any of the others. The buffet restaurant had plenty of choice, the food was lovely and there was something for everyone. The staff are genuinely friendly and worked hard to ensure guests have a great time. Our children loved riding on the golf-buggies between the Tam & Divi (as did we!). The best recommendation we can give is to say we will be going back so hope you enjoy your stay as much as we did.

Thank you firstly to trip advisor as I read all reviews prior to our trip and found the tips very useful especially in terms of restaurants.

What more can I add it was a small place of heaven for a much needed break. We have stayed at many all inclusive, 3*, 4* and 5* resorts, and I have to say that the food far exceeded all those others and I can asure my husband is extreemely fussy leading me to be slightly cautious prior to leaving.

The restaurants were first class and I really can not, nor do I want to find any negative points.

As commented on by previous persons, the rooms are tired but comfortable and clean and with the views outside you really do not spend any time in these.

We preferred the beach at the the Divi end mainly for the seclusion as some days there were fewer than a handful of people around. We were extreemly privilaged to see the baby turtles hatch on the beach once during the day and on our last night what an amazing experience.

If you are looking for the WOW factor in terms of hotel then yes you will be disappointed as there are no marbel sinks or jacquzis in your room (excuse spelling only returned to UK this morning!), however the WOW factor of the view directly outside your room more than makes up for this.

We loved every minute of our stay and found everyone very friendly and helpful. We will return again.

We returned from a 2 week stay at the Tamarijn this morning, 24th June 08.

We started off the holiday with the lounge at Manchester airport and the Premier Seats with First Choice. Luggage is tagged with Priority labels and is first off of the carousel at the destination - this is fine if you are making your own way to your hotel but, otherwise all it means is that you are sat on the hot stuffy bus for ages waiting and waiting. A taxi to the Tam cost's $17, so if you want to beat the queues for the checking in - although this is a well organised event - we would recommend you hop in a taxi - your luggage is put on a lorry and arrives about an hour later so if you have children a taxi may be a good alternative.

On entering our room - 2106 - we were pleased with its location and the view from the balcony - even numbers upstairs, odd down. The only fault was that the tiles in the bath were a bit black at places and the bottom of the bath was a little rusty - but this was the only niggle concerning the room. Andrea the housekeeper for that block kept it nice and clean.
She came to borrow some of our gin one day to mix with salt!!! I think she had period pains, we gave her some ibuprofen!

Bunkers Bar - busy right now due to the football. Wooden stool type chairs - a great shady area to sit and watch the world go by. Hot drinks machine there also and a toilet block outside also - very clean.

Wooden walkways - be careful, if you dont lift your feet you will stumble!!

Security box was under our sink - difficult to use, especially if you suffer with any knee or back problems.

All of the restaurants were fine - we went to them all and then again!!! Buffet breakfast etc are all fine. Food we found to be edible and varied. The only gripe we have is those darn birds!!!

If you sit near the edge of the room where the umbrellas are you will be plagued by them - please dont feed them, they dive onto your plate if you turn your back for a moment!! We took two dinner plates and put one on top of the food if we had to go to the buffet again.

The dining hall in the Divi is air con so we used to walk there for most meals, the service is slightly better also we thought.

Harold Edwin and Renata are some of the staff that we found were extra willing etc.

Entertainment every nght.

Palm Grill was fun

Internet room is excellent - buy your ticket at the reception - there is a book library/exchange in there also.

We used to walk to the Divi but the golf carts are there for the transportation of guests.

Some areas of the beach are rocky but the widest sandy part is between the two hotels - the walk across is only 10 minutes or so but longer by the path. The sea was not too calm when we were there, it is windy all the time, sometimes stronger than others. Dont forget your pegs for the towels - we bought foam cushions from the shop with strong elastic to wrap around the top of the towel - take a length of thick elastic, it will work the same! It is expensive if you lose the towel - it is also very expensive if you lose the safe deposit key and the room card key!

We were a bit apprehensive on checking in as they ask for your full credit card number to be put on your check in card - this is to pay for the towels etc if you lose them!!

We used the pools in the Divi Village and no one complained - they used our beach!!

A lady caught a starfish the sixe of a dinner plate - she returned it to the sea, phewwwwwww

We hired a car for the day - $48 - we went from the lighthouse to baby beach and this was with a visit to Malmouk beach - this was a round trip of about 6 hours!

We enjoyed our restful stay in Aruba but we a little dissapointed that it was not as "exotic" as we imagined it to be - a few others also said the same.

Ice machines in almost every block - ice bucket in the room and a fridge