Finally getting round to catching up with my reviews! Smooth check in within the Tradewinds club, January 2012. Slight mix up with our sons room (should have been twin, not double) sorted overnight with no fuss. Pretty nice rooms with good ocean views, having stayed on the property previously we agreed that our previous room was far better(full ocean view, twin aspect - huge room superb bathroom) but it was unavailable within the Tradewinds package. The package in general worked really well for us as a family, we made really good use of the food available at breakfast and lunch and also soft drinks throughout the day and alcoholic at night. At night we usually had a little try of the taster sessions available and even managed to make do (rather than go out for a full meal) one evening when we weren't too hungry. I imagine people with very small appetites could manage to make more use of the food available and not buy actual meals......well maybe!! More often than not we would walk to the nearby shopping area where there are quite a few restaurants.
Within the Tradewinds package there is a designated area on the beach with palapas & sunbeds also an area where water/towels available. Since our previous visit an adults only pool had been built at the side of the property, it's a really nice area although whilst we were there it was pretty difficult to get beds unless you're a stalwart 'early bird' bed reserver, it was also incredibly quiet sometimes even too quiet (if that's possible).

Overall i was not impressed; i had really high expectations after reading previous reviews and was disappointed. First of all kept bugging us about joining the marriot club, and not just in the hotel, they try to sell this also at other touristic attractions, and they were quite pushy even calling in the room, after this experience i will never join marriott club. The number of chairs a d huts in beach and pool is extremely limited, and people get up early to leave their towels holding them. The quality of the chairs in the beach is not so good, if you are there take the white ones as the blue have a plastic bar that hurts in the back. One day i was given a hut full of flies, the employee would not give me another one (others were reserved, to reserve you must pay extra which really annoys me, after all im a guest) the employee even told me that the flies would bite me, which they did and i ended up all full of bites. I did not have a room service booklet of my room, i asked for one one night i was really hungry and it took over an hour to get; i had to order a pizza from dominoes since i was starving but they didnt allow the delivery boy in the hotel (i guess its ok for safety) but thenni had to pick up at reception; the guy didnt have change of the local currency and in the reception they wouldn't change for me which is not a big deal but annoyed me since its something so basic.
The service in the room was just ok, in general was clean i must say but for example they wouldnt leave coffee for the machine every day or change the towels i wanted changed, except on the night before checkout when it was brilliant and we got a note from our housekeeper (the ones to remind you to tip them) by this point i felt for marriott the guests are money machines which must be exploited as much as possible.
Upon checkout i shared my thoughts with the receptionist and overall she was not receptive and not very polite, since my husband is european and im latin and i was the one wih the comments, she was even joking that "ahh typical, latins are much more -detailed- while europeans are so relaxed" i found this extremely annoying. When i told her about the mosquitoes i. The beach sh even laughed and said "this is a tropical country we cant do anything about that" as i explained to her: i only saw flies in one hut and because it was i. Bad shape (it was kind of rotten).
Needless to say i will not go back to this marriott and i recommend you to stay in the radisson which is closer to the restaurants, or wait for the ritz.
A good comment: the beach is beautiful.

My husband and I stayed here for one night prior to using our time share week in the Surf Club. From the airport, the cab ride was around $25. Check-in was quick; staff was friendly; there was even ice-cold drinks waiting at the lobby for guests, which was very welcoming in a hot November afternoon. Our room was ready at 3pm and we were able to get settled in. We specified our request for a higher level, ocean view room and quiet location, and we got what we wanted. Our room was facing the pool and ocean - no noise from the outside and neighboring rooms. We had a restful stay. Immaculately clean room, with sofa, balcony, big closet with safe and masterbathroom. The hotel looby is huge, it has the sushi and bread place, sofas, bar. At night, we enjoyed the live music and even practised our ballroom dancing steps with other couples. We liked the sushi choices; had sale prices at certain days of the week. The pool area has a lunch bar where they serve sandwiches and drinks. We had cuban sandwich which is big enough for two people. The property is connected to the other Marriott properties (Ocean Club and Surf Club) where one can get there by walking from the front entrance and along the sides, or along the beach area. Each property is differentiated by the color of towels, which means that guest from Surf Club or Ocean Club cannot use the beach lounges or chairs at the Stellaris, and vice versa, When we stayed at Surf Club, we were given colored bracelet for a week use, then they change to another colored bracelet for the following week, so it is easy to recognize the guests from Surf Club. This hotel is within walking distance from the mall and other small boutiques and restaurants. Highly recommended. Will stay again.

This was our third trip to Aruba and our second to this hotel. While we think the people of Aruba are wonderful and friendly, the staff at the Stellaris and this hotel is primarily what brought us back and will bring us back again. The hotel is immaculate. Even the standard rooms are large, bathrooms are large, walk-in closet with safe, large balcony. The location is great. Is the last hotel along the high rises, but within easy walking distance to shopping, restaurants, movie theaters, etc. There is a hotel shuttle that takes you as close to the shopping area as it can and you have the equivalent of a couple of blocks to walk from there. The highlight of our trip was the H2Oasis pool. It was just my husband and I, so we loved that it was an adults only area. We rented a pool cabana which was just $50.00 per day. You do this by going down to the fitness room and renting through the staff no earlier than one day prior to the date that you wish to reserve it. Staff brings around ice, bottled water and fruit trays which is included in the price of the rental. Your just steps away from the pool and the pool bar. The staff will also take your food orders, although these items are available for an additional cost. The property is connected to the Surf and Ocean Clubs, so there are plenty of kids actiivties/playgrounds, etc. as well. There are several shops, including boutiques and jewelrly as well as a store for convenience items. There are several resaurants on the premises. Wasn't fond of LaVista, but will post my review about that under restaurants. LOVE Simply Fish which is on the beach, just steps away from the ocean. Great place to catch the sunset. Good service. Also a great pastry and sandwich place located right in the lobby. Lobby is spacious with a cozy layout. Nice bar area and live music on certain nights of the week. Any issues that we had were minute (bathroom stopper didn't work and one day housekeeping didn't leave towels). The response was immediate and courteous. The staff makes a follow up call to make sure that whatever issues you had were resolved. Large room service selection and again, great staff response. Food arrives promptly.The hotel now has free wifi in the rooms. They didn't previously, but it was hooked up while we were there. They also have laptops, etc. to rent through their business services. From the moment you arrive and they present you with a cold glass of punch, until you unfortunately have to leave, the staff here makes it a priority to ensure that you have a wonderful stay. A meticulous attention to every detail. I can not say enough good things about this property. We will be going back to Aruba again and when we do, we will be staying at the Stellaris. I did take a few photos and will post them within the next few days.