After reading many poor reviews about this hotel, I was very worried my trip to Aruba would be ruined. However, I am so glad that I stayed here and I will continue to stay here in the future. Please keep in mind that it is a Holiday Inn and you get what you pay for. If you want to go all out, then stay at one of the other high-rise hotels on the strip.
My wife and I stayed in an Ocean Front Superior Room in the Bonaire Tower on the 7th floor from June 16 - June 23. Our room was clean and very sanitary. The shower was weak coming out, but I believe it was because we were on the 7th floor and wasn't really a big deal. Our room was cleaned great every day and always restocked with clean towels and soap.
Palm Beach was beautiful and having the ocean right at the hotel was great. There was very little seaweed and not clumps all over the beach. It was very hard to notice. The pools were great and there were a lot of kids swimming, but they didn't bother anyone. The pools were a good temperature and clean all the time. Everyone has been complaining about getting up at 6 a.m to wait for a Palapa Hut. I got one everyday and was able to walk right in at 7:45 a.m. and get a hut in a great location. They started assigning them at 7:30 a.m. If you wanted one right on the water, then maybe go ahead and wait, but if you don't mind and just want to get one, then you don't need to wait. There was a small line, but nothing as bad as described.
There was plenty of cabs available all day and everyone from the front desk, bartenders, cleaning staff, casino staff, etc. all had a smile on their faces and were more than willing to help you at any time. The breakfast buffet at the corals restaurant was not the greatest and a little overpriced at $14 per person if you aren't all-inclusive, but if you need a quick breakfast it will suffice.
For the money I saved and the location of the hotel, I couldn't have been happier with my stay. Do not be worried about staying at this hotel. Just know that it is not a five-star resort, but the stay was wonderful and I will definately stay here again.

The service and staff were pleasant and efficient. The hotel is very large and the beach is very crowded. In fact, if you want covered beach space you have to be in line by 7AM . There are not enough for all the guests. The beach is lovely but when we were there the water was very cloudy and full of seaweed.This is not the hotel's fault but it did take away from our trip.Just be prepared the hotel is large and can create a very crowded beach which can become noisy. Not one of our favorite trips to the Caribbean.

This review is looooong overdue, but I figured it might end up helping someone anyway.

Like most others that have reviewed this hotel, I have to say that you are getting what you pay for. Just for some background, our trip to Aruba was just after my Husband got out of the Navy and we wanted to take a trip to reconnect but knew we couldn't blow a boatload of cash since he was now without a job.

Multiple people where I work recommended the Holiday Inn, so we decided to give it a shot.

Upon arrival, check-in went smoothly and we were directed to the "C" tower (which unbeknowst to me was the only one that hadn't undergone renovations). We arrived and weren't thrilled with our room but like my title states...it's a Holiday Inn, what do you expect??

Our main goal for the trip was to get some sun, have some drinks, eat at a few good restaurants and just enjoy ourselves in Aruba...the hotel didn't really make too much difference. I would compare it to going to Disney World and staying at the All-Star Resorts (if you've ever been). Absoluately no bells and whistles, but a clean place to stay and sleep for the night before heading back out. If we wanted luxury, five star dining and turn-down service we would have gone elsewhere.

The only negatives that I can note is the thinness of the walls. We were in bed and almost EVERY night could hear the neighboring couple yelling at eachother as if they were in the same room. The pool was also a little bit of a sore spot, between all of the splashing screaming kids (again, to be expected) and the times they were closed to be treated with chemicals we didn't find ourselves getting much use out of them.

We ate out every meal (breakfast - I would definitely recomment Le Petite which is a few doors down, great breakfast for really cheap) so I can't comment on the food, however there were a lot of things I did like about the hotel.

The positives: the beach was GREAT. We didn't have any probem with coral, seaweed or the tractor making a lot of noise. The water was as warm as a bath you would draw at home and clear and calm the whole time we swam. The staff was extremely helpful. We were just staying in a basic room but the concierge was more than happy to help us call outside restaurants (El Gaucho, the Aqua Grill, etc.) to make dinner reservations and even took our picture when we got all dressed up for our nicest dinner of the trip.

I could go on and on forever, but all in all this hotel is what you would expect of a Holiday Inn anywhere you may travel to. It was clean enough, extremely affordable but did not come with any of the luxuries you may find in a pricier resort. I think their main crowd are families and other people who are on a budget, as well as people who plan to spend little or no time at their hotel while on vacation. If this is your situation, this would probably be the right hotel for you.

Next time we visit Aruba though, we will more than likely be spending the few hundred dollars extra and staying somewhere a little nicer...maybe an All-Inclusive.

I read a lot of reviews for this property and had mixed feelings. So I found out for myself.

The Good:
1)VERY FRIENDLY STAFF
2)Room was in the Bonair Tower. VERY CLEAN and spacious. When we checked in I had a room w/2 double beds. I asked for a King and received it. It was a free upgrade. I belong to the Priority Club. Join it!!!! It was an Ocean-Front room All-Inclusive.
3)Food was good, not great.
4)Drinks were very well made, as many as you liked.
5)If you are bringing the kids with you to Aruba, This is the place to stay. Very family oriented.
5)View from the room was spectacular.
6)Pool was well maintained.
7)Property was well maintained.
8)Property was centrally located with access to many shops just across the street. Shops located on site were plenty and reasonably priced.
9)Security was present, especially at night. Great for evening strolls on the long sidewalk and beach.
The Bad:
1)My travel agent nor the website was notified that DiVincci's was closed for repairs.
2)The signing for everything is nerve racking. I think it should be All-Inclusive period.
3)The breakfast buffet needs more choices. An ommlet & crepe' chef is needed bad.
4) Pool is only open until 8pm
5)Bars close at 1:30am
6)Casino is only open until 3am. Needs upgraded and better maintinance. They do have a race and sports book, though.
7)If you smoke, finding an ashtray in the pool area is non-existing. Gross using empty drink glasses!!!!
8)Make drink glasses BIGGER (only about 9 ozs.). Also, except for pool area, a lot of waste with the plastic cups. The green thing.

In the end, it was a great trip. Very impressed with the property and staff. I would recommend it to the senior crowd and highly recommend it if you are bringing the kids. Go all-inclusive. A girl ordered 2 six packs of Bud Light. It came to $81.21. The local beer is great, and included!!! If I was with the wife or a lady friend only, I would probably try somewhere else. It has a lot of bang for the buck.