This was our first time to the Surf club but third time to Aruba. I can't say enough great things about the resort. I was a little concerned because of all the negative reviews but not one of them caused a problem for us.The staff was extraordinarily friendly- even through a very trying first day with a room problem ( nothing to do withth surf club though). They went to great lengths to help us and all was resolved with their friendly attitudes. The place is spotless and very modern. We traveled with 11 people from a 3 month old to a 64 year old and there was plenty to do for evreyone. Tagging the chairs is not a big deal and you can usually get at least 2 together if you go down by 9. I recommend bringing a Sharpie with you to label your tag and room key with your initials so it is easier to find. I don't recommed bringing your own float as we were given 3 the day we arrived by departing guests and then 2 more later in the week... we passed them on when we left...We stayed in the Light house tower close to the elevator and thought it was great. The only disappointing thing about the resort was the beach. It had a terrible smell and the sand was downright slimy. we walked or drove to another beach just about every day. (Baby beach is so worth the drive IMO!)The prices are exactly what you would expect at a resort and were not shocking at all... the grocery stores are so Americanized you can find absolutley everything you would at home.... the airport situation is really crazy. we left on a Saturday and almost missed our flight even though we were there 3 hours early. There is no way you will get through check in, security, bag pick up ( almost 2 hours right there) bag drop off, customs and security again in less than 3 hours. plan ahead and bring your patience... you will stand in line the entire time

This is our first time in Aruba and we were leary a first to stay in Marriott Surf Club because of the negative reviews. However, after our one week stay, we loved this place. We were warned that there will be long lines during check-in. We arrived in he morning and we checked if we can do an early check-in to avoid the lines at 4pm. We were allowed to do that, and we were given our bracelets so that we can use the facility while we waited for our rooms to become available. We just have to store our luggages in their storage and then went to the Express check-in to get our keys once the room became available. No falling in line. We also got an email from the coordinator asking for our preferences, and we wrote our room preference (higher elevation, Spyglass, ocean view, quiet, away from elevators) and we got what we wanted. eautiful voew of the Lazy River and ocean. Had master bedroom, full kitchen, safe, washer and dryer and living room. This is the newer tower; carpet is clean and every furniture looked brand new. It is farther away from the beacj compared to Lighthouse but the walk did not bother us. The location of the hotel is great because it is easily accessible to bus which we use to go to downtown Oranjestad. It is cheaper to take the bus for two people than a taxi. For bus, we paid $2.30 one way per person. A taxi costs about $11 or $12 one way. We used the taxi to and from the airport and paid $25 each way. The bus stop is right behind the Skylark Tower close to the parking lot. We used the bus to go the grocery store (initially, we planned to go to Ling and Sons, but after asking the locals on which is a better and cheaper grovery store, they recommended SuperFoods), Superfoods is also along the main road where the bus stops infront of it. Just cross the street. After grocery shopping, we went to the bus stop again, which is a few feet to the left of SuperFood. This worked for us because we only had few items to carry. Brought our backpack and extra bigger bags to put the smaller grocery bags. The bus ia marked "Marriott" so it was no-brainer on which bus to use. It stopped right across Surf Club. Downtown Oranjestad also hold the Bon Bini Festival every Tuesday nights from 7 to 8:15pm where we enjoyed Aruban food for sale, crafts and wonderful cultural/folk dancing. There was also steel pan drum playing while waiting for the door of the Fort to open. To get to the Fort, we stopped at the bus station and walked few blocks lined with department stores. The hotel is also close to the Palm Beach Plaza Mall, Between Skylark and Compass towers was a sign pointing to the direction of the Mall; just a 5 minute walk. This mall has all kinds of shops and restaurants. The mall has choreographed water show at night; we saw a free acrobatic show also. Check the newspaper for events.
We loved the Lazy River; brought our own tube; can be inflated by the towel hut. It was calm and peaceful early in the morning (7 tp 9:30am) and it got crowded later part of the day. In Nov. 3 to 10 where we used the Lazy river, there were kids in the area, but not as much to create too much noise. we stayed mostly in the Serenity Pool where only adults are allowed.
The food served at the resort are reasonably proced. Big serving, and we split our order or bring the left over in the room.
By attending the timeshare presentation, we got a $125 voucher which we were able to use in several restaurants within the Marriott area (including Stellaris and Ocean Club) as well as Papiamento.
To be able to use a palapa along the beach, need to fall in line before 7am to get the palapa for free. I went there at 6am and there were 6 people already in line. By 7am, there were about 25 people lined up to reserve a palapa. To reserve one, the staff shows a map of which palapas are taken and which are available. Once you pick your palapa, the staff gives you a card that you put through a nail underneath the palapa to indicate that it is reserved. Lounge chairs will then be unchained and setup for your use. We put our chair tags also on the lounge chairs. The same is true for the chairs by the pool. If you want your favorite chair under a shade with breeze, you can tag the chairs before 7am and stay there till 7am, otherwise, you can pick other chairs that you may not like the location.
The resort has free yoga, zumba classes and other activities.
We enjoyed our stay. Check out was quick, Housekeeping was middle of the week.
Highly recommended!

I am really tired of hearing all the nit picking about the Surf Club. It was our 6th time staying here and it was wonderful. Even though we have stayed numerous times i was nervous due to some of reviews. Have to stay in lighthouse, have to get up early for chairs...omg I was a wreck.Our room was in the Spyglass tower..it was wonderful a few extra feet from pool. Rooms were clean and comfortable. Yes in beginning of trip I did have chair anxiety. We were up early to use the gym. So we did tag chairs between 7 and 730. Never hd a problem. By the end of week it got later and later. Didn't get chairs at beach. We just went late in afternoon. Not a staff member passed us without saying hello . Sandra in gym was so friendly. What a pleasant person to see so early in am. Go to the surf club and don't be afraid .

From the accommodations to the pools and lazy river,to the adult quiet pool, to the beach, to the restaurants, to the friendliness and warmth of the staff, including the housekeeping staff, we enjoyed an outstanding experience for 2 weeks. The buffets at the Marriotts are well worth the price and if you like lobster- take advantage of the all you can eat lobster buffet.
The local bus, with reduced senior citizen fares, stops outside the resort property heading north and in the opposite direction to Orangestead by way of super markets. Within a short walking distance there's lots of shopping, a movie theatre and many restaurant with menus from most cultures.
We look forward to another vacation here.