Stayed here for a week late October. Having never been to Aruba before, was a bit dissapointed with first impressions from the airport, the taxi driver took us around the back streets, and when you are one block back from the beach, the houses are quite run down. Got to Bucuti quite tired after a long day's travel, and greeted by a quite officious Dutch sounding guy - no cool refreshing towels, no water bottles on check in. Got to the room, second floor of Tara, open balcony door and wow! all is forgiven! What a view! Went straight to the Sandbar and was greeted by Donald for my first beer, it's getting better! Two major defects with the room - the air con is super noisey, and the balcony door locks behind you! So you are paronoid about taking your room access card out each time you go to the balcony. Don't know why they have it like that. There was a lot of construction noise going on, which badly affects those in Bucuti with a garden view; it would have impacted your time if you stayed there; I could hear it on the beach now and then; but it will look fabulous when finished. The sea was quite rough most of the week, due to tropical storms a long way out, there is no coast guard and I saw a few elderly guests bowled over and lose their...Stayed here for a week late October. Having never been to Aruba before, was a bit dissapointed with first impressions from the airport, the taxi driver took us around the back streets, and when you are one block back from the beach, the houses are quite run down. Got to Bucuti quite tired after a long day's travel, and greeted by a quite officious Dutch sounding guy - no cool refreshing towels, no water bottles on check in. Got to the room, second floor of Tara, open balcony door and wow! all is forgiven! What a view! Went straight to the Sandbar and was greeted by Donald for my first beer, it's getting better! Two major defects with the room - the air con is super noisey, and the balcony door locks behind you! So you are paronoid about taking your room access card out each time you go to the balcony. Don't know why they have it like that. There was a lot of construction noise going on, which badly affects those in Bucuti with a garden view; it would have impacted your time if you stayed there; I could hear it on the beach now and then; but it will look fabulous when finished. The sea was quite rough most of the week, due to tropical storms a long way out, there is no coast guard and I saw a few elderly guests bowled over and lose their sunglasses, as the waves were breaking on the shoreline, so beware if you are not confident in the sea and the conditions are not calm. Breakfast was fabulous each day outside with the views and the warm morning breezes, the birds didnt bother us. Walk around the beach at sunset to Matthews for cocktails and dinner, it's absolutley stunning. Went to the high rise once, what an awful place! There is a convenience store on site and also a mini supermarket near by, handy for cheap wine, beer and all the small stuff you need.Had a fabulous massage in the spa, great value. The night before checkout we had an issue with front desk and kitchen, but this was promptly resolved by the assistant customer care manager, they really do take action if you have any concerns. All in all I gave it five stars because at the end we didnt want to leave, and what I saw of surrounding accommodation, nothing comes near this place.More
Show less