Ok - now for that I've researched the AI options for someone else, it's time to find a place for us.

We have narrowed it down to Sunset Beach Studios Boca Catalina location - very private, kitchenette, sunset views, walking distance to beach and the Aruba Beach Villas - more people that the other place, kitchenette, internet access, sunset views, closer to beach.

The problem is that I've seen a bunch of fantastic reviews about the Sunset Beach Boca location but none for the Aruba Beach Villas. The cost is about the same but I think my husband would go insane without internet access for 10-12 days.

I'm hoping that someone on this board has stayed at or checked out this location.

Thanks,

Amy

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-Amy B.
www.inaruba.homestead.com

Booked Aruba Beach Villas for 2 weeks in November. Have not been there before but the amenities seem above average. Saw several reviews before booking. Only complaint was some stones on the beach and too quiet. The staff was very acccommodating in the booking process and answering questions.

Let me know if you get any feedback. I am looking foreward to November.

hi amy

paul and i have checked out both of those places.
we did like the sunset place better than aruba beach villas (but not much)

what we did not like about either place was the cliqueness of the guests and the lack of hospitality of the owners of the managers on duty. we had made appointments, and gone at the agreed time. aruba beach villa folks acted as if we were making a giant imposition on them. we found the units in both places cramped and meeting the bare essential. i found the units very cramped. the aruba beach villas caters to windsurfing folks.

the beach area at abv is up past the windsurf area and is somewhat gravely and has not lounges or huts.

remember the place that you stayed downtown a couple of years ago?
that place wins hands down over the ones that you have mentioned.

(just my opinion)

Thanks, Andrea, for the great information. We're actually now looking into renting out someone's timeshare (probably the ABC). For the same money as the studio places, we can get a larger room and have all the amenities of being at a resort - plus the big positive of being on Eagle Beach.

Take care,

Amy B.

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-Amy B.
www.inaruba.homestead.com

amy when are you going?
May???????
we'll be on island may 17 - 27

andrea

Aware of the gravel on beach. We are a couple staying from 11/14 to 11/28. We are staying in one bedroom villa. Pictures appear to indicate that it is plenty large enough for two people??? Please advise. We generally don't spend a lot of time in the room.

phillyboater
i am betting that you can get a better deal (price) by renting a unit at a timeshare place (ABC, CDM, DIVI Village, Lacabana, PBV etc....) and be on a better stretch of beach.

another place that you may want to consider is Boardwalk apts and/or Bananas apts both are a 5 min walk to the beach. Boardwalk is near the Marriott and Bananas is near the Tierra Del Sol golf course.

Both of these places are prettier, the grounds are more "green", the pool(s) are better and both of these places are a bit more open and airy, than Aruba Beach Villas

remember philly, this is my opinion.
andrea

Thanks for the info. We are going Wed 11/14 to Wed 11/28. This makes timeshares difficult. Read several good reviews of Villas. Close to good snorkeling spots. Have time to think about it.

La Cabana has units that are on a Thursday/Thursday pattern. If you rent one of those for one of the owners, you'd only need to find a place to stay for your arrival on Wednesday, November 14.

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