Hotel News:
The HOLIDAY INN SUNSPREE® RESORT ARUBA recently constructed a new activities center and game room, a new beachside restaurant and new entertainment deck around the pool.
The TARA BEACH SUITES at the BUCUTI BEACH RESORT made its debut on March 19, 2004. 37 One bedroom, ocean-front suites and 4 penthouse suites all have spectacular views of Bucuti's 16 acres of power white beach. All suites have king beds and state of the art amenities including a fully stocked wet bar/mini bar, wi-fi broadband internet, pay-per-view movies, refrigerator, complimentary in-room safe, air conditioning and ceiling fan, a spacious balcony, and a separate living room with its own computer desk and television. Tara suites' guests will also enjoy concierge level services with complimentary beverages and snacks throughout the day as well as a full service spa and a private reception. For more information visit www.bucuti.com
The MARRIOTT ARUBA SURF CLUB is scheduled to open July 2004. Offering two-bedroom, two-bath villas, the brand-new Marriott's Aruba Surf Club will offer beachfront lodging adjacent to Marriott's Aruba Ocean Club and the Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino. A typical villa includes fully equipped kitchen, living/dining area, private balcony or patio, whirlpool tub, washer and dryer, multiple TVs, VCR/DVD, linens, utensils and more.
The RENAISSANCE ARUBA RESORT & CASINO has finalized a $13 million dollar overhaul. The extensive renovation, which began in June 2003, encompasses all guest rooms, common areas, select restaurants and lounges, pool and deck areas, and landscaping. The renovation activities were completed floor-by-floor, and broken into two phases. Phase 1 of the renovations was completed in November 2003, and Phase 2 was completed in January 2004. The Marina Hotel pool area now features lush landscaping surrounding a cascading pool. The refurbished deck area includes new elegant patio furniture and umbrellas. Two of the property's restaurants, L.G. Smith's Steak and Chop House and Brasserie, present new fare served in a completely redecorated atmosphere. The new Lobby Bar, named Blue, is located in the Marina Hotel and serves a variety of appetizers and drinks to poolside. The poolside lounge area will be transformed into Blue as day turns to evening and will feature an elegant, upscale, open-air nightclub atmosphere.
The Marina Hotel and the Ocean Suites have 559 rooms and suites in the resort's two towers. The new rooms in the Marina Hotel feature one king or two double beds, high-speed Internet access, minibar, coffee maker, safe, iron station and step-out balcony. One-bedroom suites in the Ocean Suites feature a king bed, a living room with a queen sofa bed, large bathroom, a wet bar (minibar, refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker), and a balcony or patio. All suites have high-speed Internet access.
The Aruba Surfside Marina, located at the Surfside Beach, between the airport & Oranjestad, features 5 ocean and beachfront suites in an intimate surrounding. A grand suite, a one bedroom suite and additional studios, all are equipped with ADSL high-speed internet service, cable TV, direct dial telephone, semi-kitchenette facilities, in-room safes and more. For more information please contact e-mail or call (297) 583-0300
Restaurant & Entertainment News
Cuba's Cookin' opened their new lounge - "The Back Door" - where you can relax on comfortable sofa's listening to jazz, blues & romantic music. For more information please call: 588-0627
Café Brasserie, located at the Renaissance Resort recently introduced their "Super Bountiful Buffet", which includes such items as, shrimps, sushi, prime ribs, pastas etc. The restaurant is open daily from 6:00pm till 10:00pm and reservations can be made at 583-6000.
Pincho's Grill and Bar, a new casually chic, romantic Grill and Bar on the water has recently opened on the pier behind the new Aruba Surfside Marina, located diagonally across the Talk of the Town Resort. Their specialty is pincho's and can seat 70 comfortably. For more information please call: 583-0300.
Waterfront Crabhouse, Sunset Grill, L.G. Smith Steak and Chop House, Amazonia Churrascaria, Ruinas del Mar, Pago Pago, Passion, Aqua Grill and the Captain's Table received the "Great American Quality Award".
Activities
De Palm Tours recently introduced their newest activity, the ATV Mania. Drive your own All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)and visit Aruba's most popular attractions, including the Natural Bridge, Natural Pool and Black Stone Beach. With the full day tour you will receive a pass to De Palm's private island for a snorkeling experience and all inclusive lunch and open bar.
Red Sail Sports Aruba 's newest water sport activity, "Extreme Snorkel", allows passengers to see the underworld up close without diving with tanks or scuba equipment. Extreme Snorkel consists of a 25-minute lesson. You will receive a guided tour by one of our professional PADI certified dive instructors onboard any Red Sail Sports Snorkel Sail.
Cost of Sailing Excursion is extra.
Rhino Rider Water Safari is a new activity done on two-person, ten-foot inflatable motorboats. The vessels are very easy to operate and considerably safer and more stable than a jet ski. Departing from the Aruba Surfside Marina pier, the safari is a 2.5 trip. Call Atlantis Adventures at (297) 588-6881.
The Aruba Panorama Experience which provides a cultural and historical view of Aruba through a panoramic presentation in the Crystal Theatre at the Renaissance Aruba Beach Resort & Casino. The "Panorama" consists of 5 screens of 66 feet wide and 10 feet high curved at 115-degree angel creating a three dimensional-like view, supported by an all-new multi-channel surround sound system. The presentation has duration of 22 minutes and the showings are scheduled every hour between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The entrance fee is $10 per person.
The Aruba Ostrich Farm is a five-hectare farm where huge, prehistoric-looking birds blend in with the rugged Aruban terrain. Located in Masiduri, on the way to the Natural Bridge, the farm has it's own incubator/ hospital, an open-air restaurant Savannah Lodge and provides a fun & educational experience for all ages.
Cultural activities:
The Access Art Gallery opened on June 27, 2003, is located in the mainstreet of Oranjestad, Caya G.F. Betico Croes 16-18. They launched the Access Art Gallery presenting a great exposition of Aruban contemporary art with the participation of 24 famous artists. The Access Art Gallery houses exhibits by various local as well as international artists throughout the year.
Carnival House & Art Gallery, soon to be re-named, the White Dolphin Art Gallery is located in the heart of San Nicolas, right in front of the BSL Laundry and right behind the world famous Charlie's Bar. They have paintings from different local artists including Gustave Noel and Charlie Brouns. The gallery is open from 11:00 am to 10:30 pm. For information call (297) 563-4574 or 584-6976
The Aruba Numismatic Museum, a cultural jewel, recently reopened its doors at a new location, located near Royal Plaza shopping mall and the bus stop. The museum recently held the exposition "Numismatic Timeline Aruba" The museum is open from Monday through Thursday from 9am till 4pm, Friday from 9am till 1pm and Saturday from 9am till 12pm. For more information please cal (297) 582-8831 or visit www.museumaruba.org
The Department for the preservation of Aruba's Monuments plans to restore all the different historical sites and buildings on the island between 2004 - 2006 such as the Court of Audit building in Oranjestad, the old Ecury Family building, the Hansjewild building and the old Water Reservoir in Oranjestad. The latter will become the Hall of Fame for sports. All buildings and sites should be completed by 2005.
Golf
Tierra Del Sol. The lobby of Tierra Del Sol has recently been renovated and is now up to par. New window treatment, woodwork and paint were some of the elements introduced to bring a new fresh look to the establishment. The latest in a series of additions and updates, the lobby project is part of the resort's ongoing effort to offer world-class amenities to their members and guests. Over the last 3 years Tierra Del Sol has added new tennis court facility, lookout bar and grill, Body and Soul, a full service spa and fitness club, and many other upgrading to the already existing establishment. For more information about Tierra Del Sol, you can contact Mrs. Stephanie Koole by e-mail.
The Links at Divi Aruba, Divi resort's new 9-hole golf course in Aruba is scheduled to open in June 2004. Designed to complement the Divi Resorts Aruba vacation experience the par 36 Links at Divi Aruba golf course will have two par 5 holes, two par 3 holes and 5 par 4 holes, when it is completed in 2004. The back total length of the course will be 3,149 yards the middle total length 2, 857 yards and the front total length 2,410 yards. Located at the Divi Village Beach Resort, to be renamed the Divi Village Gold and Beach Resort, the course will offer a golf clubhouse, with 2 restaurants and pro-shop, learning center/golf school and new luxury villas. A public course, premium tee times and discounted green fees will be offered to guests of the 3 Divi Resorts in Aruba (Divi Village Beach Resort, Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort, Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort) and of their affiliate properties in Aruba, Divi Aruba and Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive. For more information on the Links at Divi Aruba or Divi Resorts, or book a golf package call 1-800-367-3484 or visit www.diviresorts.com .
Spa news
The Manchebo Spa, located at the Manchebo Aruba Beach Resort, is scheduled to open August 2004 and will feature a massage room, facial treatment room, manicure and pedicure, steam room and wet room, whirlpool gazebos, yoga and meditation. Opening hours: Open daily from 8:00am till 8:00pm. For more information contact by e-mail or visit www.manchebo.com. The Spa at Tara Beach makes its debut on May 1, 2004. Located at the Bucuti Beach Resort in the new Tara Beach Suites wing, the Spa at Tara offers a tranquil environment to enjoy the ultimate in rejuvinating and relaxing treatments and massage. An extensive spa menu features a vichy shower treatment room and state-of-the-art equipment and services. Phone: +297-583-1100 www.bucuti.com
