Posts: 7
From: Sandy Hook, CT, USA
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 03-07-2005 08:53            

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I am new to these boards and I just received a transfer to Playa Linda from Disney Vacation Club. We will be visiting Aruba for the first time this August with our 21 & 16 year olds to celebrate our 25 anniversary. Does anyone have info about Playa Linda and Aruba that will help us? We are staying in unit 422.

Thanks!

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Posts: 426
From: Sunny Southwest Florida - Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Rewards & La Quinta Returns Member.
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 03-07-2005 10:10               

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You won't be disapponited & you will luv the place! Great catch. There will be someone here with a couple of websites to visit, all bout Aruba & Playa Linda Resort as well. I have some websites to visit as well but I'll let the other "Tuggers" give them to ya 1st. Have a great time!

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Trev Fish (:>)

Use to own at Hyatt Sunset Harbor in Key West but we sold it this past April!

My Home-Page

[This message has been edited by The Conch Man (edited 03-07-2005).]

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Posts: 424
From: Indian River, MI, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 03-07-2005 13:04               

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You will love this place. We had such a good time in Aruba. I hope you are renting a car? Be sure you visit the caves (take a flashlight with you). I think there are 3 different ones. One you have to lower yourself down a rope and then you follow the arrows inside to show the way. It is very dark in that cave, thus the flashlight. Also visit Ayo and Casibari rock formations. You "kids" will love them. Be sure you drive over to the Atlantic side. Looks the moonscape over there. If you are into snorkeling and have your own equipment, go to Arashi Beach. And don't miss Madame Jeannette's for dinner. The units at Playa Linda are very nice. We had a one bedroom and there was lots of room and a stunning view. Nice pool and jacuzzi. Not alot going on at the resort while we were there but that was fine with us.

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Posts: 7
From: Sandy Hook, CT, USA
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 03-07-2005 14:51            

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Thanks for the info. We are really looking forward to the trip! I wasn't sure about renting a car, but if both of you think we need it, I'll reserve one. Can you recommend a rental company?

Does anyone know if unit 422 has a good view? I know its a one bedroom, but I wasn't told where it is located. We would love to have an ocean view, but I wasn't given a choice.

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Posts: 424
From: Indian River, MI, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 03-07-2005 16:43               

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Did you check out www.playalinda.com
If you go to Members Area and then Resort Layout you can pretty much figure out where your room is. I can't remember for sure from when we were there, but it looks from the resort's webpage that it will be an ocean view.

Definitely rent a car. You'll want your family to see more than Palm Beach. We didn't do any scheduled tours there. You might want to pick up the book Frommers Portable Aruba. We took it with us. Lots of info. I think we rented from Budget. We got a 4 wheel drive open air jeep. Didn't necessarily need it, except we did drive to the Natural Bridge and needed it there. That was some trip...very scary and exciting at the same time! You will have a ball, but definitely get out and explore the whole island.

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Posts: 7
From: Sandy Hook, CT, USA
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 03-07-2005 20:31            

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Thanks Lin! I just posted a message on the Playa Linda boards. I have been looking at the site and it looks beautiful. I was just concerned about the people mentioning that some of the units are in need of updating and repair. Did you have a problem with that? I am really hoping that unit 422 is in good condition.

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Posts: 426
From: Sunny Southwest Florida - Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Rewards & La Quinta Returns Member.
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 03-08-2005 07:27               

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quote:

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Originally posted by jrose529:
Can you recommend a rental company?

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RENTAL CARS & 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES

If you are adventurous and want to explore all Aruba has to offer, it's a good idea to rent a four wheel drive Jeep or Samurai. There are great sites to see but the roads to get there are often rugged and not suitable for a car. Make sure that your spare tire is full of air before heading out into the rough rugged terrain. Many 4-wheel drive rentals often have no roof, so make sure you put on sun block because the sun shines brightly in Aruba! 4-wheel drive vehicles are numerous but they are often hard to get because they are used for "Jeep Safari" tours that are popular sightseeing day trips.

If you want air conditioning and plan to stick to the main paved roads, there are many types of cars to choose from. You can rent your vehicle at the airport or you can call and ask to be picked up at your hotel.
------------------
Trev Fish (:>)

Use to own at Hyatt Sunset Harbor in Key West but we sold it this past April! (:>(

My Home-Page

[This message has been edited by The Conch Man (edited 03-08-2005).]

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Posts: 424
From: Indian River, MI, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 03-08-2005 08:43               

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I thought that the units were beautiful. We had a unit on the second floor. I think it was 212 or 214, something like that. We didn't see anything that needed updating. Our unit did not have a window in the bedroom which some people may complain about, but we liked it because we like to sleep in on vacation. The balcony was an adequate size and had great views. Anything you could possibly want in the kitchen (at least it looked like it...we don't cook) Everyone was friendly and helpful. It was one of our most favorite exchanges. There are restaurants within walking distance but our favorite ones needed a car to get to. There is a beautiful, romantic lighted walkway that goes between most of the resorts on Palm Beach. We walked it every night after dinner. We liked it so much that we even considered looking for a resale unit there.

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Posts: 7
From: Sandy Hook, CT, USA
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 03-08-2005 13:51            

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Lin - Were you in a 1 or 2 bedroom unit? We will be in a 1 bedroom. The 4 of us also like to sleep in, so a dark bedroom is no problem. The resort sounds wonderful! Thanks for your input.

Judy

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Posts: 424
From: Indian River, MI, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 03-08-2005 14:10               

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Judy, we were in a one bedroom. There should be plenty of room for 4 in your unit. If I remember correctly, there were heavy drapes that pulled in the living room area where the sofa bed is also.

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Posts: 7
From: Sandy Hook, CT, USA
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 03-08-2005 15:04            

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Lin, was there also a daybed in the livingroom? I thought I read somewhere that there was. We could use a second bed. I don't think the kids want to share a bed.

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Posts: 1472
From: Ont, Canada
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 03-08-2005 17:15               

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There is a day bed - when we stayed there the day bed was much more comfortable than the bed in the bedroom - go figure! The mattress was shot and after one night we just used the day bed.

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Posts: 7
From: Sandy Hook, CT, USA
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 03-08-2005 19:34            

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I hope the mattresses have been replaced! I hate sleeping on a soft mattress. I planned to let my kids have the livingroom, so we can't use the daybed.

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Posts: 279
From: Northboro, MA., USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 03-14-2005 13:52            

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I am of a differing opinion. You don't need to rent a car. The bus is a great way to go and there is a bus stop just outside of your hotel. We took it everywhere even to dinner on several evenings. If you get a car, et it for a day to tour the island.

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Posts: 1132
From: Frederick, MD Wk 15 Royal Sands, Cancun Wk 51 Pelican, St. Maarten, Week 25 Lawrence Welk Villas , Escondido, CA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 03-14-2005 13:57               

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quote:

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Originally posted by The Conch Man:
[b]RENTAL CARS & 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES

Make sure that your spare tire is full of air before heading out into the rough rugged terrain. i][/B]

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Definitely check the spare! We were about 2 miles into the desert when... kerplunk.... flat tire. We were quite nervous about making it back to the resort before the spare tire blew! It's very rocky and rough on the Atlantic side. But don't miss it!

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Janis

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Posts: 424
From: Indian River, MI, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 03-14-2005 14:15               

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Don't despair. We thought the mattress was great. Perhaps they vary from room to room? We have "children" similar to the ages of yours. We would definitely rent a car. There's lots of places to see that you don't get to by bus. And then you are on your own schedule (such as the caves, rock formations, etc)

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Posts: 7
From: Sandy Hook, CT, USA
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 03-14-2005 18:13            

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Thanks for the great advice! I think we may rent a car for a couple of days to do some exploring and take the bus or an island tour the rest of the time. Are there any tours that are recommended? We really like to sightsee when we visit a new place. We also love to go boating.

Thanks,
Judy

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