Travel
Comment on the internet: "Very stressed about all of the recent reviews of the Tamarijn!"
Major stress concerns
1) Bad repetitive food.
2) Having to wake up at 7 to reserve a hut for the day
3) Having to be in a long line at 7:45 AM to make reservations for restaurants.
4) Overall messiness in the resort
5) Rude staff
Menus at the buffet rotate everyday and are repeated every seven days. In other words, what is served on Monday is served the following week on Monday. Yes, maybe repetitive for those who are there for more than 7 days. On the other hand, how many different selections can you have for breakfast? There is a WIDE variety of items at lunch as well, though some are "staples" everyday such as the salad bar. To their credit, the salad bar rotates about 6 offerings though the "toppings", dressings and of course lettuce are always the same. Hot dogs are served daily. If you choose to eat a hot dog everyday it WILL be repetitive.
If you read through ALL of the reviews for ALL resorts on the island, most unfortunately will detail the problem with finding shade. This has been detailed numerous times and just the way it is in Aruba. The government limits the number of shade palapas that each resort is able to erect. You would not want to vacation in a spot which has a beach covered solely in shade palapas either ;) Not to single out a resort, but just as an example of the point
We enjoyed our recent stay at the Radisson because we were able to reserve a palapa at 4 pm each day for the following day. Yes, it is unfortunate that the Divi/Tamarijn has no reservation system. It is first come first served. Most resorts have a "system" where you will stand in line at 6 or 7 am for the pleasure of getting the palapa. At the Tamarijn you just walk out of your room and pick one. My best suggestion is to get fresh towels at the end of the day and keep them in your room for the next morning.
You do not have to choose to stand in line each morning for a reservation for dinner. The choice is to wait until later in the day and choose what seating's are left and what restaurants are not booked. We prefer certain restaurants and like to eat about 8 pm so it is worth it to us. We have friends on the other hand who do not like to plan ahead and will walk up to the desk in the afternoon and take what is available. If there are only early dining times left they will choose to eat at the buffet. Either way it is best to be flexible.
Messiness of the resort is determined by its patrons and is also VERY subjective. We have stayed at the Tamarijn four times and there are always landscapers working the grounds. Daily there is a person who walks the beach retrieving empty glasses, picking up garbage (that others leave behind) and stacking chaise lounges. Each and every night a resort employee cleans the sand off the length of the almost half mile resort's boardwalk.
As to the staff, there are a few employees who may not want to be there, but for the most part we have never ever had a problem with anyone being downright rude. One employee who outwardly may appear sullen, in particular we found was very very pleasant once you took a few moments to get to know and offered a smile. Also keep in mind that you are on "island time" and drinks are not always dispensed at the speed of light. Imo, many people walk up to the bar packed with people and expect to be waited on immediately. It is not reality.
There are many tourists from the U.S. who are from the northeast. Unless things have changed these schools do not go back into session until after Labor Day, September 5. I would expect there to be children there, though perhaps not as many as the first half of August. According to their website they are sold out through September 5. Also keep in mind that the resort is very popular with tourists from the UK and Venezuela. I believe Venezuelan schools have vacation this upcoming week.
There are various threads here in the forum as to negative vs. positive reviews and the prevalence of both. It is unfortunate that you did not discover this information until now. Take out the very good and the very bad and the truth lays somewhere in between. I think if you go knowing what to expect you should be fine. You are getting what you paid for at the Tamarijn. It is only a 3 star resort but there are not many other resorts where for that price you can walk out of your room directly on to the beach. Imo, a huge bonus with small children. If you think the resort will be totally unacceptable, is it possible to change to another resort without penalty?
- Radisson Aruba Vs. The Tamarijn All Inclusive
The Radisson is non-all inclusive & the Tamarijn is all inclusive If you are big drinkers Radisson drinks are $$$Tamarijn drinks are "free" (top shelf liquor is at least included in what you already paid) If you are big eaters Radisson make sure...
- Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Beach Update June 2009
Having found them to have the best pricing, we have now used MCM Tours for over ten years when booking our Aruba travel. Knowing, for our original all inclusive visit to Aruba, that we needed a spot which was affordable for a family of ten, it was they...
- Aruba All Inclusive With Kids?
Q. I am planning a visit to Aruba. My hotel choice is going to be based largely on what activities are available for teenages (ages 14-18). I am very interested in an all inclusive facililty. Your response would be greatly appreciated. A. Their swimming...
- Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive 12/22/07- 1/3/08 Overview
We are a family of 10 comprised of my grandmother age 94, who treated the family to this trip as a Christmas present. My parents are in their late 60’s, my brother, husband and, myself - mid- 40's and children- aged 11, 13, 15 and 18. My parents...
- Christmas & New Years At The Tamarijn
Our family of 10 had a wonderful Christmas and New Years at the Tamarijn Aruba topped off by a beautiful fireworks display accompanied by champagne at midnight on New Year's Eve on the beach between the Divi and Tamarijn. Christmas decorations at...
Travel
Tamarijn Aruba Advice
Major stress concerns
1) Bad repetitive food.
2) Having to wake up at 7 to reserve a hut for the day
3) Having to be in a long line at 7:45 AM to make reservations for restaurants.
4) Overall messiness in the resort
5) Rude staff
Menus at the buffet rotate everyday and are repeated every seven days. In other words, what is served on Monday is served the following week on Monday. Yes, maybe repetitive for those who are there for more than 7 days. On the other hand, how many different selections can you have for breakfast? There is a WIDE variety of items at lunch as well, though some are "staples" everyday such as the salad bar. To their credit, the salad bar rotates about 6 offerings though the "toppings", dressings and of course lettuce are always the same. Hot dogs are served daily. If you choose to eat a hot dog everyday it WILL be repetitive.
We enjoyed our recent stay at the Radisson because we were able to reserve a palapa at 4 pm each day for the following day. Yes, it is unfortunate that the Divi/Tamarijn has no reservation system. It is first come first served. Most resorts have a "system" where you will stand in line at 6 or 7 am for the pleasure of getting the palapa. At the Tamarijn you just walk out of your room and pick one. My best suggestion is to get fresh towels at the end of the day and keep them in your room for the next morning.
You do not have to choose to stand in line each morning for a reservation for dinner. The choice is to wait until later in the day and choose what seating's are left and what restaurants are not booked. We prefer certain restaurants and like to eat about 8 pm so it is worth it to us. We have friends on the other hand who do not like to plan ahead and will walk up to the desk in the afternoon and take what is available. If there are only early dining times left they will choose to eat at the buffet. Either way it is best to be flexible.
As to the staff, there are a few employees who may not want to be there, but for the most part we have never ever had a problem with anyone being downright rude. One employee who outwardly may appear sullen, in particular we found was very very pleasant once you took a few moments to get to know and offered a smile. Also keep in mind that you are on "island time" and drinks are not always dispensed at the speed of light. Imo, many people walk up to the bar packed with people and expect to be waited on immediately. It is not reality.
There are various threads here in the forum as to negative vs. positive reviews and the prevalence of both. It is unfortunate that you did not discover this information until now. Take out the very good and the very bad and the truth lays somewhere in between. I think if you go knowing what to expect you should be fine. You are getting what you paid for at the Tamarijn. It is only a 3 star resort but there are not many other resorts where for that price you can walk out of your room directly on to the beach. Imo, a huge bonus with small children. If you think the resort will be totally unacceptable, is it possible to change to another resort without penalty?
- Radisson Aruba Vs. The Tamarijn All Inclusive
The Radisson is non-all inclusive & the Tamarijn is all inclusive If you are big drinkers Radisson drinks are $$$Tamarijn drinks are "free" (top shelf liquor is at least included in what you already paid) If you are big eaters Radisson make sure...
- Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Beach Update June 2009
Having found them to have the best pricing, we have now used MCM Tours for over ten years when booking our Aruba travel. Knowing, for our original all inclusive visit to Aruba, that we needed a spot which was affordable for a family of ten, it was they...
- Aruba All Inclusive With Kids?
Q. I am planning a visit to Aruba. My hotel choice is going to be based largely on what activities are available for teenages (ages 14-18). I am very interested in an all inclusive facililty. Your response would be greatly appreciated. A. Their swimming...
- Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive 12/22/07- 1/3/08 Overview
We are a family of 10 comprised of my grandmother age 94, who treated the family to this trip as a Christmas present. My parents are in their late 60’s, my brother, husband and, myself - mid- 40's and children- aged 11, 13, 15 and 18. My parents...
- Christmas & New Years At The Tamarijn
Our family of 10 had a wonderful Christmas and New Years at the Tamarijn Aruba topped off by a beautiful fireworks display accompanied by champagne at midnight on New Year's Eve on the beach between the Divi and Tamarijn. Christmas decorations at...