Expert: Andy Mendyk - 6/7/2006

Question
Hi Andy,

I am going to aruba with 4 other woman in July and I am very nervous about the Occidential. The Grand Opening was May 1, 2006 and a friend of mine checked into the royal tower room, and after three days he came home. The hotel is not ready for customers. All of the restaurants and bars are still not open. It is very hard to get a reservation at some of the restaurants that are open, which I cannot understand. The food supply is meager. The construction equipment is in the tennis courts. the stores in the Lobby are not all open. No entertainment at night. I called myself and was told all bars & Restaurants were opened, which is not true. Many people said you are lucky to find fruit at breakfast! I know some people just like to complain about everything. As of today, I am ready to cancel my reservation, and go elsewhere. This is my 4th time to Aruba, but I do not want to check in a hotel that is only 50% operational. PLEASE HELP with some TRUE answers!!!!!

Donna

Answer
Hi Donna! I was followinf this 2 months ago on the Aruba Bulletin Board. They were to have a "soft" Grand Opening on May 1st, and a regular grand opening scheduled for June. This still leaves you a month for things to be finished up. All us Aruba lovers always comment on "Aruba" time, which by their standard, is slow. (Due to the easy going style of the people) What you can do, is go to www.aruba-bb.com
Become a registered user of the board, and there are members on that board that come/go to Aruba on a daily basis, and you can get up to the minute updates from them either by them staying at the Occidental, and/or their observations at that hotel. I myself go there sometimes 5 times a day to "catch up" on things. I think you will like it there! Always a lot of people willing to exchange info and give advice. As always, there may be some bickering amongst the membership, but thats fun too! If there is anything else I can help you with, please do not hesitate to contact me again!!