Expert: Andy Mendyk - 7/21/2002

Question
Hi Andy--My wife and I are restaurantuers in NH and going to Aruba for the first time in Dec. We like
big beaches (but not (college week atmosphere)A nice ocean front hotel with a patio close to restaurants and a store but not roght in the thick of everything.What do you suggest? Any one part of the island beter than the other? We love to explore-should we rent a jeep?
Thanks for your help
Bob

Answer
Hi Bob! You want from Aruba for the same reason I chose to go there for! December starts their busy season, but it is not as crazy as the other popular carribean destinations. I will give you 2 places which I think will fit your liking. I stay (and own a unit) at the Aruba Beach Club. Right on the beach, small store, casino across the street amd beautifully maintained. I can go on, but go to www.arubabeachclub.net  or  www.arubabeachclub.com  for pictures, rates and such. Now, if you want to go on the biggest beach...right next door to that is the Manchebo Beach Resort. Smaller, but with resturants on premises, small store, etc. You can find a link by going to www.aruba4u.com and other links. They are operated by the Best Western chain. You can rent Jeeps to explore the rough side of the island by going to the rental agencies across the street from the arrival building at the airport, and/or every hotel has a rental agency desk/kiosk in the lobby, so getting one should present no problem. You should find most info you need on the sites I listed, however, if there is anything else I can help you with, feel free to call on me again. I will be on the Island last 2 weeks in August. As time nears for the trip, I will be hapy to give you any last minute info!!