Hotwire Hotel: Aruba 4 * hotel 7/1-7/5

[sandra]

Hi,

I am attempting to get a room for 3 in Aruba from 7/1-7/5. This is the only 4* hotel available. According to this website, it's either the Hyatt or Renaissance or the Resort. Checking the packages, it's either the Hyatt or the Aruba Resort. But when I try to match is according to the hotel trip advisor rating, neither match up. Any suggestions? I think it's the Aruba resort.

Another question: It's listed at $108/night. It's $40 more to have 3 people instead of 2. What happens if I book for 2 and 3 show up? Am I getting a room with double beds instead? Is it OK to bid with just the 2 and chance it? I'm sure it's the same hotel... TIA!

Hotel Amenities

Beachfront

Property is located on the beach.

Casino

Property offers a full-service casino accessible from the lobby.

Restaurant(s)

Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary.

Pool(s)

Property offers at least one pool area; hours and dates of operation may be seasonal.

Fitness Center

Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply.

Golf Nearby

Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one golf course; an extra charge typically applies.

Tennis Nearby

Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one tennis court; an extra charge typically applies.

Business Center

Guests have access to business equipment and services; an additional charge may apply.

[sandra]

Hi,

I am attempting to get a room for 3 in Aruba from 7/1-7/5. This is the only 4* hotel available. According to this website, it's either the Hyatt or Renaissance or the Resort. Checking the packages, it's either the Hyatt or the Aruba Resort. But when I try to match is according to the hotel trip advisor rating, neither match up. Any suggestions? I think it's the Aruba resort.

Another question: It's listed at $108/night for 2 people. It's $40 more to have 3 people instead of 2. What happens if I book for 2 and 3 show up? Am I getting a room with double beds instead? Is it OK to bid with just the 2 and chance it? I'm sure it's the same hotel... TIA!

Hotel Amenities

Beachfront

Property is located on the beach.

Casino

Property offers a full-service casino accessible from the lobby.

Restaurant(s)

Property offers at least one restaurant on the premises; hours and days of operation may vary.

Pool(s)

Property offers at least one pool area; hours and dates of operation may be seasonal.

Fitness Center

Guests have access to exercise equipment; an additional charge may apply.

Golf Nearby

Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one golf course; an extra charge typically applies.

Tennis Nearby

Property is located within walking distance or a short drive of at least one tennis court; an extra charge typically applies.

Business Center

Guests have access to business equipment and services; an additional charge may apply.

[thereuare]

When tyring to identify hotels in a given area, you need to look at both the star rating and the amenities that are shown. The above does not match (as far as i can tell) the Hyatt or the Renaissance so i don't think those properties are likely outcomes for the above. However, the above does match the Aruba Resort Spa And Casino (previously The Wyndham) so that would be our best guess.

The Tripadvisor ratings are not updated frequently (and can be up to 6 months old) so they are not a good measure to help identify properties.

As far as booking for double or triple occupancy, there are two things that i could see potentially going wrong booking double occupancy:

1) you only get a room with one bed (leaving the third person to sleep on the floor or a rollaway bed, if availalbe, which may also come with an additional charge)

2) the bigger of the two potential problems: mostly all-inclusive places, but sometimes 'stardard' resorts as well, have a wristband policy. The wristband is required to use certain aspects of the resort... access certain areas, use the pool, etc. So if this resort has a wristband policy then you could have a problem 'hiding' a third person.

So ultimately booking double vs. triple occupancy is a risk, and one that you and your friends will have to decide if you want to take. If you do decide to only book double occupancy, i would at the very least call the hotel and ask: "I plan on staying at your property next month and have a friend who will also be visiting the island the same time but staying elsewhere. If i wanted him/her to spend the day with us would there be any problem with him/her using the pool or any of the other facilities as long as he/she is with us?" The answer to this may give you an idea of they do indeed use any type of wristband policy or have some other way of singling out 'non-guests'. (although keep in mind you may still have the bedding issue mentioned above)

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of furhter help.