With the cold weather we’re having here in New York City this week, I decided to write about one of my favorite trips to a warm, tropical paradise — Aruba. My husband and I were living in Washington, D.C., and wanted to escape the cold of December, and several friends recommended visiting Aruba. We began doing our research, and luckily we were able to find a reasonable flight. My family owns a timeshare with Marriott, and we were able to use points and stay at the beautiful Marriott Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino in Oranjestad.
Our flight to Aruba was fine, but unfortunately our luggage did not show up. We were both dressed in winter clothes, and it was 85 and sunny in Aruba. Even though we were told our luggage should arrive within a day, we decided to visit the local swimwear shop. We ended up with reggae-inspired suits and “I [heart] Aruba” t-shirts (the selection was very limited).
The hotel was absolutely beautiful, and I have to say my favorite part was the lobby. One of the main attractions of the resort is a 40-acre private island. The boat that takes you out to this tropical paradise docks in the open lobby of the hotel. We just couldn’t wait to check it out and decided to head over on our second day at the resort. The private island was truly amazing! There were iguanas, flamingos, an adult beach, a family beach, restaurant and, of course, a bar with the best frozen drinks I’ve ever had.
One of my other favorite things about Aruba was the weather. Every day was sunny and warm but not too hot, as there was a constant light breeze blowing over the island. We lounged by the pool, indulged in delicious seafood and relaxed with massages on the beach. On the last night of our trip, which happened to be my birthday, I decided to gamble in the resort’s casino and ended up winning $700 on a slot machine on the first spin; what a way to end the trip! I highly recommend the Marriott Renaissance Resort, and Aruba in general, to anyone seeking an easy getaway to fun in the sun!
— Christie Rhodes, advertising manager eastern region
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FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
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