We just got back from Marriott Aruba Surf Club. I was little nervous about going there after reading some of the reviews, so I decided to go there open-minded and with low expectations. After our week there I really don't understand what people are complaining about. Our time there was perfect. The 2 bedroom unit was beautiful, clean, no problems with A/C (they have had problems w/ it) and we had plenty of room. This is a timeshare, not a hotel, so you are not going to get housekeeping every day. They only clean the unit once a week but that was enough for us. The housekeeper always gave us clean towels when we asked for them when we saw them in the hallways cleaning other rooms.

We never had a problem getting a palapa. Seems like everyone was going to the beach the first thing in the morning when it can get a little crowded but by 2pm most of the people were gone. We didn't spend too much time at the pool but looked like there were always lounge chairs available on the construction side of the pool. By the way, the construction never bothered us.

We rented a car and went grocery shopping the first day. We ate breakfast and lunch in our room and went out for dinner. My kids especially liked Smokey Joe's just few miles from Surf Club and they have all you can eat ribs for $20 on Tuesdays. Very good!

Overall I don't have one bad thing to say about Marriott Aruba Surf Club. We can't wait to go back!

This was my second time in Aruba. The first time I stayed at the Marriott Aruba Ocean Club and loved the resort and beach. This visit, I was put next door at the Surf Club which is still under construction.

First the positive. Aruba is still one of the friendliest, cleanest and safest islands in the Caribbean. The resort construction did not interfer with our stay and the noise was at a minimum. The rooms were outstanding and up to Marriott quality with even a washer and dryer in the room. The pool was beautiful and the staff was very friendly.

That said, Marriott has gotten greedy and way over built. The pool is way too crowded and the resort is only 66% occupied. The beach, which is why most people go to Aruba is a disgrace. The beach is way too small and they crowd everyone on top of eachother. You stare at an old pier and rundown boats. If you didn't get to the beach early you found no palapas available and your only choice was in the direct sun. And heaven forbid if you tried to sit in the shade of the almost vacant Marriott Ocean Club's palapas even though the Ocean Club families were all over the Surf Club pool. They are moving the pier but it is not enough. When this resort is built out and fully occupied I have no idea where the Marriott is going to put all the people.

July 1, 2006. Family of elderly grandparents, forty somethings, and 3 kids (17, 11, 8) head off to Aruba to stay at the Marriott Ocean Club (us) and Surf Club (Mom and Dad). WOW!

The resort: Fantastic. Some people complain about the noise from the Surf Club due to construction. We were never bothered by any of it. That said, we preferred the Ocean Club's pool - less windy and more peaceful. We ventured over to the Surf Club for the lazy river which was quite fun! The Surf Club was actually a 3 bedroom lock-off. It was HUGE. Mom and Dad only had 2 of the rooms. The Ocean Club's room wasn't as big, but all in all, I preferred the whole set up of hotel - not as high or as crowded (or so it seemed).
We all had 2 bedroom suites - gorgeous - with balconies overlooking the ocean.

Night one: Madame Jeanette's for dinner. Dad was so tired from the trip, so he really didn't appreciate how wonderful the food was. The rest of us loved it. Every other day thereafter, we played bridge, the 4 of us, in the Surf Club, watching the waves, and yelling at each other for our incredibly stupid bridge mistakes. But mostly we relished the time together - drinking, laughing, eating, talking, and playing bridge (sometimes quite well). Many nights the adults went out to dinner alone, leaving the kids (poor kids) to go out to eat on the beach at Moomba Bar!

One evening we went to Marina Pirana - a lovely restaurant located on a pier overlooking the ocean (duh - you thought it was overlooking the mountains, right?). Anyway, 17 year old sat and took picture after of picture of the fish which continually leaped out of the water after the bread thrown in by 11 and 8 year old. Fun, fun!

We also went to Fishes and More with the kids. There, we were able to shop for great t-shirts, and listen to fun music (the musician grabbed good natured Mom and danced with her!)

Other restaurants: Flying Fishbone - the most beautiful view with a sunset to die for! We ate in the sand (at a table - not actually in the sand :). Mirandi - our favorite. We went twice. The food, waiters, ambiance, and (most importantly) the wine were the BEST 20 miles north of the equator.

Activities: Other than bridge? Okay. Hubby, the kids, and I went on the Jolly Pirate Ship. We snorkeled in 3 places. 8 year old had her first snorkel adventure (she did pretty well). 17 and 11 went out - pros that they are - to dive around the sunken ship. The current was very strong, and the kids were exhausted. Had DRINKS (all free) and good food. The third dive spot was (we were told) mild and a fun place to just swim. 8 and I went in without snorkel equipment, though she had her life vest on. The current was stronger than they said - and we found ourselves being pulled closer and closer to the ship. . They rescued her. I swam to the boat. Then it was time for rope swing jump. Hubby, 17 and 11 had fun. 8 and I were wimps and took pictures.

As a change from a banana boat, we were roped into trying a raft pulled by a rope (that was funny!) 8 and I (the wise woman we claim to be - and clearly are) went on the boat and took pictures. Thumbs up! Faster! Faster! Hubby loved it. 11 and 17 were knocked around. I was very glad to be watching!!!

On the last day, we went into town and shopped. 17 had one last sex on the beach, as 8 and 11 found some wonderful souvenirs and Aruba-type clothing.


This was one perfect vacation. I have everything in life I could ever want. The perfect husband, children, and parents - all of us with our health intact. Next year - Newport Coast, here we come!

Let me start off by saying that I have been to Aruba numerous times and have never had any problems in Aruba until I stayed at the Surf Club. The people who are employed there are rude and not accomodating.

Do not expect your room to get cleaned - unless you want to pay extra money. We were told that it was our home away from home and would have to pay almost $200 to get our room cleaned for the week! Also you have to put in a special request for fresh towels every day and do not expect room service b/c the response we got was that the restaurant is too far and room service was not available.

Going to Aruba to lay out on the beach and reserving a hut for the day was never a problem in all of the years that I have gone, however, at the Surf Club it is a huge problem. First, you are sitting in front of at least 5 boats and you cannot go in the water directly where you are laying out on the beach. Second, the Ocean Club does not let you reserve their huts and there are not enough huts on the Surf Club's beach. Third, you will get reprimanded if you try to reserve a hut on the Ocean Club's side, even though the Ocean Club can use the facilities at the Surf Club.

I hope you don't get too thirsty late at night either b/c the store closes in the evening and there is not even a soda machine on the premises. My husband had to walk to the hotel (3 buildings down) to get a bottle of water late at night. The response of the Surf Club was that they are working on it. There will never be enough huts on that beach b/c they keep building. Good luck getting a hut and any type of "royalty" treatment staying at the timeshare resorts of the Marriott in Aruba.

I can't wait to go back to Aruba but nowhere near the Marriott properties. The weather was beautiful but the people and the service at the Marriott Surf/Ocean Clubs in Aruba was absolutely horrible and very disappointing. I am sure there will be many more horror stories to follow being that they just keep building more without anymore room on the beach. My advice, go to Aruba, but stay at another resort.