Occidental Grand Aruba, Palm Beach, Aruba

The Occidental Grand Aruba, which underwent a $24-million renovation in 2008 that transformed it in name as well (it had been the Allegro Aruba Grand Hotel), boasts 380 rooms and suites. The upgrade option to its Royal Club offers much more personalized service and private check-in. The casino at the hotel is also undergoing renovations and scheduled to re-open by February 2011. The resort has six restaurants, five bars, a free-form pool, and all manner of daily water sports. It is on Palm Beach, where most of the island’s high-rise resorts are located.

There are five categories of rooms at this hotel, including three in the Royal Club setting, which offers executive-level service. The Royal Club is located on the 7th through 9th floors of the hotel. Upgrading allows guests access to the Royal Club Lounge, a private restaurant on the 9th floor.

Deluxe rooms and deluxe ocean-view rooms offer either a king bed or two doubles, marble floors, balcony or terrace, mini fridge, hair dryer, satellite TV, alarm clock/radio, telephone with data port, high speed Internet or Wi-Fi access, in-room safe, and full bath with shower and tub.
 
Royal Club luxury ocean-view rooms include the resort's all-inclusive features and have elegantly appointed furniture and amenities, including king beds, marble floors, balcony, CD and DVD players, mini fridge, hair dryer, satellite TV, alarm clock/radio, telephone with data port, high speed Internet or Wi-Fi access, in-room safe, full bath, and room service. Guests also enjoy private check-in.

Royal Club ocean-view suites include the resort's all-inclusive features and all that ocean-view rooms have, plus adjoining living room and bedroom.

Royal Club master suite oceanfronts have adjoining living and board  rooms plus full bath with shower and two full size hydro-massage Jacuzzis, one in the master bedroom  and one on the balcony.

The resort’s six restaurants are: Palm, an international buffet restaurant for all meals; L’Olio, for Italian a la carte dinners; El Olvido, for Mexican a la carte dinners; Zen, serving PanAsian cuisine with a sushi bar, for dinner; Desire, featuring Caribbean fusion cuisine, serving dinner; and The Beach Club for light lunches and snacks.

The resort’s five bars are: Splash Bar; Bikini Beach Bar; Cocktail Bar; Desires Lounge; and Sound, a dance club.

Activities abound for all ages; parents with children ages 4-10 may use the resort’s Kids’ Club, with supervised activities.

All-inclusive activities include water polo, water aerobics, sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, tennis, sports and scuba clinics, a fitness room, and daily activities by the pool and beach. Available at extra cost are golf, massage, casino, water skiing, motorized water sports, scuba diving, fishing, horseback riding, private tennis lessons, and babysitting.

Occidental Grand Aruba Resort
J.E. Irausquin Blvd #83
Palm Beach, Aruba
Phone: 297 586-4500, 800-858-2258
Website: http://www.occidentalhotels.com/grand/Aruba.asp
Rates from $241