ARUBA

Resort Info

Tamarijn Aruba Beach Resort
J.E. Irausquin Boulevard #41
Oranjestad, Aruba
Dutch Caribbean
Phone: 297-824150
Fax: 297-834002

The Tamarijn Resort is an all-inclusive resort in the low rise section between Manchebo Beach and Orangestad. It is a modest resort consisting of separate 2-storey blocks of rooms stretching along a narrow seawall-fronted beach.

View a video of the resort at www.hotelview.com (best viewed in Microsoft Explorer; it often doesn't work in Netscape)

Accommodations:
236 air-conditioned oceanfront rooms with two double beds or one king bed, balcony or terrace, satellite color television, telephone and private bath.

The resort takes up a lot of beach front, so the rooms stretch pretty far. Your room could be a 4 minute walk to the restaurant/bar/pool area. Because of the long stretch between the first and last block of rooms, you need to carefully consider your room needs - you don't want to do a long walk too many times a day in Aruba's heat if you are going to be frequenting the bar/pool area a lot; conversely, you don't want to be right next to the main action area if you came for privacy, peace and quiet.
Layout courtesy of Barry from the ABB

There is often quite a debate about which area of the resort to stay in; here are some comments previous visitors have made about the various units:

• Ask for the 1500 and 1600 blocks as those rooms are quieter and were just renovated.
  
  
• The 1100 block is a perfect distance from the food and right next to the watersport shed. I highly recommend this block...one reason is that you don't hear all the noise and music all night if you don't want to and you can hear the ocean, and another reason is that the sport shed has floats and it would be a pain in the butt to walk 5+ minutes to get one and then walk all the way back at the end of the day. Regardless of what room you are in you will have an ocean view. One other good thing about 1100 block is that it is right next to a larger open beach if you prefer that and easy access to windsurfing. (Kim Smith)
  
  
• We stayed in 1300, which is the building right next to the pool and food area. When the band was playing in the afternoon, forget a nap. The band plays till midnight, so forget sleeping. If you are the type of person who doesn't need a nap and you stay up late and can sleep in, then I would recommend this building. It is really close and very convenient. (jeanne1)
  
  
• I would strongly suggest that you request a room in the 2400 or 2500 buildings. They are a bit of a beautiful walk (not far) to the lobby but they are the newest rooms with nicer balconies and patios. If you have children, I would recommend staying on the north side of the resort near the sports rental building (1100 block). This area is on the big beach that is between the Divi and the Tam. The reason is that this is the only good beach area on the Tam grounds and it is close to the bar and restaurant. I would stay on the second floor because it is more private and you will have great views of the ocean and beach.
  
  
• While we have not seen all resort views, we found the ocean front rooms at the Tamarijn incredible. The Tam is a low rise resort with many rooms less then 50 feet from the ocean. We stayed on the second floor in the 1100 building and found the views out of this world. I have stayed at the Tam on two different occasions in two different blocks. If you decide to stay there, request to be put in building 2400 or 2500. These are a little bit further from the check-in area and pool area but you will be rewarded with much nicer, newer rooms with refrigerator included and not charged for. Ask for the top floor because you get vaulted ceilings that give you a more open feeling. You can leave your sliding door open all night and hear the ocean waves at you door. View is tremendous with the Caribbean 30 feet from your window. We stayed in the 2200 block, where the beach has now been eroded right up to the boardwalk, so you might want to pre-request a room in the 1800, 1900 or 2000 blocks, as they seem to have some more beach, are closer to the Bunker Bar, and just a short walk to the main dining areas and activities but removed enough to be away from the noise and bustle of the dining areas.
  
  
• The buildings toward the Bunker Bar have a nice beach but have some rocks in the water. The only negative with the 1100 block was that there is a 7' break wall holding up the beach in front of the room. You have your room, about 25' of sand and then the break wall. It was a very minor detail because the end of the break wall was 40' walk from the front of our room.

Notes/Hints/Tips/Opinions

• Blocks 2300, 2400, 2500 & 2600 are newly renovated and have ceiling fans, digital A/C thermostats and refrigerators. The latest renovations were being done on the 1500 and 1600 blocks.
• They run golf carts on a regular route if you prefer to ride between the different areas of the resort.
• The second floor has higher ceilings which gives a more open feeling.
• If you get a ground floor room you will have your own sun beds on the little terrace outside your patio doors.
• The beach directly in front of the main pool area is quite narrow, but there are two better stretches of beach - down by the 2500 & 2600 blocks of rooms, and by the 1100 block near the Divi resort.
• There is a watersport shed at the north end of the resort, near the 1100 unit.
• At the Tamarijn, they have in-room safes, but you have to rent the lock. The cost is $2.00 per day US$. If you lose the lock key you're charged $50.00 to have it drilled out as there's only one key for it. The safe is not big enough to put a camcorder in, but big enough for a camera and other valuables.
• By most accounts, avoid the Wednesday night seafood buffet - it gets only bad reviews.
• The Tamarijn seems to evoke more extreme reactions than other resorts - those who like it are extremely loyal supporters, those who don't like it really don't like it.
• If you'd like a spot at the pool, get there early, like 9 am. The towel service is next to Pizza per Tuitti (at the pool)
• Rooms have tiled floors and rattan furnishings.
• The sun sets in the direction of the 1100 block of rooms.
• You need to make reservations for the Palm Court Restaurant and Paparazzi Restaurant.
• You can dress casual for the Palm Court (T-Shirt and Jean Shorts).
• The choices at the Palm Court are limited on the menus (2 appetizers, 2 soups, salad, 4 entrees…the menus change every 3 days with the same amount of options). (Paul & Heidi from ABB).
• The Tam is a sister resort to the Divi Resort next door.

Restaurants

Palm Court Restaurant

Features fine cuisine from around the world, such as shrimp bisque, Caribbean conch fritters, and warm goat cheese in filo dough, tender roasted prime rib of beef, pan-fried local red snapper with lemon butter sauce.

Cunucu Terrace

Open-air restaurant offering buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Paparazzi

Features a dinner menu of Italian dishes.

Pizza Bar

Open-air snack bar adjacent to the pool deck, serving pizza, sandwiches, popcorn and frozen yogurt day and night (open until 1 am); theme nights weekly; entertainment nightly.

Coconuts Bar

Open until 1 am, the Coconuts Bar is a two-tiered beachside bar, with water views and drinks delivered via rope and pulley to the upstairs crowd.

Bunker Bar

Situated over the water with sweeping views of the resort and sparkling sea. The Bunker Bar closes at 7 pm.

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This site went online 1999.
Photos by Patti MacK copyrighted 1999 and may not be used without permission.

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