St Kitt’s Marriott Resort and The Royal Beach Casino
Photo Courtesy of Diamond PR and Marriott Resorts

Couples seeking a romantic get-a-way need look no further than these Caribbean and Mexico romance packages. There are several resorts in the Marriott family to choose from and packages to delight at each destination. The resorts alone are romantic with their tropical ocean views, water view restaurants and optional couples massages. Each resort is offering something just a little different, so no matter what your interest or price there should be something that fits your style.

ParadiseByMarriott is offering a fifty dollar a day resort credit to couples booking two or more nights. The resort credit is good toward anything on the property including, golf, dining, watersports, spa, drinks and more. To receive this credit guests must book through ParadiseByMarriott or call 1-888-PARADISE and request the RPH booking code. This promotion is good from February 1 through March 28th, 2010.

The Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino is offering a 30% discount on it’s upscale Trade Winds Club room rates. This package includes champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries on arrival, a couples massage at Mandara Spa and exclusive access to a private lounge and beach area. Five complimentary gourmet food and beverage servings are included throughout the day and guests can order optional deluxe pillow menu items such as rose petals, chocolates, champagne, wine, massage oil and a candle to be delivered to their room. Packages start at $380.00 per couple per night and this offer is valid now until November 11th 2010. To book this package call 800-228-9290 or visit The Aruba Marriott website above and request promotional code HZP

At the Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa and Casino they are offering five nights accomodations in a deluxe room with a chilled bottle of champagne on arrival and roses to set the mood for romance. They’re also including two complimentary drinks of choice under the stars at Jacob’s Bar and Terrace with Jazz music and a box of chocolates. Guests will receive one day of breakfast in bed and dinner alfresco at Jaipur Restaurant. This package is available Feb 1 through Feb 28th, 2010 by requesting The Valentine’s Day Package. The price of this package is $360.00 per couple, per night.

St Kitts Marriott Resort and The Royal Beach Casino is offering a sweet Valentine’s Day Package from Feb 6th to the 18th, 2010. Here you will enjoy a garden view room, a bottle of sparkling wine upon arrival and a selection of petit fours as well as a chocolate bubble bath prepared on arrival night by a private butler. Packages start at $199.00 per couple, per night. To book call 1-800-228-9290 or book on their website listed above. When booking request promotional code SPJ

San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino is offering a Luminescent Love Package with an upgrade to an ocean front room, one 55 minute couples massage per stay and a bottle of chilled champagne upon arrival. Guests will also receive a daily breakfast buffet for two at La Vista Restaurant. Packages start at $509.00 per couple, per night valid now through Feb, 28 2010. To book this package call 1-800-228-9290 or visit The Marriott San Juan’s web site and request promotional code P53

Paradise By Marriott is offering an Escape! This Romance Package includes your room, breakfast for two daily, a bottle of champagne and more* (*Rates vary by resort and additional romance package components vary by property) This package is valid now through December 16th, 2010 so you can keep the romance warm all year long.

Having been a recent guest of the Marriott Paradise Resorts I know there are some fabulous romance options available, (varying by property) including couples massages, dinners on the beach with a private butler, turn down treats such as rose petals, champagne, gourmet chocolates, desserts, massage oil and a candle to be delivered to your room to set the mood for relaxation and romance. With so many options you’re sure to warm up your romance while enjoying a tropical escape you’ll never forget.

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My visit to Venice

If you’re looking for a little bit of Italian heaven then a visit to Pizzeria Ae Oche in Venice, Italy is a must. Their pizza menu is the most extensive I’ve ever seen; I personally counted over seventy types of pizza available and they also serve many other italian specialties. They’ve been in business since 1983. They have three locations in Venice as well as seven other locations throughout Italy. I had lunch at their location on Santa Croce 1552 a/b in Venice. The restaurant atmosphere is quaint and relaxed with dark wood walls, wooden tables and simple decor. I shared lunch there with a friend and I still remember fondly the amazing pizza and the relaxed atmosphere that is everything Italian.

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Flamingo Beach Renaissance Island

Over the past month I’ve written several pieces about my Aruba Renaissance Resort Press Trip provided by Marriott Paradise Resorts. I’ve shared with honesty my experiences and my perceptions of Aruba and the activities I participated in. In this particular piece I want to highlight my favorite parts of the resort and detail the quirks I discovered.

Renaissance Island; This private island is a little piece of heaven that is a must visit while staying at The Renaissance Aruba Resort. Guests reach the island via a free water taxi on the lower level of the resort. For details on the island see my piece on Renaissance Island.

Marriott Beds; Please feel free to deliver one of these to my home anytime! These beds are comfy and feel plush and inviting with a selection of pillows that far surpass need and their simple, elegant white bedding is a delightful touch.

Marriott Beds

HoMedics Sleep Machine; My room was equipped with a sleep machine that offered a host of natural sounds including rain showers, jungle noises, waterfalls and ocean surf. I tried several of the options, it was a nice touch. Guests can set it to play for a specified amount of time or let it play all night.

Adults Only; I enjoyed the option of adult only areas throughout the resort. I especially loved the adult only Flamingo beach. In addition I found it relaxing and paradise like to have an adult only pool.

Bath Products; Being a proponent of natural and organic ingredients I was happy to see Aveda products in the guest bathrooms. Aveda has incresed the percentage of natural ingredients in their products to approximately 90% and have phased parabens out of the majority of their products. The Aveda products offered at The Renaissance Aruba Resort were refreshing and enjoyable to use.

Spa Cove on Renaissance Island Photo Courtesy of Marriott Paradise Resorts

Okeanos Spa; I felt the offering of two spa locations, including a private one on Renaissance Island added a nice touch of paradise to spa experiences. That’s not a spa experience you’ll find everywhere. My piece on Okeanos Spa.

Romantic Touches; Guests can make reservations for a private dinner served on the beach by their own butler. “Turn Down Treats” including Rose petals, chocolate dipped strawberries, dark chocolate mousse, Belgium chocolates or ice cream are also offered. For more sensual treats guests can opt for chocolate massage oil and a chocolate scented candle to be delivered; wine or champagne can be added.

Renaissance Mall This piece of shopping heaven contains European designer boutiques, cafes, and a little of everything. The Renaissance Mall is located on the lower level beneath the hotel. It’s a great place to shop and explore.

Renaissance Mall

Blue Flag Program; The island of Aruba and the Renaissance Aruba Resort are working toward an ecological project that will include water quality, safety, services, facilities, environmental education and environmental management. This project is scheduled for completion next year. Upon completion Aruba’s beaches will display the prestigious blue flag showing that Aruba meets the standards in excellence for environmental management of resources.

My Quirks

The Adults Only Pool Bar; This bar along with the adults only pool is a great place to hang out and have a few drinks while soaking up the island mood. The down side of this bar is the music played loud enough to hear in guest rooms overlooking the pool six stories up on weekends. Two nights in a row I struggled to sleep while music throbbed below until the wee hours.

Dining on the Adult Side of the Resort; There are fantastic dining options on the adult side of the resort, including the elegant L. G. Smith Steak and Chop House, Aquarius and Blue. I enjoyed excellent meals including grilled Tuna at L. G Smith Steak and Chop House and a Seafood Bar with lobster, crab legs and scallops at Aquarius. The downside no outdoor seating except at Blue where you can get tapas and drinks.

The In Room Safe; This particular quirk only applies to those of us who are short in stature. The in room safe was located on a high shelf within the closet. Whenever I took things out of the safe and especially when I checked out and wanted to make certain I had everything out I had to jump up and down to reach a height at which I could see the entire inside of the safe. This is frustrating at best and could be changed.

Beach Front; Being in Oranjestad means the resort doesn’t have true beach front. The resort has created a nice salt water beach on the Ocean Suites side of the resort which is delightful, as well as
Renaissance Island. My suggestion split your stay between the Renaissance Aruba Resort and their sister property Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino and get the best of both worlds, private island and beach front.

Decor; My room was tasteful and beautiful with the exception of the bathroom. I was told the resort had last been remodeled six years ago. My bathroom needed a real face lift. It was plain Jane, not at all what I would expect from a quality resort.

Swim Up Pool Bar Location; The only swim up pool bar is located on the family side of the resort. I understand why with space constraints, yet honestly that’s the last place I’d expect it.

I found my stay at Marriott Paradise resort to be an excellent experience. I’ve stayed in resorts on other islands and continents and I would give Marriott Paradise Resorts high marks.

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Photo Courtesy of Florida Orange Groves Winery

If you are looking for a little taste of the tropics Florida Orange Groves and Winery in Pasadena, FL is worth a visit. I’ve visted and tasted several of their citrus and berry based wines. According to the Florida Wineries guide they’ve won over 207 medals including eight best of show awards. Theirs are the only Florida wines allowed to display the Florida Department of Citrus official mark of superiority – The Florida Sunshine Tree.

Each of their wines is made 100% from the juice indicated on the label. When you visit the Florida Orange Groves and Winery you will have a chance to taste multiple fruit and citrus wines. One of my favorites surprised me, I loved their Festiberry cranberry wine, it’s a great choice for holiday meals or parties. Another favorite of mine was their White Gold white peach wine, which is light and sweet. I found humor in their Hurricane Class 5 wine title and especially enjoyed the flavor of this delightful white sangria. There are many choices of wine at the Florida Orange Groves and Winery. They offer a nice selection of dry wines, such their newest blueberry wine, Dry Florida Blueberry which fits like a Pinot Noir or a Cabernet. Another choice would be their Sinfully Noble, Muscadine dry.

The Florida Orange Groves and Winery has two rooms. Their main room has a wine tasting bar as well as displays of their wines and gifts for wine lovers. The second room is filled with tropical and beachy items so visitors can find that perfect Florida gift. You can find the Florida Orange Groves Winery at 1500 Pasadena Ave S. in Pasadena (St. Petersburg) Fl. Their local phone number is 727-347-4025 or you can reach them toll free at 1-800-338-7923 to order wines. They also offer a wines of the month club, where recipients receive two bottles of wine for twelve months.

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One of the added delights of Aruba is its Dutch history and ties to Europe. Though you’re on a caribbean island with sea views and tranquil turquoise water you also experience the added pleasure of european treats. On the lower level of the Renaissance Aruba Resort is an upscale mall with designer shops, international wine and even Belgium chocolate. As I wandered the Renaissance Mall looking into shop windows and reaquainting myself with trendy european fashion, I discovered my sweet spot A Taste of Belgium, chocolaterie where you can have one of dozens of scrumptious chocolates, a cappucchino, a belgium waffle, or a warm slice of cake. A Taste of Belgium has cafe seating and gives you a sweet respite from shopping as you savor the exquisite chocolates.

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Renaissance Aruba Ocean Suite’s Aerial View
Photo Courtesy of Marriott Paradise Resorts and Diamond PR

When I think of paradise children don’t readily come to mind; so when Janien Huistra Director of Sales and Marketing at Renaissance Aruba and Curacao filled me in on the family side of the resort I was surprised. After years of being single envisioning paradise with children was quite far from my mind. It was with a great deal of surprise and delight that I found myself actually enjoying my visits to The Ocean Suites family portion of the resort.

My first visit to the family side was late in the evening. The outdoor dining drew me to the family side of the resort. Though the adult side of the resort has outstanding restaurants none offer outdoor seating except Blue, an elegant bar overlooking the pool which serves tapas and drinks. The family side of the resort has two options for outdoor dining. These two restaurants are casual and offer the ambiance one would expect within a relaxed, family resort. Each is located surrounding the pools amid beautiful views and tropical walkways.

The first, Sole is a pool bar which offers a nice selection of wraps, salads, seafood and sandwiches. I enjoyed lunch at Sole and found the service to be friendly and efficient. My bartenders were thoughful enough to detail the local Aruban drink ingredients and other tropical drink options. There were a number of delicious drink options on the menu. My choice was an Aruba Ariba, which you can read more about in my Wander Food Wednesday drink post.

My lunch at the Sole Pool Bar

The second option is Captain’s Corner which is located under an outdoor pavillion with a thatched roof. The atmosphere was peaceful and casual. It was quiet, enjoyable and not at all what I expected when I thought of children and family dining, I enjoyed it. The restaurant offers buffet style meals and has three dining options. One night the Captains Corner restaurant offers an Italian menu selection with the ambiance and mood one would expect of a home style italian restaurant. The italian menu is priced at $22.95. Another night visitors have the option of Around the World in Three Courses; this menu features items such as japanese sushi, seafood ceviche, greek lamb souvlaki, brazilian mango cheesecake and grilled dominican fruit skewers for $27.95 per person. The third option is Caribbean Barbeque Night which offeres a tasty selection of grilled meats and fish served with caribbean style salads and “dushi” desserts for $24.95.

I visited the Ocean Suites at three different times of the day over a three day period to get a real feel for the atmosphere, noise level, paradise factor and food. I was pleasantly surprised. The pool area had families about and the restaurant contained children and each time my experience was peaceful and enjoyable. By the time I departed Renaissance Aruba Resort the Ocean Suites family side had become my firm favorite for several reasons.
1. Relaxing Atmosphere
2. Outdoor Dining
3. Beach
4. Great food and drink choices at the pool bar overlooking the water.
5. Swim up pool bar

Captain’s Corner Restaurant at The Ocean Suites, Renaissance Resort Aruba.

The Renaissance Aruba Resort offers additional restaurant options in their outdoor Marketplace. The Marketplace is centrally located between the adult and the family side of the resort, next to the Marina. There are at least eight to ten restaurants within this area. Some restaurants look to be casually elegant, while others are family style, and still others offer quick on the go meals. The marketplace contains shops and a couple breakfast/coffee cafes for those looking for simplier fare or gourmet coffee selections at breakfast. There’s also a movie theatre which is a nice option after a busy day of sun and activities.

Renaissance Aruba Marketplace

Ocean Suites
Photo Courtesy of Marriott Paradise Resorts and Diamond PR

I was pleasantly surprised with my visits to the Ocean Suites side of the Renaissance Aruba resort. I wish I’d had more time to relax there. I might have tried the swim up option at the pool bar to try another of the many island style drinks offered. Within Ocean Suites you will find relaxation, comfort and a delightful atmosphere. In fact some of the rooms offer kitchens for families so that eating in can be an option. I found the Ocean Suites side to have spectacular views and I would recommend a visit. I especially liked the protected sea water swim area overlooking the ocean. There was much to like about Ocean Suites, it’s a delightful environment for families to find a bit of paradise.

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Bugaloe’s Tiki View

My visit to Bugaloe’s

Bugaloe’s is a sweet place to sip a rum, watch the world go by or take in a smashing sunset on Aruba. Four nights a week you can enjoy live music. Bugaloe’s has more than great atmosphere and tropical drinks. There’s a nice selection of menu items including; grilled snapper, grouper, steak and shrimp, salads, sandwiches or appetizers. Bugaloe’s is one of those laid back bars where you can take in the view, the beach scene or simply hang out and meet other visitors. I only wish I’d discovered it sooner.

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A few of my favorite shots from my recent trip to Aruba

A new friend on Renaissance Island

Sailing Away

Your Hammock in Paradise

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My Aruba Ariba at the Renaissance Aruba pool bar.

According to Aruba.com Coecoei is a centuries old Aruban liquor that was first made by Indian tribes. This liquor is one of the ingredients found in an Aruba Ariba Cocktail. This delicious and potent drink contains 151 rum, vodka, Coecoei and creme de bananas, as well as three kinds of juice. It’s then topped with a splash of grenadine and Grand Marnier.

A recipe for an Aruba Ariba Cocktail.

Flamingo Beach Aruba part of Marriott’s Renaissance Island

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Driving off road on Aruba

Aruba’s northern coastline with a view of the pounding surf

Aruba is an island of contrasts with beautiful Caribbean views and a northern coast filled with stark volcanic rock formations and views of windswept desert for miles. This wild corner of Aruba has its own unique beauty and an edge that will keep you on your toes. This part of the island with its eye catching volcanic scenery has become a places for wishes, wild rides, views of pounding surf and desert. “Aruba’s Outback” is a must see. In fact you’ll probably wish for a second excursion to explore more deeply into Arikok National Park.

Off Road on Aruba

For me this adventure was exciting and filled with what I love when I travel; exploring off the beaten path and driving in a foreign country. Be prepared to fall in love with Aruba and its unique beauty while bouncing over rocks, ditches and experiencing the dusty heat of northern Aruba’s landscape. De Palm Tours offers three off road jeep adventure tours. First there’s the Aruba Safari Jeep Adventure; where you can take the wheel and drive the rough rocky roads of Aruba’s nothern coast, taking in Bushirbana Gold Mine Ruins, the simplicity of Alto Vista Chapel and Aruba’s Natural Bridge; all described via a PA system by your guide in the lead vehicle.

Aruba’s Northern Coast and California Lighthouse

Exploring Bushirbana’s Gold Mine Ruins

The second option is Baby Beach Jeep Adventure; which includes an exciting off road drive through the Aruban desert and Arikok National Park to Baby Beach, known for its calm water and stunning snorkeling. Your third off road option is The Natural Pool Adventure Jeep Trip. Here you’ll drive through windswept desert, by rocky coastline and into Arikok National Park with its impressive views. You’ll also experience the Natural Pool, one of Aruba’s island treasures. If you seek even more adventure you can explore with an ATV or 4 wheel drive ATV Ranger on a four hour off road experience that covers many of the same highlights the off road jeep tours explore. In fact as I drove Aruba’s northern coast I saw ATV riders.

Wish Rock Stacks

These tours come with refreshments and the option of a sandwich lunch. My half day trip was such a blast; I shared my off road driving adventure with another writer and we both agreed it was the best way to experience Aruba’s rough coast. The freedom and fun of driving your own four wheel drive jeep over bumpy, body jolting roads and rocks is nothing short of crazy and exhilarating. I only wish I’d had a second day to explore further on this off road adventure tour.

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