Just returned from Aruba (Feb 6th-20th) and this was our third year in a row at Surf Club. There is certainly a difference between visiting the week before and the week of President's Week. While the place was sold out the 6th-13th, there were far fewer families than the next week and it was definitely easier to get chairs around the pool.
However, I was pleased to see how many chairs were added along with umbrellas and additional palapas. This was the first year that we could go downstairs at 7am and still find chairs around the pool. Aside from there being more chairs & umbrellas, the system of having to tag chairs helps as it makes it harder for people to claim chairs at the beach and pool at the same time. Further, anyone tagging their chairs prior to 7am had to stay with their chairs as security actual did remove unattended chair tags - which was great to see!
I witnessed the guards removing tags and belongings from chairs that had been abandoned for two hours - also a great thing. I especially enjoyed watching people who had gone to the beach, were in bed sleeping (one person was actually away fishing) complain to guards when they returned many hours later to find their stuff gone. A big improvement overall.
Travelling this week will be something of a challenge at most popular resorts and as I walked down Palm Beach in Aruba I found hotel guests at all of the other properties crammed together in such an uncomfortable fashion that I felt even more fortunate to be at Surf Club and there is just no comparison to the amenities. Some people were upset as they could not go over to Ocean Club during this week (or vice versa) - I was not one of them. For whatever conditions exist with pool chairs, the pools are so large at Surf that none of us ever felt crowded and the breeze is just amazing. Having been to Ocean Club pools, I find the lack of breeze, the pool size and shadiness to be unappealing. Perhaps that is one reason why you can always find chairs there! Certainly, I met many folks who were Ocean Club guests that crashed the Surf party because they had bracelets from family members staying at Surf Club.
There is no system that will work perfectly so if you take the position that you are on vacation in the most amazing of climates and most beautiful of settings - you will have a great time!
Just returned from Surf Club after a stay from Feb 11th to Feb 25th. Having bought the timeshare
over two years ago, this was our first opportunity to use it and it exceeded our expectations.
The units were spectacular, clean and everything was in working order and new. We were part of
a group of 32 people spread out over 8 two bedroom units. The beach is beautiful and you can
walk endlessly. We were able to secure Palapas for 6 of the 7 days of one of the busiest times of
the year - President's Week. Go right to the beach hut after 10am and you can book two days per
unit at a time. Where the pool is concerned, the first week was less crowded and pool chairs were
easier to come by. During President's Week, you needed to put your belongings on your chairs by
7am if you wanted a preferred location. Marriott claims that belongings will be removed from any
chair prior to 7:30am if unattended but this was unfortunately NOT enforced.
Not a big deal though and between the pool and the beach there was always adequate chairs. The
Lazy River pool is amazing. The current takes you around the beautifully landscaped surroundings
while Iguanas sun themselves and stare at you. For exercise, we walked against the current - what
a workout! The kids enjoyed the water slide too at the other end of the pool where it is much
more windy this time of year. However, the wind blows around what would otherwise be 85
degree air so this was not a problem for anyone unless they were concerned about their hairdo.
Dining on site and at the adjacent Marriott properties was terrific. There are restaurants right on
the beach edge at both Surf and Marriott that serve terrific seafood as well as items like Steak and
Veal. They ran out of their fabulous Osso Buco after the second night unfortunately.
Ruth Christ's just opened a week prior to our arrival in the main hotel and the food and service was
amazing. Perhaps a couple of bucks more than a NYC version but we dined their twice with large
parties and everything was wonderful from the Cowboy Ribeye to the Petit Filet to the Veal Chop
and Chilean Sea Bass. Try the Spinach au Gratin and Lyonaise potatos for sides!
We ate many breakfasts and lunches in our units as we have small children and wanted to save a
few bucks. The market at Surf Club offers a great selection but you can pay about half the price
for all of your food and alcohol by going to Ling & sons down the street. Don't be alarmed by the
prices at Lings as they are listed in Florians, the local currency. If something is priced at $1.00 that
translates to 55 cents U.S. It is the closest thing to a Stop n Shop or Price Chopper that you will
find in the Caribbean. Never saw a place where you can buy bananas, coffee and 150 year old Gran
Marnier in the same place. By your booze outside the resort and bring coolers to the beach or pool
like everyone else. The drinks are great at the bars but at $8 to $11 a pop it can start to add up. If
you have children and need things like crayons or coloring books - bring them! Some things are
easy to find like floats and tubes for the pool but others are scarce.
Great kids center in the main building as well as an arcade that is open 24/7. We had no elevator
issues at all other than during prime checkout hours on Sat and Sun when bellman are bringing
luggage down to the curb or lobby. Outside of that, the three elevators in the main building were
very fast. Check-in is never a particularly pleasant experience. After long flights, immigration,
baggage hauling...etc most people have little patience especially when dragging around impatient,
tired and hungry children. The front desk folks were very pleasant but it did appear that they
were not staffed appropriately at certain times. I am told that they are planning to move the
check-in and check-out process to each of the separate buildings soon and that should alleviate
that problem. However, the front desk folks and manager were extremely accomodating to me as
we tried to coordinate having many rooms near each other and in the same building.
If you are looking for wild night life, go somewhere else. We were very pleased that the evenings
were peaceful and you could take a stroll through the property or down the beach without any
craziness. A short walk down the beach you can cut through the Holiday Inn and be at a number of
great dining spots like Gianni's (Italian) - better make a reservation or Texas di Brazil (Argentine
Steak House). Both were fabulous and the expanded salad bar that included fish, soup and many
other non-salad items was actually the best part for me. If you so desire, there is even a TGI
Fridays right there as well.
Car rental is available through National right in the hotel. Make reservations as they fill up fast. I
believe they use another company at the Ocean Club next door. The concierge was extremely
helpful as were the activities folks who helped us charter a Catamaran for all 32 of us for a two hour
sunset cruise - the most memorable experience of the vacation.
Five Stars all around! You will have a wonderful vacation whether you are travelling as a couple or a
family although this is not your destination if you are looking for singles during a week like
President's Week.
I think it has been 10+ years since my first review and almost a lifetime for my children. I first visited Surf Club when my children were 4 and 2 years old respectively. Yes, they are spoiled as we have taken them to Surf Club every year since. My oldest is now going to be 20 years old and while we can no longer travel in February, he looks forward to any opportunity and this year it will be right after school adjourns in June. Both of my sons consider Aruba and Surf Club to be their home away from home.
I continue to be amazed at how the quality has only been enhanced over 15+ years of ownership. I have been a guest at many properties and virtually all of the timeshares are in some form of disrepair and neglect. Yes, Surf Club commands a relatively high maintenance fee for owners but during the 15 years we have witnessed multiple makeovers to the rooms, replacement of the entire A/C system and new additions on the property that add further value.
There have been improvements to processes, like check-in, that used to be very tedious, towel distribution, chairs, palapas and on and on. I have been fortunate to have traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean and Aruba is my go-to vacation. I have renting units from other owners every year, at least once a year, for the last five years and look forward to my next trip. I do confess that I wish the Airport experience could be improved on the way home!
