Mother's Day Package at Hyatt Regency Aruba

Here's a package we just received that's a little bit different: they'll only be selling 100 of these packages in honor of the Mother's Day Centenary.

This package is offered by the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino, a resort we've enjoyed several times...just renovated, it has a great location right on Palm Beach.

The Package: The Mother’s Day Delight package includes:
• arrival on May 9 or 10 for a five-night stay
• daily breakfast for two
• a $100 resort credit and welcome amenity upon arrival

Price: The package starts at at $385 double occupancy, exclusive of tax.

They're also offering the Mother’s Day Deluxe, with all of the above plus a 100-minute treatment at Stillwater Spa, dinner for two at Palms Restaurant, and a nightly turndown amenity, starting at $460 double occupancy, exclusive of tax

For More Information:
• visit www.aruba.hyatt.com

Aruba's Divi Village Offering Kids Stay Free Promo

As we swing into the summer season, here's a good family package that runs through the start of high season in late December: Aruba's all-suites Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort is offering a kids 17 and under stay and eat free promotion as well as free golf. The all-suites property offers accommodations that are nearly double the square footage of a standard hotel room, so parents have one corner and kids the other, which helps make for memorable, relaxing family vacations.

The Promotion: Through December 23, the all-suites Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort tees up “Free Kids, Free Golf” where kids stay and eat free, and adults get unlimited golf after 3 p.m. (cart included). This is on top of 10 percent off as well as access to the amenities of two nearby Divi all-inclusive properties.

Price: Rates start at $220 per adult per night including the 10 percent discount. There's a limit of two kids free with two paying adults. A minimum three-night stay required for the all-inclusive package. Reservations must be made by May 16, 2008, for the 10 percent discount to apply,

Why It's Fun for the Family: The Divi Village has plenty to keep the whole family busy and happy: three freshwater swimming pools (one with a swim-up bar), lit tennis courts, a beach-side rock climbing wall, water sports center clinics, a waterslide, an air-conditioned oceanfront fitness center, watch movies under the stars, 11 restaurants and more.

For More Information:
• visit www.diviresorts.com

POTD: Exploring Aruba...Safari Style

Hop a jeep and take a safari tour of Aruba on your next visit! Our family has enjoyed this adventure which includes a stop at the gold ruins and the island caves. Bring along some old clothes for the trip because you WILL get dusty!

POTD: Seatrek Fun in Aruba

If you've wondered what it would be like to walk on the floor of the ocean, wonder no more. SeaTrek, with installations on many islands including this one on Aruba, offers visitors the chance to wear high-tech helmets and walk on the ocean floor. This photo is of our daughter Lauren; as you can see, she's wearing her glasses and her hair is not even wet. SeaTrek can be enjoyed by non-swimmers and no experience is necessary.

POTD: Aruba's Butterfly Farm

Aruba's Butterfly Farm is one of several in the Caribbean (the same company also operates a butterfly farm in St. Martin and a brand new butterfly farm in St. Thomas by the cruise dock). The farm is near the hotels of Palm Beach and is a great activity for kids and teens; you'll enter the free-flying area where hundreds of tropical butterflies flit around around. Guides explain the life cycle of the butterfly and talk about the life of the butterfly, from what they eat to how they eat it.

New in Aruba

Aruba has long been a favorite family getaway thanks to its resorts, beaches, and multicultural atmosphere. Now families find several new hotel projects underway:

• The Wyndham Aruba has been reflagged as The Westin Aruba Resort following the completion of a $16 million renovation. The 481-room resort offers eight dining options, a 12,000-square-foot casino, Aruba’s largest swimming pool, and a spa.

• Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino has debuted its new open-air lobby, part of $20 million in improvements underway at the property. Renovation of the resort’s 336 guestrooms is planned for completion in May.

• The Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino has opened the $5.2 million, 13,000-square-foot Larimar Spa last fall.


• The Occidental Grand Aruba Resort, a luxury all-inclusive, has opened. The former Allegro resort has undergone $24 million in renovations and upgrades and now features 391 deluxe rooms and suites, seven restaurants, a spa, casino, and the Royal Club, and a 50-room boutique style hotel within the resort with exclusive check-in, private restaurant, 24-hour room service, and more.

• The RIU Aruba Grand will undergo a $40 million expansion adding 286 guestrooms. The resort will reopen as the five-star, 451-room RIU Palace.