Tamarijn Beach Resort Hotel

We were due to go on the 10th September 08 to Cuba, but due to Hurrican Ike our plans were all cancelled.(even the prem sets!) Aruba the Tamarijn resort was recommend by a friend,so we booked it. We couldn't get Prem seats on the plane due to the sort notice of going, but it was my first time flying with First Choice and it will be the last time! outgoing flight we asked for a bottle of champy! they said it would be around 30 mins as they were chilling, when we asked them for it, they has sold out! Great start to our holiday. Toilets people had pead on the floor, but they wouldn't let people use the Premier Class toilet instead. No Vodka on the flight either.
Got to the resort nice welcome with a ice cold bottle of water and face towel to cool us down. Everything looked clean rooms we had a Beach front room which was loverly watching the sun go down. Breakfast / lunch at the buffet bar okay at the Tam but the evening meal if we were not booked in anywhere we went to the Divi. Gingers/ Red Parriot / Italian resturants were all nice we had 2/3 meals booked with them. We also went to Windows Twice which was fantistic food, for $25.00 per head, drinks separet was a great offer. If you go to this resort try it! Pools were cleaned daily and resort always tidy. Only two bar staff were rude! if you were a women, they would serve the Americans holding a dollar before you!. Best Barman was John, who also represents Aruba in the heavy weight. John was always pleasent to everyone and willing to help. We would go again but would have to fly with another opperator. We got up one morning ready for the beach as we knew we would be out all day, had breakfast and left, when we got back around 5pm, our door was open! went in nothing gone but the maid hadn't closed it! informed security.
On our way home at the airport, they we charging people for being over weight by even 3 kilos! Weather was hot, only rained one day, which they all said it hadn't rained like that for 10 years. Catholic church was a nice visit on Sunday morning mass said in English. Not much to buy other than Diamonds for the ladies which my Husband did the honours of buying me an eternity ring which was very nice. Only ever seen 1 Cockroach near the beach, only seen one cat with a kitten. only see one dog with its owner being walked. But near the airport we seen 1 dog dead in the road. (arrr) well I would got back to Aruba but I've got to do the Maldives & Mexico and Cuba again before I would go back to Aruba.
People were nice and friendly no trouble, just the Yanks loud and overtaking.

2 readers found this review helpful

The Tamarijn is a good hotel not a great one, this said though it does have a fantastic location.
Rooms (1113) are clean but small, maybe a lick of paint needed. The maid service was 5*. Clean bedding and towels supplied throughout stay. Be aware that blocks 2500-2100 are a good walk from the bars & restaurants.
The buffet at the Tam is like a cafe, ok for breakfast and lunch but best avoided for dinner. The Divi is a much better option real glasses, tableclothes and better service.
The a la carte restaurants are fine not great but better than buffet.
A good option if you want to eat out is El Gaucho (a must do) steak (the gaucho steak) like you never tasted before in your life. It was so good we went back for another just to be sure. Also Madame Janette, fine dining at its best at reasonable prices.
The beach is very rocky between 1900-1100 and all the parasols are right up by the road.
The climate in Aruba is fantastic not much humidity due to the trade winds so evenings are quite pleasant.
First choice flights were good too, adequate legroom and the food was edible.