Marriott plans makeover for Aruba resorts

ORANJESTAD, Aruba -- With strong advance bookings and a host of changes planned, Marriott International's two Aruba resorts are primed for a good winter.

An ownership change and $40 million in renovations at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino were announced during a recent site inspection. Marriott will continue to manage the resort as ownership of the building and a 46-year leasehold of the surrounding property shift to the Caribbean Real Estate Opportunity Fund.

At the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, a sharpened marketing effort will create separate resort areas for adults only and families.

The changes at the Marriott resorts are set against an increasingly competitive landscape in Aruba, where more than $300 million is earmarked for enhancement and expansion projects in tourism holdings in the private and public sectors.

The properties can be viewed as friendly competitors or as separate resorts in different markets catering to different audiences. I took the latter view after my recent visit.

While both offer casinos, beach options, conference facilities and all the expected services of a U.S. chain hotel, these are two different animals. Each has its own flavor and pace, with the Renaissance offering a more international, business-style city hotel setting while the Marriott offers a sunny, slower, resort-style experience.

Aruba Marriott Resort

The Marriott was brimming with guests during my visit. Nearly every poolside deck chair and beachside palapa was occupied on a prime stretch of Palm Beach.

Up and down the two-mile strand, cranes jutted into the sky at every angle from construction projects lining the beach, including the expansion at the adjoining Marriott Ocean Club timeshare property.

Change was in the air on Palm Beach, and also at the Marriott, as the hotel's management team buzzed with news of the coming property sale and the renovation of the 11-year-old hotel.

The staged renovation of the hotel's 413 guest rooms and its La Vista and Tuscany restaurants is taking place through Dec. 20, 2007, said general manager Rick Zeolla.

The property's new demo room revealed a change from the former bold, bright decor of its spacious guest rooms to a quieter, more elegant design replete with yellow Italian tile, whitewashed walls, graphic black-and-white images on the walls, dark furnishings and white bedding accented with green and fuchsia woven fabrics. Flat-screen TVs will be installed in all guest rooms.

Bathroom upgrades include Kohler double sinks, dark wood furnishings, a walk-in California closet and spare, modern lighting. All guest rooms will be soundproofed. 

Design and decor updates in the Ristorante Tuscany and La Vista will introduce more modern, graphic fabrics; natural elements such as black river stone and bamboo; and glass block in soothing, oceanic hues.

Meanwhile, a smaller-scale refit in early 2006 spruced up the pool area with new umbrellas and chairs. The chain's Revive bedding was introduced. New balcony furniture was added.

Renaissance Aruba Resort

Resort executives unveiled plans for separate lodging areas for adults and families, effective Dec. 24. Adult-exclusive areas will be based at the resort's Marina Hotel in the heart of Oranjestad, opposite the island's deep-water cruise port.

The infinity pool, fitness center, Okeanos Spa, Crystal Casino and the Lounge Midnight Grill will be exclusive to adult guests.

On the resort's 40-acre Renaissance Island, adults can partake in top-optional sunbathing on Flamingo Beach. 

Across the street from the Marina Hotel, family-centric lodging will be offered at the Ocean Suites. Each suite will offer a master bedroom and a living room with a queen-size sofa bed and a minirefrigerator.

The Ocean Suites' pools, swim-up bar and saltwater lagoon will cater to families, as will Iguana Beach on Renaissance Island, with iguana feeding at lunchtime.

With $25 million in renovations completed since 2003, the Renaissance Aruba continues to polish its product, most recently with the addition of Marriott-style bedding in the 558 rooms and suites at the Marina Hotel and Ocean Suites.

The adjoining Renaissance Mall is upgrading its storefronts and adding a high-end restaurant and upscale stores.

The property's look continues to change with modernized, polished South Beach-style decor at L.G. Smith Steakhouse and Aquarius, the newest Marina Hotel dining option. Aquarius is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with buffets and cooked-to-order meals.

To contact reporter Kristin O'Meara Hillmann, send e-mail to [email protected].