TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

We recently returned from our 11th vacation stay at the Tamarijn. While our first 10 stays at the Tamarijn were terrific...this one was well, "not so much". First the good...Weather, sea, and beaches were superb, as always. Food & beverages were decent (quality & variety) and food & bar staff were pleasant. Now, the "not so good"...Room building location was sub-par... no beach in front of building only big rock boulders (we offered to pay for different building but were curtly told by the asst. desk supv., "no we're booked" even though we passed several units in preferred buildings that were vacant during our stay). Room was dated (no ceiling fan), one sink basin drained very slowly (couldn't use that basin practically), upholstered seating bench in room was heavily stained with white dried grime (we requested 2x it be cleaned, but no response); it took 2-1/2 days and three requests to get a few extra clothes hangers (we finally rec'd 5 bent wire hangers); A/C unit leaked onto room floor at times (had to use waste can to catch drips). We have rarely written a bad review, about anything, but this experience warranted a "thumbs down". Not certain if we'll return for a 12th visit to the Tamarijn as this visit will make us think twice.

From the check-in, things were off. The lady, whose badge I'm petty sure had manager, was not friendly at all. We checked in around 6 pm on 9/11. We went to the room that she told us to go to and the bracelets that are used to access the rooms didn't work. We went back to the desk and she fixed that. My husband booked a king room and we were given a room with 2 queen beds. When he asked about it, she said the rooms are all the same price and they were out of king rooms. In addition, she told us to go to the app to book dinner reservations. We did and all the restaurants were booked. We tried again on 9/12 and all the restaurants were booked, for the entire week! We were told by the bartender at the poolside restaurant to go to concierge. Concierge says go speak with a manager. We go, wait in line and the young gentleman went to speak with a manager to try to get us in one of the restaurants. We were trying to get into the Ginger Asian restaurant. He asked about Italian, and I kindly declined. He asked about Red Parrot, which required a shuttle ride to another location. I said that's fine. He comes back and says we have a table at the Ginger, our original choice. We go back to the Ginger and although there are several open tables on the inside, we're sat outside. Oh....and it's 88 degrees and feels like 90+. I won't EVER come back here. First, the front desk staff make the 1st impression, and this one was extremely poor. The fact that's she's a manager is sad! Second, you should provide the type of room that's booked at the time of the reservation. No one wants to hear, "we're sold out" when they made a "reservation" for specific accommodations. Third, if you don't have the capacity to offer "all-inclusive dining" don't advertise it! I had a colleague who told me to let him know about this place as he's planning a trip to Aruba. I will gladly tell him to go anywhere but the Tamarijin. Aruba is beautiful and often referred to as a happy place. This was our second trip. Other places we visited were wonderful and I will gladly return and stay somewhere else.

Would I return? Probably but there were a few drawbacks. Starting out with the positive, the beach is to die for. Literally the best beach we’ve been to in the carribean. We loved how secluded and quiet the beach was, not a ton of people. It felt very private and cozy. The rooms were great with oceanfront view, you step off your balcony and you’re on the beach. The food was ok/good. Breakfast had a small variety that was the same everyday and it could have been much better. Lunch was good as you can have a snack at bar or buffet, id recommend trying both! And for dinner the Ginger Restaurant was very good. The other restaurants we tried were okay but nothing special. Overall food could have had a little more variety and a little more flavor. One thing that disappointed us was that our flight back was delayed severely. By like 6 hours. We called front desk asking if we can have a late check out to which they said no and we’re rude about it. We were willing to pay of course! And they simply were not offering any sort of late check out. So we had to leave and sit in the airport for that time. I wish they were a little more accommodating. Besides that, staff was very friendly, drinks were good, beach was awesome, there isn’t much of nightlife here so if that’s what you’re looking for this is probably not the spot. But for us, it was great with a few negatives but don’t all resorts have those :)

It was a nice hotel. The rooms and restaurants were recently renovated. The bathrooms are a little small, but good. The food was great and the grounds are nice and pretty clean/kept up. Most of the staff was friendly. There were some areas that were a little bit dirty and took time for them to clean.(The area where the pool table and ping pong table had an ice cream spilled and it was still sticky there for a few days). The access to the beach from your room was nice but it was rocky in some areas due to some beach erosion. The beach was nicer at the Divi(5 minute walk or take the shuttle). It was a nice location(15 minutes from the high rise area with a taxi, but for younger people without kids not much of a party scene. I would say mostly an older crowd or young families with kids. The nightly entertainment was great but it was sometimes at the sister property next door. We did have access to the Divi properties, with a shuttle that picked you up from the hotel. We didn’t get a schedule of activities when we checked in, but when I asked the front desk they gave me a schedule. Overall, I would recommend and stay at the Tamarijin again!

Rooms were great and clean. Did not have to want for anything! Views were breath taking! Would recommend a stay! Everyone was amazing. Nelson P. at the Cunucu Terrace was great! He made sure we had what we needed and the food service was on point!