I am going to Aruba and staying at the Occidental Grand this summer for my Honeymoon. I have been to Vegas twice and have taken advantage of the many upgrading opportunities.
My question for the FW community is...
Has anyone ever had successful upgrading experience with "Resort" type hotels in Aruba or any other comparable vacationing spot? i.e. room upgrades, comps, leaving better tips for whomever has power?
Well, I will be there in August and will try to score upgrades. I will post my success rate. In the meantime any help or success/failure stories would be appreciated!
Thanks FW
jdircksen
New Member
posted: Jun. 30, 2009 @ 11:23a
I don't have any travel tips but more of a general suggestion... We went to Aruba for our honeymoon last year. We stayed at Bucuti and tried to be cheap and get the garden view room. Later on we noticed it was only $30/day to upgrade to an ocean view room...but none were available. So my suggestion is don't be cheap - get the ocean view if you can afford it. Our hotel was full while we were there, so there were no upgrades available (for free or for pay).
Isyck21
New Member
posted: Jun. 30, 2009 @ 11:37a
Great tip, Thanks!
We do have what they call, the Grand Concierge Ocean View. We are interested in the Premium Jacuzzi but it is a $2000 difference.
Go to tripadvisors.com website, than type in Aruba. Click on forums, post your ?. Also read other ?'s and answers. Also, click on things to do, this will tell you about all the tours and other things to do, along with peoples reviews. We went to Aurba last summer had a great time. Do the jeep tour thru ABC jeep tours--what a roit. have fun!!!
We do have what they call, the Grand Concierge Ocean View. We are interested in the Premium Jacuzzi but it is a $2000 difference.
Unless you are Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, end up leaving a ton of cash in the casino, or the new wife gets an indecent proposal, you have a snowballs chance in hell getting that kind of upgrade.
Isyck21
New Member
posted: Jul. 1, 2009 @ 7:22a
Are you talking from experience? or are you saying it is not possible because it sounds to expensive? I did read an article in Travelocity (thanks itsmemom) saying how they were upgraded to a room about the same as what I am looking for because the hotel was overbooked. Pretty sure that wasn't Brad Pitt (although they did not leave their name).
So I would like feedback from users posting actual experience, both failure and success. I really don't care if you post your opinion, but go ahead.
dannykshu
Senior Member
posted: Jul. 2, 2009 @ 9:24a
Hopefully this is somewhat on point.
Stayed at the Royal in Cancun 11/07 -on my honeymoon and tried the $20 tip for an upgrade. Not only did it not work, while he was "looking" for an upgrade, the last king bed room was taken. (Though after some crying by my wife another one appeared).
In my opinion, asking never hurts - but I don't think tipping helps.
jdircksen said: I don't have any travel tips but more of a general suggestion... We went to Aruba for our honeymoon last year. We stayed at Bucuti and tried to be cheap and get the garden view room. Later on we noticed it was only $30/day to upgrade to an ocean view room...but none were available. So my suggestion is don't be cheap - get the ocean view if you can afford it. Our hotel was full while we were there, so there were no upgrades available (for free or for pay).Bucuti doesn't always get much mention, but we LOVED it. Regardless of where you stay, I strongly second the ocean view recommendation. It's so very worth the price, especially since you'll be on your honeymoon and you'll have those amazing memories forever.
cherryjuice
Member
posted: Jul. 8, 2009 @ 11:00p
Stayed at the Renaissance a couple of years ago and we loved it. We asked about upgrade and were nicely declined. You have to try Madame Janette, it's a restaurant that was recommended by the concierge. really good service, food, and atmosphere.
We do have what they call, the Grand Concierge Ocean View. We are interested in the Premium Jacuzzi but it is a $2000 difference.
Unless you are Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, end up leaving a ton of cash in the casino, or the new wife gets an indecent proposal, you have a snowballs chance in hell getting that kind of upgrade.
How harsh...can't we all get along?
Isyck21
New Member
posted: Oct. 14, 2009 @ 3:33p
Occidental was great! I did get a free upgrade to a suite and pretty much everything else my wife and I asked for. However, I was pretty aggressive in doing so. Many emails to the manager prior to arrival. My story could have persuaded them or they could have done it out of generosity. I will never know but we felt very accommodated.
A few things to mention about the Occidental (keep in mind that this was my first island resort all inclusive so I have nothing to relate it too).
1. Food was as buffet as you can get. Nothing exotic. the sit down restaurants probably used the same food the buffet lines used. Edible, not delicious.
2. No drink servers by beach or pool and all drinks came in plastic 10oz dixie cups (also, only one beer on tap, bottom shelf liqour, and premixed "beach" drinks). Not a big deal, but it did not make me feel VIP.
3. Nightlife was not like going to a bar in college. There "club" was decent to sit at and drink (for free of course) but the music was not desirable and there was a lack of dancing.
4. The above are not complaints, as we did eat, drink, and even dance.
We did not scuba, but I hear it is great. We snorkeled on an excursion that was really awesome! I did wake up all mornings at 6:30 to put a towel on a beach chair then went back to bed until 8:30ish. Still only got second row back from beach but the view was still great!
The water on the coast along the hotels at Palm Beach was not "crystal clear". Once you got further out in a Kayak it was clear and beautiful but no fish near coastline.
Finally, my next vacation will be a cruise because I would like to see that "crystal clear" water and many differnt islands. Also, I hear the food on a cruise is "VIP". And although the drinks cost money, I sadly found out that I drink much less with my wife
Good luck on your next vacation wherever it is and remember to keep you toes in the water and ass in the sand!
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