88150 3 Location 491457 <p>he Renaissance Aruba resort and Casino is in the center of Oranjestad with a Mall below it. We stayed here for a total of six days during our 2nd anniversary vacation. When we arrived at the hotel, they gave us a room on the 3rd floor that had some leaking from the AC so we asked to be moved to a different room. The 2nd room we were given was not so bad, but it was a little on the small side. The bed was comfy but the pillows were a killer to my neck. The bathroom is also small and in need of some updating. Our room overlooked the busy street side. (see picture below taken around 10 am) <br /></p><p>The Renaissance Aruba resort and Casino is in the center of Oranjestad with a Mall below it. We stayed here for a total of six days during our 2nd anniversary vacation. When we arrived at the hotel, they gave us a room on the 3rd floor that had some leaking from the AC so we asked to be moved to a different room. The 2nd room we were given was not so bad, but it was a little on the small side. The bed was comfy but the pillows were a killer to my neck. The bathroom is also small and in need of some updating. Our room overlooked the busy street side. (see picture below taken around 10 am) <br /></p><p>Surprisingly though the room was really quiet and that's because of the double windows that trap the sounds coming from outside. The hotel has it's own casino which was very generous to me -- it let me win 4 times out of the 6 days that we were there. Renaissance also houses 3 restaurants within the hotel: L.G. Smith steakhouse, Aquarius seafood and Blue. We did not get a chance to try the steakhouse and the seafood restaurant.&nbsp; We did try Blue bar which was not bad at all.&nbsp; The decor throughout the hotel is contemporary but a bit dated. The only pool is outside near the reception area. I forgot to mention that this hotel is not on the beach and is not kid friendly. They however make up for that by having their own (mosquito infested) Island. The man-made island is about 15 minutes away by shuttle boat. You can actually get a ride inside the hotel and it comes every 15 minutes. I can tell you that this Island is beautiful. It had live Flamingos, Iguanas, hammocks and a bar....but it is infested with mosquitoes. You won't feel them if you're in the water the whole time but as soon as you get out get ready for the blood suckers. This is why I give this hotel 3 stars instead of the 4 stars it's claiming it to be. Yes it has a nice location for shopping and dining but you're also on vacation -- you expect to relax on the beach and not the pool. <br /></p><p>Surprisingly though the room was really quiet and that's because of the double windows that trap the sounds coming from outside. The hotel has it's own casino which was very generous to me -- it let me win 4 times out of the 6 days that we were there. Renaissance also houses 3 restaurants within the hotel: L.G. Smith steakhouse, Aquarius seafood and Blue. We did not get a chance to try the steakhouse and the seafood restaurant.&nbsp; We did try Blue bar which was not bad at all.&nbsp; The decor throughout the hotel is contemporary but a bit dated. The only pool is outside near the reception area. I forgot to mention that this hotel is not on the beach and is not kid friendly. They however make up for that by having their own (mosquito infested) Island. The man-made island is about 15 minutes away by shuttle boat. You can actually get a ride inside the hotel and it comes every 15 minutes. I can tell you that this Island is beautiful. It had live Flamingos, Iguanas, hammocks and a bar....but it is infested with mosquitoes. You won't feel them if you're in the water the whole time but as soon as you get out get ready for the blood suckers. This is why I give this hotel 3 stars instead of the 4 stars it's claiming it to be. Yes it has a nice location for shopping and dining but you're also on vacation -- you expect to relax on the beach and not the pool. <br /></p> 2008-09-28T09:06:26-07:00 406847489 2008-09-04T17:00:00-07:00 0 16 136204 7717341 88150 0 225816 0.0 2008-08-29T17:00:00-07:00 Published 0.0 2008-09-28T14:01:10-07:00 100763 0