Thanks for all of the fantastic info Jeremy! Your videos really save me a lot of time, and frustration. Super helpful when attempting to maneuver around these big resorts!!! 🌴✌️🌴
We just got back yesterday. We are owners in the Lighthouse Tower. It was our 6th visit. For the past couple of visits we’ve definitely commented to each other about how outdated the villas seem now. Everything from the kitchen to the bathrooms to the decor to the very uncomfortable mattresses on the beds. Even that carpet in the living room is so old and tattered and must be 20 years old now. But….GREAT NEWS!! We got an email actually during our stay that starting in June 2024 they are going to be renovating the interiors of all the villas in the Lighthouse Tower! It’s about time! Should be finished in December 2024. We won’t be going in 2024, going to choose a different destination, but I’m sure we will be back in December 2025 and I can’t wait to see what they’ve done.
Thank you for all of your very informative videos!! We saw you on the pool this past week and said hello. Keep up the great work, it really is very well done and really helpful!
Was just there last month for 10 days. Couple points to make. If you want to use the grills you need to request BBQ utensils. They will bring them to your villa. Other point is the need to get up very early and get your pool chair and remain at your chair until 700 am before you can leave or you will lose your spot. Many people were at their chair by 500 am. Overall we do like it there, not sure I am ready to say its the best.
Thank you for all of your videos. They're very informative. We hope you visit and then VBLOG about Frenchman's Cove. Frenchman’s Cove is our home resort, but we have been to many, and a few Pulses. We have traded for Interval resorts and traded for Bonvoy points to stay at Marriott Homes and Villas. We liked Aruba for it being flat and walking around is very easy. We love the topography of St. Thomas, but walking is easy only on beaches and Charlotte Amalie. We love your videos! We hope you make one about Frenchman’s Cove. Once the Westin opens, the free shuttle should resume and the restaurants and spa there will hopefully be as wonderful as when it was Marriott’s Frenchman’s Reef!!
We would love to be able to get to Frenchman's Cove. Perhaps one day we will make it there and as you may be able to tell from all the videos on the channel, I create videos from all the resorts we visit. Thanks for watching!
@@DonnaDavidofCalhoun We just really haven't had the opportunity. We have seen weeks show up for exchange through Interval INternational but the timing wasn't right. Flights are also expensive. We were going to try and go for a day while in St Thomas on a cruise stop and the date was available to book with Club Points but I couldn't secure the points for a reservation as we didn't have enough ourselves already.
@@DestinationTimeshare I can certainly understand that. If you do get to St. Thomas on a cruise you could probably get someone to give you a quick tour of the beautiful property. Prior to the 2 Cat. 5 Hurricanes, the Marriott's Frenchman's Reef and Morningstar facilities could be used by Frenchman's Cove owners. I understand that once the Westin is fully open later this year, I understand we may use the facilities there. If you could get a tour of the Westin and the new Signature Collection facilities at Morningstar beach, that would be the icing on the cake. Because of where the Cove is located, it didn't sustain nearly as much Hurricane damage as the Reef and Morningstar facilities. If you do take a tour of the Cove while on a cruise, ask about the special physical plant features (desalination, generators, etc.) and how Marriott charted a medium-sized Cruise Ship to evacuate the guests from all 3 facilities to PR after the hurricanes. Also, I understand that Cove owners may go to the Ritz (also a Marriott property) on St. Thomas.
I will pass on this place. Too big for me and I'm not a pool person. I love the ocean when it calm. I have been to Aruba and stayed in the middle of the island that's where the ocean is the calmest. Nice video
The only time we noticed any wave action at the beach is when boats went by. I suspect there is boat traffic in the Eagle Beach area too that causes waves. I have noticed though that the beach seems to be a lot nicer in the Eagle Beach area vs Palm Beach where the Surf Club is. Thanks for watching.
Jeremy, love your videos. Perhaps you can answer a question. I’m a 3 year owner (of points) and am on the waitlist for Aruba. Signed up first day available for March 2025. Do I stand a chance a getting in or should I look elsewhere
Weeks based owners have until September 30th or October 31st to elect their weeks for Club Points. So you may see something come through around those dates as owners decide how they want to use their 2025 use year. I would wait it out for a little longer, but if it doesn't come through long after that, then it may not happen. Marriott usually doesn't take waitlists unless they think they can fulfill them. They stop taking waitlist requests if there gets to be too many. Good luck and thanks for watching!
Yes, dining out isn't cheap and prices on an island will always be higher since everything has to be shipped in. A casual meal for two without any alcohol usually runs $50-$60 with tip.
Did you say you were planning a video on reserving the beach and pool spots at Surf Club? We are coming in August and there seems to be a lot of concern over how hard it will be to get a chair by the pool unless someone does so first thing in the AM. I don't need to be right by the water, but I'd like to see my kids swimming at least.
Yes, there will be a video about reserving beach palapas. Pool chairs are first come first serve. Palapas are reserved either the day before or the day of. For pool chairs, if you want something poolside, those tend to go early and based on another comment in on this video, you might need to be up very early to "reserve" a pool lounger
There are quite a few chairs behind the zero entry kids area and you can usually find a few chaises (except for high season). Afternoons are a checkerboard of empty chairs as people get exhausted from the sun. Have a great time
Well, the drink claimed it had coffee. We even asked. But it just tasted like a milkshake. We did go to the Starbucks at the hotel, much better. Thanks for watching!
They don't. You can buy them in the marketplace there, but it will be cheaper to buy them at home and bring them with you. You will also have more to select from if you buy them at home.
Looks like a nice place but it's too big for my taste. Seems more pool centric and all this competing for pool chairs and palapas at the beach, no thanks! I hate all this reserving for stuff that these resorts should have plenty of for all guests. We are all paying the same MFs so buy enough chairs damn it. LOL. How much are those stinkin' chairs? Sheesh. No thanks, if it's going to be all about the pools, might as well go to Orlando. (rolling eyes). Nice review, you saved me a plane ride. LOL
You might like the resort next door, Marriott Ocean Club. Smaller, quieter and the beach is bigger. I will have a video out this weekend from that property. Thanks for watching!
I won't say it is better. It is just different :) That said, i will have a video comparing the two. Each one is the right one for different people and different kinds of vacations. Thanks for watching!
Jeremy your videos are consistently the best out there for resort overviews and tours. Really appreciate it, keep up the good work!!
Thanks for the vote of confidence. Many more videos to come...
Thanks for all of the fantastic info Jeremy! Your videos really save me a lot of time, and frustration. Super helpful when attempting to maneuver around these big resorts!!! 🌴✌️🌴
Glad to help!
We just got back yesterday. We are owners in the Lighthouse Tower. It was our 6th visit.
For the past couple of visits we’ve definitely commented to each other about how outdated the villas seem now. Everything from the kitchen to the bathrooms to the decor to the very uncomfortable mattresses on the beds. Even that carpet in the living room is so old and tattered and must be 20 years old now.
But….GREAT NEWS!! We got an email actually during our stay that starting in June 2024 they are going to be renovating the interiors of all the villas in the Lighthouse Tower! It’s about time! Should be finished in December 2024. We won’t be going in 2024, going to choose a different destination, but I’m sure we will be back in December 2025 and I can’t wait to see what they’ve done.
Omg same !!! Besides this year was my 9th year
And we own in the lighthouses too just visited there one of my favorite places to vacation
Thank you for all of your very informative videos!! We saw you on the pool this past week and said hello. Keep up the great work, it really is very well done and really helpful!
Hey, thanks for watching and saying hi in the lazy river. Such a great resort and great week to be there!
Welcome to my island. And yes we love surf club
Was just there last month for 10 days. Couple points to make. If you want to use the grills you need to request BBQ utensils. They will bring them to your villa. Other point is the need to get up very early and get your pool chair and remain at your chair until 700 am before you can leave or you will lose your spot. Many people were at their chair by 500 am. Overall we do like it there, not sure I am ready to say its the best.
Hello, I traveling to the Surf Club in 2 weeks. Do you remember what type of coffee pots are used there? Keurig, pot or Nespresso?
I was in a studio and had a regular 4 cup drip pot
Thank you for all of your videos. They're very informative. We hope you visit and then VBLOG about Frenchman's Cove. Frenchman’s Cove is our home resort, but we have been to many, and a few Pulses. We have traded for Interval resorts and traded for Bonvoy points to stay at Marriott Homes and Villas. We liked Aruba for it being flat and walking around is very easy. We love the topography of St. Thomas, but walking is easy only on beaches and Charlotte Amalie. We love your videos! We hope you make one about Frenchman’s Cove. Once the Westin opens, the free shuttle should resume and the restaurants and spa there will hopefully be as wonderful as when it was Marriott’s Frenchman’s Reef!!
We would love to be able to get to Frenchman's Cove. Perhaps one day we will make it there and as you may be able to tell from all the videos on the channel, I create videos from all the resorts we visit. Thanks for watching!
@@DestinationTimeshare Is the problem because it is "booked solid" and you cannot get a reservation there?
@@DonnaDavidofCalhoun We just really haven't had the opportunity. We have seen weeks show up for exchange through Interval INternational but the timing wasn't right. Flights are also expensive. We were going to try and go for a day while in St Thomas on a cruise stop and the date was available to book with Club Points but I couldn't secure the points for a reservation as we didn't have enough ourselves already.
@@DestinationTimeshare I can certainly understand that. If you do get to St. Thomas on a cruise you could probably get someone to give you a quick tour of the beautiful property. Prior to the 2 Cat. 5 Hurricanes, the Marriott's Frenchman's Reef and Morningstar facilities could be used by Frenchman's Cove owners. I understand that once the Westin is fully open later this year, I understand we may use the facilities there. If you could get a tour of the Westin and the new Signature Collection facilities at Morningstar beach, that would be the icing on the cake. Because of where the Cove is located, it didn't sustain nearly as much Hurricane damage as the Reef and Morningstar facilities. If you do take a tour of the Cove while on a cruise, ask about the special physical plant features (desalination, generators, etc.) and how Marriott charted a medium-sized Cruise Ship to evacuate the guests from all 3 facilities to PR after the hurricanes. Also, I understand that Cove owners may go to the Ritz (also a Marriott property) on St. Thomas.
I will pass on this place. Too big for me and I'm not a pool person. I love the ocean when it calm. I have been to Aruba and stayed in the middle of the island that's where the ocean is the calmest. Nice video
The only time we noticed any wave action at the beach is when boats went by. I suspect there is boat traffic in the Eagle Beach area too that causes waves. I have noticed though that the beach seems to be a lot nicer in the Eagle Beach area vs Palm Beach where the Surf Club is. Thanks for watching.
I agree with you - where'd you recommend (kid friendly)
Thanks
Jeremy, love your videos. Perhaps you can answer a question. I’m a 3 year owner (of points) and am on the waitlist for Aruba. Signed up first day available for March 2025. Do I stand a chance a getting in or should I look elsewhere
Weeks based owners have until September 30th or October 31st to elect their weeks for Club Points. So you may see something come through around those dates as owners decide how they want to use their 2025 use year. I would wait it out for a little longer, but if it doesn't come through long after that, then it may not happen. Marriott usually doesn't take waitlists unless they think they can fulfill them. They stop taking waitlist requests if there gets to be too many. Good luck and thanks for watching!
the surf club is nice, but i found aruba to be an extremely pricey destination in terms of dining
Yes, dining out isn't cheap and prices on an island will always be higher since everything has to be shipped in. A casual meal for two without any alcohol usually runs $50-$60 with tip.
Nice
Thanks for watching!
Is this next to the Playa Linda?
Not right next to it, but just a little further north up the beach from Playa Linda.
Did you say you were planning a video on reserving the beach and pool spots at Surf Club? We are coming in August and there seems to be a lot of concern over how hard it will be to get a chair by the pool unless someone does so first thing in the AM. I don't need to be right by the water, but I'd like to see my kids swimming at least.
Yes, there will be a video about reserving beach palapas. Pool chairs are first come first serve. Palapas are reserved either the day before or the day of. For pool chairs, if you want something poolside, those tend to go early and based on another comment in on this video, you might need to be up very early to "reserve" a pool lounger
There are quite a few chairs behind the zero entry kids area and you can usually find a few chaises (except for high season). Afternoons are a checkerboard of empty chairs as people get exhausted from the sun. Have a great time
No coffee because 2 Marriott down they have a Starbucks, we would just walk over
Well, the drink claimed it had coffee. We even asked. But it just tasted like a milkshake. We did go to the Starbucks at the hotel, much better. Thanks for watching!
Do they offer tubes or rafts for the lazy river? Free or for a fee?
They don't. You can buy them in the marketplace there, but it will be cheaper to buy them at home and bring them with you. You will also have more to select from if you buy them at home.
Looks like a nice place but it's too big for my taste. Seems more pool centric and all this competing for pool chairs and palapas at the beach, no thanks! I hate all this reserving for stuff that these resorts should have plenty of for all guests. We are all paying the same MFs so buy enough chairs damn it. LOL. How much are those stinkin' chairs? Sheesh. No thanks, if it's going to be all about the pools, might as well go to Orlando. (rolling eyes). Nice review, you saved me a plane ride. LOL
You might like the resort next door, Marriott Ocean Club. Smaller, quieter and the beach is bigger. I will have a video out this weekend from that property. Thanks for watching!
Aruba Ocean Club is better. Surf club is too crowded.
I won't say it is better. It is just different :) That said, i will have a video comparing the two. Each one is the right one for different people and different kinds of vacations. Thanks for watching!