Reviewers Rating: 
Good
We stayed at the Tamarijn from 7/13/2002 - 7/20/2002. Our experience was OK.
Our fellow vacationers, the beach and the weather were outstanding.
The vacationers we met at the Tam and the Divi were very nice people, they were all in vacation mode, very polite, looking to relax, chat with anyone and have a good time.
The beach right outside our room (the 2500 block) was very scenic and less traveled by the Tam residents, but there was a lot of non-resort people who laid out at that end of the beach. The weather was a bit overcast for most of the days, but the clouds were constantly pushed away by the constant (and welcome) breezes. Bring sunscreen!
What we didn't like was the food, and some of the staff at the Tam. although they tried to accomodate everyone, the selection at the buffet wasn't too good. The quality was not too good either (I'm not a picky eater, but I found most of the lunch and dinner buffet to be less than desirable). The terrace at the Tam was constantly under invasion by flies and birds. The seats had bird droppings on them and were rarely cleaned. The two resturants at the Tam were OK. we did like the pizza place and really enjoyed talking to Andrea, the cook, a very nice lady orginally from Jamaica. The soda machine and trash bin next to the pizza place smelled awful and was in need of cleaning all week.
For the most part the staff was accomodating, there were a few that really went out of their way to make your stay great (especially the busy bartenders and the shuttle drivers). All were polite, but there were a few that seemed not too concerned if we had what we needed.
We did make use of the Mega inclusive deal at the Divi. We found their resturants and buffets to be better, as was the terrace. They were fly and bird free and it was cleaner. The pizza place there had a bar attached (the pizza at both places were very good) and it was very clean. The Divi seemed more updated than the Tam.
We took two trips. The Jeep Safari (1/2 day) and the Atlantis submarine. Both were excellent. The jeep tour took us on the desert side of the island, we saw the natural bridge, natural pool and the Aroyo rock formations. Getting over the road at the natural pool was an adventure, as every bit of the Land Rover was needed.
The Atlantis submarine was also outstanding, they ferried you out to the sub, gave a really good briefing as to what you would see, the sub and ocean floor. They made it a fun and informative trip.
Shopping was good. There was less pressure to buy in Aruba compared with other islands we had been to (the islanders don't "attack" you, which was refeshing). Kay's Jewlery gave us the best bargains. Be willing to haggle, they have a fun time with it and will go down.
All in all, we had a good, relaxing vacation. We weren't impressed with the Tamarijn and wouldn't recommend it. We would recommend the Divi for its updated and cleaner atmosphere alone.
Tom & Diane
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