Top Cheap All-Inclusive Getaway: Tamarijn Aruba

Divi Caribbean Resorts’ Tamarijn Aruba is a winner of FTF’s Top 10 (Cheap) Getaways For Family Travelers 2008 award.

One of the best ways to save money on your next vacation: make one payment and never again touch your wallet for the remainder of your stay.  This is one of the biggest appeals of the all-inclusive resort.  The one-time price tag usually includes unlimited meals, snacks, drinks, most amenities and special activities for kids and adults as well, plus complimentary use of most entertainment and athletic facilities.

However, the problem with some luxurious and super high-end all-inclusive chains is that this one-time only payment is still very expensive.  So, when considering which all-inclusive hotel would be selected as FTF’s 2008 Top (Cheap) All-Inclusive Getaway we sought a resort that offered families moderate rates, but didn’t skimp on the quality of amenities, food and facilities.

And we found it. The Tamarijn Aruba, part of Divi Resorts group that operates a number of properties in Barbados, Bonaire, St. Croix and St. Maarten, is one all-inclusive resort that meets our requirements for location and price for a cheap family vacation. Plus, it has amenities that cater to adults and children of all ages.

Rates at the Tamarijn Aruba vary by date of travel and range from about $350 to $475 per night for two adults (and up to two kids free) in one room.  Note that rates tend to be a little higher from the end of December to mid-April; otherwise rates remain fairly constant.

Divi Resorts president E. J. Schanfarber understands the importance of picking the right all-inclusive, especially when the economy is shaky; “Particularly in times of economic stress, guests appreciate the known costs of this type of vacation… [All-inclusive resorts] make guests feel like they’re getting more value for their money.”

The Tamarijn Aruba is especially accommodating to families. With their Family Package, as many as two children up to 18-years of age can stay for free when sharing a room with two paying adults.  They can enjoy the resort’s meals and other amenities for free, as well.  The best part is that this policy isn’t some hurricane season gimmick — it’s in effect throughout the year.

If parents have a bunch of kids to bring along, they can arrange to have up to four kids under 18 stay in a room to themselves at a discounted rate.  Connecting rooms are not guaranteed; however, the kids won’t be completely liberated from their parents since the hotel strives to place them in a nearby room.

The Tamarijn Aruba offers lots of recreational activities for all ages.  Children ages 5–12 can participate in a daily camp featuring T-shirt making, face painting, and arts-n-crafts.  This supervised camp also features basketball, tennis, soccer, movies, pool games, beach games, bingo, and scavenger hunts.

Adults can enjoy golf at the neighboring Divi Aruba at no extra charge, because guests staying at the Tamarijn Aruba have use of all its facilities and services. All stays at the Tamarijn Aruba include all meals and snacks at a choice of 10 dining outlets (surcharge applies and reservations required at Windows on Aruba, located at The Links at Divi Aruba adjacent to the resort), unlimited beverages at seven bars and the use of three freshwater pools.  The Divi Winds Sports Center, which features an air-conditioned oceanfront fitness center as well as a 30-foot outdoor rock-climbing wall on the beach, is also open for guests at the Tamarijn to use.

The Tamarijn Aruba has a little of something for everyone, perhaps the reason it has been regularly named one of the best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean by readers of Caribbean Travel & Life magazine.