ARUBA NEWS - Spring Edition 2014

March 13, 2014 - PRLog -- WHAT’S NEW
Spring clean for Baby Beach
One of Aruba’s most popular beaches for families is undergoing a major improvement programme.

Around £200,000 is being spent at Baby Beach in the south of the island, with the scheme including planting additional coconut and grape trees, a new parking area and construction of new footpaths and wall to separate the beach from the access road. Additional litter bins are also being installed.

Baby Beach is a half-moon stretch of sand edging a shallow lagoon. Located at Seroe Colorado at the south eastern end of Aruba and close to the second city of San Nicolas, it is around 30 minutes by car from capital Oranjestad.

The waters are very shallow, making it a prime destination for families with children – and hence its name. Swimmers can wade out for yards and still remain in their depth. It is also a popular location for snorkelling, with a kaleidoscope of coral and tropical fish where the bay opens out to the Caribbean Sea.

HOTEL NEWS
Green Manchebo gains gold
Luxury boutique property Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa has further boosted its environmental credentials having been again awarded Gold status with its re-certification by the leading Green Globe organisation.

First awarded gold in 2007, the property has a number of green initiatives in place, with an eco-action plan tracking energy, water and gas consumption. In addition, the resort conducts various projects on renewable energy sources. All guest room doors are insulated by weather strips and patio sliding doors are tinted with double glass to maximise the air conditioning efficiency. Low watt warm fluorescent light bulbs are installed in all light fixtures throughout the property. Its purchasing policy ensures the hotel uses eco-friendly products and supports environmentally-friendly businesses.

‘Manchebo Beach Resort embodies all the characteristics of Caribbean hospitality and eco-consciousness,’ said Denaye Hinds, Director of Sustainability and Lead Auditor for the Manchebo Beach Resort. ‘This property continuously improves its efforts to conserving the environment. The resort staff provide incredible service and a firm commitment to preserving a safe and healthy environment for the island of Aruba, its people and visiting guests. Working with the Manchebo team has always been a joy, and I can understand why guests like to come back here.’
www.manchebo.com

New-look for Renaissance adult-only rooms
The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino has completed the renovation of its adult-only Renaissance Marina rooms to provide guests with what the property says is a new Caribbean experience.

In addition to restyling the rooms, the Marina Hotel pool deck, BLUE bar, LG Smith’s Steak & Chop House and Papagayo have been given a new-look.

Renaissance say the new room design is ‘sexy’, with a style and colour palette that evokes the spirit of Aruba.
www.arubaresortandspa.com

Prestigious award for Aruba Marriott Resort
The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino has received the distinguished American Automobile Association (AAA) Four Diamond Award 2014 in recognition to its outstanding quality and established commitment to quality service.

Only 5.3 percent of the more than 29,000 hotels approved by AAA make the Four Diamond list. To participate for the award, hotels are thoroughly inspected for service and overall appearance. The AAA Four Diamond Award is awarded to hotels demonstrating quality in all areas, offering more superior accommodation and with ‘admirable’ physical attributes, an extensive array of amenities and attention to detail and excellent hospitality.


Amsterdam Manor plans for summer
Popular Amsterdam Manor has made a number of changes at the property and introduced new facilities as it gears up for the summer season.

All guest room beds have been replaced and larger new flat screen TVs installed. New fridges are also being provided.

Around the pool and on room balconies and terraces, new sun umbrellas and pillows have been provided. The former Sunset Upper Deck Bar above the pool has been changed to the Horizons Bar, with the area extended and additional seating provided. Tapas and a selection of cocktails will be available and the twice-daily happy hour continues. The manager’s cocktail party with live music is also continued on Thursdays.
www.amsterdammanor.com

WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

Headliners named for Soul Beach Festival
Internationally-acclaimed performers have been announced to top the bill at this year’s Soul Beach Music Festival in Aruba from May 21 to 26.

Robin Thicke, one of the most respected singer-songwriters in soul and R&B, and 10-time Grammy winner Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds head the line-up for this year’s much-anticipated event.

Award-winning vocal powerhouse Thicke will head the climax of the event during the Memorial Day Weekend, which will also include a comedy night. Nominated for three Grammy awards, Blurred Lines, his recent release, is a worldwide hit. Festival-goers will sway and rock to the melodic vibrations of the lyrically-gifted soulful crooner on Sunday May 25 at the Nikki Beach Amphitheatre.

Kenny Edmonds tops the bill the previous night, Saturday May 24, following a festival programme that includes day and night parties, concerts and more.

www.soulbeach.net

Discover programme at Radisson Aruba
Radisson Aruba has launched the latest phase in its popular ‘Discover’ programme – Discover Your Core.

This consists of daily free activities addressing the needs of the resort’s energetic and experienced travellers looking for a healthy and active addition to their holiday. Running until June 15, the programme includes cycling to the California Lighthouse at the northern tip of the island, a morning swim, wave boarding and an ATV trek through the Arikok National Park.

The programme also features sunrise yoga, specialised sports massages, thalassotherapy treatments and ocean therapy sessions.

www.radisson.com/aruba

Further accolades underline Aruba’s standing

Aruba and its hotels have gained a further clutch of international awards, underlining the island’s standing as a leading global destination.

Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort has been named No 1 among 78 hotels in Aruba by publisher US News & World Report. The award is based on the opinions of travel experts and guests gathered through online reviews and ratings

Meanwhile, TripAdvisor named the resort in the top 25 hotels in the Caribbean and the only property in Aruba to receive this distinction. The resort’s two restaurants, Carte Blanche and Elements also made their No 1 and No 2 debut among the top 115 restaurants listed on the island’s Palm and Eagle Beaches.

Still with restaurants, Papiamento, Screaming Eagle and Flying fishbone were Aruba business named in Caribbean Journal’s list of Best Caribbean Restaurants.