2008 Recap
2008 Recap
There are only a few more months to go for arubabeaches.net to celebrate its second anniversary. After having written for so long – almost 400 posts – I have enough content to recap the year.
I’m going to recap the year by touching addressing each month, with a specific post that caught my attention for any reason.
January
The first month of the year was a busy first month of the year. Especially in the real estate sector things heated up with many new – high profile – developments, especially in the condominium and fractional ownership business. Oceania condo, Gold Coast Villas and Acqua are just a few examples of new development.
On January 15 I wrote: The Cliff Condo Pictures.
I’m sad to report that since, I haven’t seen any activity at The Cliff project anymore. It seems to be abandoned. In all fairness, apart from the fixing the land for construction and a mini sales office, construction hasn’t really started. I think the developers are pushing the construction start for somewhere next year as I haven’t receive any information of an abandonment.
February
Last year Starwood Resorts took over the property that previously was operated as Wyndham Resort at Palm Beach. Aruba’s highest tower was purchased. The new owners announced a very ambitious renovation and expansion at the newly acquired resort property.
On February 12 I wrote: Westin’s Luxury Timeshare Project Halted.
The renovations at Westin went on as scheduled and the stopped project remained stopped. I speculated that the piece of land would find a buyer quickly because it is the only piece or private land available at all of Palm Beach. I haven’t read anything about a sale. Either Starwood is going to develop it after all or they are waiting for the buyers to show.
March
According to surveys conducted by Aruba’s tourism authority on of the biggest reason for people to visit Aruba are the beaches. I think that is a given. The majority of the people therefore stay a beach resort in order to enjoy the beaches to the fullest.
On March 4 I wrote: Top 5: Aruba’s Best Beaches.
There are over 20 beaches in Aruba that are great. There are a few that stand out in my opinion. I still stand behind that Top 5 I wrote earlier in the year.
April
The two most visited beaches in Aruba are the two beaches that have the most resort properties and that are the easiest accessible: Eagle Beach and Palm Beach.
On April 14 I wrote: Top 5 Reasons Eagle Beach Is Better Than Palm Beach.
As you are researching for the perfect hotel pick for next vacation, remember to include the beach of preference into the mix of consideration. In Aruba it isn’t that difficult. You either pick a low rise resort at Eagle Beach, Druif Beach or a high rise resort at Palm Beach or down town. I still believe Eagle Beach is better than Palm Beach.
May
When making travel arrangements, there are several options on what type of room you would like. It doesn’t have to be a room, it could be a condo, villa, house or apartment. Though, the most common choice is all-inclusive or regular hotel.
On May 27 I wrote: Aruba Travel: All-Inclusive or Regular Resort?
The obvious difference in the two is food and beverages. At the end, I personally prefer a regular resort. You control the eating better and enjoy the local gastronomy. I must warn you, in Aruba the food is good but the prices aren’t.
June
Aruba hotels are pretty good. Officially there isn’t a 5-start resort in Aruba but you can find good alternatives. One alternative for sure is Radisson Aruba.
On June 10 I wrote: Another Radisson Aruba Accolade.
Indeed Radisson Aruba is one of the best resorts in Aruba. The resort underwent a major renovation some years, but the best part is the service. Later in the year Radisson Aruba announced it was slashing 40 jobs. I can’t help but wonder whether or not they can maintain the same level of service by eliminating those jobs.
July
As real estate markets over the world suffered severely, some people began to wonder how the real estate market in Aruba fared in the current economy.
On July 28 I wrote: Aruba Real Estate is Buyers Market.
Since the article Aruba real estate market still continues to be a buyer’s market. There are reports that condo and timeshare sales are way down, while the high end part of the market is down as well. As there are lots of deals to be found, don’t expect panic in the market. Many property owners are ‘riding out’ the storm and are waiting next year when things pick up again.
August
Throughout the year real estate continued to be a hot topic. On this site I’ve written several posts about Aruba real estate to help and shed some light on the whole market.
On August 11 I wrote: Pros/Cons Owning Property in Aruba.
I thought the Pro/Cons post was one of the better content I’ve created during 2008. Just to add two more points, another pro I can think off at this point is the reliability, quality of water and power service in Aruba. A huge con is this very same point. Services can be reliable, but the plant uses fossil products as its main source to power for the machinery. This makes these strategic goods very vulnerable to foreign forces, thus making prices for water and power very unstable.
September
Aruba isn’t the cheapest destination in the Caribbean. In fact, it is one of the more expensive ones. Don’t make it more expensive than it has to be. There are certainly ways to keep the cost down.
On September 8 I wrote: 15 Tips: How To Lower Your Aruba Vacation Cost.
In the list of 15 tips I mention a few good tips for sure. I recently learned another great tip, especially when traveling with minors. Tamarijn Aruba offers its all-inclusive resort free of charge all year for minors. There are conditions so make sure you find out about those before booking.
October
Hurricane Season is from June to November and it generally doesn’t hit the Southern Caribbean. This year, however, there was one that was uncomfortably close.
On October 17 I wrote: Video: Hurricane Omar Aftermath in Aruba.
Omar was a tropical storm when it dumped rain in Aruba. Later it became a dangerous hurricane near Puerto Rico. There was only water damage in Aruba due to Omar’s passing. At the end of the month October it rained for 15.6 inches! A new record! Bear in mind that for the whole year Aruba receives an average of 16.2 inches of rain.
November
For a few years there has been a construction ongoing that supposed to become the biggest water park in the Caribbean. As the months passed many became skeptical if this park was going to open ever.
On November 20 I wrote: Confirmed: Aruba Morgan’s Water Park Opens.
After long delays finally on December 3rd Aruba Morgan’s Water Park officially opened its doors. This $14 million water park operates daily and is open to the public from 10 – 6. Information about this water park was this site’s most popular post over the course of 2008.
December
There are many well-known establishments represented in Aruba. A lot of them are international franchise chains and in most part not very special. But there is one that has been widely anticipated and asked for quite some time.
On December 12 I wrote: Hard Rock Cafe Aruba Opens.
Since the opening I visited Hard Rock Cafe and I must say that I enjoyed the place. I went soon after the opening, so finished touches were still being worked on, such as the terrace and store. The menu is very extensive and there food portions are large. The prices are on higher side, but If you aren’t a big eater, a couple could easily share an entree.
Conclusion
There was a lot to report during the course of 2008. I’m sure there will be a lot to report in the coming year as well. I’m sure the economy continues to make headlines in and traveling numbers are going to be challenging, but the prospect isn’t all bad. Plus, in the last week of September 2009 there are general elections in Aruba. I’m looking forward for that as well. Thank you for the support and readership.
Recap 2007, Preview 2008
