hi there.
I have just come back from Aruba this morning. What a place.... The most amazing place i have ever been. Ialso have been to Barbados in August last year. I also loved it but Aruba is 100 times better in my opinion... i cant recommend it enough. Ill give you some info on both.
Barbados.
Flew from london gatwick to bridgetown in august. people say its rainy season.. we got one day of rain in which we continued to stay on the beach. it was fab to experience it. everybody was in the water. We stayed in the Turtle Beach Resort in the south coast. loved the hotel and location but didnt really like outside the resort. In my opinion it was a bit dangerous. alot of drugs being sold. they dont hassle you but it just wasnt nice. we literally spent the 10 nights in the hotel which was lovely, but it would have been nice to venture out a bit. St laurence gap is the place to go at night but we just felt it wasnt that safe. plenty of water sports on the beach and also boat trips during the day alright. I loved it but wouldnt fo back. The west coast is nice too. similar to the south coast. Sand Lane is amazing to see there but they dont let you in unless you book afternoon tea or dinner, but we rented a car and drove to it during the day and we walked the beach to see it as all the beaches are public in barbados.
Aruba.
I SIMPLT CANNOT RECOMMEND IT ENOUGH. we flew to jfk from dub, stayed overnight in an airport hotel as the flight to Aruba was 7.25am from terminal 8 next morning. we flew with american airlines down. we arrived at 12.15 local time. Aruba is an hour ahead of jfk. it was 31 degrees when we came and apparantly its like this all year round.. not a dribble of rain..we just got a taxi to our hotel which cost 25 u.s Dollars. They use both us dollars and aruban floran. we used u.s dollars. There were 3 of us all girls but to be honest it was all honeymoon couples and americans on vacation.We stayed at the brickell bay resort but if honey moon u have an absolutly amazing choice of hotels to stay. The main area is Palm beach and hotels are as follows,Westin,Riu,Occidental resort,Hyatt regency,Holiday inn, and marriott all of which are side by side and on the beach and 5 star..... good luck in choosing because all are nicer than last.
most amazing beaches,watersports,restaurants,nightlife,nicest people ive ever met, gorgeous food and very reasonable too and great casinos. im literally depressed im back already. went for 6 nights which definatly wasnt enough...... best of luck and enjoy wherever you decide