Marriott Aruba Ocean Club

Pools | View Categories | Should I choose Surf Club or Ocean Club? | Ocean Club Photos

The Ocean Club is the sister resort of the Surf Club and just steps away. It is every bit as much of a destination resort as the Surf with all the wonderful amenities you expect from a Marriott. Each resort has its loyal followers. Most people go back and forth between the two resorts daily no matter which one they are staying at as they both have things to offer and share. With the shops and Mandara Spa at the Ocean Club along with the ice cream and sandwich carry out it is very popular. Of course the Surf has their own excellent selection of food in the Marketplace but the ice cream..... The Health Club at the Stellaris Hotel can be used by the timeshare guests and they have free classes and great equipment. Only the pools and beaches are not shared although at this time they are letting the Ocean Club guests use the Stellaris hotel water areas. Just not sure why anyone would want to as the Ocean Club is so much more private and less crowded. And with their swim up bar and waterfalls it is just lovely.

The ocean club received a 20 year renovation a couple years ago and they completely redid EVERYTHING! The tile floors and appliances to the beds and carpet and it is gorgeous and very modern!! The lobby was also redone fitting a 5 star resort! My favorite thing in this renovation is the addition of a KING bed in the second bedroom or studio. So now when coming with two couples you dont need to toss a coin for who gets the king - YOU BOTH DO!

They have free WiFi in all the rooms as well as the lobby and by the pools which is a great convenience. There is wired high speed internet in the unit also if you bring a computer.

Pools

There is one large and winding pool with a swim up bar and a waterfall and wonderful landscaping with boulders and plantings leading up to the outdoor jacuzzi. There is also a small quiet pool where you can sit and sun and be a little quieter. And in 2016 they built another gorgeous jacuzzi with chairs surrounding it which is accessible for anyone with no steps to access.

View Categories

The Ocean Club just has two view categories - ocean front which is the very front 12 units by the beach and ocean view for everything else. They do not divide it up by garden view and Oceanside as the Surf does but obviously the lower floors will not necessarily have an ocean view. And the units closer to the beach have a better view than the ones on the side. Marriott does not assign rooms until arrival as no owner owns a particular unit. We own a view category and a season plus a unit size - studio (lockoff) one or two bedroom. Units are assigned on a first come first serve basis but they do try to honor requests. I always request high floors closest to the ocean unless you have a different preference. Some people like to be able to walk down and not take the elevator for example. Or they don't want to face the pool so it is quieter. Unfortunately someone has to get a first or second floor and when you do it can be disappointing. Especially if you are booked in an oceanfront room and it is so low you don't even see the ocean. That can happen and people either get really upset or accept it and actually enjoy the convenience of not having to wait for the elevator.

Marriott has the final word on room assignments and I have no control at all. I do not work for Marriott and the timeshares are not the same as a hotel. Many owners of the Ocean Club especially sometimes come down for several weeks and those units are reserved for them for their whole stay. With only 6 floors chances are 50% you will have a floor 1-3 or equally 4-6. Please understand there is nothing I can do to change your room. You can request them to move you for the next day if you are unhappy with your location but remember, all views are only seen from the balcony and with the perfect weather in Aruba, you will mostly be outside enjoying the beach and sun and pools and not sitting on the balcony. By evening it is dark and you won't see the ocean anyway.

Should I choose Surf Club Or Ocean Club?

A common question is what is the difference between the Ocean Club and the Surf Club. They are both fabulous resorts and people rave about which ever one they are staying in. The Ocean Club is a bit more oriented to adults while having lots of activities for all. It is next door to the Marriott hotel and casino. (which is next door to the Ritz Carlton). It is a smaller resort with only 6 floors - the Surf has 14 floors - and has a less crowded beach area. The only restriction with the sharing of facilities is the beach and the pools. That means that Ocean Club guests cannot use the lazy river or the adult only Serenity pool at the Surf Club. If you have younger children then I definitely recommend the Surf Club because of that and due to the higher activity going on there. Pre-teens, teens and college age would be happy at both so you need to determine your vacation style.

Both resorts have pack and plays (no cribs) and high chairs available on a first come basis for free. Be sure to tell me if you need that and I will put it on your reservation. Same for a handicap accessible room. They have some and we need to note it on the reservation.

A couple other differences are the Surf Club has laundry within every unit and the Ocean Club has free washers and dryers on every floor. Again, with young children you might be washing a lot and the convenience of the laundry can be a big factor. With older kids and adults you might never wash or do it once during the week so it might not be a big deal.

The Surf has a double size soaker tub, great for two or bathing the kids at once. The Ocean Club has a jacuzzi for two - romantic and still can be used for the kids as a tub.

The Ocean Club has two vanities in the bathroom. The Surf has one of the vanities in the separate area by the tub in the master and the other in the actual bathroom.

The Ocean Club does have a very cute playground area for the younger set but they can also go over to the Surf Club for the activity center and children's pools and more children's planned events. They are meant to be shared between the two resorts.

Other than that, the description of the Surf layout and bed arrangements are identical to the Ocean Club so look at my Surf link if you want more information on that. The Surf has 20 three bedroom units but the Ocean Club does not. And the extra amenities are the same too with some good tips for when you arrive! Please check that out as I am not repeating those on this page but Ocean Club guests will benefit too.

Find more info and photos directly at the Marriott site. Marriott Aruba Ocean Club