I just read a trip report from someone who returned on 1/19/04 from
the Marriott Aruba (stelleris casino) on palm beach. They said the
palapas (palm umbrella shades) on the beach are no longer free, they
have to be reserved and the hotel charged them $50 a day for a front
row (near the water) palapa. I was just there in December for eight
nights and they were free (first come first serve) at that time. If I
had to pay, it would have cost me an additional $400 for my vacation;
not a trivial amount.
I've heard of tipping the beachboy to perhaps get what you want but
not being charged by the hotel. I've never heard of anything like
this before. Is this something that only the Marriott is doing? Has
anyone heard of any other hotels doing this? |