Aruba Marriott Ocean Club vs Surf Club: Which is The Better Hotel Near Palm Beach?
Introduction
Deciding on a resort while planning a trip can be confusing. With Aruba Marriott Ocean Club and Surf Club, the confusion gets even more intense. Both resorts are 4-star rated, are in the same location, and are under the same franchisee.
So, which one should you go for between Aruba Marriott Ocean Club Vs Surf Club?
The Ocean Club has more on-site restaurants than the Surf Club while the Surf Club has more activities for children and more amenities. Unlike the Ocean Club, the Surf Club has Lazy River and other pools. For a larger group or with kids, the Surf Club is a better option. For a tranquil getaway, consider the Ocean Club.
This article will provide more information about these two timeshare resorts to help with your decision-making. Keep reading.
Quick Comparison: Aruba Marriott Ocean Club vs Surf Club
Although both resorts are up to the Marriott level, there are a few dissimilarities between them regarding amenities and other services. Here is a quick peek at the differences.
| Feature | Ocean Club | Surf Club |
| Hotels.com Rating for Aruba Marriott Ocean Club vs Surf Club | 8.4/10.0 | 8.6/10.0 |
| Tripadvisor Review | 4.5/5.0 | 4.0/5.0 |
| Booking.com Rating | 8.2/10.00 | 8.5/10.00 |
| Nearest Hospital | Horacio Oduber Hospital (8 minutes drive) | Same |
| Pet Friendliness | No pets allowed. Only service dogs are permitted. | Same |
| Internet Facility | Free wireless and high-speed internet | Same |
Here is a comparison table for ratings in different features of these resorts including staff, cleanliness, comfort, and facilities. This rating is based on the reviews on booking.com.
Booking and Reaching the Resort
From booking to reaching the resort, there aren’t many dissimilarities between the Ocean Club and Surf Club. Still, you may find some dissimilarities which are mentioned below.
| Feature | Ocean Club | Surf Club |
| Location | L.G. Smith Blvd 99, Noord, Aruba | L.G. Smith Blvd 103, Noord, Aruba |
| Distance from Airport | 12 Km from the airport | 12 Km from the airport |
| Cost | Starts from USD 875 | Starts from USD 835 |
| Refund Policy | Must cancel the reservation 7 days before stay for a refund | Same |
| Booking Procedure | Hassle-free online booking | Same Process |
| Airport Transportation and | Self transportation, bus or taxi | Same for both |
| Parking | Free-parking | Free-parking |
Location and Distance from Airport
Both Aruba Marriott Ocean Club and Surf Club are situated at Noord near Palm Beach, within only two minutes of walking distance from each other.
Located 12 KM away from the Queen Beatrix Intl. Airport, Oranjestad, Aruba, will take you around 17 minutes to reach both hotels from the airport by car.
The address for the Aruba Marriott Ocean Club is L.G. Smith Blvd 99, Noord, Aruba while the Aruba Marriott Surf Club is on Blvd 103Since these two hotels are on the same property, it appears to be the same resort to many visitors. However, they are two separate timeshare resorts.
Cost and Refund Policy
The Surf Club is slightly cheaper to rent compared to the Ocean Club. As of January 25, 2023, the starting price for Ocean Club is USD 875, whereas, for the Surf Club, the price starts from USD 835.
Please note that this is based on the cheapest rate and excludes government taxes and fees. The price is subject to change according to the room type, facilities, and date of reservation. Moreover, if you modify your reservation including staying length and dates, the rate may vary.
You have to prepay the rent via Visa, Master Card, JCB, or American Express.
Also, seniors aged 62 or above will get a 10% discount on the rent in both resorts.
To get a full refund from both resorts, you must cancel your reservation 7 days before your stay. If you fail to do so, unfortunately, you have to pay for the whole amount.
Booking Procedure
Booking villas or rooms in the Surf Club should be easier in the sense that it has more accommodation than Ocean Club. The Ocean Club offers 218 accommodations whereas the Surf Club offers 450 accommodations.
So, if you are trying to make a reservation at Ocean Club, you should do it at least a month ahead. Rooms in both hotels get booked pretty fast.
Both resorts have hassle-free booking procedures. You reserve both the resorts from Marriott Bonvoy mobile app or Marriott Bonvoy official site. Here’s the detail:
Toll-Free Reservation Center: +1-800-845-5279
The reservation center no. is the same one as Aruba Ocean Club. Please make sure to clearly mention which resort you want to book.
You can also book both these resorts from renowned hotel booking sites online. For example, Bookmytrips, Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Hotel.com, Expedia, etc. Expedia has both pay now and later options. You can choose according to your preference.
Airport Transportation and Parking
You can take one of the three routes from the airport to reach the resorts. The fastest route for reaching these resorts would be via Lloyd G. Smith Blvd, which will take around 17 minutes. The other two routes, via Watty Vos Blvd and Rte 2 will require 19 mins to reach the resorts.
Marriott Ocean and Surf Club both provide an on-site shuttle or car service. Although there is no double shuttle option. Here is the information about the rental service.
Contact: +297 582 1845
You can also hire a taxi to reach your destination. The taxi fare should be around 25 to 30 USD. Moreover, you can take the bus from the nearby bus station to reach the destination.
Both Ocean Club and Surf Club provide complimentary parking services in their spacious parking spaces. You will also get free valet service.
Accommodation and Amenities
There are many differences between the Ocean Club and the Surf Club in case of accommodation and amenities. For example, room types, laundry service, dining service, and in-room amenities.
| Feature | Ocean Club | Surf Club |
| Lobby and Guest Reception | Spacious lobby with a low ceiling and colorful | High ceiling and rectangular-shaped lobby but Less colorful. |
| Concierge Services | 24/7 concierge service | Same |
| Room Types | 1 bedroom villa 2 bedroom villa | Guestroom 1 bedroom villa 2 bedroom villa 3 bedroom villa |
| In-Room Amenities | Less in-room amenities than the Surf Club | More in-room amenities than the Ocean Club |
| Laundry Service | No in-room washer/dryer 4 Washer/dryer in every floor | Washer/dryer in every room and every building except guestroom. |
| Bathroom and Toiletries | Separate shower and bathtub. Hair dryer and other basic toiletries. | Combined shower and bathtub. Lighted makeup mirror, hair dryer and other basic toiletries. |
| Cuisine and Dining Service | More on-site dinner restaurants | More on-site bars |
| Kitchen and Kitchenette | Full kitchen in all villas. Fewer appliances than in the Surf Club | Full kitchen in all villas except guestroom. More appliances than in the Ocean Club |
| Indoor and Outdoor Sports | No game room. On-site tennis and volleyball. Golf Clubs are nearer than the Surf Club | Has a game room. On-site tennis and volleyball. Golf Clubs are slightly farther than the Surf Club |
| On-site Fitness Center and Spa | On-site fitness center with less equipment than the Surf Club | On-site fitness center with more equipment than the Ocean Club |
| Membership Offers | Marriott members will get special discount | Same |
| Accessibility Features | Easier access to the swimming pool. Other accessibility features are available | Accessible features are available except for the sloppy entry to swimming pool |
Lobby and Guest Reception
The Surf Club has a cozy, high-ceiling and rectangular-shaped lobby whereas the Ocean Club has a spacious lobby with a low ceiling. The Ocean Club lobby is more colorful and has a more tropical vibe than the Surf Club one.
Both Clubs have plenty of seating areas in the lobby. You can read the free newspapers provided by both resorts in the lobby. The guests receive a warm welcome from the friendly staff of both of the resorts. And the employees from both resorts speak English, Dutch, Spanish, and Papiamento.
However, according to many guests and also some of my friends, the behavior of the staff in Surf Club is more friendly and professional than the Ocean Club.
In both Ocean Club and Surf Club, you have to check in at 04:00 PM and the check-out time is 10:00 AM. The check-in line can be a bit long from time to time, especially in the Surf Club, as there are more guests.
Concierge Services
The concierge desk on both resorts will be open all day and all night for your convenience. They will assist you with any questions and reservations. Here are the concierge emails for both resorts.
Ocean Club: info@arubasurfclubresort.com
Surf Club: info@arubasurfclubresort.com
You can also call the central phone no. for your query from both resorts.
A tip from experience: If you are planning to dine in outside restaurants, ask the concierge desk to reserve it for you. They have access to menus from popular restaurants and can secure good tables for guests. The local restaurants often treat Marriott guests well due to the hotel’s reputation.
Room Types
The Surf Club offers 1-3 bedroom villas whereas the Ocean Club has only 1 and 2 bedroom villas. Maximum occupancy for a villa in Ocean Club is 8 while for Surf Club, it’s 12.
The Surf Club also offers a guest room system where you can rent only one room if you don’t want the whole Villa. The Ocean Club doesn’t have this option.
If you are planning to travel as a big group, Surf Club will be a better option. However, the Surf Club Villas are slightly smaller than the Ocean Club villas.
Here are the Room and Villa types in these two resorts.
Ocean Club Room Types
1 Bedroom Villa (Both Normal and Oceanfront)
Maximum occupancy: 4 (941 sq ft/85 sqm)
- Balcony
- Living/sitting area
- Separate dining room
- Separate living room
- Living area and bed separated privacy wall
- 1 Bathroom
- Separate kitchen
- Air-conditioned
2 Bedroom Villa (Both Normal and Oceanfront)
Maximum occupancy: 8 (1335 sq ft/120 sqm)
- 2 Bed
- 2 Bathrooms
- Other features are similar to the 1 bedroom villa.
Surf Club Room Types
Guestroom
Maximum occupancy: 4 (17 m²/183 ft²)
- Balcony
- Living/sitting area
- Dining area
- 1 Bathroom
- Kitchenette
1 Bedroom Villa
Maximum occupancy: 4 (75 m²/807 ft²)
- Balcony
- Living/sitting area
- Separate dining room
- Separate living room
- Living area and bed separated privacy wall
- 1 bathroom
- Full kitchen
- Air conditioned
2 Bedroom Villa
Maximum occupancy: 8 (1195 sqft/108 sqm)
- 2 Bed
- 2 Bathrooms
- Other features are similar to the 1 bedroom villa
3 Bedroom Villa
Maximum occupancy: 12 (1707 sqft/154 sqm)
- 3 Bed
- 3 Bathrooms
- Other features are same as the 2 bedroom villa
In-Room Amenities
Unlike Ocean Club, the Surf Club has a washer and dryer, a coffee/tea maker, and premium movie channels in each villa.
Ocean Club In-room Amenities
1 Bedroom Villa (both normal and Oceanfront balcony): 1 King size bed, Sofa bed, Sofa, Chair, Safe, Iron, and ironing board, Alarm clock, Table, 4 seats, 2 TVs, DVD player with movies for rent, international cable/satellite, radio.
2 Bedroom Villa (both normal and Oceanfront balcony): 1 King Size bed, 1 queen-size bed, 2 sofa beds, Sofa, chair, safe, iron and ironing board, alarm clock, table, 8 seats, 3 TVs, DVD player, international cable/satellite, radio.
Surf Club in-room Amenities
Guestroom: 1 queen-size bed, Sofa bed, Sofa, Chair, Safe, Iron and ironing board, Coffee/tea maker, alarm clock, table, 2 seats, 1 TV, Premium movie channels, DVD player with movies for rent, international cable/satellite, radio.
1 Bedroom Villa: 1 King size bed, Sofa bed, Sofa, Chair, Safe, Iron and ironing board, Washer and dryer, Coffee/tea maker, alarm clock, table, 4 seats, 2 TVs, Premium movie channels, DVD player with movies for rent, international cable/satellite, radio.
2 Bedroom Villa: 1 King size bed, 1 queen-size bed, 8 seats, 3 TVs, and all other features similar to the 1 bedroom villa.
3 Bedroom Villa: 2 king-size beds, 2 double beds, 2 sofa beds, 10 seats, 4 TVs, and all other features similar to the 1 and 2-bedroom villas.
Laundry and Drycleaning Service
All the villas except the studio rooms in Surf Club have in-room dryers/washers, on the contrary, no villa in the Ocean Club has an in-room washer. However, there are 4 sets of washers and dryers on every floor at Ocean Club. And in the Surf Club, there is 1 set of washer/dryer machines in each building.
Bathroom and Toiletries
The Surf Club has a combined shower and bathtub whereas the Ocean Club has a separate bathtub and shower. Unlike the Ocean Club, the Surf Club has a lighted makeup mirror in each bathroom.
The bathroom in both resorts is equipped with a hairdryer and other essential toiletries including soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion. You will also get fresh towels in both resorts.
Cuisine and Dining Service
If you are looking for in-house cozy restaurants for lunch and dinner, Ocean Club hotel is a better option than Surf Club. All the in-house bars and cafes in the Surf Club are more casual and fun. This resort has only one restaurant for dinner.
On the other hand, Ocean Club resort will be a better option for romantic or relaxed dinners. Let’s see what the resorts have for in-house dining service.
Restaurants and Cafes at Ocean Club:
Malmok Bar & Grill: You can enjoy authentic Aruban cuisine from this restaurant. This restaurant is open every day from 8:00 AM-9:00 PM.
Ocean Cafe: If you are looking for light snacks or mouth-watering desserts or refreshing drinks, you can visit this cafe while you are staying at the Ocean Club. The cafe is open every day from 7:00 AM-10:00 PM.
The Juice Bar: You can enjoy fresh juice and energy drinks here after an intense workout.
Ocean Café Gelato: If you are a sweet lover, you can have a sweet treat while passing time in the Ocean Club lobby.
Antilla Beach Bar: You can have a refreshing cocktail and enjoy the Ocean at the same time in this bar.
Restaurants and Cafe at Surf Club:
Captain’s Galley Pool Grill: This restaurant is your only option for dinner inside the Surf Club. so, reserve your place earlier. Another feast to enjoy while having a fun pool time. If you are missing American cuisine while you are in the middle of the Caribbean seas, this is the perfect restaurant for you.
Flip Flop Beach Bar: After a sun bath at the poolside, this bar can be a perfect place for quenching your thirst. You can also yummy enjoy Mexican food from here.
Seaworthy’s Pool Bar: You can enjoy your pool time by sipping yummy cocktails from this bar.
You can always visit the cafes and restaurants from the other resorts. Also, there are many other cafes and restaurants nearby, including, La Vista, Waves Beach Bar & Grill, Atardi, etc.
Kitchen and Kitchenette
All the villas in Ocean Club have full kitchens and refrigerators. On the other hand, in Villas of Surf Club, there is a full kitchen with a refrigerator, mini fridge, dishwasher, microwave, stovetop, silverware, and other appliances.
However, the studio rooms and guest rooms in the Surf Club don’t have a full kitchen, they have a kitchenette, mini fridge, and a few other essential appliances. Having your own kitchen or kitchenette is definitely a plus point especially while staying for a long time.
Indoor and Outdoor Sports
Unlike the Ocean Club, the Surf Club has a huge game room equipped with a billiard board, foosball, video games, and other exciting games.
Both resorts have on-site tennis, and volleyball facilities. For golfing, there are two golf Clubs nearby- Tierra Del Sol Golf & Country Club and The Links at Divi Aruba. Both are 3 Km or around 35 minutes walking distance from the Surf Club.
And from the Ocean Club, these golf Clubs are 2 KM or 25 minutes of walking distance away.
On-site Fitness Center and Spa
The Surf Club fitness center has more equipment than the Ocean Club fitness center. So, if you are a fitness enthusiast, you will like the Surf Club better.
The Surf Club has cardiovascular equipment, exercise bikes, strength equipment, rowing machines, weight machines, elliptical machines, treadmills, and free weights.
Meanwhile, the Ocean Club only has cardiovascular equipment, strength equipment, and free weights.
Both the resorts’ fitness center has locker rooms and sauna rooms, but unlike Ocean Club, the Surf Club has a steam room as well.
The fitness centers for both resorts are complimentary for the guests 24/7.
Guests from both resorts can enjoy Mandara Spa which is co-located with the Marriott resort on the same property. You can enjoy many soothing, therapeutic treatments and spa packages from this luxurious spa.
The Spa is open every day from 9:00 AM-6:00 PM and you have to make an appointment earlier to get their services.
- Call this number for an appointment: +297 520-6750
Swimming Pool (On-Site & Private)
If your main focus on the vacation is swimming, you will enjoy Surf Club more. One of the main attractions of the Marriott of Surf Club is the Lazy River. The slow current of the lazy river proved the guest with a refreshing time lying on the rafts. Outsiders, even the guests from Ocean Club are not allowed in the lazy river.
Also, Surf Club has a separate outdoor pool for children and the lazy river also has a separate section for children. However, the Ocean Club only has a small splash pool for children.
Both resorts have huge outdoor pools and whirlpools. Pools in the Surf Club are usually packed with people and noisy. Due to these reasons, kids, teenagers, and adults enjoy the Surf Club more. On the other hand, the swimming pool at Ocean Club is less busy and calm. So, this club is on the preference list of more adult guests who want to enjoy their holiday in peace.
Membership Offers
For both resorts, owners receive discounts based on their level of ownership when booking within 60 days of arrival. However, there are no nightly rate discounts for owners.
Members of Marriott get discounts from all the restaurants in both resorts and a few others nearby. Also, they will get special discounts on the on-site shops and nearby tours.
Accessibility Features
Unlike the Surf Club, the Ocean Club has self-operating lifts or slopped ways to enter the swimming pools.
Other than that, both resorts have really helpful accessibility features.
- Grab rails in bathtub and bathroom
- Hearing accessible rooms and/or kits
- Lever handles, viewports, and deadbolts in the room doors
- Electric outlets are lowered
- Wheel chair-height toilet seats
Corporate Facility
| Feature | Ocean Club | Surf Club |
| High-Speed Internet | Free high-speed internet available | Same |
| Meeting and Conference Room | No meeting and conference room | Same |
High-Speed Internet
Both the resorts provide free high-speed internet service throughout the resorts including each villa. Also, there is a wired internet connection for your computer in each villa. So, you can get your work done while you are staying here.
Meeting and Conference Room
Since both are vacation resorts, they do not provide any conference and meeting rooms. However, you can book resorts for corporate holidays and get special services.
Vacation Facility
As both the resorts are in the same locations, the nearby visiting places are almost at the same distance for both resorts. Here are the vacation facility differences between the Surf Club and the Ocean Club.
| Feature | Ocean Club | Surf Club |
| Beach Access | 3-4 minutes walk from the nearest beach | 6-7 minute walk to the nearest beach |
| Places Nearby | Many family and children activity centers nearby. | Same |
| Shuttle and Rental Car Service | On-site rental available | Same |
Beach Access
The Ocean Club is nearer to the beach than the Surf Club. However, both resorts are only within a short walking distance from the beach.
The nearest beach is only 350 m away from The Ocean Club. So, you may have to walk 3-4 minutes to get to the beach. The Surf Club is around 500 m away from the beach which will take you 6-7 minutes to walk.
The distance from the Ocean Club to the central palm-eagle beach is 1.5 km. On the other hand, the Surf Club is 1.7 KM away from Central Palm-Eagle Beach which is the widest beach in Aruba. The turquoise water of this peaceful beach is just breathtaking.
Places Nearby
Other than the beach, you can visit other amazing and fun places near both resorts. Some places are nearer to the Ocean Club while some are nearer to the Surf Club.
Matey’s Hall Activity Center: It is adjacent to the Surf Club and only 0.1 KM away from the Ocean Club. It is a fun Club for children, where they can play and do different activities and make new friends.
Butterfly Farm: The farm is 1.6 KM away from the Surf Club and 2.4 KM away from the Ocean Club. It is a natural habitat of hundreds of exotic butterflies.
Donkey Sanctuary: The sanctuary is 16 Km away from the Surf Club and 14 KM away from the Ocean Club.
Aruba Ostrich Farm: The farm is 8 Km away from the Surf Club and 12.4 Km away from the Ocean Club. You can have a great afternoon by interacting with ostriches.
Stellaris Casino: It is only 4 minutes of walking distance away from the Ocean Club and 5 minutes walking distance away from the Surf Club. If you are in the mood for some gambling, the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is a wonderful place to try.
Shuttle and Rental Car Service
The Ocean Club and The Surf Club both have on-site car rental facilities from Hertz. Both resorts provide motorized watercraft rentals.
Aruba Marriott Ocean Club Vs Surf Club: Which One Should You Book?
Now, it’s time for making a decision. Both resorts are amazing and maintain the Marriott’s standard level. However, there are still some things to consider.
The Ocean Club is preferable for adults without kids. If you want a quiet and peaceful holiday with fewer gatherings in the swimming pool and resort area, the Ocean Club is just perfect. You can enjoy amazing on-site dinner restaurants. Moreover, as there are fewer guests, the staff can provide special attention to all of them.
If you are in the mood for a party and want an exciting holiday, the Surf Club would be a nice option. If you are planning trips with kids, this resort is more convenient as they have a washer/dryer in every villa and better pools for children. Moreover, the Surf Club can cater to bigger guest groups in their 3-bedroom villas.
Important Notice: Spyglass building of Aruba Surf Club will be undergoing a renovation from Aug. 10, 2023, to Nov. 11, 2023. If you are visiting the resort during this time, please prepare yourself for some construction noises.
If you have a problem with construction noises, you should stay at Ocean Club if you come to Aruba during this time.
Disclaimer: we have conducted this research based on the current situation of both resorts. The amenities and other services are subject to change. Please check the resorts’ official website prior to your reservation to get notified of any changes.
FAQs
When Were Marriott Aruba Surf Club And Ocean Club Built?
The Aruba Surf Club was built between 2004 and 2007 and the Ocean Club was built in 1999. The Ocean Club was last renovated in 2014. And the Surf Club was last renovated in 2012. It is undergoing another renovation in August 2023.
How Many Floors Do Aruba Ocean Club And Surf Club Have?
The Aruba Ocean Club has only 6 floors and it is only ⅓ of the Surf Club. The Surf Club has 14 floors among which 12 floors are offered for guest occupation.
Is Breakfast Included At The Aruba Marriott Surf Or Ocean Club?
No, neither the Ocean Club nor the Surf Club provides free breakfast to their guests. You can get a cooked breakfast for only USD 10. Also, you can get groceries from the resorts’ in-house grocery shops and cook breakfast in your villa’s kitchen.
Conclusion
So, that’s all to know about Aruba Marriott Ocean Club vs Surf Club. It’s recommended to do some research on your own before booking any of these resorts to select the right one for yourself.
Also, don’t forget to visit the hypnotizing eagle beach once while you stay in Aruba.
Now, it is time for me to go. Happy holiday!
