Around July 20, 2007, the Aruba Grand, once the Aruba-Sheraton, was purchased by a Spanish hotel chain and became the Riu Palace Grand Aruba. The hotel was completely renovated, taking on a Spanish style (Moorish?) very much at odds with the existing resorts. Some loved it, many hated it. I think it looks nice, but it certainly stands out. Although the hotel was completely altered, the casino space is the same as it always has been, a small space which requires a trek up to the second floor. On July 27, 2007, The Cool Casino had a soft opening. It officially opened in November later that year. Typically, the soft casino openings in Aruba are within a week or two of the official opening, when they make a big fuss, get pictures in the papers, etc. I don't know why it took so long for the Cool Casino to officially open.

They had one of the best Chipco grand opening chips I have seen:

In 2009, they added a snapper:

I don't know if the 50 centers were retired at that time.

Here are some borrowed images:

And that wraps up the second location. Tomorrow, it's on to the third. I hope people are still enjoying these.

Michael Siskin