At the Rennaissance, you will be in downtown Orangestad. The Crystal and Seaport casinos are owned by the Rennaissance (I don't need playing cards from them or the Stellaris). All of the other casinos are an easy bus, taxi or rental car ride away. All but the Alhambra, Key Largo and Stellaris are located in High Rise hotels in Palm Beach along a strip area (Casablanca - Westin; Cool - Riu; The Casino - Radisson; Copa Cabana - Hyatt Regency; ? - Occidental Grand; Excelsior - Holiday Inn). It is possible to walk all the way from the Casablanca in the Westin at one end to the Excelsior in the Holiday Inn on the other (it's a hike, but not unlike walking one end of the Las Vegas strip). The Marriott, which houses the Stellaris is the next set of hotels past the Holiday Inn, but are not as easily accessible, unless you want to walk along the beach. The Key Largo is in a restaurant called the Hangout (or it used to be, anyway), which is not that far from the Excelsior, and next to the shell of the old Royal Cabana. The Alhambra is off by itself near the low rise hotels in Eagle Beach. If you want to play poker, the Excelsior and the Radisson are your only choices. Be aware that most casinos open after 5 pm, and don't really get going until after 7 pm. 7 pm poker tables often don't open until 8 pm (island time is a common refrain). I believe the Crystal Casino is the only 24 hour casino, but many are open for some games as early as noon. For example, I have played blackjack in the early afternoon at the Seaport.

Near your hotel are a number of fine restaurants. I recommend Que Pasa (reasonably priced and terrific). El Gaucho is an old favorite of my in-laws (steaks). You should make reservations for Madame Jannete's one night (you will need a taxi or rental car to get there). It is a must do for Aruba, in my opinion.

Take a lot of pictures, and have a great time. If you have any questions, please e-mail me. I'm sure Brian Cashman will be happy to help out too, and he has a lot more experience there than I do. Oh, and if you find any no cash value chips (other than the win card chips at the Stellaris) with face value of $5 or less, I would probably be interested in those too.

Michael Siskin