Where to stay in Aruba?

Show all answers

D G

In Aruba there are 2 main tourist areas: high-rise and low-rise. The high-rise area is full of the large chain resorts, Hyatt, Marriott, etc.-- ie. 1,000 room resorts. There you will find the really nice pools, lots of on-site restaurants and activities, etc. The Hyatt is one of the highest rated hotels in the Caribbean, so look there (it is also one of the most expensive in Aruba!). Also try the Riu, it is new and gets some good reviews as well. The Marriotts I hear are nice too.

The low-rise area has small, independent resorts -- 200-room resorts. The beach is larger and much less crowded than the high-rise area. In my opinion, it's the best beach I've ever seen! (But the high-rise area beach is nice as well, just smaller and more people.) This area tends to be more adult-only. The Bucuti actually has an adult-only policy at their resort!! The resorts have pools but nothing spectacular. The Divi all-inclusive resorts are mostly located here, but they have a little of everything and you can spend time at all of their resorts. My wife and I stayed in the low-rise area last year; we wanted something quiet and relaxing, away from the crowds. It did not disappoint!

Unless you are big drinkers, I would not recommend going All-Inclusive. Aruba differs from the rest of the Caribbean in there are plenty of nice places to go out to eat and drink!! The entire island is safe and you don't have to worry about getting harassed the moment you step off the resort. The locals are very nice and keep to themselves. We went out every day for 7-days and were never disappointed. My wife may only have 1-drink per day and I stick mainly to beer, so we probably got a better deal by NOT going all-inclusive. I packed a collapsable cooler and bought a bunch of six-packs at the grocery store to take to the beach. Drink prices are a bit expensive, but it's similar to going to any large city in the US.

ConcernedCitizen

My girlfriend and I were there in June and we stayed at the Hyatt Regency. It isn't all-inclusive, but it has everything you could want and we got our meals at half price. Our dinner at the Ruinas del Mar restaurant was the best meal I've ever had at a restaurant anywhere. The grounds are gorgeous, with black swans and koi swimming in the beautifully landscaped ponds. The three-level pool is very nice, and the beach is perfect. The Travel Channel recently listed it as one of the top ten resorts in the entire Caribbean.

TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

I have been to Aruba twice and stayed there on one visit for five days. We stayed at the Marriott hotel on Palm Beach which is on a stretch of beach not too far from Oranjestad. The hotel is great, has great views of the ocean and the beach is magnificent. It also has a casinos and is close to other hotels and restaurants. You can easily take a public bus to town from the beach areas. There are lots of water sports in Aruba right on the beach including jet skis, snorkel and scuba, para-sailing and wind surfing and just lounging on the beaches. I do recommend the Marriott in Aruba; itâ€™s a great hotel (http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/AUAAR ) When we reserved our room rate included breakfast, but they also have rates that include all meals. We decided against that because we preferred to leave our dinner options open. When we stayed at the Marriott there were not more than about a dozen kids at the property. And we hardly saw more than a couple of them at a time.

Dan Roberts

The Rio Palace is all inclusive and its high end not a lot of kids.

HTH

idkwhoiam

If you have a lot of money, then stay at the Riu Palace or the Renaissance Resort. If you have a limited budget then stay at the Marriott Resort, or La Cabana also known as The Aruban Resort. You will not find much good all inclusive plans in Aruba. If you want a good all inclusive then stay at the Holiday Inn Resort. It is beautiful and has an amazing beach. Have fun in Aruba!

Scott B

We went to the Marriott Rennaissance in Oranjestad, which owns a small island about 10 minutes away by boat. It's a very beautiful and relaxing place, with two small private coves, pink flamingoes that walk among the guests and plenty of quiet. I would take a 10-minute ride to go there rather than walk out onto a plain beach any day of the week. We enjoyed it so much that we cancelled all of our excursions.

MomSezNo

Go to TripAdvisor.com for a list of hotels, along with comments from past guests.

mattsmom33

Yes, the Divi Aruba Beach Resort is where I went on my honeymoon - it was all-inclusive, right on the beach & I don't remember seeing any kids around!!! There was a casino about 22 seconds away that you can walk to. REALLY nice place - actually went there twice. We also went to LaCabana twice - but that is more kid-oriented. Good luck

Jan

There is this great hotel called Tierra del sol Resort, Spa and Country Club

http://www.mojepotovanje.si/eng/caribbean/c761/767

I think it is just what you need.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: