Aruba is an island that’s all about discovery. It’s a destination that begs travelers to get out into a car and explore, to discover its hidden corners, to go beach hopping, to walk around its neighborhoods and to really experience the place.

But that doesn’t mean choosing the right hotel isn’t important. As it is all over the Caribbean — it’s an essential part of the vacation experience.

Thankfully, Aruba is home to an enviable collection of places to stay, with a particularly strong offering of large beach hotels but some interesting alternatives to the beach, too.

And we’re here to help, with a guide to our seven favorite hotels in Aruba right now.

The Elements restaurant at the Bucuti Tara.

Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort This isn’t just one of the greenest hotels in the Caribbean — it’s also one of its best. Owner Ewald Biemans’ vision of a sustainable, exquisitely run beach hotel is realized every day at this adults-only Aruba institution on the most prized perch of Eagle Beach. There are 104 crisp, bright, endlessly comfortable rooms, but it has a way of feeling far more intimate, with an innovative philosophy that’s always about making the guest experience better, from iPad walk-through check ins to advanced air filtration in the rooms.