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.
Aruba Marriott From its magnificent lobby that is one of Aruba’s most popular gathering spaces to an outstanding slate of eateries, this is a truly complete 400-room resort, set on a beautiful stretch of Palm Beach and home to an excellent casino, too. But it’s also equally welcoming for both families and couples. If you’re looking for a couples-only experience, the Tradewinds Club adults-only experience, with a dedicated floor and its own pool, is the way to go.
The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba This is Aruba’s top luxury stay, with 320 rooms, a boutique casino and a 15,000-square-foot, 13-treatment-room spa that is easily Aruba’s leading wellness destination. And while all of the luxury amenities (and dining like the marvelous BLT Steakhouse) are here, it really stands out as a classic beach hotel, with the best beach service in all of Aruba.
Boardwalk Small Hotel Maybe you’ve been to Aruba before, maybe you’ve been to the bigger hotels. Maybe you’re looking for something different. That’s where the Boardwalk comes in. This is Aruba’s premier boutique hotel, a cozy, funky, happy little hotel set in a sea of coconut trees just a few minutes’ walk from Palm Beach. The story here is the colorful, comfortable “casitas” and the warm, boutique service. Even better? The hotel offers its own beach service and chairs on Palm Beach.
The views at the marina hotel are spectacular.
Renaissance Aruba Aruba is not just about beach hotels. And it’s not just about its beaches either. The capital of Oranjestad has quietly turned into a budding Caribbean urban destination, with a growing gallery scene, some seriously good eateries and a hard-to-beat shopping experience. And if you want to experience Oranjestad, the Renaissance is your place, with a clever dual-hotel concept that includes a marina hotel in the heart of town and a private-island retreat on the outskirts of the capital. And, oh yeah, it’s also the site of Aruba’s luxury shopping mall.
Palm Beach is as good as it gets.
Hyatt Regency Aruba There are 359 rooms at this venerable Aruba getaway, which combines Hyatt’s signature hospitality excellence with a beautiful corner of Palm Beach (and a great location to check out the Palm Beach area’s food and shopping experiences. What we really like is the gorgeous stone-construction Ruinas del Mar restaurant, one of Aruba’s most stunning waterfront dining spots.
Hilton Aruba When this Morris Lapidus-designed hotel first opened its doors in 1959, it effectively ushered in the age of tourism in Aruba. Now a Hilton-branded resort, it’s still about the art of the Aruba vacation. While we like the casino, it’s the outdoor experience that’s the highlight here, with two zero-entry pools and a 12-acre perch on Palm Beach. What we also love is how the hotel has cleverly incorporated nods to its history throughout the property, from the lobby to inspired turn-down notes.