It is part of the pantheon of Caribbean beaches: Eagle Beach, set on the far western corner of the island of Aruba. It’s also home to one of the region’s most celebrated places to stay: the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, the adults-only, sustainability-focused retreat. 

Now, the beach will soon be home to another significant resort. Iberostar is readying to open its highly-anticipated new beach resort in Aruba, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The new JOIA ARUBA by Iberostar is opening its doors in December, according to the company’s Web site. 

The resort, which will be set on Eagle Beach, regularly considered one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, will be an adults-only EP resort. 

That means, unlike many of Iberostar’s resorts in the Caribbean, it will not be an all-inclusive resort, but a European Plan, meaning food and beverages are all charged independently of your room rate. 

That shouldn’t be a surprise: Aruba is really not an all-inclusive destination, by design. The island encourages travelers to get out and explore, dine at local restaurants and enjoy local bars. Aruba’s ease of exploration and abundant friendliness help it live up to that suggestion. 

The resort will open with 240 guest rooms, along with amenities like three different pools (including a signature infinity pool); a spa, two specialty eateries and four different lounges. 

You will also get a casino, free Wi-Fi, a rooftop deck, a gym and a coffee shop. There is also access to the island’s Tierra del Sol 18-hole golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. 

Iberostar calls it a “boutique resort,” and while it’s obviously far larger than the typical boutique hotel, on an island like Aruba the emphasis is clearly on the sort of sophisticated Dutch Caribbean cool that travelers expect here. 

So what will it cost?

The company is offering an introductory rate of 40 percent off: that means rates allow as $351 per night, included taxes. 

Want to learn more? You can book now here.