Aruba, Boutique Style: Five Off-the-Beaten Path Small Hotels on the Dutch Caribbean Island Oozing With Personality
Aruba may be best known for its big-name beachfront resorts (which include some wonderful new addiitons like the St. Regis and the new Iberostar), but it’s also home to a strong collection of small hotels that deliver a more personal way to experience the island.
From waterfront hideaways to garden-filled retreats, these hotels offer an alternative to the high-rise scene, with the kind of service and local character you just only find in smaller places. In other words, this is Aruba, boutique style.
The best part? The value, with some of these hotels running for under $200 per night.
Aruba Ocean Villas Yes, Aruba has an overwater bungalow resort. Set in Savaneta, Aruba Ocean Villas is an adults-only resort offering overwater villas and beach bungalows. The property features a beachfront restaurant, spa services, and provides complimentary airport transfers for penthouse guests. The resort emphasizes sustainability in its design and operations. While the on-land cottages are charming, the overwater ones are worth the splurge. Rooms from $1,399.
Ocean Z Boutique Hotel Ocean Z Boutique Hotel is located in Noord, Aruba. The hotel offers suites with ocean views, some featuring semi-private pools. An on-site restaurant serves a variety of dishes, and the property is in proximity to local beaches. The hotel emphasizes a blend of modern design and comfort. It’s part of a new trend toward villa-style hotels, a kind of hybrid that has the layout of a large villa with the amenities and service of a boutique hotel. Rooms from $306.
Aruba Boutique & Art Hotel Aruba Art Hotel is an adults-only establishment situated in Palm-Eagle Beach. The hotel showcases contemporary art throughout its premises and offers accommodations designed with artistic elements.
Amenities include a pool area and a focus on providing a culturally enriched environment. It’s part of the BW Signature Collection. The best part? The value, with prices at $191 per night.
Paradera Park Hotel This one is in the center of Aruba, a a boutique resort with 17 studios and suites. The property is set within tropical gardens and has a pool, too. It’s self-catering, meaning you get a kitchen and can enjoy Aruba’s unique brand of livable travel, getting out to the markets and the shops and exploring independently. This is also a good family option, with rooms as large as two-bedrooms that can sleep up to five people. Rooms start at $193, according to Google Hotels.
Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba This is a short walk (or on-site shuttle ride) to Palm Beach. Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba is an adults-only hotel set within a former coc got 49 private casitas with modern amenities, two pools, a cocktail bar, a restaurant, and a dedicated beach area. We’ve always loved this place, chiefly for its thoughtful approach to hospitality, its colorful rooms and its endlessly warm service. A favorite of our editors on a recent stay? The daily poolside happy hour cart. Rooms from $450.
