Where to Stay in ARUBA

Are you planning a trip to Aruba? If you are then you are definitely thinking about where to stay in Aruba too! Today’s blog is a fantastic list of hotels, resorts, all-inclusive’s, and the Airbnb we stayed at while visiting this Caribbean island.

Everyone’s travel personality is just slightly different. Hopefully, my article will help you narrow down the choices on where to stay?

I met up with Patrick and his crew from Aruba.com. They were so professional and accessible in my exploration of the island. Definitely, check out their website before heading to the island for local information and tourist information, COVID regulations, etc.

Thank you to Archangel who drove us from property to property with a big smile!

Location?

Where should we stay in Aruba? Aruba is not that big of an island and where you stay is going to totally depend on how you vacation? Do you want to be near the beach bars, water sports, lots of restaurants most people who prefer this will want to stay in what Arubans call the “High Rise” hotel area located in Palm Beach. The “Low Rise” area has timeshares and long-term rentals and is located near Eagle Beach.

Another location to stay in Aruba is San Nicolas on the southern coastline. It is culturally amazing and has Baby Beach close by too.

Noord in the north is also a lovely area to stay in and has golf courses and rocky beaches.

Jon and I stayed in Oranjestad, the capital city and cruise port town that has a gorgeous marina, beautiful quiet beach, lots of shopping, restaurants, and casinos.

In last week’s blog – ARUBA, I wrote that this island is the most revisited island in the Caribbean, so you don’t fret about choosing where to stay in Aruba, just go back again and again.

Hotel & Resort Stays in Aruba

I was fortunate to have a first-hand look at several different hotels and resort properties while in Aruba, thanks to Patrick and his staff. These properties are located in Palm Beach and Eagle Beach on the island. Here’s a list of their service and amenities.

Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino

The Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino was the very first hotel in Aruba in 1955. Their open-air lobby receives the northeast wind as you enter this gorgeous property. Photographs and historic pieces adorn this hotel to remember its developer and first owner.

They also are the proud owners of the original Aruba Ariba. This island specialty drink can now be found everywhere on the island.

The hotel has over 350 rooms, 32 suites and is sold by view, garden, ocean and deluxe ocean view. All rooms have balconies. The oasis and tranquility I felt walking around this property was ahhhmazing. It is as if you were walking through a quiet tranquil garden.

This hotel and resort also boasts the largest stretch of Palm Beach and have a ton of kids activities normally (COVID has everything on hold right now.) The beach is also a perfect location for a wedding or renewing vows ceremony. Packages are available, if you are interested in an organizing a special event or group trip, let me know.

Dining and Beverage options abound as well. There is also the Lucky Casino on the property and the Sunset Grille or maybe you would like to enjoy a champagne breakfast at the Laguna Restaurant with an endless breakfast buffet.

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Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino

I loved touring the Hyatt. After college, I went to work for the Hyatt in Crystal City, VA, so I have a special place in my heart for this resort. Plus my new friend Farizah is amazing and gave us a great tour! Thank you Farizah.

The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino has 75-85% of their rooms that are ocean views. How cool is that? It was also recently renovated in 2019 and they have recently added an adult-only pool as well as private cabanas (which are amazing.) We were fortunate enough to spend the afternoon in one, be sure to check out the vlog for our lovely stay here. Family cabanas are also available.

There are also over 350 rooms and suites available including full ocean-view suites. For loyalty guests, the Regency Club is available also and provides a level of privacy and amenities too. While we were walking the property, they were setting up for a beach wedding. It looked amazing. Forgot your sunscreen? It’s o.k. they also have this sunscreen mist booth from ©SharkTank available on the beach too.

Umbrellas, beach chairs, and tents are available for guests as well. The Hyatt also has activities every thirty minutes from wine tastings to cooking classes to water sports. They also offer babysitting services! 😳

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

As a Marriott Timesharer and a military spouse, I was excited to visit the Marriott as well. The Stellaris as locals call it, is considered a world-class casino. The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is not all-inclusive, however, they do have the option to create a package that is all-inclusive. There are several amenities included in the package and if you would want a no-brainer vacation this might be the way to go.

There are 24 suites and balconies that are 100 sq. feet. The balconies are amazing. The first floor has garden views and the fifth floor has premium ocean views. This hotel resort also has an adult pool and family pool as well.

TRAVEL TIP: The 8th floor is ADULTS only! AND connecting rooms have bathtubs for families.

Wedding and renewal vow ceremony packages are also available on their beach which has stunning sunsets.

Tamarijn All-Inclusive Beach Resort

A stay in Aruba might include an all-inclusive and if this is your favorite way to sun, sand and surf, you are in luck. My tour of the Tamarijn All-Inclusive Beach Resort was super fun with Ms. Tabitha Fecunda. She is super bubbly and friendly and showed me around the entire resort. Have you ever stayed in an all-inclusive? If you have you know this type of pampering beachside is a delight.

Sandwiched between Divi Beach and Drulf Beach is this two-story resort with 200+ rooms, cabanas, Alacarte restaurants, concierge services, and more. Free shuttle services can take you to other properties, Palm Beach or Oranjestad and the mall is close by for some shopping.

This walk-out oceanfront property is right on the water. Cabanas and beach chairs are for all guests and available on a first-come,first-serve basis.

There are ten restaurants to choose from in all the Tamarijn properties on the island. Their program is reciprocal so you can try several restaurants out during your stay. The Pure Lime Mexican restaurant is open in the evenings and serves Mexican food and Sandpipers bar is located right on the beach, close to your chair. The busiest season for Tamarijn is between January and April. Most people stay 8days/7nights. I can help book this package with your airfare too!

TRAVEL TIP: The Tamarijn also has NETFLIX! Traveling with kiddos this is HUGE!

Aruba Airbnb

Our stay in Aruba this time was in an Airbnb. Sharon our host was amazing! We stayed in Oranjestad, which is the capital city of Aruba but did not feel busy, busy, or crowded.

Our apartment was centrally located to the lagoon, restaurants, the harbor, and within walking distance of the beach. Sharon also asked us if we would be interested in having tour information and of course, I always do! Especially from a local who loves their destination and sharing it. She greeted us with smiles and pastiches and helped us plan our stay in Aruba. I am so grateful to her because we would have missed out on so much if we just stayed close to the beach.

After talking with a few locals they mentioned a few places that Sharon had us visit and they concurred with her great itinerary.

Our apartment had a full kitchen, eat-in area, storage area, and a walk-in shower. Sharon also had a washer and dryer, beach chairs, and access to a quiet beach. Sharon also emphasized personal touch as a host and we were greeted with welcome notes and treats. The apartments are impeccably clean and had parking close by.

Sharon is the consummate host and loves her island. If you stay with her, I promise you will love it. Her recommendations were priceless and her bubbly personality is infectious.

So how will you stay in Aruba?

Are you excited to plan a trip to Aruba? I can help with that too. Whether you decide to choose a Caribbean Cruise or Land tour I am happy to help. You can CONTACT ME here.

I hope this blog gives you an idea of places to stay around the island. Let me know in the comments below if you have been or have a favorite stay as well.

My next piece will be on Where to eat in Aruba and then What to do? Our nine-day stay in Aruba was filled with so much information, there’s no way I could fit it all in one blog.

See you soon and remember!