My sister and I spent two weeks over Christmas at Aruba Vacation Park (Aruba Haystack Villas) adjacent to Hooiberg and easily accessible to both ends of the island. We stayed in a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house with a direct view of Hooiberg. We highly recommend the Park to visitors to Aruba looking for peace and old-fashioned Aruban beauty. It is owned and managed by Louis and Ans van Galen who live at the entrance to the Park and are immediately available for questions or assistance. They maintain excellent security, and you always feel safe. The entire Park is spotlessly clean, as was our house which was fully furnished including linens and all kitchenware. The houses are very pretty and comfortable and laid out in a way that you can see your neighbors, but maintain your privacy. The community pool is well-sized and has both shade and sun. The other guests were quiet and respectful of one another – no rowdy neighbors! The landscaping is lovely using typical Aruban plantings and white gravel. In the morning, we sat on our shaded porch, reading or having breakfast while watching the birds flit from flowers to cacti: parakeets, parrots, bananaquits, and others we couldn't name. And of course always the ubiquitous lizards speeding across the gravel.

Those who want air conditioning can have it, since each room has its own individual airco. We preferred to keep the house open to enjoy the Aruban breezes. Although we never used them, there is a television, and wi-fi connections are available in each unit.

The owners can meet you at the airport, arrange for a car rental, and stock basic groceries for your arrival. There is a small grocery store with limited stock within walking distance of the Park, and the center of Santa Cruz with boticas, a gas station, a larger supermarket, and a post office is just up the street. All staffed in the usual friendly Aruban style.

The complex consists of 20 houses and several apartments and is about 10 minutes from the airport, 15 minutes from Oranjestad and 20 minutes to Baby Beach in the other direction. We grew up in Aruba and this reminds us of the Aruba we knew in the 1950's and 1960's.