All Articles Our go-to guide to Aruba hotels

Our go-to guide to Aruba hotels

We break it down—five hotels for every personality.

Mariette Williams
By Mariette Williams28 Mar 2024 5 minutes read
Aerial view of beach at Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort Aruba
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort
Image: Courtesy of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort Aruba

Aruba has a ton to offer travelers, from picturesque beaches and a colorful waterfront district to a unique food scene influenced by the country’s Dutch, Spanish, and African heritage. Its natural landscape is also incredibly diverse—on a single trip, you can relax on the award-winning Palm Beach or Eagle Beach, take a day trip to see the island’s famous flamingos, and soak in the island’s natural limestone pools. Bonus: Temps hover around 80 degrees on this island outside the hurricane belt, making it a great destination year-round.

There’s something here for everyone, which means there are lots of different accommodations, too. From amenity-laden family resorts to chic budget-friendly boutique hotels, here are five hotels to consider based on your travel style.

For the whole family: Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

Family playing on the beach at Aruba Marriott Resort
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

Located on a stretch of white sand on Palm Beach, Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino has more than 400 rooms, so your crew can book adjoining rooms or spread out and make the central pool your meeting point. It has a waterfall and grotto, which is a magnet for kids, and there are complimentary kids' activities like sand castle making, arts and crafts, and a scavenger hunt.

Room scene: Standard rooms start at 400 square feet, but we’d recommend the one-bedroom suites, which have spacious living rooms and pull-out couches. (The resort also offers cribs and the option to add a rollaway bed.) Not every room has a great view, so ask for one facing the beach when you book.

Restaurant report: With more than six on-site restaurants, you could eat at a different spot every night. Options range from steaks at Ruth Chris Steakhouse to Creole red snapper at the beachfront Atardi. Mercàt has Mediterranean bites (and coloring books to keep kids busy) and The Lobby has fresh sushi and sashimi every night. Every restaurant here has a dedicated kids menu, too.

Don’t miss: Reserving a palapa (thatched beach hut) where you can request food service with just a click of a button.

Who should go: Families who want a laid-back beach vacation.

For wellness seekers: Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa

Yoga Deck at Manchebo Beach Resort, Aruba
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

At Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa, you’re sure to leave feeling more refreshed than when you landed. Amenities include complimentary daily yoga and pilates classes, and the Spa del Sol has cabanas for two so you can have a breezy outdoor couples massage with your friend or partner. Though the hotel is on Eagle Beach, one of Aruba’s most popular beaches, it doesn’t feel crowded and the thatched roof buildings and palm-lined paths give it a tucked-away feel. While the resort welcomes kids, the quiet property is more suited for adults.

Room scene: The rooms are as calm and serene as the beach outside. Cream-colored walls complement the sleek wood furniture and each room has a pool or garden view. Great for longer stays, the one-bedroom suites have a kitchenette and a separate living area.

Restaurant report: For a boutique hotel (only 72 rooms!), the hotel has four restaurants, which accommodate all types of dietary restrictions. Dig into vegan lentil steaks at The Chophouse or stop by the beachside Pega Pega for a vitamin-packed smoothie or tofu poke bowl. Set aside a night and bring your appetite to the four-course, chef-led sushi menu at Omakase. (Note: The resort also offers an all-inclusive option which includes three a la carte meals per day and an open bar.)

Don’t miss: The extensive vegan menu (some of the best on the island) at Ike’s Bistro. My favorites are the lemongrass carrot ginger soup, truffle porcini, and crispy tofu.

Who should go: Road warriors feeling the burnout.

For a romantic holiday: Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort

Dining on the beach at Bucuti & Ta ra Beach Resort Aruba
Image: Courtesy of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort Aruba

The Bucati & Tara Beach Resort overlooks Eagle Beach and specializes in vacations for two with services like private beach dinners, couples massages, and a romance concierge that creates romantic itineraries stacked with activities on and off the resort. The serene, adults-only spot prioritizes guests’ privacy (the SandBar restaurant is closed to the public) and the only music you’ll hear here is the nightly steel-pan band on the beach.

Room scene: There are only 104 rooms at this intimate resort, and the upgraded ocean-view rooms are the best for watching the sun set off your balcony. Each room also comes with an iPad so you can communicate in real-time with the hotel concierge to arrange romantic experiences like a sunset picnic accompanied by a beach butler.

Restaurant report: There are two restaurants on-site to enjoy: Elements Restaurant and the casual, poolside SandBar. Your stay comes with a complimentary breakfast (eggs and omelets to order, fresh fruit, and pastries) at Elements, but the restaurant’s most popular offering is the six-course meal for two served in a private beachside cabana.

Don’t miss: Cozy up on Saturdays and Wednesdays for beachfront movie nights. Rom coms are the go-to screening, and there’s popcorn and beverage service.

Who should go: Couples who want a quiet hideaway with few distractions.

For foodies: The Ritz Carlton, Aruba

Dining at sunset at The Ritz - Carlton, Aruba
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

I usually recommend that travelers venture out of their resort for the best food, but at The Ritz Carlton Aruba, you have access to some of the best restaurants on the island. The hotel is a splurge, but it’s also away from the crowds on the quiet, northern end of Palm Beach, and the service is top-notch. There are six restaurants and bars, 24-hour room service, and during the day, food is delivered to the pool and beach on segways.

Room scene: Rooms are bright and airy with lots of space to spread out, and every room comes with a balcony (suites have guaranteed ocean views). Club-level rooms include access to a lounge with complimentary snacks like local coconut rum cake and drinks all day.

Restaurant report: Let’s get to why you’re here: the resort’s restaurants. Casa Nonna features delicate handmade pasta like duck tortellini and an extensive wine menu. At BLT Steak, dine on aged porterhouse steaks and braised short ribs. Located in the lobby, Divi Sushi Lounge is a great happy hour spot for specialty sushi rolls, and if you still have room, you can grab a cup of homemade pistachio gelato at Ritual Coffee Culture. For the ultimate experience, book a Dinner on the Beach, where you can work with chefs to create a special four-course meal.

Don’t miss: The beachside pop-up bar that serves custom-made cocktails from 11 a.m. to 6 pm. Ask for a piña colada mixed with your favorite fruit and have it served up in fresh coconut or pineapple.

Who should go: Adventurous foodies and families who want lots of options.

For budget-minded travelers: Wonders Boutique Hotel

Swi mming pool at Wonders Boutique Hotel, Aruba
Image: Management/Tripadvisor

The charming, adults-only Wonders Boutique Hotel is just a 10-minute drive from Palm Beach and Eagle Beach (there’s a complimentary drop-off service) and has a courtyard pool lined with loungers. Located in a residential area just a 15-minute walk from Oranjestad, the hotel puts you close to nightlife and daytime attractions.

Room scene: Choose from 11 cozy rooms, each uniquely decorated with local art, and comfortable, eclectic furniture. The two-story property is a former family home and no two rooms are the same. Upgrading to a superior room gets you a small eating area and a private terrace overlooking the swimming pool.

Restaurant report: Though the hotel doesn’t have a dedicated restaurant, there’s a homemade breakfast served every morning in the courtyard at an extra charge. It's also within walking distance of some of the best restaurants in Oranjestad. You can ask the front desk for recs, but you can’t go wrong with Lima Bistro and Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar and Restaurant—both a 20-minute stroll from the hotel.

Don’t miss: The complimentary beach gear (chairs, snorkel gear, and beach towels) provided by the hotel.

Who should go: Adventurous solo travelers and friends who like exploring on foot.

Mariette Williams
Mariette Williams is a freelance writer in South Florida who covers travel, culture, books and wellness. When she's not traveling, you’ll find her lost in a good book. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.