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  Blog

2018 Guide to Aruba's Top-Rated Accommodations

Jul 18, 2018

Jennifer Jongema

Whether traveling to Aruba with friends, family, or a romantic partner, the One Happy Island has the perfect accommodations to suit your needs.

Whenever someone asks me what accommodations I recommend for their upcoming Aruba vacation, I’m usually at a loss for words. I have no clue what to tell them!

I just answer their question with another question: what are you looking for in your vacation? Once I know the answer to this, the fun can begin!

Whether it’s a family vacation, romantic getaway, a girls’ trip, a solo adventure… You will find the perfect home away from home at one of the best places to stay in Aruba. There are so many great Caribbean accommodations to choose from, it can get a little overwhelming sometimes, but worry not!

This blog post should make choosing your upcoming vacation spot a lot easier.

Aerial shot of Mangel Halto Beach in Aruba

Where Should I Stay When Visiting Aruba?

Before you can pick a specific hotel, apartment or condo, you have to decide what accommodation type is right for you. As mentioned before, the first step is to determine what you want your vacation to be.

Do you want to be catered to around the clock while lounging by the pool all day? You can, nobody can tell you otherwise, you’re on vacation! Just remember to flip over every now and again for an even tan.

Maybe you’re the adventurous type who intends on spending as little time at your accommodation as possible. There’s a place for you in Aruba. Family reunion coming up? No problem, get the whole squad together without sacrificing privacy.

When we say there is something for everyone, we mean it. In the sections below, we’ll break down Aruba’s most popular accommodation types for you.

Aerial shot of the Barceló Aruba during daytime.

All-Inclusive

If you like spending a fair amount of time roaming your resort, an all-inclusive resort is perfect. With most expenses being taken care of beforehand, your vacation will be a worry-free experience.

Aruba has plenty of all-inclusive resorts to choose from. Contrary to popular belief, not all all-inclusive properties are the same. Not in Aruba! Each one offers a unique experience.

Here are a few examples of some of the best all-inclusive places to stay in Aruba:

Garden area around the resort.

Hotels & Resorts

If you want all the conveniences of staying at a resort, but you’re planning on eating out and exploring a lot of Aruba beyond your accommodation, the rest of our hotels and resorts are the perfect option for you.

From family friendly to adults only, you are sure to find a property to fit your needs.

These are some resorts that are definitely worth looking into:

Image of Bubali Bliss Studios

Vacation Rentals

To me, the best part about picking a vacation rental is the wide variety of options to choose from.

You can find a place to accommodate the entire family, or just yourself.

Here are some great vacation rental options:

Interior of ocean view room at the Aruba Beach Club Resort

Timeshares

If you’re a timeshare owner, chances are, you’re sticking with your tried and true home away from home in Aruba every year.

If you’re not an owner, but you want a taste of the timeshare experience, you can very easily rent a week from an owner, or even stay at a timeshare resort if they have available rooms. Check out our forum for owners renting their weeks!

These are a few of our popular timeshare resorts in some of the best places in Aruba:

Aerial shot of The Ritz-carlton Aruba at daytime.

Luxury

For those craving a luxurious getaway, Aruba has some great options.

Who doesn’t like being pampered in a fully equipped suite while admiring the beautiful turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea from the balcony?

If that sounds like a dream to you, check out these properties:

Aruba by Cruise

A cruise ship is practically a floating hotel, if you have a window or balcony in your cabin, you are guaranteed to have an ocean view!

Booked an interior cabin? No problem, just walk to an outside deck and you can enjoy the view as well.

If you’re cruising to Aruba, you have so many premier cruise lines to choose from, here are some examples:

How to Pick the Right Accommodations to Create the Perfect Vacation

With so many different accommodation types, figuring out where to stay in Aruba can get a little overwhelming, but trust us, there’s a method to the madness.

In the following paragraphs, we will break down a few of your favorite reasons to travel and which Aruba accommodations complement them beautifully. 

Seating area in the garden at Blue Residences.

Adventure Vacations

If your traveling to Aruba to become one with nature and explore the tranquil island’s adventurous side, consider a vacation rental. If you’re into adventure, chances are, you may be renting a vehicle to access all of the island’s adventure hot spots.

This also gives you the flexibility to stay anywhere in Aruba! As some vacation rentals are in beautiful off the beaten path locations, this could be a great option for you.

Here’s where you can find them:

Couple enjoying a green beverage in Aruba

Romance Vacations

Treat yourselves! Stay at a hotel or resort on the island. There’s nothing more romantic than arriving at your cozy rose petal decorated hotel room!

Be sure to check which hotels have romance packages, they can really make your trip that much more special.

Couples, have a look at these hotels and resorts:

Culture Vacations

The best way to be immersed in Aruba’s culture is to chat with the locals. How to get in touch with them? By living among them!

Vacation rentals are the way to go. Check out Airbnb to find more hidden gems in local neighborhoods.

Spa chairs overlooking the pool area and resort,

Wellness Vacations

If you’re planning on coming to Aruba to unwind, recharge and focus on your health, wellbeing, and happiness.

Consider staying at an all-inclusive hotel, or a hotel with an all-inclusive package.

Go ahead, spend an entire day at the spa, you’ve earned it:

Lounge Area at Sea Breeze Apartment in Aruba

Eat & Drink Vacations

So many restaurants, such little time. There are more than 250 eateries on our happy island.

Opt for a small cozy vacation rental, save money on amenities and spend it all on transportation and delicious meals!

A new restaurant every day? Yes, please:

Pool with jacuzzi at resort.

Family Vacations

Taking the entire clique on a trip? Wondering where to stay in Aruba with family? Try a timeshare rental.

Timeshares are spacious, comfortable and they often come with a kitchen so you can practice your home cooked Aruban family meals:

Interior of the Ocean View Penthouse Bedroom overlooking the ocean.

Adult Vacations  

Traveling without the kids this time around?

Be sure to check out some of Aruba’s great adults only hotels or luxury resorts:

Couple wedding day on the beach.

Weddings

Aruba is the perfect location for a destination wedding. Not only are there beautiful beaches and landscapes that serve as amazing venues, the romantic accommodation options are endless.

A nice luxury beach front hotel is the perfect place to start your lives together:

Honeymoons

This really depends on the kind of couple you are. If you’re looking to enjoy a relaxing romantic trip or one packed with fun adventures, you’re guaranteed to find some of the best places to stay in Aruba for couples.

Cruise honeymoons are also very popular. If you pick an itinerary that includes the One happy island, you’re sure to have a great time.

Vacation Packages

Our Deals & Offers page is the best destination to find hotels offering fantastic vacation packages.

There are some hotels that consistently offer fantastic (all- inclusive) packages.

Top-Rated Things to Do in Aruba

Now that we’ve got the accommodations down, it’s time to think about some fun activities you can enjoy here.

In the following section, a bunch of Aruba’s must-try activities will be outlined.

Beaches

Those of you who have been to Aruba before know. Each and every one of the island’s beaches are one of a kind. Every second spent on a beach here, is a delight.

From the sound of the gentle waves crashing onto the shore, to the smell of the ocean, you cannot leave Aruba without having enjoyed a beach day!

Visit these beaches, and you’ll understand why everyone loves them so much:

Water sports activities at Vela Aruba

Waterfun

While you’re at the beach, be sure to try out some of the many water activities available. From kayaking and paddle boarding to parasailing and kitesurfing, you can do it all.

These are some companies that can help you get your waterfun on:

Land Activities

An adventurous hike through the Arikok National Park, or an informative island tour. There are so many land activities in Aruba to enjoy!

Here are some examples of activities that that don’t require getting your feet wet:

Iguana Cantina front view with signs and iguana on the wall in Aruba,

Restaurants

Not many people know this, but Aruba is a great destination for culinary vacations. There is a great dining selection for everyone. From steaks to vegan options, you can find it all.

Be sure to visit our page listing Aruba’s most prominent cuisine types.

Below, you’ll find some great restaurants that are definitely worth a try:

Sopranos Piano Bar in Aruba

Nightlife

The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down! Try taking a stroll around the Palm Beach area. There are lots of fun things to do.

Catch a movie, try your luck at the casino, get some drinks with old friends or meet new ones!

Here’s some great places to visit after dark:

Aruba Summer Music Festival 2018

Shopping

Go shopping in Aruba and bring home something for your friends, family, or just keep the loot to yourself!

One of my favorite stores to admire and buy locally crafted souvenirs is Cosecha in San Nicolas and Oranjestad. Downtown Oranjestad is the place to be for great fashion and jewelry as well!

Here are some fun shopping areas you can visit:

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Events

Discover Aruba’s great selection of exciting events to go to. There’s always something going on here in Aruba, because if there’s one thing Arubans like, it’s a good time! From music to sports or dining, there’s something for everyone.

Check out our Blog post on Upcoming Events in Aruba to read more about events in Aruba or have a look at our Calendar of Events.

Book Your Trip Today!

See? Finding your perfect Aruba accommodation isn’t so hard after all. Now that you know what your options are, you’re ready to book!

Check out the Deals & Offers page for discounts and special rates.

Aruba is waiting for you!

Tags

Accommodations, Hotels, Resorts, Vacation Rentals, where to stay, Apartments, Condo

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