Guide to Best Places to Stay in Aruba
Whether traveling to Aruba with friends, family, or a romantic partner, the One Happy Island has the perfect accommodations to suit your needs.
Whether it’s a family vacation, romantic getaway, a girls’ trip, or 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 Aruba accommodations to choose from, it can get a little overwhelming sometimes, but don't worry! This blog post should make choosing your upcoming Carribean vacation spot a lot easier.
Where to stay in Aruba?
Before you 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 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 then 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 by booking accommodation at one of our family hotels and resorts.
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.
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. Each one offers a unique experience.
Here are a few examples of some of the best all-inclusive places to stay in Aruba:
· Holiday Inn Aruba Beach Resort & Casino
Hotels & Resorts
Where to stay in Aruba when 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 following hotels and resorts are a perfect option! 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:
· Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort
· Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino
· Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
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:
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:
· Caribbean Palm Village Resort
Luxury
For those craving a luxurious getaway, there are some Aruba vacation spots that will match your needs.
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 Marriott Resort & Stelllaris Casino
· Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino
Aruba by Cruise
A cruise ship is practically a floating hotel. It’s one of the best places to stay in Aruba, if you ask me. 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 best place to stay in Aruba?
With so many different accommodation types, figuring out where to stay in Aruba can get a little overwhelming, but trust me, there’s a method to the madness.
In the following paragraphs, I will break down a few of your favorite reasons to travel and which Aruba accommodations complement them beautifully.
Active Vacations
If you're 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 the best area to stay in Aruba.
Here’s where you can find them:
Romance Vacations
Treat yourselves! Stay at a couples' 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:
· Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba
· Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
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.
Wellness Vacations
Are you planning on coming to Aruba to unwind, recharge and focus on your health, wellbeing, and happiness? Then 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:
· Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive
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! Food lovers, take a look at these Aruba vacations spots:
· Vistalmar Ocean View Apartments
Family Vacations
Taking the entire clique on a trip? Wondering where to stay in Aruba with the 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. Take a look at perfect Aruba accommodations for families:
Adult Vacations
Traveling without the kids this time around? Find out the best places to stay in Aruba when you are in need of some peace and quiet!
Be sure to check out some of Aruba’s great adults only hotels or luxury resorts:
· Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino (Ocean Suites)
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, isn’t it?
· Aruba Marriott & Stellaris Casino
· Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort
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. Enjoy, for example, one of the best caribbean all inclusive honeymoons in one of our all inclusive resorts or choose for a little more privacy in a luxurious vacation rental.
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 on your honeymoon.
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. I can highly recommend having a look!
Aruba may be small, but the island is diverse at the same time. There are many different places to stay, and of course you want to stay in the best area. So, what is the best area to stay in Aruba? Well, I made you a list!
· Oranjestad
Oranjestad is a unique blend of old and new. This combination makes the capital city of Aruba a charming place to stay. Also, there are a lot of things to do around here. You can find here restaurants, cafes, lounges and a sparkling nightlife.
· San Nicolas City
Do you want to get away from the glitz and the glam? Then this might be the perfect place for you! San Nicolas offers iconic beaches far away from the big and luxurious resorts.
· Noord
You can find Noord on the Northern side of the island. In the area of Noord Aruba, there will never be a shortage of adventures to go on. No matter which accommodation type you pick, you will always be close to the best activities the area has to offer.
· Santa Cruz
Are you a nature lover? Santra Cruz is the perfect place for you! While about half of this district consists of family neighborhoods, grocery stores, and local restaurants, bakeries, and shops, the eastern side is dominated by Arikok National Park.
· Paradera
Paradera is one of the smaller areas on the island. It has a unique landscape, but Paradera is also known for its good restaurants.
· Savaneta
Savaneta is also known as ‘village at the sea’. The rustic charisma and laid back vibe of this community beckons islanders looking for a casual retreat from their busy lives. Do you already see yourself, laying on a calm quiet beach?
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
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:
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:
· UTV Adventures by Fofoti Tours
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:
· Matthews Beachside Restaurant
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:
· Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant
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:
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 plan your visit to the beautiful island of Aruba.
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
