Aruba Hotels and Resorts: Accommodations Guide to All Inclusive, Luxury, Mid-Priced, Budget Hotels in Aruba

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Aruba

Hotels

Aruba is no stranger to the high-rise all-inclusive resort craze and there are plenty to choose from, with a few brand-new options, spa resorts, and private villas thrown in. That said, some intimate, less-pretentious hotels can still be found on less-crowded beaches and in tucked-away coves. While most reputable properties are on the expensive side, especially in the winter months, the off-season (mid-April through mid-December) often finds hotel rates slashed by up to 50%. If you prefer to be in the thick of things, plan on staying at one of larger resorts found on Palm Beach, or at one of the few in Oranjestad.

One of our favorite luxury mainstays is the Bucuti Beach Resort (L.G. Smith Blvd. 55B; 297/583-1100; www.bucuti.com), a classy, eco-minded hotel on a quiet stretch of Eagle Beach with a mostly adult clientele. Elegant rooms are done up in creamy hues with cherry-wood furnishings – the best units have an oceanfront terrace or balcony – and its first-class spa and on-site Pirates' Nest Restaurant, are two of its other draws. For secluded opulence, reserve your own private villa at the 4-star Tierra del Sol Aruba Resort & Country Club (Malmokweg; 800/992-2015; www.tierradelsol.com), an exclusive community boasting a championship golf course, pools, restaurant, and a spa, set on 600 acres on the island's northern tip. The sophisticated villas have furnished patios or balconies, chic furnishings, kitchens with dishwashers, and washers/dryers. The latest all-inclusive luxury resort, the Occidental Grand Aruba (J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 83; 800/858-2258; www.occidentalhotels.com), sits on Palm Beach and attracts a sophisticated crowd; the elegant rooms feature tile and marble floors, dark-wood armoires and headboards, and private terraces. The Marriott Aruba Ocean Club (L.G. Smith Blvd. 99; 297/586-9000; www.marriott.com) has the best spa in town – an Indonesian-style oasis with rejuvenating treatments highlighting the invigorating and exfoliating properties of Aruba's aloe and Bonaire's salt; the smart one- and two-bedroom suites come with full kitchens and oceanfront balconies.

For an appealing mid-priced option, The Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort (J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 252; 800/932-6509; www.amsterdammanor.com) is a boutique gem nestled on Eagle Beach with charming Dutch-colonial embellishments like gabled roofs and turrets. Rooms feature European cabinetry and furnishings, plus balconies or patios with courtyard or ocean views. Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa (J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 55; 800/223-1108; www.manchebo.com) is an excellent-value beach boutique set on a pristine stretch of sand with a first-rate spa and rooms with fine Indonesian-style furniture, private patios or balconies, and flat-screen TVs. The Westin Aruba (J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 77; 877/822-2222; www.westin.com), with its Casablanca Casino, sits on a spectacular stretch of Palm Beach where all rooms overlook the ocean; its updated units boast new marble baths and flat-screen TVs.

For the best budget digs, La Cabana Villas (J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 250; 800/835-7193;www.lacabanaaruba.com) offers studios and suites – great for groups and families – with lots of amenities; most units face the courtyard or pool area, and all come with dark-wood furniture, kitchens or kitchenettes, bamboo accents, and floral prints. The Talk of the Town Hotel Beach Club (L.G. Smith Blvd. 2; 297/582-3380; www.tottaruba.com), with its tropically adorned rooms complete with fridge, microwave, and coffeemake, is a long-standing island favorite among returning Europeans; its well-equipped beach club across the street features a strand of chairs, umbrellas, towels, and a snack bar for residents.