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Accommodations in Aruba

The accommodations you'll find in Aruba are sure to please

Photo credit: © roger4336

Aruba is not only home to unique rock formations, but a variety of lodgings for island guests as well. Despite the abundance of rooming options, plan to reserve your accommodations far in advance in order to nab the best deal. Resorts – and rates – in Aruba are competitive, with each hotel trying to outdo the others.

In Aruba, the wide variety of options are sure to accommodate any traveler's needs. When you're ready to seek out the room that's right for you, take advantage of all the work we've already done for you. You can search for your favorite activity or amenity in the Best Hotels For section, select only the top-notch resorts from our Star Ratings, or even browse an alphabetical listing of island lodgings in our Hotels: A to Z directory. As soon as you find a property that interests you, click on the hotel's name and you'll be able to review a more in-depth description of location, style, and amenities.

Location

When you're planning where to stay in Aruba, location plays a primary role. You want to be close enough to all of the attractions you want to see, the hubs for any activities you want to participate in, and of course, the beach. Vacationers should be aware that most of accommodations are located on the west side of the island, mostly in three main areas: Malmok Beach, Palm Beach, and Oranjestad.

Malmok Beach, which is on the northwest coast, is a great location for guests who are interested in spending a lot of time participating in watersports. The Arashi Underwater Park is located in the area, as is Aruba Beach Villas, which offers guest free windsurfing, kayaking, and snorkeling equipment to use during their stay.

Just south of Malmok is Palm Beach. The area surrounding Palm Beach is known for being one of the busiest sections of Aruba, and plenty of opportunity to participate in watersports abounds here as well. Many of the accommodations in this area are sprawling resorts with bonus attractions such as casinos. Examples include Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Holiday Inn Sunspree Aruba Beach & Casino, and Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino.

Further down on the map in southern Aruba is Oranjestad, the capital city. This city takes pride in its Dutch influences, with plenty of Dutch architecture for the eye to see. Guests will be able to choose from rental properties such as Aruba Harmony Apartments, sprawling resorts such as the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, and luxury hotels like Talk of the Town that has accommodations for your average vacationer and business traveler alike.

If you plan to book your accommodations on-line, keep in mind that many of the sites that allow you to book on-line will list a hotel as being in a large city, when in fact it is only nearby. Make sure you confirm that your choice is actually where the second party web site says it will be.

For more details about the lay of the land in Aruba, visit our Map of Aruba, which not only shows you an image of the island, but provides you with a rundown of what attractions you can find in each locale.

Types of Accommodations

Hotels

All-inclusive resorts appeal to vacationers because it allows them to pay one set rate for all of their amenities, and not have to worry about money for the duration of their trip. Some all-inclusives offer the total package, which includes lodging, food, beverages, activities, transportation, and entertainment, while others are less inclusive, only offering meal plans. Both high-rise and low-rise hotels in Aruba can be all-inclusive. Families and large groups find all-inclusive resorts to be the best option for them, because no one has to worry about splitting up the check, and there are many different meal and activity options to keep everyone satisfied. But all-inclusives aren't the only lodging options on the island. There are a number of your typical hotels, with rooms, attentive staffs, and plenty of on-site amenities. The only difference is, you pay for your meals and activities.

Condos & Villa Rentals

There are several accommodations options that cater to those seeking a less commercial approach to lodgings. Guest houses and villas in particular offer a more personal at-home ambiance, making it feel as though you live in Aruba, are perfect for vacationers who prefer the freedom of stocking their pantries and cooking their own meals, cleaning up after themselves, and who desire a little bit more privacy than what is offered at a hotel. If your travels to Aruba will keep you on the island for a month or more, you may find renting an apartment to be more cost-effective, and if you travel to the island on an annual basis, a time-share might be something you consider as well. Click here to read more about condos and villas in Aruba.

Camping and Eco-Tourism

Vacationers with a mind for ecological conservation can participate in various eco-friendly activities and accommodations in Aruba. Spelunking, off-road safaris, and diving are some of the many eco-activities available on the island. Travelers who enjoy the idea of striking out on their own and setting up camp can do so in Arikok National Park. If you aren't interested in pitching a tent, but still indent to experience and eco-friendly vacation, "green" hotels provide an ecological alternative to the ritzier resorts. Read more abut camping and eco-tourism in Aruba here.

Personal Considerations

Anyone planning a big vacation knows that there are a number of things you have to consider when choosing your accommodations, especially if you are traveling with a group. How many people you travel with, your island interests, and the length of your stay will all affect where you choose to stay.

Party Size

The size of the group you're traveling with may make a difference in where you will stay. Couples headed out on a romantic get-away will want to choose a hotel with an intimate atmosphere, like the Arubian Inn in Oranjestad, which has less than 20 rooms on property and an exclusive honeymoon package. Adults going on a group vacation who plan to get rowdy will want to stick to an adult friendly resort, such as the Bucati on Eagle Beach. Although this resort is not adults-only, they staff strongly discourages guests from bringing children under the age of 18 with them to the resort. Other than this hotel, Aruba's accommodations tend to be very family-friendly, so if you're traveling with young children you will not have trouble finding a place to stay. Many locations have kids clubs, special play grounds, and daily activities that kids will enjoy. Divi Dutch Village in Oranjestad is one such location. Finally, if you are traveling with a large group, a villa, condo, or hotel with suites will make for the best option.

Interests

The activities you plan to participate in when you visit Aruba may make a difference in where you want to stay. If you want to spend your days exploring the top sites, a hotel in any of the large cities like Oranjestad and Palm Beach will put you right in the thick of things. Oranjestad is also a great locale for vacationers interested in fishing, and it is also the place to go for a hopping nightlife. If you're hoping to hit it big in one of Aruba's casinos, stay in Palm Beach or Eagle Beach, and if the beaches are calling your name, these locales have some of the best beaches on the island.

Length of Stay

The longer you plan to stay in Aruba, the more your choice of lodgings will change. Most vacationers head to the island for less than a week, and will find that their best options reside in the hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts. On the other hands, those planning extended stays may find that they are move comfortable in a rental villa or condo, where they enjoy privacy, independence, and the ability to cook their own meals.

Quality

...a wide range of options...

One of the things to keep in mind when reviewing accommodations based upon their star ratings is that a high price does not always indicate a high-end locale. Travelers who set a budget can often find a wide range of options in various ratings to choose from. Know that at Aruba Guide, our star rankings were developed independent of pricing, but based on a variety of other qualifications.

One and Two Stars

The accommodations rated with zero to one star in Aruba are typically the locations that do not offer a lot of extra amenities to guests. If you're main focus is to arrive on the island, drop of your luggage, and spend all of your time exploring, this option may be just fine for you. A bonus is that these lodgings are typically less expensive, though some lower rated spots may cost you a pretty penny because of its location near a top attraction, the airport, or if it is situated right on the beach. Expect to pay between $60 and $115(USD) for 1 star resorts, such as the Aruba Blue Village and Coconut Inn.

Most 2 Star accommodations still are not big on extra amenities, but may offer a friendly staff and more spacious rooms than the 1 star locales. In Aruba the 2 Star hotels are pretty spread out, including Paradise Beach Villas in Eagle Beach and Camacuri Apartments in Oranjestad. These hotels typically cost between $90 and $150(USD).

Three Stars

Three Star accommodations are your middle of the road option. These often have the best amenities for the price, which is also typically right in the mid-range of most vacationers budgets. At a 3 Star property, you can expect the structure and décor to be pretty high quality, the staff to be friendly and knowledgeable in their field, and some extra activities included in the price, such as non-motorized water sports. At Oceana Residences, vacationers will find apartment style lodgings in an array of options (from studios to two bedroom/two bathroom properties), while Talk of the Town is an intimate locale with queen or king-sized beds in the rooms, and Westin Resort & Casino is a large resort with an all-inclusive option. Each of these rates at between 2.5 and 3 Stars, yet offers an entirely different type of lodging for between $120 and $600(USD) per night.

Four Stars

In Aruba, the 3.5 to 4 Star accommodation options are plentiful, though interestingly, many are located in Palm Beach. These properties may not be the top of the line option, but they come pretty close. Spacious rooms, luxury appointments, and extras like barbecue grills at Playa Linda, and scuba lessons at Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino are common at the 4 Star locations. Expect to spend anywhere between $200 and $1000(USD) per night.

Five Stars

For the best of the best, you'll want to stay in at a 5 Star property. First rate service, luxurious linens, impeccable décor, and extras like personal butlers, four poster beds, and activities included in the cost of the room. At this time, we have not rated any five stars in Aruba, but check back for future updates in this area.

Hotel Search

Now that you have determined which type of lodgings are required for you during your Aruba vacation, visit our advanced hotel search tool, which allows you to search for hotels that match your preferences. You can also search for hotels that have rooms available during your preferred travel dates. This tool can also be used to make your reservations.

With so many great accommodation choices throughout the island of Aruba, you'll never have any trouble finding your place in paradise.

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