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The Best Luxury Hotels in Aruba, the Caribbean

Enjoy miles of white-sand beaches and year-round sunshine from one of the best resorts in Aruba
Enjoy miles of white-sand beaches and year-round sunshine from one of the best resorts in Aruba | Courtesy of Aruba Ocean Villas / Expedia

Surrounded by expanses of aqua-blue sea, this tiny Dutch island draws devoted travelers with mile upon mile of white-sand beaches and year-round sunshine. Small wonder it is the most visited island in the southern Caribbean, made for hanging out on the beach, trying out new water sports and heading home with a tan. The hotel scene is booming – so if you want to make the most of your next vacation, consider these top luxury resorts in Aruba.

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba

Hotel

An aerial view of the blue outdoor pool, palm trees, sandy beach, turquoise sea and white buildings at Riu Palace Aruba All Inclusive
Courtesy of Riu Palace Aruba All Inclusive / Expedia

Slap bang in the high-rise zone, on tree-lined Palm Beach, the Riu Palace attracts everyone from honeymooners to families, all attracted by its spacious rooms, swimming pools (there are two, one with a swim-up bar), casino and spa. Its distinctive domes and turrets make it a landmark, and the exuberant character continues with crystal chandeliers, a stained-glass ceiling and zebra-print on the lobby’s soft furnishings. Buy an all-inclusive package, including meals, drinks, snacks and 24-hour room service – you’ll also have access to the gym, beach volleyball, paddle surfing, diving and kayaking, should you overdo it at the buffet.

Aruba Ocean Villas

Villa

A private pool with sunbeds, and a thatched cabana with a hammock, at Aruba Ocean Villas
Courtesy of Aruba Ocean Villas / Expedia

Picture the epitome of tropical paradise, and you’ve got Aruba’s only overwater and beach villas at Aruba Ocean Villas, in the old historic capital of Savaneta. It’s a small town, so there isn’t much to do apart from sunbathe and admire the stunning Caribbean. Spacious thatch-roofed, wooden-decked bungalows defer to the secluded, tropical location, its romantic allure enhanced by hammocks, freestanding bathtubs and a spa. With a barefoot beachfront restaurant, Old Man and the Sea, doing the likes of lobster and shrimp scampi, there’s no need to leave. Nonetheless, should you so desire, activities can be organized by the concierge.

Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

A variety of seating and potted palms in the lobby at Boardwalk Boutique Hotel
Courtesy of Boardwalk Boutique Hotel / Expedia

Couples and families who like their independence love the laid-back atmosphere at the Boardwalk Boutique Hotel, which is welcoming from the outset with its orange-and-turquoise color scheme. Family-run by Belgian twins (and their dog, Lola), the exclusive property covers the grounds of a former coconut plantation: a perfect place to switch off and sink into traditional, relaxed island living.The 46 spacious casitas all have a patio and hammock, and there’s a hot tub, pool and comfy loungers if you’re too chillaxed to make it to the beach. A proper hidden gem, this boutique hotel attracts easygoing travelers who don’t need a casino and swim-up bar: the weekly back-garden rum-punch party is all that’s required.

Ritz-Carlton, Aruba

Hotel

An aerial view of the outdoor pool, sunbeds, palm trees, white sand beach and turquoise sea at the Ritz-Carlton in Aruba
Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton / Expedia

An impressive driveway, a bright-yellow exterior and a turreted roof set the scene for one of Aruba’s most impressive hotels: 320 international-class rooms with five-star furnishings and fittings, and one of the largest spas on the island, with 13 treatment rooms. If you’re feeling really flush, upgrade to Club (and its impressive views from the seventh-floor lounge). Other perks include a 24/7 casino and two pools, removed from the thrum of Palm Beach. Should you want sea breezes, try the hotel’s private strip, where waiters are at your beck and call on.

Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino

Resort

The outdoor pool and palm trees, with the sea in the distance, at Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino
Courtesy of Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino / Expedia

Much loved by couples, families and business travelers, the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino delights a diverse crowd with its adult-only pool, kids’ club and various places to eat and drink, including a Starbucks in the foyer. The atmosphere is less boisterous than at other resorts on the strip, so guests can really tune out by the lagoon-shaped pool or (even more private) the gated adults-only pool and swim-up bar. At Palm Beach, you can hire a front-row palapa for optimum exposure, or settle for the free loungers everywhere else.

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino

Resort

The pool, with sunbeds and wooden cabanas, and palm trees in the distance at Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino
Courtesy of Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino / Expedia

This upscale all-inclusive has all the facilities the brand is celebrated for, and it’s lifted beyond ordinary beach-break territory through magical touches such as impeccably maintained tropical grounds, black swans, a huge koi pond and scarlet macaws. The architecture has a Spanish feel, with a full-service spa, casino and direct access to the white sands of Palm Beach, with well-spaced lounge chairs set under palapas. Top tip: take advantage of the option to reserve restaurant tables online, as they are popular hangouts.

Tropical Digs

Hotel

The outdoor pool, with sunbeds, umbrellas and palm trees, next to the buildings at Tropical Digs
Courtesy of Tropical Digs / Expedia

Heading west, away from the main drag, you’ll reach the chilled Tropical Digs, at unassuming Eagle Beach. It’s a laid-back resort, with 11 roomy condos, situated within the Divi golf course – guests have full access to the Clubhouse and its four freshwater swimming pools. Perfect for independent travelers, it has fully furnished studios and one- or two-bedroom suites, many with expansive balconies backdropped by the picturesque fairways. Other perks include airport pick-up and drop-off, and a pool bar with happy hour. Just be aware that this place is not all-inclusive, so be prepared for a bill when you leave.

Barceló Aruba – All Inclusive

Resort

A bed and large windows with a view of palm trees and the sea, in a hotel room at Barceló Aruba
Courtesy of Barceló Aruba – All Inclusive / Expedia

With direct access to a lively stretch of sandy Palm Beach, Barceló Aruba is an adults’ favorite for its large pool, around which to bronze while sipping free-flowing drinks, and its casino. Decor in the 373 large rooms borrows shades from the sea, and each has a (slim) balcony and a mini bar. Flash that wristband – there are more than a dozen restaurants and bars, including a Japanese joint, Zen, with its elegant indoor garden for amorous occasions. Just remember that tables for dinner throughout the resort must be booked in advance.

If you’re looking for more places to stay in Aruba, check out our guide to the best resorts, villas, and the top boutique hotels – then book your next stay with Culture Trip.

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