Best Beach Resorts In Aruba

The best beach resorts in Aruba come in all shapes and sizes—from 72 rooms to 590 rooms—and are located on two of the Caribbean's most beautiful stretches of sand. The first, Palm Beach, is the lively hospitality zone with major resorts lined up along its photogenic expanse and easy access to restaurants, casinos and shopping in Oranjestad, the island's capital.

Eagle Beach to its south offers an entirely different experience, with a wider elbow of fine white sand and smaller resorts, several independently owned. Whether you're seeking to cash in hotel points with your favorite national chain, book an all-inclusive property and party 24/7, or enjoy a romantic adults-only escape, Aruba's best beach resorts—many of them recently renovated—offer it all.

The vibrant turquoise hue of the focal wall in the rooms matches the color of the warm Caribbean water outside, while the subtler beige and green palette of the suites seems inspired by Aruba's arid landscape. The 320-room Ritz-Carlton Aruba, which opened at the north end of Palm Beach in late 2013, is one of the few luxury resorts on this Dutch island and it offers both the Caribbean-inspired ambience and upscale perks travelers with a healthy budget desire.

There's a top-floor Club Level for guests who like the ease of being able to grab a casual self-serve breakfast, lunch or snacks and cocktails in the lounge. The property's five dining venues include BLT Steak (serving top-quality steaks and seafood in a bistro-inspired setting), Casa Nonna (for authentic Italian favorites along with gluten-free pastas) and Divi Sushi Bar & Lounge (an all-day lobby bar perfect for a midday sashimi fix). The Ritz-Carlton Spa features 13 treatment rooms and a 24-hour casino round out the amenities.

For adults-only, eco-friendly ambience on pristine Eagle Beach—calmer, wider and less touristy than popular Palm Beach—104-room Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort is ideal for a romantic escape in a truly stellar setting. The 44 Bungalow Suites, Tara Suites and Penthouse Suites in the Tara Wing were renovated in 2017 and now offer a contemporary look with dark wood and a palette of ivory, beige and coral. The other 60 rooms and suites in this LEED Silver-certified and carbon-neutral resort are in the Bucuti Wing and have fresh turquoise and white decor; all accommodations include free breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking and self-serve laundry and the property is cashless (credit cards must be used for all transactions).

Couples love the low-key vibe and casual camaraderie at the SandBar beachfront lounge, where in addition to two daily Happy Hours and live music, there's also a Healthy Hour (complemented by the onsite Purun Spa and wellness specialist). Elements restaurant serves carefully sourced natural dishes and has four menus: world cuisine, natural & organic, gluten-free and vegan.

Travelers who love architectural history will enjoy the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino, which was designed in 1959 by renowned American architect Morris Lapidus (who also designed the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc in Miami) and in 2016 was renovated back to its mid-century tropical glory—think mid-tone woods and shades of coral and turquoise. The 15-acre property on Palm Beach also features one of the best beachfront pool areas with two pools, waterfalls and a freshwater lagoon.

Each of the 357 rooms and suites has a private balcony and cheery blue and white decor with tufted fabric headboards and Aruba-inspired local artwork and photos. Other on-property amenities include six restaurants and bars, such as Gilligan's Seafood Shack for fresh local fish and cocktails with a sea and sunset view and Sunset Grille, a modern steakhouse. And there are diversions to suit everyone, from a Kids Club and playground for the little ones to the eforea Spa for couples or girlfriends on a getaway. And the Casino at Hilton Aruba is for anyone who considers themselves lucky. Oh, and there's free WiFi for all.

Not only does this property, located right in Oranjestad, have two distinct personalities, but it also has a 40-acre private island with a flock of flamingos. Book a stay in the adults-only Marina Hotel building at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino to enjoy shopping (the Renaissance Mall is connected to the hotel) and nightlife (the mall is also where the 24-hour casino is located) or stay in the family friendly Ocean Suites building across the street for sea views. All 556 rooms and suites were renovated in 2015 and have a glam mid-century vibe in shades of blue, gray and white.

The resort's most appealing feature, whether for couples or families, is Renaissance Island, where guests arrive by water taxi to enjoy a beautiful white-sand beach, shallow, swimmable lagoons and overwater cabanas that can be rented for the day. Have a camera ready to capture the island's photogenic residents: beautiful pink flamingos.

Dining-wise, the Renaissance offers seven restaurants and lounges, from L.G. Smith's Steak & Chop House for meat-lovers to Aquarius for casual Caribbean cuisine, including Aruban specialties. And the Okeanos Spa's signature treatment is the Chocolate Embrace. Yes, please.

A renovation in late 2018 gave the 359 rooms and suites in the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino a sleeker, simplified look with white leather headboards, a comfy chaise upholstered in serene blue and a 65-inch flat-screen TV. Those booking an Oceanfront View Deluxe category will also enjoy sublime panoramas of Palm Beach.

Guests who prefer a suite—from a Garden or Pool View Executive Suite to an Ocean Front Governors or Luxury Suite—will enjoy added space that includes one-to-three bedrooms and bar and dining areas. And by reserving a Regency Club Room, travelers gain access to a private club lounge that offers continental breakfast, snacks and desserts.

The Hyatt also has nine restaurants and bars that can satisfy cravings for pasta and wine (at Café Piccolo), tacos and tequila (at Mexicado) and seafood or steak in a romantic setting (at Ruinas del Mar). When it's time to de-stress, the ZoiA Spa pampers will aloe vera treatments, while the Casino has 13 gaming tables and 221 slot machines.

During a stay at the 236-room Tamarjin All-Inclusive, located on a mile-long stretch of Divi Beach adjoining Eagle Beach, couples, families or groups of friends can also enjoy the amenities at adjacent Divi Aruba—and that means 10 restaurants, eight bars, four pools and free WiFi. The property was renovated in 2017 and is known for its nightly live entertainment (be careful or you may be picked to give limbo a try!), so it's a great place to be active and explore Aruba by day and then indulge in a few post-dinner cocktails back at the resort after sunset.

All rooms are oceanfront and feature modern décor in deep sea blue, gold and dark brown—so the view out the sliding glass door to the balcony truly pops. Dining options include Paparazzi for rustic Italian, Ginger for Asian-fusion, Red Parrot for romantic fine dining and Lime for Mexican cuisine. And while it's not included in he nighty rate, trying your luck at the adjacent Alhambra Casino is a popular pastime.

A boutique property with a great location on blissfully low-key Eagle Beach, 72-room Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa offers all-inclusive ease (an option when booking) with the intimate ambience of an independently owned low-rise hotel that embraces sustainable practices and is Green Globe Platinum-certified. With its enviable beachfront dotted with swaying palms and thatched-roof palapas, Manchebo's focuses on wellness and healthy dining makes it a great option for couples looking to relax and recharge.

Room décor is a mix of classic and contemporary in subtle blue and soothing sand and bathrooms feature zero-entry showers. All rooms have a private furnished patio or balcony with a garden or partial or full ocean view. There's also a newly renovated Deluxe One-Bedroom Suite with a living room and kitchenette for a special-occasion splurge. Amazingly, this small resort has four restaurants—Ike's Bistro for Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, the Chophouse for steak and seafood, Omakase Sushi Bar for Japanese fare and Pega Pega Beach Bar & Grill for casual fruit smoothies and salads. And vegan and vegetarian options are always available.

The popular 411-room Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, renovated in 2018, is located front-and-center on Palm Beach and offers all the amenities travelers expect at a Caribbean resort: a nice stretch of white sand dotted with loungers and palapa-style umbrellas and featuring a casual beach bar and grill (Waves, where rum cocktails and lite bites are the specialties), two pools (including an adults-only pool and bar called H2Oasis) and four restaurants (among them Ruth's Chris for steak).

When guests check in they'll find modern rooms with upbeat blue and white décor and balconies offering garden, partial-ocean or ocean views and cooling breezes. All this might feel 180 degrees from life back home, but one thing will be familiar: There's an on-property Starbucks (the largest in Aruba) for guests who need their latte fix. The resort also features a Mandara Spa and a 24-hour gym in case that caffeine jolt kicks in a bit too much.

Sun-seekers looking for an affordable stay should check availability at the Holiday Inn Resort Aruba—Beach Resort & Casino. Located on one-quarter mile of fine white sand on Palm Beach, this 590-room property may not have the cachet of the island's luxury and boutique resorts, but it is fairly recently renovated (2014) and offers free WiFi.

Rooms and Junior Suites are done in sandy beige with brilliant blue artwork and crisp white bed linens. Two pools and a hot tub along with a kids' club, game room, tennis courts, a 24-hour fitness center and free bikes. When your family or friends are hungry, the five restaurants offer both adult and kids menus, from steaks and seafood at the beachfront Sea Breeze Restaurant & Bar and burgers at Oceanside Bar & Grill to pastas and other Italian specialties at Da Vinci Ristorante and slices at Pizza Now! And the property is perfectly positioned to enjoy those amazing and free sunset views.

A lively and fun-filled all-inclusive beach vacation awaits at Hotel Riu Palace Aruba, a 450-room resort located on the southern end of Palm Beach. With almost non-stop activities and entertainment—along with free-flowing cocktails—the ambience isn't right for everyone. This is a resort that feels like a 24/7 music-fueled beach party, not a low-key escape with a good book.

There are two large pools, one with a swim-up pool bar (plus a whirlpool and a kids pool). Yes, children are welcome here, while travelers who want a 100-percent grown-up vacation can book one the 334 rooms in the adults-only Hotel Riu Palace Antillas next door.

At family-friendly Riu Palace, the building and its décor channels a Moroccan/Andalusian vibe—white domes and parapets outside and black-and-white terrazzo floors and crystal chandeliers inside. The rooms feature a king or two queen beds with dark wood headboards and floral embroidered pillows in mauve and brown. Five restaurants offer Italian, Japanese and steakhouse menus—and an international buffet, of course.