1. Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino
Perched on the white sands of northwestern Aruba’s Palm Beach, the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino provides guest-approved customer service and amenities to suit every need. Each of the Hyatt’s 357 accommodations comes equipped with a 65-inch LCD TV, a minifridge, a coffee maker and one or two of Hyatt’s signature Grand Beds. Plus, all rooms can be booked with accrued World of Hyatt points. Adults can get a good pampering at ZoiA Spa or test their luck in the property’s casino before retreating to the beach or three-level pool area. Kids will especially love the pool’s two-story waterslide. When hunger sets in, visitors can choose from five traditional restaurants (and one beachfront eatery), including a Mexican-inspired eatery and the open-air Ruinas del Mar. For a more romantic atmosphere, dine on the beach at Pampered in Paradise or aboard one of the catamarans that set sail every Wednesday. Although many past visitors enjoyed their stays here, some suggested that they expected more for their money.
2. Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
With eight floors, beach access and the Stellaris Casino, the Aruba Marriott Resort certainly doesn’t lack activities. Guests 18 and older can visit the Tradewinds Club, with its exclusive H2Oasis adults-only pool and poolside bar. The area is free to access when staying in Tradewinds accommodations. Meanwhile, swimmers of all ages can retreat to Palm Beach (the stretch of Aruba sand the resort sits on) or the massive main pool. Rooms come outfitted with flat-screen TVs, private 100-square-foot balconies, walk-in closets, wet bars, minifridges and Wi-Fi access (for a fee). For meals, guests will find five restaurants, plus a coffee shop and a gelato parlor. Cuisine options range from classic steakhouse fare to fresh sushi to Italian. Overall, former guests raved about the property’s superb customer service and delectable food, though some lamented the excessive smoke odor in the casino. Since this resort is part of the Marriott hotel family, members can pay for their rooms with Marriott Bonvoy points.
