Aruba feels like home in the Caribbean. You’ll find chain restaurants, brand-name stores, casinos and many people who speak English. Of course, you’ll also find beautiful beaches and expansive resorts, many of which are all-inclusive or offer all-inclusive packages. These resorts provide the best all-in-one experiences in Aruba, based on family ratings and editor reviews.
1. Hotel Riu Palace Aruba
Situated in Palm Beach, Hotel Riu Palace Aruba offers four restaurants, live entertainment, a spa, casino and two swimming pools, plus a separate pool for kids. Refurbished in 2015, it also offers guestrooms and suites with beachfront balconies and free Wi-Fi. Non-motorized water sports, such as stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and snorkeling, are included in rates. All guests receive one free introductory lesson for scuba diving in the pool.
2. Barcelo Aruba
Also located in Palm Beach, Barcelo Aruba offers families direct access to the sand and surf, seven restaurants, a swimming pool, a kids’ club (for ages 4 to 12), live entertainment, a casino and spa. Families also enjoy access to two tennis courts, beach volleyball, diving lessons and snorkel equipment. Accommodations provide views of the gardens, pool or ocean, and include DVD players and mini-bars (stocked daily).
3. Divi Aruba All Inclusive Resort
Divi Aruba All Inclusive Resort features accommodations just steps from the sand and swimming pools, of which there are three. Families enjoy non-motorized water sports, such as kayaking and snorkeling, along with land-based sports like tennis, rock climbing and bicycling. There are nine restaurants onsite, and tickets to Bon Bini—a weekly festival in Oranjestad—are provided. Guests of this resort can also access the pools at neighboring Tamarijin Aruba All Inclusive Resort.
4. Tamarijin Aruba All Inclusive Resort
Beachfront location? Check. Swimming pools? There are three. Spacious accommodations? Yes, there are oceanfront rooms with patios or balconies and free Wi-Fi. Onsite restaurants? You bet; there are nine. Water sports? Of course; try kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling and more. The Tamarijin Aruba All Inclusive Resort checks off all the boxes in Aruba, and also offers a kids’ club for children ages 5 to 12, beach games, a rock climbing wall (on the beach!) and bikes, with bike paths provided on the property.
5. Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort
Families have the option to stay at another Divi Resort in Oranjestad—Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort. This resort is especially convenient for large groups, as it offers studio, one- and two-bedroom suites and villas equipped with balconies and full kitchens. Families have the option to rent catamarans, rafts and canoes; they also have the option to reserve scuba diving trips, windsurfing lessons and snorkel gear. There are four restaurants onsite, plus a spa and golf course for parents to enjoy. It”s easy to access nearby attractions, such as Baby Beach (perfect for new swimmers) and the Butterfly Farm. It’s located across the street from Tamarijin Aruba All Inclusive Resort.
6. Holiday Inn Resort Aruba
You read that right—Holiday Inn offers all-inclusive rates in Noord, Aruba. Rates include all meals (provided at four different restaurants), local liquors and a 20-percent discount at Pelican Adventures, which offers sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving excursions. Families also enjoy access to a sports court, children’s activity center, spa and three pools and poolside cabanas. Accommodations include rooms and junior suites with partial or full oceanfront rooms. Holiday Inn Resort Aruba also offers three activity zones: Peace & Harmony, Chill & Mingle and Action & Play, the latter of which caters to families.
7. Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort
In Eagle Beach, Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort offers suites with kitchenettes or full kitchens (though you don’t have to worry about preparing meals if you purchase the resort’s all-inclusive package). Accommodations also include free Wi-Fi, and they”re equipped with new beds and televisions. The resort offers a freshwater pool with a waterfall, plus a separate pool for little ones, as well as complimentary beach gear, bike rentals and snorkel equipment. Families enjoy themed events and weekly movies on the beach, too.
8. Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino bustles with excitement, attracting both couples and families with an all-inclusive package. It’s divided into two parts to suit the needs of both groups, and the resort’s private island, a short ride away, is also divided. It provides a lagoon for kids, plus a station where kids can listen to air traffic control conversations. The resort itself doesn’t have a natural beach, but there’s a man-made lagoon by the pools. The resort also provides a kids’ club for ages 4 to 12, and kids under age 12 eat free at the resort’s restaurants. Accommodations include guestrooms and suites with free Wi-Fi and pretty views, and a location in downtown Oranjestad provides easy access to local attractions, such as the Aruba Ostrich Farm.
What to Pack for Your Next Trip
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