Where To Stay In Aruba In 2024: Best Hotels And Resorts
Are you wondering where to stay in Aruba for your 2024 vacation?
As someone who was born in Aruba, I may be a little biased when I say that the island is known for its picture-perfect beaches and beautiful landscapes! After multiple visits, I can also tell you that it’s an excellent destination for families, couples and anybody looking for fun in the sun.
The little Caribbean island of Aruba has that ideal blend of sun, sea and a little bit of adventure to keep everybody happy. At 21 miles long and 6 miles wide, the island isn’t very big but it’s still helpful to know the best areas to stay in Aruba. That’s where I’ve got you covered!
To help you plan that amazing vacation you’ve been dreaming of, I’ve written this guide to help you plan where to stay in Aruba depending on what you’re looking for during your stay, how you’re travelling and your budget.
I’ll also answer some FAQs and suggest some of the best things to do so that you’re all set for that dream vacation to the happy island of Aruba.
Quick Guide: Where to Stay in Aruba
For those of you who want to know the best areas to stay in Aruba but are short on time, check out these hand-picked listings below.
📍Best Area In Aruba For Families – Palm Beach
Hyatt Regency Resort & Casino
⭐️ 8.5/10
✔️ Incredible oceanfront location
✔️ Two outdoor pools
✔️ Gourmet dining options
📍Best Area In Aruba For Couples – Eagle Beach
Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort
⭐️ 9.1/10
✔️ Stunning colonial Dutch architecture
✔️ recently renovated suites
✔️ Romantic sunsets from the balcony
📍Best Area In Aruba Without A Car – Palm & Eagle Beach
Embassy Suites By Aruba Resort
⭐️ 8.8/10
✔️ Located between Palm Beach and Eagle Beach
✔️ Bird sanctuary located close by
✔️ Private underground walkway to Eagle Beach
📍Best Area In Aruba For Adults – Manchebo Beach
Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa
⭐️ 9.4/10
✔️ Romantic, elegant rooms
✔️ Excellent range of restaurants
✔️ Plenty of wellness activities
📍Best Area In Aruba For A Unique Stay – Flamingo Beach
Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba
⭐️ 8.8/10
✔️ Access to Flamingo Beach
✔️ Onsite casino
✔️ Choice of 8 restaurants
📍Best Area In Aruba For All-Inclusive Stay – Palm Beach
Riu Palace Aruba
⭐️ 8.1/10
✔️ Beach front-facing
✔️ Room service 24 hours a day
✔️ Multiple bars & restaurants
Where To Stay In Aruba With Family
The high-rise hotel area of Palm Beach is the best place to stay in Aruba for those travelling with family.
It’s home to some of the best hotels in Aruba. Many of the resorts offer world-class facilities and entertainment. Combine that with the shallow and calm water of the beach and it’s the ideal location for travellers with young children and families.
There are plenty of beach activities to keep the children happy (as well as adults!) There are also plenty of options when it comes to food and entertainment along the main strip.
Many of the hotels have their own private section of beach as well as their own pool. Some hotels even have babysitting services so that the adults can enjoy a little peace and quiet too.
While Palm Beach is one of the most popular areas to stay in Aruba, this does mean that it can be a little noisy in the evening so this might not be the ideal place if you are looking for a bit of peace and quiet.
Where To Stay In Palm Beach
📍Budget Option $ – Coconut Inn ⭐️ 8.1/10
Quieter option away from the main strip, this cute little budget hotel offers excellent value for money and even has a pool. A decent breakfast is included and the walk to Palm Beach is only around 20 minutes.
📍Mid-Range Option $$ – Karibu Aruba Boutique Hotel ⭐️ 9.6
This affordable and laid-back boutique hotel is just a short walk from the beach area. The traditionally styled property is spotlessly clean and the owners happily go out of their way to accommodate their guests.
📍Luxury Option $$$ – Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino⭐️ 8.5/10
Superb unrivalled location with excellent facilities. Perfect for those looking for water sports activities this resort is located right on the beachfront. Families will love the friendly staff, immaculate rooms and beautiful pools.
Where to Stay in Aruba for Couples
In my opinion, the best place to stay in Aruba for couples is Eagle Beach. Aruba is a wonderful place for a romantic getaway and is often at the top of the list for many couples and honeymooners looking for an idyllic escape.
Eagle Beach is much more laid back than Palm Beach, which is ideal for couples who might prefer a less chaotic vacation being surrounded by parents entertaining their children and looking after families.
The beach itself is often ranked as one of the best beaches in the world. Apart from the white sand and clear water, you’ll also find the famous picture postcard image of the Fofoti trees here. These should not be confused with the Divi-Divi trees!
There are some top restaurants at Eagle Beach such as Screaming Eagle and Chalet Suisse. Those who want something extra special can book a table at Passions on the Beach where you can enjoy fine dining with your toes in the sand!
Where To Stay In Eagle Beach
📍Budget Option $ – Dorado Eagle Beach Hotel ⭐️ 8.7/10
This hotel is just a 5-minute walk to the beach and offers studios and an outdoor pool at an affordable price. The staff are extremely friendly and beach chairs and towels are provided daily.
📍Mid-Range Option $$ – Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort ⭐️ 9.1/10
Great access to the beautiful and world-famous Eagle Beach, this hotel is a popular choice for couples. The resort features Dutch colonial architecture and has recently renovated many of its suites and studios ready for those romantic sunsets from your balcony.
📍Luxury Option $$$ – Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort ⭐️ 8.1/10
Located right on the beach, this hotel offers spacious rooms and even has a hot tub option. Guests can enjoy an outdoor pool, state-of-the-art gym and barbecue facilities. The restaurant has an excellent choice of food and every suite at the hotel has an ocean view!
💡Pro Tip: Divi-Divi trees and Fofoti trees point in a southwestern direction but the Fofoti tree grows on the beach whereas Divi-Divis grow across the island and look completely windswept!
Where to Stay in Aruba Without A Car
Where is the best place to stay in Aruba without a car? Your best option is to keep either south of Palm Beach or north of Eagle Beach. That way to are neither too from one or the other and you have the best of both worlds whilst also being to Oranjestad.
You can reach your hotel by bus or private transfer from the airport and have a great vacation without renting a car as there are plenty of things to do in Palm Beach and Eagle Beach. You will have access to the fabulous beaches and restaurants and the many activities on offer.
Aruba is a relatively small island but to reach attractions such as the Aruba Ostrich Farm or the Ayo & Casibari Rock formations you’ll need to book a tour from either resort area.
Public transport and taxis are excellent transportation options should you wish to see other parts of the island such as Oranjestad or Noord.
If your only intention is to relax on the beach then it is quite easy to visit Aruba without a car. However, I would recommend that you hire a car in Aruba if you wish to visit any of the interesting attractions the island has to offer.
Where to Stay Between Eagle Beach & Palm Beach
📍Budget Option $ – Ladybugs Apartments ⭐️ 8.9/10
Value-for-money self-catering apartments that are located close to everything you need. Five minutes to Super Food supermarket by foot and a 15-minute walk to Eagle Beach. Palm Beach is also just 2km away.
📍Mid-Range Option $$ – Azure Beach Residences ⭐️ 9.2/10
Located between the two famous beaches, this hotel offers superb ocean views. Each room has its own balcony (perfect for sunset) and there is an infinity with a well-maintained garden on the grounds.
📍Luxury Option $$$ – Embassy Suites By Hilton Aruba Resort ⭐️ 8.8/10
This hotel is ideally located between Palm Beach and Eagle Beach. A modern resort with superb facilities, you can easily get to either the beach from the hotel or use the private underground walkway to Eagle Beach!
Where to Stay in Aruba for Adults
If you want a less crowded beach with a more grown-up feel then you’ll love Manchebo Beach. Manchebo is the best place to stay in Aruba for adults as there are only a handful of hotels here meaning fewer crowds.
The beach is typical of Aruba – white sand, and clear blue water, and there’s definitely a more relaxed atmosphere in Manchebo. There are plenty of restaurants and beach bars too so you can sample a more chilled vibe in the evening if you wish to.
Eagle Beach is only a 15-minute walk away should you fancy a change of scene and Palm Beach is only a 10-minute taxi ride away.
Where to Stay in Manchebo Beach
📍Budget Option $ – Aruba Quality Apartments & Suites ⭐️ 9.0/10
Clean, spacious and well-equipped rooms make these apartments an affordable option. The beach is only a short walk away and guests have access to a great pool, gym facilities and parking.
📍Mid-Range Option $$ – Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa ⭐️ 9.4/10
Relaxing resort on an incredible stretch of pristine white beach. The hotel offers amazing boutique rooms and excellent restaurants, as well as wellness opportunities such as yoga and pilates.
📍Luxury Option $$$ – Bucuti & Tara Boutique Beach Resort ⭐️ 9.6/10
Boutique resort on Eagle Beach with stylish and comfortable rooms and an excellent ocean-front restaurant. The relaxed, romantic atmosphere brings couples to the resort year after year.
Unique Places to Stay in Aruba
What could be better than jetting off to your dream Caribbean destination in search of sun and sea? Staying in a unique hotel or resort of course!
As Aruba is mainly a beach destination, you won’t find mountain lodges or forest treehouses but there are still many options for those looking for something a little quirky and unusual.
Some of the hotels mentioned previously have their own unique charm but the ones I’ve listed below are unique in their own way and there’s an option for every budget!
Best Hotels In Aruba For A Unique Stay
📍Budget Option $ – Wonders Boutique Hotel ⭐️ 9.5/10
This adult-only boutique hotel offers an affordable tranquil oasis experience. The lovely pool is fed by a natural hot spring and breakfast is made with herbs and ingredients from the hotel’s very own garden.
📍Mid-Range Option $$ – Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba ⭐️ 9.6/10
Fancy staying in a former coconut plantation? This boutique hotel has beautiful bright decor set in landscaped tropical gardens and the beach is only 5 minutes away via the boardwalk.
📍Luxury Option $$$ – Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort ⭐️ 8.8/10
The hotel has beautiful rooms and excellent facilities but the main reason for staying is the access to Flamingo Beach. Spending the day on the beach with the flamingos is as unique as you can get.
Best Places to Stay in Aruba All Inclusive
Aruba is home to some top-quality all-inclusive hotels. In fact, many people choose to vacation this way as it takes away much of the stress of travel, especially when travelling with young children or large families.
Luckily, Aruba offers some of the best all-inclusive resorts so all you have to do is worry about is working on your tan and which beach activity to try next. There’s also daily entertainment, excursions, great restaurants and multiple pools to choose from!
📍Budget Option $ – Holiday Inn Resort Aruba – Beach Resort & Casino ⭐️ 8.1/10
With 3 pools and a kid’s club, this is a great hotel for families. They also cater for couples and business travellers. Staff go above and beyond to ensure you have a magical stay.
📍Mid-Range Option $$ – Barceló Aruba ⭐️ 7.6/10
Hotel with excellent location in Palm Beach. Superb dining options with 7 restaurants to choose from. There is also a casino on site with 5 tables and 120 slot machines as well as nightly live entertainment.
📍Luxury Option $$$ – Riu Palace Aruba ⭐️ 8.1/10
This resort really does look like a palace and you can see it from a mile away! The stunning hotel is located in Palm Beach and provides watersports, a spa and a gym and all-inclusive is available 24 hours a day!
Where NOT To Stay In Aruba
Now you have an idea of the best places to stay in Aruba, let’s talk about where NOT to stay. Firstly, there really isn’t a bad part of Aruba to stay in. The size of the island means you’re never too far away from the action.
However, there may be a couple of areas you might want to avoid depending on what you’re looking for.
❌ San Nicolas – Just to be clear, I’m not saying San Nicolas is a bad place at all! The small city is rich in history and culture. There are brilliant street murals around the city and it’s also the closest location to Baby Beach.
It’s just a little far from all the action and it would not be an ideal place to base yourself on a 7, 10 or 14-day vacation. It is a 25-30 minute drive to Palm Beach which isn’t ideal. Sure there are places to eat and drink in San Nicolas but the lack of hotels and resorts should tell you what you need to know.
I’m not suggesting avoiding the place completely! It is certainly worth a day trip or maybe even a couple of days. The location also makes it an ideal stop along the way to Baby Beach.
❌ Savaneta – Likewise, Savaneta deserves to be visited during your stay in Aruba. There is great snorkelling in the crystal clear waters of Mangel Halto. Two of the most famous restaurants happen to be located here – Zeerovers and The Flying Fishbone.
But, like San Nicolas, it is far from the main action. It would be better to stay in one of the main hotel areas and visit Savaneta and San Nicolas from there rather than the other way around.
But please, take the time to visit the two locations I ‘didn’t’ recommend! They may not be in the tourist areas but they are worth visiting if you have transport.
FAQs: Visiting Aruba
I’ve given you all the information on the best place to stay in Aruba for your next visit so that you can start planning you’re next trip to the little happy island.
To make sure that everything is fully covered, here are the answers to some FAQs about Aruba.
What Part Of Aruba Has The Best Beaches?
The west coast of Aruba is where the best beaches are in Aruba. The island is blessed with many beautiful beaches and the west coast is where the award-winning Eagle Beach is located.
It’s where you’ll also find the high-rise hotels of Palm Beach and the quieter, snorkelling hotspots of Arashi and Malmok Beach.
Is It Walkable In Aruba?
The year-round sunshine and mainly flat terrain mean you’ll find that Aruba is quite walkable. There are plenty of airport transfers available, and once you’ve arrived at your hotel at either Eagle Beach or Palm Beach, you’ll see that you don’t have to go far to find what you’re looking for.
The resort areas are well-equipped to meet all the needs of nearly every type of traveller. You could hire a car if you want to explore other parts of the island but there are plenty of tours that can also take you there.
What Is The Main Strip In Aruba?
If you want to know where the main strip is in Aruba then look no further than Palm Beach. Also known as the high-rise hotel area, this is the location for many of the top resorts and is where all the action is.
The shops are open late into the evening and there are many bars and restaurants that cater for all types of travellers and budgets. Those travelling with children can keep them entertained with a movie or some ten-pin bowling.
How Many Days Do You Need In Aruba?
I would suggest a minimum of 7 days. You could easily spend 5 days exploring the island and 5 days just chilling on the beach! That’s 10 days already!
There’s plenty to do in Aruba and, of course, you need to consider the time it takes to fly in and out. You should also think about how much time you want to spend on the beach.
What Is The Best Month To Visit Aruba?
The best months to visit Aruba are typically the end of January to March. This is also peak tourism season so bear this in mind if this is when you plan to visit. The weather is warm all year round and it barely rains.
It doesn’t rain much in Aruba but you may well have some from October to January. As we found out during our stay, the rainfall can be heavy but in very short spells so there’s not too much to worry about.
Best Things To Do In Aruba
Aruba is famous for its glorious weather and fabulous beaches. You could easily spend your whole vacation working on your tan, indulging in some snorkelling or watersports, shopping and dining out in the many restaurants.
But it would be a shame not to take a look at the many things to do in Aruba in between. The island has many exciting and secret spots just waiting to be discovered and excursions and tours are a great way to see them.
✅ Take A Jeep Safari To The Natural Pool
The Natural Pool is one of the most famous places to visit in Aruba. Taking a jeep safari is a fun and adventurous activity and can combine many of Aruba’s highlights into an enjoyable and unforgettable day.
The jeep safari tour was probably the most fun we had during our stay in Aruba! It is the only way to visit Arikok National Park, which takes up nearly 20% of the island. Arikok is rough and rugged and only allows 4×4 vehicles to access remote places like the Natural Bridge and the Quadirikiri & Fontein Caves.
Longer jeep safaris can also take you from the California Lighthouse at one end of the island to Baby Beach at the other.
➡️ Check Out The Best Island Jeep Safari Here!
✅ Explore The Island On Your Very Own UTV
You’ll no doubt see the many UTVs on the road during your time in Aruba. That’s because it’s one of the most popular activities on the island!
There’s nothing quite like taking your own UTV/ATV onto the open road and it’s easy to hire your own and go off exploring but a tour with a guide can certainly enhance the experience. Plus you don’t have to worry about getting lost – something my brother managed to do even on this small island!
Tours usually visit the Bushiribana gold mill ruins as well as some beach/snorkelling stops such as Tres Tapi where you’ll get a chance to see starfish and maybe even a sea turtle.
➡️ Check Out The Best UTV Excursion Here!
✅ Sail And Snorkelling Aboard A Catamaran
For those looking for a more relaxed day out, you may prefer spending your time aboard a catamaran. There’s nothing better than just relaxing on the open water while working on that tan!
During your day out on the catamaran, you won’t just be relaxing and enjoying the sun (did I mention the bar?) you will also make plenty of stops along the way to check out some of the best snorkelling spots for a chance to spots the many different species of fish and maybe even a turtle.
The captain and crew always make sure guests are well looked after and are often the life and soul of the party.
➡️ Check Out The Best Catamaran Snorkelling Tour Here!
✅ Spend A Swashbuckling Day Aboard The Jolly Pirate
Have you ever dreamed of sailing the open seas in your very own Pirates of the Caribbean fantasy? Well, now you can on Aruba’s very own 26-metre pirate ship. The Jolly Pirate!
The Jolly Pirate has been operating in the waters of Aruba for over 20 years. A typical day tour will take its guests to three of Aruba’s best snorkelling spots (including a historic shipwreck.) There is also a BBQ lunch and open bar included and the option to take a morning, afternoon or sunset cruise!
It is one of the most popular trips for families and is sure to keep the young children, and young at heart, entertained and happy!
➡️ Check Out The Jolly Pirate Tour Prices Here!
✅ Explore Aruba’s Underwater World Aboard The Atlantis Submarine
A popular choice with families and young children, this is a chance to see Aruba from a different perspective.
Diving 130 feet below the surface, the large glass windows allow you to view the beautiful Baracuda Reef and several shipwrecks. I did this as a child and I remember thinking that it was one of the coolest things an 11-year-old boy could do!
The state-of-the-art submarines are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and are air-conditioned and spacious and the tours even have professional and entertaining narration during the trip. So you will get to see the amazing coral reef and colourful fish and education at the same time!
➡️ Check Out The Atlantic Submarine Tour Here!
✅ Say Hello To Flamingo Beach’s Famous Residents
The most famous residents of Aruba live on Flamingo Beach, a beautiful beach with clear turquoise water and, you’ve guessed it, flamingos!
Flamingo Beach, located on Renaissance Island, was one of the coolest experiences we had in Aruba. There’s a restaurant and a beach bar on the island and that’s all you really need. Flamingo Beach is a dreamy place to relax and sharing the water with flamingos is really quite the experience.
The beach is located on Renaissance Island which is owned by Renaissance Aruba Resort. To visit you would need to be a guest at the hotel but there are also other ways to visit Flamingo Beach.
Wrapping Up: Where To Stay In Aruba
I hope this guide has helped you choose the best areas and hotels in Aruba for your next Caribbean getaway. Whether you’re visiting for a family vacation or just looking for somewhere with your better half, Aruba has plenty to offer.
With so many accommodation options it’s not always easy to know which is the best area to stay. I hope that this guide will help give you an idea of the best area to stay in Aruba to suit your needs.
Remember, there’s much more to Aruba than just warm weather and incredible beaches, although that is the main attraction on this little island. From jeep safaris to windsurfing, you’ll find that there’s something for everyone in Aruba.
So what are you waiting for? It’s time to pack your sunglasses, beach gear and sunscreen (reef-friendly of course) and start planning your next trip to Aruba.
