How one Aruba hotel changed perceptions
I have a confession to make. I'm not an Aruba person. I've never even been an "island vacation person.” In fact, in the past, if you were someone who loved Caribbean Island vacations solely, I would judge you. It’s not that I have anything against these islands, I just prefer different types of trips, where the beach isn’t the focus of the entire experience. Aruba, this “one happy island,” was about to become my biggest misconception. I have to admit that Aruba—and specifically one hotel—has turned me into more of an “island person” and I’m completely fine with it.
Destinations on the adventurous tip have always been at the top of my list. I like places where I can commune with nature, actively explore my surroundings, and immerse myself in the local culture. That's the first thing I had wrong about Aruba, as plenty of experiences can be had! A solid home base, close to all the action is very important and I’m glad the centrally located Radisson Blu Aruba remains home base for my family's annual visits to the island.
One of the best parts of traveling to Aruba is the ease of getting there. There are daily nonstop flights from various U.S. cities. Plus, U.S. visitors do not need a visa—just a passport and a simple-to-fill-out Embarkation-Disembarkation form will do. Queen Beatrix International Airport in Oranjestad, Aruba's capital, is a 20-minute cab ride away from Radisson Blu Aruba. Be sure to stop at the small, but mighty, Duty-Free Shop on the way out, for some items that will fit nicely inside of the refrigerator at your spacious suite.
The perfect everything
Aruba's weather? It's perfect! Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt, so the weather is almost always 82 degrees and sunny. In the simplest of terms, this is always pool and beach weather.
The Radisson Blu Aruba is located at the end of beautiful Palm Beach; it's a 5-minute walk or 2-minute shuttle ride to the white sands and calm, crystal-clear waters. You'll also be within walking distance of some of the island's best restaurants in Palm Beach and the restaurants and shops at the Paseo Herencia complex. You'd be hard-pressed to not find an international cuisine represented well here.
Of course, if you're into sampling local Aruban cuisine, grab a cab to renowned restaurants like Opus Ocean & Grill, featuring some of the freshest fish on the island, or Gasparito Restaurant, authentic as they come and serving up traditional goat stew and funchi fries (also known as polenta fries). You’ll find many familiar store brands in town and plenty of shops with souvenirs to make your friends back home jealous.
While you're out and about, be sure to stop at Super Food Plaza, the local Dutch supermarket. There, you can stock up on fresh chicken salad, bread right out of the oven, a multitude of cheeses, delicious chocolates and more.
Your "happy" island suite
Ok, your tan’s set, you've eaten everything on the island and it's time for some real vacation relaxation time. Stretch out! The rooms at Radisson Blu are massive (and a major reason why my family loves coming to Aruba). We had more space than we needed for the three of us, but even four people could fit comfortably in these suites.
The room design is minimal, sleek and modern. There are two bedrooms, a large living room, a kitchenette with a refrigerator and two bathrooms (which makes mornings SO much easier).
If you're traveling with children, these ample rooms will be a respite from the usual hotel room sizes in Aruba. I’ve visited friends at other hotels on the island and the size of the room is their main complaint, i.e. their entire room is the size of Radisson Blu’s master bedroom! No complaints here. Plus, there’s a supervised kids' clubs and family-friendly dining options to make children and even hangry people happy.
The Radisson Blu gives off serene, beach villa vibes, but when you're ready for the sand and surf, the resort will get you there.
Have a bite and take a dip in the pool(s)
The Travelzoo offer we booked included a delicious daily breakfast buffet with unlimited mimosas. There is no better way to start the day than with made-to-order omelets, fresh juices and more delicious goodies to complement our tasty drinks.
For the days when you don't want to head to the beach, just head to one of the hotel's three pools, including a rooftop infinity pool. You just need a towel and sunscreen for this adults-only pool; not only does it have killer ocean views of Palm Beach, but it's also surrounded by amazing and colorful flora which serves as the perfect tropical backdrop for your envy-inducing photos. There's also a well-stocked poolside bar that serves frosty drinks. The main pool bar also serves up excellent drinks for happy hour and beyond.
Head to the beach(es)
Aruba's Palm Beach is just a 5-minute walk down the street or an even shorter shuttle ride away. A section of the beach is reserved for Radisson Blu guests and features purveyors of various water activities (with intensity levels for every adventurer) as well as dinner and drinks cruises. We took advantage of both options. There’s also the fun oceanside MooMba Beach Bar, which lets you order food and drinks right to your beach lounge chair. But you know the real reason you came—Palm Beach! This section of Palm Beach is like the rest of Palm Beach—velvety white sand, turquoise waters and an exceptionally calm surf. There are Radisson Blu employees who will help to secure umbrellas and lounge chairs in this special reserved section. Get there early to make sure you get a choice seat.
My sister and I would take daily morning walks along Palm Beach. It's a perfect way to get the lay of the land and to plot which restaurants, bars or shops we would visit later in the day.
Every beach in Aruba is beautiful, that’s a fact. Once you’ve had your fill at Palm Beach, head out to explore the island’s other beaches. You can take a cab, public transportation or rent a car (parking onsite at the hotel is free) to head to some of Aruba's other well-known and dreamy beaches.
Eagle Beach is one of the wider beaches on the island, so just like in your hotel room, you can spread out as you watch the island’s unique Fofoti trees sway in the wind. Eagle Beach is always at the top of most “world’s best beaches” lists.
Baby Beach, is one of our personal favorites. The surf is calm and the views are fantastic. It’s also an excellent beach for snorkelling too. Baby Beach is the furthest of all the beaches from Radisson Blu Aruba, but well worth the trip. If a cab or rental are not feasible options, book a beach tour that includes Baby Beach as one of its stops.
The above is just a small, personal list of what we loved, but with so many beaches, create your own list. Ask the locals about their favorite beach spots and you may find hidden gems on the island that not many people know about. I know we did, and I’m not telling.
Go further out
Our adventures could be as simple as walking around the Palm Beach area, people-watching, smoothie-grabbing and drink-sipping, to more grandiose adventures that you can book through a tour company or embark on with a rental car. The free parking at Radisson Blu Aruba was helpful when we had a car (not necessary, but helps you get around much easier to further away spots).
Aruba is not huge compared with other Caribbean islands, but it’s big enough to set you on adventures. Find hidden natural pools, tour Arikok National Park, enjoy ATV-driven journeys and, of course, take sunset sails with magical photo opps. I loved not being confined to our hotel (although it would have been perfectly fine; have I told you about the pools already?) with something to do at every turn. This is the kind of variety that keeps me and my family coming back to Aruba every year. I can’t wait to see what new adventures next year has in store.
