Last Updated on December 27, 2023 by Katrina

Photo credit: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino

Aruba has a wonderfully distinct personality. It’s a windswept island with beautifully rugged terrain, balanced with casinos and resort fun. Staying in the island town of Oranjestad gives you ideal access to Aruba’s restaurants and shops as well as the shoreline, while staying around Palm Beach or Eagle Beach offers more away-from-it-all ambience. Here are five great beach hotels in Aruba with their own versions of sandy bliss.

Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino (J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 81; 297-586-6555) Palm Beach

This 357-room branch of the Hilton brand has two zero-entry pools, a spa, dive center, and its own casino. One Tripadvisor user gives it props for not feeling like a typical chain resort. “The beach is not crowded, the food everywhere was pretty good and the bed and the pillows as really great.” A Google reviewer likes that it’s smaller than other brand-name resorts in the area: “The quality of rooms, food, and service was up to par, but we never had a problem finding a pair of chairs by the pools or on the beach, no matter the time of day. The beach at the Hilton, in my opinion, is the best along the entire stretch of high-rises on Palm Beach because it’s not overcrowded with gift shops and food vendors.”    >> Book this hotel for less

The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba (L.G. Smith Blvd. 107; 297-527-2222) Palm Beach

Travel+Leisure likes this 320-room Ritz-Carlton, “located on the far, quiet end of burgeoning Palm Beach,” for its perks including private balconies, two pools, the casino, and the spa (“don’t miss the weightless Zoya hammock massage”). Google reviewers rave about the high level of personalized service. One reviewer who stayed here for her honeymoon gushes that “the hotel was so beautiful and clean, and the staff was so kind and informative. It was the perfect blend of seclusion, yet close to everything you’d want to see on the island.”    >> Book this hotel for less

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa And Casino (J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 85; 297-586-1234) Palm Beach

This nine-story, 357-room Hyatt Regency is a crowd-pleaser, according to Travel+Leisure. Aside from amenities such as a casino and kids club, “the hotel caters to conventioneers and families by offering land and water activities, a spa and fitness center, golf course, and the on-site, white sandy beach.” Choose from 10 restaurants, including a Pampered in Paradise beach dining option with tiki torches. “The resort, the grounds, the pool, the beach were all exceptional,” says a Trip Advisor user. “Only drawback is not all rooms have balconies with chairs.”   >> Book this hotel for less

Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort (L.G. Smith Blvd. 82; 297-583-6000) Oranjestad

You get two lodging options at this downtown Oranjestad resort: an adults-only hotel wing, or the family-friendly Ocean Suites wing. Both have access to the resort’s private Renaissance Island, a short water taxi ride away. Frommers calls the resort “spectacular,” with “all sorts of goodies to keep guests occupied, from the nature trail with daily iguana feedings to kayaking. The only downfall is that the resort is downtown and not on Palm Beach, but the private island more than makes up for it.” One Google reviewer points out that the resort “does not have direct beach access but the boat ride to the private island is a very nice touch. Busy tourist area. Would recommend for couples.”

Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort (L.G. Smith Blvd. 55B; 297-583-1100) Eagle Beach

This 104-room, adults-only resort embraces the low-key ambience of the Eagle Beach area. Condé Nast Traveler calls it “the island’s best, least crowded beach. Signal for a piña colada by putting a red flag in the sand and let the accommodating staff take care of you.” Book a suite in the Tara Wing for oceanfront views plus separate living areas. “This is a perfect place to go and unwind and relax,” says a Tripadvisor user. “Great staff and wonderful resort. The beach is wide and clean. There are always taxis waiting to take you anywhere.”   >> Book this hotel for less

Related: