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Best Hotels in Aruba

There are some great places to stay in Aruba, with the options of hotels in the Downtown area, hotel row along the beach or Airbnb. We decided to stay in hotels but a few friends we met while diving, were loving their Airbnb’s, but they weren’t right on the beach like we were! Hotel row had every hotel you could think of at all price points (Hyatt, Hilton, Ritz Carlton, Marriott, Holiday Inn) located right on the beach.

All of them had casinos and you could walk from one to another. I’m used to Vegas casinos which you cannot compare to Aruba casinos. The casinos played the American dollar with the options of slots in different denominations as well as tables including 3 card poker, black jack, roulette, etc. There wasn’t a fee to enter or anything, and all the casinos seemed to have a players card option. If you play long enough you can get free drinks! On the slots there was an option to order drinks once you hit the threshold.

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino! Located mid beach of hotel row, it is the perfect place to spend your days at the beach and is walking distance to almost everything! The rooms were so nice, hard wood floors and super spacious! The pool was huge, complete with a water slide, volleyball net and swim up bar to get your drink on!

Read our full HOTEL REVIEW here: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino

We also stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino so we could visit the flamingos on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach! Read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.

Renaissance Aruba Resort Hotel and Casino

Getting To and From the Aruba Airport

TAXI DRIVE VIEWS OF DOWNTOWN FROM THE ARUBA AIRPORT

It’s a $25 flat rate to get a taxi from the Aruba airport to the high rise hotels or $18 to get to the Downtown hotels. Here is a link to a handy chart for taxi rates for getting around Aruba: Taxi Fares in Aruba

Things to do in Aruba

UTV Tour - Around Aruba Tours

Website: https://www.aroundarubatours.com/tours-in-aruba/

Or book through Viator tours: Aruba UTV Tour

Booking: We took a 4 hour UTV Tour around the island with Around Aruba Tours. It was $180 for the 2 of us. The Hyatt Regency concierge was able to book the afternoon tour for us. They also offer ATV tours and Jeep tours too! Note: An ATV is for one person, the UTVs hold 2-4 people. The driver should be at least 18 years old with a valid driving license while the minimum age for the passengers is set at 6 years.

Scuba Diving with Aqua Windies

Address: Dr. Horacio E. Oduber blvd 4, Eagle Beach, Aruba

Website: aquawindies.com

There is so much to see underwater in Aruba! Not only are there shipwrecks to see, but there are also airplanes below! We went with Aqua Windies Dive Shop, which had very experienced divers giving us a chance to see some fish in the most vibrant coral reefs!

You can always rent a boat from our friends at GetMyBoat.com, it’s like Airbnb for boats!

See our Scuba in Aruba Airplane Wreck dive here:

Restaurants and Where to Eat in Aruba

BREAKFAST IN ARUBA

Dushi Bagels & Burgers

Address: J. E. Irausquin Blvd #87 Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.dushibagelsandburgers.com

Cuisine type: Bagels, Breakfast, Burgers, Sandwiches | Price Range: $7-$12

Looking for the perfect breakfast spot in Aruba? Dushi bagels is your spot! The price was right for our meals and the service was quick. There was a bit of a wait so we just ate at the bar. They also offer to go options if you’re in a hurry! There was an extensive menu of great American breakfast food options, we enjoyed a breakfast burrito with ham, french toast, and delicious hash browns.

Breakfast at a Dutch Pancake House - Diana’s Pancake Place

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370, Noord, Aruba

Website: Facebook Page

Cuisine type: Dutch | Price Range: under $15

Diana’s Pancake House is located by hotel row and across from the Hyatt, above the I Love Aruba store. Dutch pancakes are served as one pancake on a large plate with whatever ingredients you desire from the menu. The pancakes were bigger than my face! I went with the Hawaiian (ham, cheese, and pineapple) and Josh had the Apple Cinnamon. They were good, but we weren’t planning on going back every morning.

Diana's Pancake Place Breakfast Restaurant

LUNCH/DINNER IN ARUBA

The Pelican Nest Seafood & Grill Bar

Address: On Pelican Pier, J.E. Irausquin Blvd 237, Noord, Aruba

Website: pelican-aruba.com

Cuisine type: Caribbean, Seafood, Sandwiches | Price Range: $20 - $30

The Pelican Nest was built over the water with gorgeous aqua water views one all sides! Most specialty dishes are fish centered. We had a late lunch and had a delicious chicken sandwich and happy hour drinks in the bar!

Smokey Joe’s Island Grill

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87, Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.smokeyjoesaruba.com/

Cuisine type: American, International | Price Range: $20 - $30

On Tuesday and Thursday you can get all you can eat ribs! They claim they are “the best ribs in the Caribbean.” The ribs were actually really good, and we got some chicken wings as well. The service was really slow, but we weren’t in a rush, just hungry! Most of the food was American cuisine and very filling!

I saw the Pink Iguana drink on the menu and it was everything I wanted. It was like a Miami vice or lava flow, filled with coconut cream, rum and strawberries! For dessert, we tried the OREO SURPRISE with fried oreos and vanilla ice cream. Nothing was left behind.

Salt and Pepper

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370-A, Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.saltandpepperaruba.com/

Cuisine type: Spanish, Tapas | Price Range: $10 - $20

Salt and Pepper shakers were everywhere! They had different salt and pepper shakers at every table and the walls inside had shelves and shelves of shakers. They even offer free sangria for those who bring a set for them to keep! Spanish tapas were the specialty here, perfect for any amount in your party! We ordered 7 items and ate it all! Our faves: meatballs, chicken wings, fried brie

We also enjoyed a delicious breakfast here with many American breakfast options (coffee was great too).

Sunset Grille at the Hilton Aruba

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 81, Noord, Aruba

Website: Hilton Aruba Resort | Dinner Menu

We made a reservation about a month in advance at Sunset Grille, located in the Hilton Aruba Resort among the various hotels along the beach. We sat outside to enjoy the sunset while at the Sunset Grille! I had a mouth watering Filet Mignon and Josh ordered the Cowboy Bone-in Rib Eye. For sides, we tried the Garlic mashed potatoes and Gouda Cheese Croquettes. The croquettes were little balls of cheese and potato heaven. SO GOOD.

Driftwood Restaurant - Downtown Aruba

Address: Driftwood Building, Klipstraat 12, Oranjestad, Aruba

Website: driftwoodaruba.com

Cuisine type: Aruban, Caribbean, Seafood | Price Range: $25 - $35
This place was so charming! The walls were plastered with driftwood and it felt like a being on a ship with steering wheels as lamps (minus the sea sickness)! I ordered the chicken with tropical citrus sauce and wish I had the recipe for that sauce! Josh tried the Aruban meal - fresh catch of the day with potato and veggies. Although the presentation of the meal was underwhelming, the food quality was spectacular. For dessert, we ordered the Brownie a la mode and it was perfection!

Driftwood Restaurant Decor Aruba Downtown

Driftwood Aruba Downtown Dinner - Chicken

Ice Cream in Aruba - Gelatissimo Palm Beach

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 345, Noord, Aruba

Website: Gianni’s Gelatissimo

Pricing: $3-$8

We went exploring inland where we saw shops and restaurants on our drive in. Of course we had to find some ice cream and we came across some delicious gelato at Gelatissimo! They had any flavor of gelato you could imagine. There was something for everyone to enjoy. I went with a waffle cone trying the Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nutella (chocolate hazelnut).

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