By Sinaiyouth 
I have visited the Caribbean several times. But for my money, nothing beats Aruba. I have stayed in many hotels all over Aruba; in my experience there isn’t a bad one in the group. However, on my last vacation, Embassy Suites by Hilton Aruba Resort fit me like cookies and milk.
Reasons why I love Aruba
What draws me to Aruba like a magnet? As an independent country that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it is a melting pot of influences. The locals are multilingual and speak both official languages, Dutch and Papiamento (a lyrical mix of Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish), as well as English.
The food here is fabulous. Aruba’s close ties to the Netherlands create a delicious fusion of island-grown ingredients and fresh seafood paired with Dutch produce.
While most of the Caribbean is lush; Aruba surprises with a magnificent desert landscape. And don’t even get me started on the beaches of Aruba. My favorite is Eagle Beach, with sand as powdery as icing sugar and emerald-colored water. It’s no wonder that it is regularly ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Embassy Suites exceeds its price
While an Aruba getaway isn’t cheap, Embassy Suites is a popular, well-reviewed option that offers great value and plenty of perks. Opening in 2023, it is a bustling resort with 330 rooms. A giant swimming pool surrounded by comfortable loungers, palm trees and fragrant flora is at the center of the action. Don’t expect a calm yoga retreat; lively music and energetic staff add to the fun.
Each room is a two-room suite with a bedroom (with one king or two queen beds) and a separate living room with a sleeper sofa and mini-fridge, giving families space to spread out. My private balcony had an Instagram-worthy view of the sea.
The atmosphere is family-friendly with children under 18 staying free. My husband and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary without our children and it felt right at home. We met several honeymoon couples who were also having fun.
The resort offers extras that I wouldn’t expect in a budget conscious resort. The bathroom had a spacious shower with premium products including Crabtree and Evelyn shower gel, Gilchrist and Soames Zero brand shampoo, conditioner and moisturizer.
I’ve been to expensive resorts that were stingy with pool towels. At Embassy Suites, there were no boring towel cards to exchange; I was given as many fluffy blue and white striped beach towels as I wanted.
Each morning we borrowed new e-bikes and pedaled along Aruba’s fabulous car-free trail.
A free, supervised kids’ club is just a few steps from the pool. It’s a clean, colorful space filled with art supplies. I saw some children smiling; however, most of the children were frolicking in the pool with their families.
There is a lot of food included in the price
A generous buffet breakfast is a real saving. It was one of the most sumptuous mornings I have ever seen. The tables were filled with an assortment of fruits and juices, baked goods, cheeses and charcuterie, a house-made waffle station, breakfast meats and a made-to-order omelet bar. Hot drinks were plentiful and the resort also offers Starbucks for purchase at the cafe.
There is a daily cocktail in the late afternoon. Adults and children each receive two drink vouchers to exchange for cocktails, mocktails, soft drinks, beer and wine. Tables filled with unlimited sweet and savory snacks like chunks of Gouda cheese, dried fruit, and pretzels provide substantial snacking.
Location is everything
Embassy Suites sits directly across the street from a cove-shaped beach nestled between crowded Palm Beach and the pristine shores of Eagle Beach. Although all of Aruba’s beaches are public, I only saw hotel guests using this little-known stretch of sand.
At the beach, I showed our room key to the friendly Embassy Suites employee who set up lounge chairs for us under the shade of a palapa. The water was beautiful, although I will bring water shoes to protect my toes from the rocky bottom next time.
It’s all in the details
Cross the road and you’ll be at the beach in about 30 seconds. However, the hotel has cleverly built an underpass that helps avoid vehicle traffic, perfect if you’re moving slowly, pushing a stroller or holding a small hand. The tunnel is decorated with murals of famous people, from the Beatles to Martin Luther King.
Embassy Suites is a cross between an all-inclusive and a traditional resort
There’s a lot to be said for vacationing at an all-inclusive resort. It’s an easy getaway, with meals, entertainment and accommodation included in the price. The downside is that guests tend to stay cocooned at the resort without exploring the local culture, missing out on a fundamental part of the trip.
Embassy Suites is halfway between an all-inclusive resort and a regular hotel. I enjoyed the free breakfast, generous evening reception, pool and beach; I also loved leaving the place. I felt like Goldilocks finding the perfect bowl of porridge.
Some of my favorite things to do in Aruba
Here are some of my personal must-haves for a vacation to Aruba:
- Get out on the water for a sunset sail with Red Sail Sports. You’ll enjoy panoramic views of the island and unlimited drinks from the comfort of a luxury catamaran.
- Arikok National Park is a wonderland of desert flora. Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the intense heat.
- Climb to the top of the California Lighthouse. Built in 1910, it is a precious monument of the island. Visit it at sunset to say goodbye to the last rays of the day.
- Awash in candy-colored buildings and murals, Aruba’s charming capital of Oranjestad is home to several fine restaurants, including Wilhelmina. The food, from fish to pasta, is delicate and delicious, but it’s the setting, in a palm garden dotted with tropical flowers, that is unforgettable. It’s not a cheap meal, but we were able to treat ourselves to a celebratory dinner thanks to the Embassy Suites’ modest price.