Best Family-Friendly Beach Resorts in Aruba

For those who want to mix some partying in with their lazy beach time, Barceló Aruba is the perfect fit. Smack dab in the middle of the buzzing High Rise Hotel District, the beaches are lively, the casino bells are ringing and the sun shines almost every day of the year. Six on-site restaurants are there to please every mood and palate. Guests can choose from Italian, Tex-Mex, international, Japanese, Caribbean, seafood and grilled favorites. Most offer both inside and outside seating. Two on-site bars provide relaxing places to grab an afternoon drink or a before or after-dinner cocktail.

The resort offers 373 rooms decorated in rich, dark woods and blue accents. Five categories are available: Deluxe, Deluxe Lanai Garden View, Deluxe Lanai Pool View, Deluxe Ocean View and Deluxe Ocean Pool View. The rooms provide between 400 and 500 square feet of space, and all accommodate a maximum of four people. A huge, lagoon-shaped swimming pool surrounded by rocks, gardens and palm trees creates a serene tropical setting where hotel guests can unwind for an hour or two, or all day if they wish. Two hot tubs are also available for guests to use. Barceló has direct access to the beach and amenities include sunshades and hammocks on the sand, bar service, equipment rentals and supervised classes to practice water sports like windsurfing, kitesurfing, snorkeling and diving.

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Visit the exclusive Hotel Riu Palace Aruba for a Palm Beach vacation filled with fun-loving, luxe memories. With all of the amenities expected of a Riu resort, Palace Aruba’s 400-plus rooms are simple and traditional with WiFi access. While they’re equipped with all of the basic necessities, it’s the property that amazes guests. Check in here and you’ll find a plethora of activities from day and evening entertainment, to two outdoor pools with a swim-up bar, plus another especially for kids. On the stunning, wide Palm Beach, relax on loungers and parasols or play beach volleyball and try other watersports. If you’re hoping for a more rejuvenating experience, book a treatment at Renova Spa, where you can lounge in Whirlpool baths or saunas.

Dining options here include five restaurants serving a fusion of cuisines in both a buffet setting, as well as a sit-down steakhouse. There are also numerous spots onsite to grab a quick bite or sip specially mixed cocktails. Try the casino bar or ice cream parlour for a snack or refreshment. Looking for more wild nightlife? Head to the discotheque at nearby Hotel Riu Antilas.

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Despite having few rooms, the large property embraces a mini market, gift shop, four restaurants, waterfalls, statues and car rental. Long-time guests and newcomers mingle freely in the relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. The resort’s 72 rooms, contained in two oceanfront buildings, are tastefully decorated in an upscale, contemporary and simple manner. All include free WiFi, an in-room safe, mini fridge, microwave, coffeemaker, beach cooler and a flat-screen TV. Every room has a private furnished balcony or patio. Accommodations are available in four categories: Deluxe Ocean View, Deluxe Garden View, Deluxe Ocean Front and Deluxe One-Bedroom Suite. All rooms, patios and public buildings are non-smoking. Designated smoking areas are available outside.

Guests of Manchebo Bay can choose between four different restaurants: Ike’s Bistro serves Mediterranean fare in a breezy, open setting by the pool; meat, fish, local cuisine and international fare can be enjoyed at The Chophouse; sushi and sashimi are available at Omakase Sushi Bar; and Pega Pega Beach Bar & Grill’s casual right-on-the-beach atmosphere is the perfect place to sample smoothies, local beers and freshly-caught fish.

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The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino offers a wide array of amenities, but it’s the chic lobby, paired with recently-renovated, sophisticated accommodations that set the tone for this large, four-star resort. Guest rooms here are simple and clean, including balconies and flat-screen TVs. While it is a kid-friendly resort and Aruba tends to be a popular vacation destination for families, guests, from business travelers to honeymooners, enjoy tailored amenities like the large event spaces for conferences or adults-only Tradewinds Club that features a private pool and bar. Dine at upscale restaurants including Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Atardi and La Vista, then get lucky at the popular 24-hour Stellaris Casino. For health and fitness lovers, visit the full-service spa for a luxurious treatment or get in some cardio at the 24-hour fitness center.

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Recently renovated and set on popular Palm Beach, the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino is an upscale option for families and couples alike. You’ll love the modern design, pristine grounds, comfortable rooms and views. Dine beachside at four restaurants including the open-air Gilligan’s Seafood Shack and Laguna Restaurant. When night falls, there are stunning and cool bars onsite, too.

Make the most of the Kids Club affixed with a playground, and spend your days lounging on the wide beach or tanning by one of the two huge pools. Enjoy the well-adorned and high-tech eforea Spa or other resort activities like scuba lessons, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing and biking.

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The gleaming coral-colored Hyatt Regency sits within a stone’s throw of the sparkling turquoise sea and the grounds boast graceful palm trees, cascading waterfalls and winding paths through tropical greenery and colorful bougainvillea.

The hotel’s 357 rooms come with free WiFi, flat-screen TVs and minibars stocked with liquor, beer, soda and juice. Some suites have sitting areas, stereo systems and large working spaces. There are six suite categories and 19 room categories, but not all rooms have ocean views. Suites range from the 819-square-foot Garden and Pool View Executive Suite to the sprawling 2,745-square-foot Ocean Front Governors Suite; the ninth-floor deluxe accommodation features a large living room, 65-inch TV, robes and a full balcony with a breathtaking view of the Caribbean.

Guests can dine at a different place every day of the week and the cuisine is just as varied—Mexican, Italian, island cuisine and grilled favorites, to name a few—and two unforgettable dining experiences are also offered. Have an intimate, romantic dinner right on the beach, or climb aboard a catamaran and take in Aruba’s beautiful coastline and spectacular sunset while enjoying a scrumptious buffet. The resort’s four bars give guests the option of live music, sports, casino or a beautiful beachside setting.

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Just steps to Palm Beach, palm-tree-laden Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club is a timeshare option for families settling in for a longer vacation. Here you can make the most of larger condo-style floor plans, both one bedroom and two bedroom, overlooking the ocean, all with their own private balconies. All of the villas come equipped with free WiFi, flat-screen TVs and pull-out sofas to accommodate your guests.

Onsite, you’ll find three laid-back restaurants and one bar. Enjoy seafood overlooking the beach at Malmok Bar & Grill or pack a picnic for the beach from Ocean Cafe. And if you’re a sports lover, not to worry—Champions Sports Bar ensures you don’t miss a minute of the action. Lounge by the property’s pool or on the white-sand beach by day, or step up your game with a tennis match. When you’re looking for some relaxation out of the sun, nap in your spacious villa or indulge in a massage or beauty treatment at Mandara Spa.

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At Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, you choose how you want to vacation. Enjoy a romantic weekend in the adults-only zone or fun for the whole family at the all-ages hotel. After hitting the pools and beach lagoon, catch a complimentary water taxi to the resort’s private island—home to Flamingo Beach. Once on Renaissance Island, enjoy kayaking, hang out with the resident flamingos, watch iguana feedings and soak up some sun on the beach. After an afternoon enjoying a private Aruba oasis, head back to the resort for a delicious meal. Dine on local favorites at Aquarius or enjoy American cuisine, like burgers and pizzas, at Papagayo Bar & Grill. Love a steak? Reserve a space at L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chop House. Adults are sure to enjoy the handcrafted cocktails and grill fare at The Lounge and live music at the sophisticated BLUE Bar.

The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino’s guest rooms are located at the Marina Hotel (adults-only) and the Ocean Suites (all ages). On the Marina side, choose from one king or two double-sized beds in the Guest, Island and Ocean King rooms. For multiple adult guests, one or two-bedroom options are available with the Executive, Ambassador and Royal suites. At Ocean Suites, visitors can choose a one-bedroom Island, Ocean or Ocean Front suite, or a two-bedroom Presidential Suite.

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With three free-form saltwater pools, a kids’ pool, poolside cabanas, a Jacuzzi and beach service, The Mill Resort & Suites Aruba is the perfect place to unwind, disconnect and melt into the laid-back world of the Caribbean. The hotel’s 163 rooms are bright and clean, and many have been recently renovated. There are six categories to choose from: Vista King, Vista Queen, Vista Junior Suite, Royal Deluxe, Junior Deluxe and Studio Deluxe. Room features, depending on the room, include kitchens, mini refrigerators, soaking tubs, dining areas, living rooms, pool views, balcony/terrace and 55-inch TVs. Rooms are decorated in light colors and wood accents and the airy ambiance adds to the feeling of carefree island life.

The centerpiece of the property is the three beautiful pools. There are plenty of loungers, so guests don’t have to get there at the crack of dawn to snag a spot. Iguanas lounge lazily on the rocks, and every day at noon the staff entertains guests by hosting a live feeding of the resident reptiles. The Mill Restaurant serves guests from 7 am to 10 pm with á la carte breakfast, a breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner. There are two on-site bars—including a swim-up bar—and beach service is available from noon to 6 pm.

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