Destination: Aruba

Aruba, Jamaica, Ooh I wanna take ya to, Bermuda, Bahama, Come on pretty mama …

I’ve sung this song since I was a child, all the while dreaming of the beauty of the Caribbean islands. But it wasn’t until I recently visited Aruba that I realized just how song-worthy this destination really is. A short visit was all it took to enamor me with its breathtaking beaches, friendly people and glorious (truly glorious!) sunsets.

About Aruba
Aruba is a tiny place, a 33-kilometer long island located just 20 miles off the coast of Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea. Along with sister islands Bonaire and Curaçao, the three form a group known as the ABC islands of the Leeward Antilles. What you may not expect of this Caribbean jewel is its surprising landscape. Unlike many of the other islands in the region, Aruba has a comparatively dry and arid climate and is heavily dotted with cacti. But don’t worry! It’s not all sprawling desert. Aruba still boasts the gorgeous white sandy beaches you’re dying to relax on, mostly on the western and southern coasts of the island. The weather is typically warm and tropical year-round though rainfall is most common during the late autumn months. Aruba is located outside the hurricane belt, which means that tropical storms and hurricanes are rare. For more information, visit the Official Tourism Website of Aruba.

Where to stay
The eight-story Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino (pictured above) is ideally situated overlooking the perfectly picturesque Palm Beach. A recent $50 million facelift has transformed this spot into a sprawling resort with everything guests will need. The spacious lobby, full of natural light, is an instantly welcoming feature, minimalist in design and exuding a feeling of peace and calm.

The resort features six on-site restaurants: Ketsu Sushi Bar; La Vista (delicious Italian fare); Lobby Bar (a sleek bar situated in the open-concept lobby; it’s the perfect spot for cocktails before dinner!); Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Simply Fish (enjoy a fresh seafood dinner on the beach with your toes in the sand and front-row seats to the best show in town – the sunset! It’s extraordinarily romantic!); and Waves Beach Bar & Grill. The dining options here are extensive so you’re sure to find something that suits you each night.

Guest rooms at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino are full of creature comforts; most notably, the Revive bed (a Marriott signature feature) is the absolute definition of comfort. Rooms are non-smoking and have standard features like a safe, hair dryer, iron and board, coffeemaker and mini-fridge. But more importantly, each room has a large private balcony (opt for an ocean view room for the best views), and enjoy the warm afternoon sun as you watch the bustling activity below. The 37” LCD flat-panel TV isn’t too shabby either. And the robes … they’re so soft and luxurious, you may have a hard time taking yours off to leave your room!

As if lying on the beach all day long isn’t relaxing enough, this resort offers up lots of alternative ways to unwind. Besides the beautiful on-site pool, there are a myriad of activities nearby, including hiking, horseback riding, jet-skiing, kayaking, kite-surfing and sailing. If hitting the links is more your thing, the Tierra Del Sol Golf & Country Club and The Links at Divi are both about two miles from the resort. But ladies, who are we kidding? What we’re really interested in is the spa! The Mandara Spa offers a full menu of treatments including body scrubs and wraps, facials and massages and manis/pedis. Be sure to make your appointment in advance, as the spa can be busy. Tel: 297-520-6750. For more information, visit the Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino website.