White sand beaches, crystalline turquoise water, and the highest visitor return rate in the entire Caribbean (with over 50% of travelers returning to the Island in their lifetime!), it’s no secret that Aruba is doing something right. Located in the heart of the Southern Caribbean, just 15 miles off the coast of South America. Aruba is one of few Caribbean islands located below the hurricane belt, therefore offering sunny weather forecasts for visitors all year long.
Simply put, Aruba is paradise perfected. Stunning beaches, beautiful beachfront resorts to fit every travel style and budget, fantastic dining, and plenty to see and experience on and off land- this Island truly has it all.
Traveling to Aruba
Traveling to Aruba was far easier than I had initially expected when we first started planning this trip. Direct flights to Aruba run out of most major cities on the East Coast, including Washington DC! Our flight with United from Washington Dulles was only 4.5 hours and really couldn’t have been any smoother. Upon arrival we breezed through customs, negative Covid tests in hand and before we knew it we were off to Palm Beach to check into our stay at the Marriott Stellaris Resort and Casino.
Taxis in Aruba are government-mandated and run off a flat rate fee system – for a ride from the airport to Palm Beach (where most of the resorts and hotels are located) you can expect to pay around $30 for the 20-30 minute ride.
The Resort
The Marriott Stellaris Resort & Casino is situated on the white sand shores of Aruba’s iconic Palm Beach. The resort features a modern design, luxury amenities, fantastic dining, and the most spacious guest suites on the Island. Whether you’re visiting Aruba for a family vacation, or as a couple looking to unwind, this resort has a little something for everyone to ensure you enjoy your stay on this “One Happy Island”.
Accommodations
During our stay we were booked in a king room with an ocean view on the Tradewinds’ adults only floor (see below for more on the Tradewinds experience!). The room was extremely spacious and felt clean and fresh – not to mention the breathtaking ocean view from our balcony. Being on the adults only level was also a fantastic touch, we did not hear a peep from any of the other rooms or the hallway during our stay so if you’re a light sleeper like I am this is the room level for you!
The resort features 9 different guest room accommodations to choose from, varying in price, size, and views. Regardless of which room you go for, rest assured, they all feature the same modern features and design so you’re sure to love whichever space you go with!
Resort Features and Amenities
The Aruba Marriott Resort features two beautiful pools for guests to enjoy on property. The first pool – situated in the middle of the property – is a huge family friendly pool complete with a waterfall, a swim up bar, and a whirlpool.
The second pool is the H2Oasis adults only pool. We LOVED this part of the resort property for a few reasons, first of which being how incredibly quiet it was there. Even the adult pool at some resorts can get fairly crowded and rowdy, but the atmosphere at this pool was truly a tranquil island retreat. This pool is gated off with hotel key card access which is a huge value add as it assures only hotel guests are able to utilize the space. Also featured at the H2Oasis pool are cabanas available for rent, and a fantastic full-service bar! Other amazing on property features include a spacious gym with gorgeous views of Palm Beach, a full service spa, and its very own casino.
Special Access: Tradewinds Club
If you are looking to elevate your vacation at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, I highly recommend opting for Tradewinds Club access. Adding the Tradewinds experience to your trip upgrades your room to the deluxe suites on the “adults-only” floor and provides access to the Tradewinds Club. In the club, guests have access to unlimited refreshments, complimentary snacks throughout the day including a light breakfast and lunch. Other benefits include a daily happy hour, reserved beach seating, and access to cabanas by the adults only H2Oasis pool.
The Beach
The stretch of Palm Beach that is located directly in front of the resort is picture perfect paradise. Brilliant white sands, crystal clear waters, and a relaxing calm tide make Palm Beach the perfect place to unwind. As a resort guest, you can cozy up under your very own oceanfront Palapa, which even have service buttons to press anytime you need a refreshment refill or bite to eat. If you’re looking to have a more adventurous beach day you too are in luck: The Marriott Stellaris offers equipment for activities like stand-up paddle boarding and snorkeling. The resort’s location is also just a quick stroll from Hadicurari Beach, which is known for its kite and windsurfing.
Pro Tip: The resort has complimentary floats available for guests but there are only a limited amount each day so try checking one out first thing in the morning!
Dining
The Marriott Stellaris has you covered when it comes to dining if you choose to stay on property for your meals with 8 different dining options to choose from.
Coffee and Dessert: Located in the Resort lobby you’ll find both a Starbucks and Gelato shop! Perfect for a quick pick-me-up or sweet treat on the go.
Bars: There is certainly no shortage of places to grab a pina colada on property! Choose from the Waves beach bar (which also serves up fantastic food), the lobby bar, the swim up bar, or the H2Oasis Adult pool bar when it comes to relaxing and sipping on a cold drink.
Restaurants:
La Vista: For a casual family-friendly sit-down dining experience, La Vista is the spot offering a full menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We chose to dine here our first night on property after a long day of travel and it absolutely hit the spot.
Ruth Chris Steak House: While we didn’t get a chance to dine here during our stay, we have certainly dined at Ruth Chris before and it is always a 10/10 experience. Having a dining option on property that most people are already familiar with is a sure bet to have an amazing meal during your vacation.
Atardi: Of all the on-property dining options, Atardi is above all, one that should NOT be missed for a romantic and truly unforgettable experience. This pop-up restaurant can be found on the beach directly in front of the resort each evening and allows guests to dip their toes in the sand while watching the sunset melt into the sea. Atardi often has live acoustic music for guests to listen to while they wine and dine on the beautiful Palm Beach. Not to mention, the food is incredible… Atardi expertly prepares both fresh seafood and “land” dishes. We indulged in the macadamia grouper with bok choy, sesame oil, and creamy red curry sauce, and the short ribs that were slow cooked for 22 hours and served with a roasted pumpkin and almond puree. This was hands down our favorite dining experience during our trip to Aruba and can’t recommend it enough.
We now understand why over 50% of travelers return to Aruba & we can’t wait to come back to this “One Happy Island” one day. For more information on the Marriott Stellaris Resort & Casino check out their website here. Also be sure to view our Instagram story highlights, posts and TikToks that we created at the Resort.
A big thank you to the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino for generously hosting us during our stay. All recommendations and reviews remain genuine, these opinions are my own.
