Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

Aruba Marriott Resort's appearance is polished and contemporary throughout. The chic lobby makes a great first impression, with its stylish seating and understated gray palette complemented by pops of teal blue. Attracting a blend of couples, families, and business travelers, the hotel does a solid job of catering to a diverse crowd. The large pool, kids’ club, and wide array of restaurants are a great fit for families. Large meeting spaces and functional guest rooms appeal to business travelers, while couples seeking intimacy can opt for the adult-only pool and bar. The atmosphere is noticeably more restrained than at many of the neighboring resorts, but the scene around the pool and beach can still get quite hopping, particularly around peak hours. The Marriott is refined and mellow by big resort standards, but nonetheless geared towards guests who prioritize entertainment over serenity. 

The Aruba Marriott is located in the island’s buzzing High-Rise district, surrounded by other resorts, including bordering sister properties, the Marriott Aruba Ocean Club and the Ritz-Carlton, Aruba. There’s plenty of foot traffic in this area at all hours of the day, and the energy is usually buzzing. The hotel backs onto Palm Beach and there are numerous shops, restaurants, bars, and casinos within a 15-minute walk. Paseo Herencia shopping mall can be reached in 12 minutes on foot -- it has an open-air plaza, upscale shops, and a modern movie theater. Downtown Oranjestad and Queen Beatrix International Airport can be reached in less than 20 minutes by car. 

Guest rooms at the Aruba Marriott Resort are contemporary and pleasant, with blue accent walls and large windows that let in natural light. All units have furnished balconies, though views vary from direct ocean to garden. Other amenities include coffee- and tea-making facilities, mini-fridges, robes, slippers, and flat-screen TVs. Work desks offer ergonomic chairs and plug-and-play stations that can connect laptops to the TVs. Wi-Fi is available for a fee (though it is free to use in the lobby and guests who sign up for the free Marriott Rewards program get the fee waived). The large bathrooms feature long countertops with dual vanities, walk-in rainfall showers, and Thann bath products. Suites upgrade to larger, wraparound balconies with ocean or garden views, along with extra sitting areas. 

There are lots of resort features, but the highlight is the scenic stretch of gorgeous Palm Beach, where palapas shade rows of lounge chairs. Guests can pay a fee to reserve a front-row palapa, or the chairs towards the back of the beach are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Other features include a curving, freeform pool with a swim-up bar and a volleyball net. There's also a poolside seating area with dining tables. There are plenty of lounge chairs and beach umbrellas set on the brick deck surrounding the pool. Its lagoon-shaped layout allows the seating areas to be portioned in discrete clusters, which adds an element of privacy and minimizes congestion. Swaying palm trees and a lovely waterfall feature further enhance the pool’s relaxed atmosphere. A nearby adult-only pool is hidden behind a gate for even more quiet and privacy, plus it has H2Oasis Adult Pool Bar. The hotel offers a total of eight restaurants and bars, ranging from an outlet of the crowd-pleasing chain Ruth's Chris Steak House to the sophisticated Atardi, which attracts outside guests with its superb raw bar. La Vista, the hotel’s main restaurant, features both buffet and a la carte fare, and has candle chandeliers and blue-tiled buffet tables. The 24-hour Lobby Cafe is connected to Ketsu Sushi Bar, and both offer counter service and seating at a strip of tables overlooking the lobby. Waves Beach Bar & Grill offers light fare, snacks, and beverages under an attractive pavilion. The lobby also holds a full Starbucks, with drinks, food, and pastries. And there's a gelato shop with ingredients from Italy. Room service is available. The large, 24-hour fitness center has a range of cardio equipment and free weights. Free fitness classes are also available. The Balinese-style Mandara Spa offers therapeutic and beauty treatments in both indoor and outdoor relaxation areas. Stellaris Casino is one of the largest casinos on the island, it's open 24/7 and includes multiple gaming tables and over 500 slot machines. Two PCs and a printer located down a hallway near the lobby function as the business center. There are several event rooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 880 guests. Wedding planning services are available. There are a handful of cute souvenir shops which sell everything from beach gear to wine to snacks to resort wear. Free self-parking is available on-site. Wi-Fi is free in the common areas. Guests over 18 can access the Tradewinds Club for an additional fee. The Tradewinds Club also includes free breakfasts, free cocktails during certain hours, and free non-alcoholic beverages, among other perks.