Aruba Surfside Marina

Surfside Marina’s low-profile setting on one of Aruba’s
quieter beaches is a fitting place for the charming, family-owned boutique hotel:
it’s on the outskirts of downtown Oranjested, just close enough to walk to the
lively downtown area (or far enough to escape the crowds). The low-slung red-and-yellow building has a pristine interior courtyard, which seems to remain both immaculately
clean and totally empty most of the time. If it weren’t for the massive palm trees that dot
the property, it would feel almost like being in a small-town square in Europe on a
Sunday. The vibe is beyond quiet: there’s almost nobody here all day,
despite a massive gazebo and some rocking chairs set occasionally throughout the grounds.
It might seem boring to some, but the independent travelers who arrive at this six-suite hotel are typically looking for just that -- a very private, subdued
atmosphere that’s still surprisingly luxurious. There’s little
in the area besides the quiet Surfside Marina, a beach that’s more popular with locals
than tourists, which also means it stays pretty empty during the work week. The
open-air courtyard, beach, and pleasing architecture are lovely enough to
attract honeymooners and young North and South American couples.  

The hotel is in Oranjested, right on Surfside Beach, a quiet stretch of sand that's mostly visited by local Arubans. Pincho’s Grill and Barefoot Restaurant are the most popular
spots within a five-minute walk -- both are good choices for sit-down dinners, though there are also a
few shacks along the water for casual snacks and drinks. When it gets late
there’s even a beachy nightclub vibe at one of them (complete with top 40 dance
hits and flowing alcohol). Otherwise downtown is a 15-minute walk
from the hotel, and is home to several casinos, restaurants, stores, and bars. Both Palm and Eagle Beaches are both a 15-minute drive away, and Queen Beatrix International Airport is just at the end of Surfside Beach, a five-minute drive from the hotel.

Guests are greeted with a bottle of wine when they enter these spacious, sun-drenched suites. The theme is
tropical-chic, and the look is modern and cheerful, with clean tile floors and vintage tropical prints hung on the bright yellow or white walls. Flowery curtains and a combination of hardwood and dark wicker furniture
combine to create homey spaces that are a step above most in this category on Aruba. Details like carved bed frames add a sharp, classic touch. All six rooms are on the second
floor and have small private balconies -- just big enough for breakfast, and to sit and admire the ocean views. They also feature kitchenettes with modern fixtures and amenities like full-sized fridges, microwaves, and
coffeemakers. There’s plenty of closet space, helpful for the many guests who stay
here a week or longer, and suites with separate bedrooms are available. Bathrooms are bright and medium-sized, but a bit basic looking, with decent toiletries, generous counter space, and shower/tub
combos. There are the rare complaints of street noise from the main road
and nearby airport, but generally these rooms offer a quiet and restful night’s
sleep. 

The hotel is small so amenities are understandably limited,
yet the property is surprisingly expansive, especially if you count the beach. Surfside
Beach is long, with a relatively narrow strip of sand running along the shore,
along with various restaurants and lots of shady palm trees. The beach is maybe
less picturesque and lacks some of the family-friendly activities to be found at
Eagle and Palm Beaches, but it’s calm, swimmable, and best of all remains gloriously
empty. The weekends are the only time this beach sees any action,
and at night, when locals and tourists visit Pincho’s, the pricey seafood grill
that stands literally on the water adjacent to the hotel. It’s not
officially connected to the hotel, but it’s so close (visitors have to
walk through the hotel’s grounds to get there) that it’s worth a mention. The
food here is carefully prepared and the ocean view is truly
unbeatable, especially at sunset. A free breakfast
is delivered daily to guests’ private balconies at a pre-arranged time, and
features a good variety of breads, pastries, cold meats, juice, and fruit.Aside from free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, Surfside
Marina also hosts business functions at their mid-size downstairs meeting room
(about 2,000 square feet of space). They also stock it with up-to-date
audio-visual equipment and dividers to accommodate smaller groups. The hotel is
often a site for weddings too, because of the idyllic waterfront location
and charming tropical garden.