Paradise Beach Villas

Retired Americans make good-natured jabs at each other and greet
staff with hugs at this low-key mid-range resort, and this hotel seems like the kind of place to find friends new and old. In fact, don't come here if you're looking for solitude. Instead, the guests -- many of whom are returning visitors -- seem to plan their visits to the Paradise Beach Villas at the same
time as their friends, and frequently reach out to new guests, creating a laid-back social vibe.From a style perspective, though, things are a little less warm and fuzzy, and the hotel is unmistakably dated. The pink exterior, large paved and treeless expanses, and abundance of concrete don't create any sort of charming island vibe. Still, everything is in decent shape and the low-key interiors and decor can make a fine-enough setting for a mid-range oceanside hotel. The beach is another main draw here, and ever-popular Eagle Beach -- with calm, turquoise waters
and a relaxed vibe -- is just across the street. The hotel's pool area is ridiculously big, and it serves as the main common area for
the hotel. The most socializing happens here, and there are plenty of ways to kick back, from mini-golf to cheap snacks at the tiki bar. Expect to see lots of mature tourists and families here -- those looking for a romantic escape may want to consider staying elsewhere.

Paradise Beach Villas sits directly across from Eagle Beach in the low-rise hotel region of
Oranjested. There
are a decent amount of restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, including Moomba Beach
Bar and Chalet Suisse -- both of which are just a minute’s walk -- or Screaming Eagle, which is an
eight-minute walk from the hotel. As the rooms include their own kitchens, the nearby supermarket helpful -- it’s about
15 minutes from the hotel on foot, or five minutes away by car. Palm Beach, one of the more popular beaches on the island, will take between five and 10 minutes to reach depending on traffic. For a scenic vantage that's popular with tourists, the California Lighthouse is a 20-minute drive north of the hotel, while the photogenic Natural Bridge is 30 minutes away by car. The downtown area (for shopping and nightlife) is just about 12 minutes
away, while Queen Beatrix International Airport is just under
20 minutes from the hotel by taxi.

The apartment-style suites here are very spacious, sunny, and
private, though the decor is a bit dated and spartan. Given the size of the rooms, the mostly bare walls -- save for a token piece of late-'90s abstract art -- create an austere look that's unintentionally minimalistic. Despite differences in size and shape, all rooms have a similar color scheme defined by light neutral tones plus pops of burnt orange and deep red in everything from bedspreads to curtains to wall art. It's not the freshest look, but is reasonably pleasant, and there are more elegant accents like solid wood furniture and dining sets made from pieces of bisected tree branches that add a dash of rustic charm to the otherwise bland decor. Room configurations vary, and range from Studios to multi-bedroom units. All of the rooms have private balconies with enough room for
a couple to sit comfortably with coffee. The ones with a pool or garden view
are the most pleasant (the others offer an unremarkable view of the
parking lot). Other features include air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs. Full kitchens are a nice-to-have feature, and include dishwashers, full-size refrigerators, coffeemakers, toasters, blenders, and stove-tops. Granite countertops and dark wood cabinets complete the high-end home look. Bathrooms are modern and done in marble tiling with granite vanities. They are compact, though, and most only have walk-in showers plus a simple selection of toiletries.

The sprawling, sparkling pools are the main feature
here -- plenty of palapa huts with comfy daybeds and chairs surround them, as well
as two hot tubs and a kiddy pool. There’s also a basic mini-golf course -- it’s simple
and not quite appealing enough to inspire a round, but can be a passable way to distract the kids for any families staying here. Tiki Bar is part of the pool complex as well, and is the most casual and reasonably priced
of the three on-site restaurants. Options are standard bar fare plus cocktails and beer. Otherwise, the hotel's Italian restaurant, La Terazza, opens for dinner
and there's also Carambola,
serving mostly seafood dishes. These two options are very expensive, even by Aruba's already inflated standards, and guests should keep in mind that while an a la carte breakfast is available, it's not included in room rates. There's also an outdoor grill that guests are welcome to use.If the pool isn’t enough, Eagle Beach is mere steps from the
hotel grounds. It’s one of Aruba’s most popular beaches among tourists for good
reason: It has clean turquoise water, smaller crowds,
and a handful of beach shacks and activities spread along one of the widest
stretches of bright white sand in the country. Palapas on the beach are in high demand and word on the street is that they must be reserved, but it seems as if that rule wasn’t
always enforced when we visited. There’s a laundry room here for guest use, a perk for those who prefer to wash their own clothes. The lobby also offers a mini-mart, coffee shop, and library for book swapping. The on-site spa is small, but has a range of services like massages and facial treatments, and also includes salon services like haircuts. The fitness center is compact and not particularly attractive -- equipment is up to date, though, and the room does get a bit of natural light. Unfortunately Wi-Fi is only free in the hotel's lobby, and fees are expensive for in-room use. Parking is free at the hotel.