J.E. Irausquin Blvd #41, Druif Beach, Oranjestad, Aruba | (297) 525-5200
Coastal location on white-sand Druif Beach, a 10-minute drive from Oranjestad
All rooms face the ocean and have furnished balconies or patios
Unlimited food and drink at two properties, with 10 restaurants and great alcohol offerings
Nightly entertainment ranges from dance performances to karaoke
Well-equipped fitness center, exercise classes, and tennis courts
Family-friendly, with game room, kids' club, and a 30-foot climbing wall
Four outdoor pools between the two resorts with activities like water aerobics and volleyball
Guests get access to facilities at the nearby sister property, Divi Aruba
Free on-site parking plus car rental desk and shuttle to Divi Aruba
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Kids' club only open weekdays
Pools can get crowded
Lots of kids can put a damper on romance
Tamarijn Aruba is a three-and-a-half-pearl all-inclusive beach resort that's popular with vacationing families. The 236 rooms all face out over Druif Beach and have patios or balconies, but its the facilities -- not the rooms -- that really stand out here. These include floodlit tennis courts, a well-equipped fitness center, a beauty salon, and free non-motorized water sports on the hotel's adjacent beach, not to mention kids' facilities ranging from a kids' club to a 30-foot climbing wall. Note that kids' club is only open on weekdays. The five restaurants provide good variety, with buffet and a la carte options ranging from seafood to Italian fare. Guests also get access to the facilities at the nearby Divi Aruba, a sister property that's more suited to couples than the family-focused Tamarijn.
Scene
Family-centric all-inclusive beach resort with ocean views
This all-inclusive beach resort occupies a series of two-story low-rise pale-yellow buildings sandwiched between a gorgeous stretch of white-sand beach and a main road, with a tiled open-air common area that stretches from the minimalist, contemporary lobby straight to the sand. Everything here is simple and modern, with minimal decoration save for a few potted plants, a lobby sculpture reminiscent of a windswept tree, and a couple of Greco-Roman style statues. The Tamarijn is particularly popular with families in search of a beachfront experience in Aruba, with enough facilities and dining options to make it a good choice for those who don't want to venture far. Though families take center stage here, the hotel also attracts couples and regularly hosts destination weddings.
Location
Beachfront location in the Low-Rise district
Tamarijn Aruba is situated on a prime beach in the Low-Rise hotel district, a 10-minute drive from Queen Beatrix International Airport. As the name suggests, the Low-Rise district is characterized by low-lying hotels, in contrast to the busier (and taller) High-Rise district in front of Palm Beach, a seven-minute drive away. Popular nearby attractions include Eagle Beach, a five-minute drive from the hotel, and the California Lighthouse, nine minutes away by car. It's a 10-minute drive to downtown Oranjestad and the cruise terminal and getting to both Alto Vista Chapel and the Tierra del Sol golf course doesn't take much longer. Arikok National Park and Savaneta (with great beachfront dining) are each around 20 to 25 minutes away by car. Baby Beach takes just over a half-hour to reach. The adjacent Divi Aruba, which shares facilities with the Tamarijn, is about a 10-minute walk down the road (or beach). There's a free shuttle that links the two properties and it runs every 15 minutes.
Rooms
Sea-facing rooms with pleasant decor, Nespresso-style coffeemakers, and patios or balconies
Rooms are situated in a series of two-story buildings that flank Druif Beach, and all rooms face out over the water. All are more or less identical, with two queen-size beds or one king-size bed. Simple, pleasant decor includes cream-colored tile floors and coordinating bedspreads, two-toned light-blue bed runners, and small colorful art prints on the walls paired with dark-brown ceiling fans, headboards, and wooden furniture like large wardrobes and small sitting areas with tables and chairs. Rooms stay softly bright, with a mix of recessed lighting, tabletop lamps, and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that lead out to furnished patios or balconies which can be blocked off with blackout curtains. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, free and reliable Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and Nespresso-style coffeemakers along with digital safes and irons/ironing boards in the closet. Bathrooms are snazzy, with large granite countertops and walk-in showers with dark-tinted glass doors. Wall-mounted toiletries and hairdryers are provided.
Features
Huge array of all-inclusive amenities including multiple pools, fitness center, water sports, climbing wall, and great dining
The resort offers a serious range of amenities, primarily geared toward vacationing families, and guests of the Tamarijn also get access to the facilities at the Diva Aruba (including its 9-hole golf course, albeit for a fee). There are four pools in total, including a main pool with beach views and lots of lounge chairs along with three freeform pools at the nearby Divi -- though all four can get crowded. Guests can also head straight from the resort out to its white-sand beach, where there's a volleyball net and a short row of palapa-shaded lounge chairs. Calm turquoise waters are ideal for swimming. Non-motorized water sports equipment (snorkels and kayaks) are available and included as part of the all-inclusive package. Motorized water sports can be arranged for a fee.Dining options are abundant, with 10 restaurants between the Tamarijn and Divi, with a mix of indoor and outdoor seating. Guests staying at either of the two resorts get access to the bars and dining options at both. Five of these are at Tamarijn, including three a la carte options: the sea-facing Palm Grill with seafood and DIY hibachi grills at the tables; the upscale Italian Paparazzi; and the pan-Asian Ginger. There's also a large buffet restaurant with all sorts of international options and a pool-facing bar and grill, Pizza Per Tutti, with drinks, snacks, and pizza available well into the night.The all-inclusive alcohol program is generous, with a wide range of local and international beverages on offer. Other amenities include a fitness center with a good range of cardio equipment and Life Fitness weight-training machines, plus a range of fitness classes, from Zumba to yoga, along with outdoor tennis courts with floodlighting for evening matches. There's also a game area with pool and table tennis, and a tall outdoor climbing wall along with shoes, harnesses, and helmets for children and adults. For children ages 5 through 12, there's a kids' club with activities ranging from t-shirt decorating to scavenger hunts. Note that it's only open on weekdays. Adults are catered to with a strong lineup of nightly entertainment featuring everything from karaoke to Aruban dance. The hotel also has its own car rental desk, beauty salon, concierge services, and free Wi-Fi and parking.
Deluxe Oceanfront Room
J.E. Irausquin Blvd #41, Druif Beach, Oranjestad, Aruba
(297) 525-5200