Aruba has a warranted reputation
of being one of the party capitals of the Caribbean region.
Along with Puerto
Rico, Jamaica
and Antigua,
there's usually something for you to do at any time of
night. Aruba also has a reputation for lavish accommodations.
This reputation is equally warranted. The southwest coast
is where it's at – two main boulevards house a ridiculous
concentration of the resorts in Aruba, the more posh ones
lying the further you get from the main city of Oranjestad.
L.G. Smith Boulevard is the cheaper of the two, and
runs through the heart of Oranjestad. Many of the resorts
in Aruba that you find here conform to the same description:
spacious rooms, high prices, beachside bars and a million
other vacationers to share your accommodations with. It's
not that you have much choice, though. Aruba is a resort
island – there's just not enough space for a lot
of hotels in Aruba too. There are some, obviously, but
most visitors head to Aruba with the images of posh resorts
in their eyes. But there are few all-inclusive resorts
in Aruba, meaning that you have to be careful when you
think you've found a deal at one of the Aruba resorts
that claim low prices – everything you want will
be extra. The other thing that is everywhere along the
boulevard are combination Aruba resorts and casinos. If
you are staying at a resort, there's a good chance there's
a thriving casino attached. Nightlife
revolves heavily around dancing and gambling, which is
why wave after wave of spring breakers hit the island's
shores every year. The Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino
is one of the nicest you'll find, with the added bonus
of being located almost directly in downtown Oranjestad.
But that is nothing compared to what you'll find on
J.E. Irausquin Boulevard. Like a Caribbean Las
Vegas, but with more bikinis, this street is just
waiting to assist you with stimulus overload. It's this
street that defines the island, for better or worse. The
Aruba resorts and casinos seem to stretch into the ocean
and past the breakers. Here you will also find the handful
of thriving all-inclusive Aruba resorts, such as the Tamarijn
and the Divi.
If you are dead set on avoiding the resorts and staying in one of the few hotels in Aruba, you have your work cut out for you. There are only a few and they are often booked well ahead of time. The MVC Eagle Beach is one of the few that has been allowed to coexist on the beach with all the resorts. Since those establishments steal all the glamour and fashion from the island, the hotels in Aruba don't often bother trying to keep up. If you really want to stay away from Aruba's main drag, try the Vistalmar, just south of Oranjestad. Free snorkel gear and breakfast almost make up for its distended location, and many visitors prefer it that way.
