Aruba is a destination known for its sparkling turquoise water, friendly locals and year-round great weather. It happens to be the most revisited place in the Caribbean, with more than half of all visitors returning each year. This is thanks to its ease of access and beautiful climate. There are many flight options to Aruba from cities in the U.S., the Netherlands and the U.K. A direct flight from New York City takes less than five hours, making Aruba an easy to get to island.

Weather-wise Aruba is a desert which means very low rainfall.  It’s also outside of the hurricane belt, making it a great vacation spot even during hurricane season. The island is traditionally known as an ideal place for families looking for all-inclusive deals, but Aruba is quickly becoming a luxury destination with new hotels and restaurants opening each year. Currently there is one five star luxury resort on the island, The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba.

Aruba’s government has spent around $1 billion expanding the island’s airport and working on beautification efforts. And with the opening of The Ritz-Carlton in 2013, the island was put on the map as a destination for luxury-minded travelers. I had a chance to visit beautiful Aruba and experience The Ritz-Carlton’s word-class service and it truly lived up to its luxury reputation!

As soon as travelers arrive at The Ritz-Carlton they’re greeted with champagne and sweeping turquoise ocean views from the lobby’s floor to ceiling windows. The perfect tropical welcome after escaping winter in New York!

When I think about a great hotel experience a few things immediately come to mind. Great location, helpful staff and plentiful amenities all make the checklist. It’s easy to find some of these things at a hotel, but it’s tricky to find them all. The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba met all of my expectations and more. 

The hotel is situated on a beautiful slice of oceanfront called Palm Beach. The location is ideal; The Ritz-Carlton is the last hotel in a strip of resorts making it a quieter and more exclusive option than other accommodations in the middle of the tourist action. The ocean is very calm on this side of the island which is perfect to enjoy the array of water activities the hotel offers. At The Ritz-Carlton all water activities are free of charge; this includes stand up paddle boards, kayaks and various water floats. The hotel also offers two large pools.

For an ultra exclusive beach experience at The Ritz-Carlton, guests can rent a striped Bimini lounge or even a private cabana that comes with a butler. The beach is full service, with waiters bringing food and delicious tropical drinks to sun bathers via Segways- a fun sight to see! The hotel also offers Ritz Kids, a children’s program, where little ones can have their own fun and give mom and dad time to relax.

The guest rooms at The Ritz-Carlton are beautifully appointed with huge modern bathrooms. My room had two comfortable queen beds and a large balcony overlooking the water. The sunset views were gorgeous, with the sky painted various shades of yellow, pink and orange each night.



The Ritz-Carlton has six delicious dining options, including a coffee shop and a sushi lounge and bar. I had a fabulous dinner at Casa Nonna, the Italian restaurant on property. The food at Casa Nonna was amazing, and the service was A+. One of my favorite parts of the meal was the mobile bar cart that travels around the restaurant. I loved sampling a variety of cocktails made tableside. The sangria was one of my favorites! The atmosphere added to the dining experience, I sat at a table outside where there was live music and ocean breeze.
If you need a break from the beach, The Ritz-Carlton boasts the largest spa on Aruba; it’s a 15,000 square foot tranquil oasis. I had a massage and really enjoyed it. The spa also offers a homemade sea salt scrub in scents inspired by the elements- sky, water, earth and fire. Each scrub is infused with locally grown ingredients native to the island like coconuts and aloe.

While it’s easy to never leave the hotel (and you don’t have to!) the concierge at The Ritz-Carlton can arrange a variety of activities on the island including jeep tours, boat cruises and snorkeling excursions. I went on a catamaran ride and snorkeling excursion with De Palm Tours that was fabulous!

The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba is an amazing property that really raises the bar on island luxury hospitality. Some hotels are just places to sleep at night, but The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba is a place to really unwind, relax and make memories.

This review is written in collaboration with The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that make My Darling Passport possible!