I've been in the Caribbean for a month now with DF, visiting his parents in Curacao, an island that is part of the Netherlands Antilles. We had a short trip to Aruba recently and it was just the perfect break we needed! Our flight to Aruba was on a tiny 15-seater prop plane which took around 40 minutes (also the smallest plane I have ever been one ..it was rather nerve wrecking for me actually) but luckily we caught a bigger plane back to Curacao and the flight duration was only 10 minutes =).
Since we were only in Aruba for 2 days and 1 night, we decided to stay at Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino as DF has already stayed there before and it turned out to be perfect. The hotel is located in Oranjestad, very close to the busy tourist areas where the majorities of hotels and public beaches are and it is less than 5 minutes away from Aruba International Airport. Renaissance is the only hotel in Aruba that has its own private island with its own beach. It also has a shopping mall which house the only boutique in Aruba of some designer labels like Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Gucci ,Vivienne Westwood and the list goes on. The hotel is split in two sides, Ocean Suits for family with children is on one side and Marina Hotel across the road only for adults. Both have their own swimming pool and Ocean Suits has a small beach. We stayed at the latter and managed to check in at around 9.30am ( normal check-in time is 4pm).
We arrived on a Sunday and typical of an island, majority of the shops were closed although we found a market which sells Aruban jewelry, beach clothes and souvenirs that only opens on Sunday. We had lunch at the Dutch Pancake-house in Renaissance Marketplace and it was the most delicious savory pancake I have ever had. We then took a boat to Renaissance Island (the boat comes every 15 minutes from 7am-7pm on ground floor of the hotel) and spent the rest of the afternoon there. I have seen pictures of this island online but it really was much more beautiful in person. The water is clear and blue and you don't have to deal with crowd and the immensely strong wind blowing the sand all over the place like the public beaches inside the main island. Renaissance island cater mainly for its hotel guests, although non-staying guests can visit the island for a fee. There are two beaches on Renaissance Island, one for family and kids which is more shallow , smoother sand surface as opposed to the adults only side that has a lot of stones (and pretty flamingos!!).
Having spent a month in Curacao (also has nice beaches but more dry and much less developed), a short stop-over in St.Marteen and 2 days in Aruba, I can honestly say that Aruba is the most developed, Americanized island and also the most beautiful. The people are very welcoming and it is such a great place for relaxation. I would definitely visit it again before I leave the Caribbean if I have a chance.
Here are some photos of my trip. All photos were taken with my Iphone =( (my camera battery charger went missing along with DF's suitcase when we arrived in Amsterdam and unfortunately KLM hasn't been able to locate it yet).
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The view from our hotel room           |
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| Tutti Lucky LV bracelet Follie Follie clover ring |
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| I wore: Marc by Marc Jacobs glitter mouse flats Asos Jumpsuit Follie Follie clover rings Doloris Petunia friendship bracelets Sal y Limon bangles Prada baroque sunnies |
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| Mahi Mahi Carpaccio @ Casa Tua Pizzeria, Renaissance Marketplace |
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| Pancakes @ The Dutch Pancake house, Renaissance Marketplace |
