Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
Bonnie booked directly with Marriott Rewards for a $165 rate in May, 2017. This was a great rate for a hotel in Aruba. It ranks #1 of hotels in Oranjestad, the Capital city of Aruba.
The main reason you will want to stay at the Renaissance is this….
For the Flamingos!
All guests staying at the Renaissance have access to the Renaissance Private Island for FREE!
Did you hear me?
FREE!
The Renaissance Private Island
This is a $99 added value by staying at the hotel. Non-guests have to pay this fee if they want to relax and see the Flamingos on the private island. The fee includes lunch and a drink. Day passes are only sold when the hotel isn’t at an 80% occupancy rate. If going to the private island is important to you, then stay at the hotel for at least a night. This ensures you access to the private island.
If on a cruise, contact the hotel before and try to book ahead of time. Unfortunately, day passes aren’t always available. The main draw of the private island are the flamingos. Aruba has better beaches on the island like Palm Beach and Eagle Beach with more to do. However, Flamingos are only located on the Renaissance Private Island. Flamingos aren’t freely walking around Aruba beaches like many people think.
Children under the age of 12 are free as a non-guest. Lunch isn’t included but there is a restaurant near the family beach. Each beach supplies complimentary towels and chaise lounges. The beaches are pretty and the rock boulder barrier from the ocean create a calm lagoon-like swimming pool. Keep in mind that children are only allowed to visit the Flamingos on Flamingo Beach from 9 am- 10am only.
There are 6 Flamingos on Flamingo Beach. The Flamingo Beach is for adults only.
Flamingo Beach is a photographic paradise with the contrast of pink Flamingos, a white sand beach, and beautiful blue ocean backdrop.
There is a beach bar and DJ spinning tunes to create a party-like atmosphere. If you plan to stay for a longer day Bonnie suggests booking one of the shaded cabanas. They have a hammock built right into the deck. There are plenty of beach chairs and a few hammocks if you decide you don’t want to pay the extra cost for a cabana. Topless sunbathing is allowed if that is your thing. It is the more happening side of the private island. Getting a selfie with the Flamingos is the perfect picture for your Aruba vacation.
The island has a nature walking trail that is a mosquito habitat. If you want to walk it, bring mosquito repellant. There is a fitness center and spa services are offered as well.
Amenities at the Renaissance Aruba Marina Resort
Infinity Edge Pool & Blue Martini Bar
This area is packed. The pool/lobby bar has a Miami vibe to it with lit up Blue bar and dance music playing. The Marina property is adult only while the beach property is kid friendly. This is where the action is. People were partying when Bonnie arrived until the sun went down. Candles in glass pillars align the stairways at the hotel. It’s a fun area for a cocktail in the evening overlooking the marina. The 2 for 1 happy hour drink special is from 4:30 pm 6:00 pm.
Other amenities include the use of the Renaissance Beach Lagoon area. It is across the street from the Marina property and is the Ocean Suites kid-friendly resort.
The marina fitness center offers cardiovascular equipment, free weights, and free fitness classes. A hotel schedule is posted next to the Elevator. There is another fitness center located on the private island. The Okeanos Spa is a nice amenity if you are need of a relaxing massage on vacation. It is a full-service spa in case you want your nails done for playing Blackjack in the 24-hour casino.
The water taxi to the Renaissance private island is the best amenity and the reason to stay at this hotel!
They also have a Starbucks in the lower level lobby for the coffee fix in the mornings. The Renaissance Mall on the lower level offers high-end shopping with stores like Prada, Kate Spade, and Michael Kors. On property is a 24-hour casino too.
The Rooms
The rooms were spacious with mini balconies, plush pillows, and comfortable beds. Toyko Milk soaps, shampoo, and lotion were a nice plus in the bathroom. The bathroom is quite small. It was a quick one night stay so not much time was spent in the room.
View from the Room
This was the view from our room of Downtown Oranjestad. It was Sunday and all the stores were closed. One tip for getting a room is to ask for a town view. The interior views of the hotel are looking at the lobby and mall area. The pool rooms might be a little too noisy. In Bonnie’s opinion, her room location was superior and she enjoyed looking out into the city.
Bonnie booked a one night stay for $165. The price was reasonable considering all the amenities the resort offers. The advantages of staying at the Renaissance Aruba Resort are;
- the affordable price of lodging
- the proximity to the airport, it is a $21 cab fare to the airport from the hotel
- location of being in the Capital city, Oranjestad
- going to the Private Island to see the Flamingos.
Bonnie would definitely stay here again in Aruba and make a full day out of the private day with a cabana rental. She preferred Palm Beach for a longer stay because the beach was long and expansive with amazing sunsets. There were lots of shops, restaurants, beach bars and more nightlife there.
Bonnie liked feeding the Flamingos!
Until the next vacation!
Bonnie
Read more about Bonnie’s Trip to Aruba
For more reviews on Aruba, check out Trip Advisor. It’s a one-stop shop to get the best prices on hotels too.
