That Time I Went To Aruba: One Happy Island
Palm Beach, Aruba
As Spring approaches, I'm reminded that it's past time to plan a nice vacation. I love Fall and the holiday season, but January and February really don't bring about much in the way of excitement, in my opinion. As Winter endures for a few more weeks, fantasizing about beach life is the only thing that will help me get by. That said, I’ve been reflecting on a recent trip to the lovely Caribbean destination of Aruba, also known as One Happy Island.
I was fortunate enough last May to spend a few days in Aruba. For me, this had always been a bucket list destination, of sorts. Flights to the island are usually pretty pricey (as I tracked them for SEVERAL months beforehand), but one day I timed it just right apparently and caught a fare sale. Without giving it much more thought, we reserved the time off at work, booked the flights and we were off.
“…few things in life top having my toes in the sand with a drink in my hand…”
Getting there was fairly easy as it's only a two hour flight out of South Florida. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino in Palm Beach. The hotel is on the main road in that area. I liked that it wasn't a long ride from the airport, but did give you an opportunity to see the countryside a bit....which seemed as clean and beautiful as it was peaceful.
The Hyatt resort was beautiful and felt elegant and intimate at the same time. Service was top-notch, and the resort really offers all that you could possibly need or want for a few days. The room was well appointed and offered a nice view of the ocean. The ocean was precisely why we went to Aruba, so once we checked into the hotel, we hit the beach almost immediately. The beach was both stunning and serene, with calm turquoise blue water and white sand. Living in Florida leads one to take the simplistic beauty of a beach for granted, but the atmosphere in Aruba is unlike any other.
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino
Like many vacation spots in the Caribbean, resorts have "personalities" and you should choose yours accordingly to suit your mood. The Hyatt in Aruba was a perfect fit for us, as it offered a super chill vibe. If nightlife is your thing though, the clubs are literally across the street, within walking distance. The resort (like many others on the strip) also boasts a casino. Some of the all-inclusive resorts definitely had more of a lively and energetic party vibe. We were good with going to the local spots nearby for dinner and drinks and then wrapping up the night in the casino. At 40+, our clubbing days are mostly behind us!
Our primary goal for the trip was to get some much needed relaxation, so we spent most of our time on the beach. For me, few things in life top having my toes in the sand with a drink in my hand! My drink of choice while there was the Aruba Ariba, which is the island’s signature cocktail. It’s essentially a rum punch, made with a local and exclusive type of liquor. It's delicious and refreshing, but will sneak up on you if you're not careful!
Catamarans in Palm Beach, Aruba
As for activities, we did a catamaran sunset cruise one evening, which was lovely. The views were breathtaking. The island offers tons of interesting things to do, with everything from trekking through national parks to pink flamingo watching. We’ll definitely take the time to explore more of the island during our next visit.
We see ourselves going back sometime in the next few years, as Aruba is now one of our favorite islands. The people are friendly, and the beach is beautiful. It has such an inviting and laidback atmosphere. One Happy Island indeed! It's absolutely our kind of place, we've just got to check a few more places off of our bucket list first!
