The 9 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Aruba

Built in the 1960s, Manchebo helped establish the low-rise hotel district on Eagle Beach—one of the prettiest and widest sandy shores in the Caribbean. The hotel’s early arrival earned it prime real estate along the coveted strip, which its eco-minded developers left largely unspoiled. Manchebo remains at the top of the game thanks to its understated elegance, thoughtful service (there are 150 employees for 72 rooms), healthy cuisine sourced from the sea and two on-site greenhouses, and a rotating menu of wellness activities like oceanfront yoga (all covered in the optional, premium all-inclusive rate). But the crown jewel of this 50-year-old gem is its Balinese-inspired spa, whose thatched-roof treatment cabanas face the sea.

While Divi Village isn't right on the beach—it sits across the street from beachfront sister hotel Tamarijn—the property does benefit from a lush, green setting on a golf course (one of the only fairways on the island) and spacious suites, the smallest of which can still comfortably fit a family of four. Convenience is the name of the game at this one-size-fits-all playground, where reliable shuttles transport guests throughout the complex—home to tennis courts, four freshwater pools, and 10 dining and eight bar options—as well as to nearby attractions. While the all-inclusive package is optional, there’s no reason to trouble yourself when the pay-once choice is so reasonably priced.

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Whether you’re traveling with a large group or just have a hard time planning out your day, you can cover all the bases at Tamarijn. The Druif beach harbor is tied to three other resorts, so you have access to six freshwater pools, eight bars, 13 restaurants, a kids’ club, golf course, rock climbing wall, and sports center where young ones can learn to windsurf. The two-story layout lends a more intimate vibe, and it’s the only property within the complex where all 236 rooms face the ocean.

When it comes to adults-only romantic escapes, Bucuti & Tara checks all the boxes: eco-friendly rooms are done up in a serene-meets-tropical white and turquoise palette, beachside tables for two sit right on the sand, and lovebird extras like movies under the stars and a private wellness concierge round out days spent in the sun. Though breakfast is the only meal included in the rate, you can add a dining plan to use on-site or at any of 20 participating Aruba Gastronomic Association restaurants on the island.

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When it opened in January, this rustic-luxe, seven-villa inn became as a much-welcome addition to Aruba’s otherwise mega-resort scene. Hidden away in the fishermen’s neighborhood of Savaneta, you’ll find the island’s only overwater bungalows, each tastefully in rich mahogany furniture, gauzy white linens, and Afro-Caribbean art. If you manage to pull away from your posh hut (the outdoor showers, plush beds, and ocean-facing adirondack chairs make it tough), there are plenty of sexy little nooks where you can continue to do nothing at all. Swashbucklers can ask to get skydiving, jeep tours, or horseback riding arranged up-front. Another highlight: the inn’s connection to the lauded seafood joint it’s named after means the food far exceeds your standard hotel fare.

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Aruba’s Dutch roots are palpable at this family-run hotel across the street from Eagle Beach. With just 72 suites (all of which come with a kitchenette and patio), the service is more hands-on than you may find at some of the more expansive resorts. Although you do have to walk (40 feet) to the ocean, the Manor makes up for the short distance with a waterfall pool, four restaurants and bars (including one on the sand), first-come first-serve beach palapas, and free loaner mountain bikes and snorkel gear to satisfy explorer-types.

If your idea of paradise is a kid-free zone with 24-hour room service, book it to the newest Riu outpost in Aruba. This Palm Beach resort covers all the basics (above-average food and premium drinks, water sports, beach and pool toys), plus all the spoils you always wish for but hardly find—like the glass of cava waiting at arrival, late-night snacks, and a bottomless minibar.

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People who stay at the Renaissance have little intention of leaving—and why would they? With 556 tropical modern rooms spread across two hotels (one for families and another for adults), access to Aruba’s only private island (a 40-acre atoll with its own flamingo colony), and the area’s biggest casino, this Oranjestad port locale doesn’t disappoint. The all inclusive-package covers the Kids’ Club (we got you, Mom), meals, and 15 percent off services at Okeanos, the highly-regarded hotel spa, where native aloe is used for everything from facials to manicures.

When Spanish hotel group Barceló rebranded the Occidental Grand Aruba Hotel as the new Barceló Aruba last year, they took an already spiffy 1975 resort and fine-tuned it with $16 million worth of room upgrades, an expanded casino, and a new spa with a hammam. For ultimate luxury, book a room on the Royal Level, where you'll have access to a personal concierge and a private restaurant (all the quicker to call room service). Beyond your cushy pad and chef-made meals, you won’t have to think twice when booking scuba or kite surfing lessons, ordering a top-shelf drink from the swim-up bar, or catching a cirque-style show at night—it’s all covered, whether you go for the high-roller package or not.