A Trip to Aruba is the Island Getaway Your Family Needs

The island has consistently warm weather, tons of water sports, elevated food and drinks, vibrant street art and spectacular scenery

AMSTERDAM MANOR BEACH RESORT

Why it’s awesome: Known as One Happy Island, Aruba has long been among the most popular Caribbean destinations for New Jersey families, and with good reason. Located north of Venezuela and just outside the hurricane belt, the island has consistently warm weather, tons of water sports, elevated food and drinks, vibrant street art and spectacular scenery.

AMSTERDAM MANOR BEACH RESORT

What to do: Spend your days relaxing along the shoreline at one of Aruba’s many beaches. The island has no shortage of snorkeling and sailing excursions, amazing rock formations, colorful architecture and plenty of shopping (stop by Royal Aruba Aloe for some beauty treats made with Aruban aloe vera).

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Take a half-day Baby Beach Off-Road Safari with De Palm Tours. Prep for some bumpy spots in the open-air Jeep that takes you to the California Lighthouse; Alto Vista Chapel, where you can say a prayer for loved ones you’ve lost; the Rock Wish Garden, where it’s tradition to stack 7 rocks and make a wish; and of course Baby Beach, where you can take a dip in calm, crystal-clear waters. This is one of the best ways to see the island and appreciate its diverse landscape.

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Take a sailing, snorkeling or sunset cruise with Pelican Adventures. If you’re traveling with extended family and friends and can get away for an afternoon sans kids, we recommend the luxury lagoon cruise. You’ll be greeted with mimosas and be treated to a delicious breakfast and lunch spread, plus an open bar with cocktails included. Go snorkeling once the boat docks or jump into the water from a swing. This is a half-day experience that is well worth it!

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Don’t miss out on a visit to San Nicolas, a neighborhood on the island’s southern tip that’s widely considered the Caribbean’s best street art scene. Photos of this vibrant scene here don’t do it justice. The massive murals are as intricate as they are thought-provoking and each has a story behind it.

AMSTERDAM MANOR BEACH RESORT

Where to eat: Passions on the Beach at Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort serves breakfast, lunch and dinner right on Eagle Beach. We recommend the signature breakfast made with salmon, shrimp and a poached egg or an Angus burger for lunch. Dinner with your feet in the sand at Passions is a must (it’s so pretty here that it has become a popular spot for proposals). For dinner, get the grouper, surf-and-turf or salmon and shrimp pasta. There are two seatings, but we recommend the first so you can watch the sunset during dinner. It’s the perfect setting for pictures, too.

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Amsterdam Manor has a cozy outdoor bar overlooking the pool called Horizons Lounge, where you can try a signature Aruba Ariba or a tropical favorite like a Miami Vice. For an extra special meal, ask about the resort’s penthouse dinner or a floating breakfast. For a top-tier farm-to-table meal, make a reservation at Taste My Aruba. You’ll feel like you’re in the Italian countryside as you dine in the restaurant’s charming outdoor garden. The tuna tartare here is among the best we’ve ever tried.

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For a next-level cocktail, head to Apotek Speakeasy, one of Aruba’s trendiest spots. Drinks here come out of a “prescription box” and are served up smoky. We recommend a signature remedy cocktail like the Smoke & Mirror made with mezcal, lime juice, pineapple and blackberry puree.

AMSTERDAM MANOR BEACH RESORT

Where to stay: The Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort is a boutique resort for families and couples. The resort is steps away from Eagle Beach, considered the best in the Caribbean. You can relax in a shaded palapa, take a dip, rent a nearby parasail, jet ski or snorkel; and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a sea turtle.

Designed in the Dutch style, it instantly grabs you with its vibrant yellow exterior. With 72 rooms, the family-run resort is big enough to offer a variety of upscale accommodations for every type of traveler, whether friends, couples or families but small enough that the hospitality is personalized and special.

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During our first night, we were greeted by the staff at a special manager’s happy hour which happens weekly at the resort’s Horizons Lounge situated just above the pool. The bartenders here are exceptional and the cocktails are as beautiful as they are delicious (like we said get the Aruba Ariba). Aruban people are known for their kind demeanor and the staff here epitomize that warmth.

Amsterdam Manor’s picturesque rooms and suites are spacious and modern. The resort offers two-bedroom, two-bathroom suites with a fully-equipped kitchen plus a dining and living room area. Each room has an outdoor patio. A huge supermarket is a 5-minute walk from the resort so it’s easy to stock the fridge with essentials for the kids.

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There are some amazing extras here, too, like a penthouse dinner (it’s the kind of luxe experience that’s perfect for special occasions), where you’ll get a private dinner experience with a view of the beach from the penthouse balcony. The resort also offers a luxurious floating breakfast (pictured above and upon request if available) that’s exactly what it sounds like. Hang in the pool and you’ll be served a decadent breakfast featuring the most amazing local fruit drinks on a  floating tray. The resort’s food is top-tier and won’t disappoint even the most discerning foodies in your crew.

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort
amsterdammanor.com
J.E. Irausquin Boulevard, 252, Eagle, Aruba
Phone + 297 527 11 00

If you can’t get enough of the photos, check out our video reel on Instagram!

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