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Rosie Bell, Contributor

Forbes Vetted

For many, Aruba may have first popped on the radar after listening to the first line of The Beach Boys' infectious 1988 summertime anthem, "Kokomo." These days, everyone from adrenaline-seeking families to lovestruck couples sings Aruba's praises, owing to its wealth of watery wonders, dramatic caves, knockout ivory beaches and reliably warm weather outside the hurricane belt. Dubbed "One Happy Island," the 19.6-mile-long southern Caribbean destination is ludicrously scenic, with pops of color from soaring green cacti, slanted divi-divi trees casting angled shadows and white sand beaches worth writing home about.

From sprawling international hotel brands to family-run boutique marvels featuring traditional Dutch architecture, Aruba has a robust selection of excellent resorts. Lovers of all-inclusive resorts in particular can find an array of lodgings where the weight of planning is taken care of, leaving more time for pool splashes, national park dashes, and escapades in crystal-clear waters. In Aruba, you can go all in without breaking the bank or opt for a luxurious sanctuary with flamingo-filled private island getaways thrown in for good measure. Below, we've listed the best all-inclusive resorts in Aruba for 2023, from fully-inclusive properties to hotels with optional add-ons.

• Best Overall All-Inclusive Resort In Aruba: Riu Palace Aruba
• Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resort In Aruba: Barceló Aruba
• Best Boutique All-Inclusive Resort In Aruba: Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort
• All-Inclusive Resort With the Best Amenities In Aruba: Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort
• Best Beachfront All-Inclusive Resort In Aruba: Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort
• Best All-Inclusive Resort For Groups In Aruba: Divi Village Golf And Beach Resort
• Best Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resort In Aruba: Riu Palace Antillas
• Best Spa And Wellness All-Inclusive Resort In Aruba: Manchebo Beach Resort And Spa
• Best All-Inclusive Resort For Families In Aruba: Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Resort
• Best All-Inclusive Resort For Couples In Aruba: Divi Aruba All Inclusive

Best Overall All-Inclusive Resort In Aruba: Riu Palace Aruba

Riu Palace Aruba

Who Will Love It: Night owls; fun-loving couples and groups; families partial to an entertainment program; spa lovers

All-Star Amenities: Swim-up pool bar; five restaurants; two outdoor pools; beach palapas; Renova spa; SUP, kayaks and snorkeling gear; aqua gym; children's playground; ice-cream parlor

What Not To Miss: The evening poolside entertainment

Location: Noord

Spanish hotel chain Riu has two expansive resorts in Aruba located on Palm Beach, the island's photogenic hospitality epicenter on the west coast. Riu Palace Aruba caters to families, honeymooners, and everyone in-between with five restaurants, two pools, and 400-plus rooms and suites housed in a palatial chalk-white building. For guests seeking additional touches of luxury, suites with whirlpool baths and Jacuzzis are available. With any room you book you'll have access to a complimentary in-room minibar and 24-hour room service for round-the-clock cravings.

The all-inclusive rate at Riu Palace Aruba includes a daily entertainment program for children aged between four and 12 and global-themed meals at various dining establishments that range from Japanese and Italian to tantalizing fusion options. Guests older than 18 can also dine at the adults-only Riu Palace Antillas next door, which boasts a casino and nightclub. The resort is right near one of Aruba's most iconic landmarks, the Old Dutch Windmill (De Oude Molen), which was built in 1804 and brought to the island in the 1960s.

Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resort In Aruba: Barceló Aruba

Barceló Aruba

Who Will Love It: Shopaholics; families who appreciate resorts directly on postcard-worthy beaches; in-the-know travelers who favor additional VIP service within luxury establishments

All-Star Amenities: 7 restaurants; buffet and à la carte service; 3 bars; in-room massages; 2 tennis courts; exclusive beach bar for Royal Level guests

What Not To Miss: Free diving classes twice a week

Location: Noord

Ranging from charming Deluxe rooms to Royal Level Master Suites with outdoor hydro massage hot tubs, all accommodations at this luxe resort have terraces or balconies for taking in sublime Aruba sunsets. Guests in Royal Level suites occupy the highest three floors of the resort's north tower and enjoy exceptional premium service, priority restaurant reservations, personalized check-in, and an exclusive bar on the beach. Better yet, the resort's proximity to bustling Palm Beach Plaza and Paseo Herenica makes Barceló Aruba attractive for those craving a shopping spree.

Thoroughly all-inclusive, you'll be spoiled for choice and pampered right from the tone-setting welcome drink. A riveting repertoire of nighty shows awaits along with complimentary diving classes for novice aquanauts, up-tempo tennis matches on two courts, water polo games, and thirst-quenching sips at three bars where the cocktails flow freely. Famished? Indulge your palate with epicurean delights at six distinct restaurants that include Japanese, Mexican, and locally caught seafood.

Best Boutique All-Inclusive Resort In Aruba: Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort

Who Will Love It: Families; remote workers; travelers with pets in tow

All-Star Amenities: Waterfall pool; complimentary daily English newspaper; happy hour twice a day; free diving lessons held once a week

What Not To Miss: A toes-in-the-sand dinner at Passions on the Beach

Location: Oranjestad

Aruba is known for its beaches and Eagle Beach is the fairest of them all, boasting sugary fine sand, balmy breezes and gorgeous fofoti trees. Located minutes from this iconic beach, Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort offers guests a singular experience in a Dutch baroque-style building. Akin to a saturation-rich painting of yellows and reds, this bright boutique property has just 72 rooms, meaning that only a fortunate few may stay at any given time. Four-legged friends are also welcome albeit for a supplementary nightly fee. Studios and suites are spacious with smart TVs, fully equipped kitchenettes or kitchens, and balconies or terraces.

Family-run Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort isn't primarily an all-inclusive hotel, but signing up for the optional all-inclusive add-on is a prudent choice in order to partake in culinary indulgence at Horizons Bar—which has not one but two happy hours each day—and at Passions on the Beach, a well-documented setting for moonlit marriage proposals, where tempting ranch and reef dishes are served each night by tiki torchlight.

All-Inclusive Resort With The Best Amenities In Aruba: Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort

Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort

Who Will Love It: Cocktail aficionados; bucket list travelers; starry-eyed honeymooners

All-Star Amenities: A private island; luxurious beach cabanas

What Not To Miss: The unforgettable opportunity to cavort with flamingos on Renaissance Island

Location: Oranjestad

At Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort, paradise lovers enjoy amenities such as rum-ready cocktail bars, recently revamped floor-to-ceiling window suites with island-inspired décor, and the Okeanos Spa, where skilled hands bestow the gift of heat wraps, shiatsu, and artful reflexology. But the star of the show here is Renaissance Island, where iguanas and vibrant flamingos grace the scene. A complimentary eight-minute shuttle whisks Renaissance guests to the 40-acre paradise which boasts Aruba's only private beaches. One is solely for adults (Flamingo Beach) while the other (Iguana Beach) extends a warm embrace to families seeking shared moments of joy. A stay at this hotel is worth it just for the exclusive access to frolicking flamingos alone. Make the most of your time at Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort by adding the all-inclusive rate when booking a minimum four-night stay.

Best Beachfront All-Inclusive Resort In Aruba: Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort

Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort

Who Will Love It: Poolside preeners; water babies; boredom-averse groups; families seeking beach proximity

All-Star Amenities: Pickleball; tennis; nearby golf course; spa; on-site diving

What Not To Miss: Getting your adrenaline pumping on the beachfront rock wall

Location: Oranjestad

A perpetually sunny forecast is always on the horizon in Aruba, which gets just roughly 15 inches of rain each year. Enjoy the fabulous weather with water-centric fun at Divi Dutch Village Resort, an all-suite oceanfront hotel just steps from Druif Beach. Beachgoers can savor swirly sorbet sunsets of gold, pink and purple (druif is Dutch for "grape") from a sun lounger on the powdery white sand with a craft cocktail from the beach bar. Three glittering pools are also part of the allure (a main pool, a tiki pool, and a barbecue pool).

The all-inclusive package at Divi Dutch Village Resort means full access to all water sports, volleyball, pickle ball, tennis, and weekly activities as well as unlimited food and drinks at Tiki Pool Bar & Grill or the beach bar. Golf at the nearby deluxe nine-hole course is not included in the room rate. After sun-splashed days outdoors, retire to suites that accommodate two to six guests and feature microwaves, fridges, and inviting king beds.

Best All-Inclusive Resort For Groups In Aruba: Divi Village Golf And Beach Resort

Divi Village Golf And Beach Resort

Who Will Love It: Golfers; reuniting groups; large families

All-Star Amenities: Multilingual staff; barbecue grills; washers and dryers in units; 4 swimming pools; swim-up bar; water sports center

What Not To Miss: The preferred tee times at The Links at Divi Aruba for golfing hotel guests

Location: Oranjestad

Divi Village Golf And Beach Resort is a golfer's dream with a nine-hole course (The Links at Divi Aruba) that features a pro shop and training facility. There is plenty to love for groups at this all-suite hotel, which has bed and breakfast, all-inclusive and room-only options. Even the smallest entry-level Golf Villa Studio Suite—measuring 600 square feet—accommodates four people, while the Golf Villa Three-Bedroom Suite sleeps up to 12 people in three luxurious king beds and a trio of queen sleeper sofas. There is ample space for the entire squadron to sprawl out at the four outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball courts, and the well-equipped fitness center.

Upgrading to the all-inclusive plan is possible at check-in. Morning golf is free as part of the package and guests can drink, be merry, and devour sumptuous meals at three of the resort's five food and beverage stations (the 180-degree view Windows on Aruba restaurant and the beach bar are excluded).

Best Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resort In Aruba: Riu Palace Antillas

Riu Palace Antillas

Who Will Love It: Merrymakers; adults on a workation; nocturnal beach enthusiasts; empty nesters

All-Star Amenities: Two function rooms; swim-up bar; on-site casino; evening shows; Pacha nightclub; Renova spa with six treatment rooms; a boutique; 24-hour room service included in the rate

What Not To Miss: The delicious buffet breakfast with live cooking stations

Location: Noord

Riu Palace Antillas should be on the radar of any beachgoers seeking a thoroughly grown-up holiday sans the patter of little feet. This adults-only property has more than 300 suites and junior suites just steps from pretty Palm Beach, all of which offer liquor dispensers and have a terrace or balcony. The party starts upon arrival with a sparkling wine welcome drink and realistically never ends. After all, this is a 24-hour all-inclusive hotel.

Guests may spend sun-kissed days by the lively pools—do make a beeline for the swim-up bar—and memorable nights feasting at five restaurants serving Aruban, Asian, Italian, and more cuisines, including the Palm Beach Steakhouse for carnivorous appetites. Grown-up perks at Riu Palace Antillas include letting chance dance with destiny at the casino and busting moves at the Pacha discotheque that's open six nights a week. For winding down, the Renova spa has six treatment rooms for singles or couple's massages, and a salon and gym round out the wellness offerings.

Best Spa And Wellness All-Inclusive Resort In Aruba: Manchebo Beach Resort And Spa

Manchebo Beach Resort And Spa

Who Will Love It: Solace seekers; wellness devotees; romance-relishing couples; health-conscious foodies

All-Star Amenities: Ocean-facing Balinese-style spa

What Not To Miss: Sitting on the fortune-giving driftwood chair once owned by the queen of Saba

Location: Oranjestad

Green Globe-certified Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa is a sanctuary of unbridled well-being on Aruba's wide and widely-adored Eagle Beach. The 72-key property consists of well-appointed rooms in a tranquil turquoise-meets-white color palette, with breathtaking views of the ocean or the enchanting garden landscapes. Refreshing perks at this low-rise boutique hotel include complimentary daily pilates and yoga classes where crashing waves provide a soothing soundtrack. Bali-inspired Spa del Sol is where skilled practitioners work their magic, whisking you away on a journey of relaxation and renewal in open-air gazebos.

To unlock the full potential of your stay, look no further than the optional Premium All-Inclusive Package, which invites guests to a premium open bar and à la carte meals at Ike's Bistro, The Chophouse, Omakase Sushi Bar and Pega-Pega Beach Bar & Grill with its oh-so-scrumptious seafood tacos and feel-good fresh fruit smoothies. All-inclusive guests staying for a minimum of four nights are treated to one off-property dinner to better acquaint themselves with their alluring Aruban setting.

Best All-Inclusive Resort For Families In Aruba: Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Resort

Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Resort

Who Will Love It: Active families who want it all

All-Star Amenities: Sea Turtles Club; state-of-the-art fitness center; bicycles; tennis clinic; live cooking restaurants; Zumba and pilates classes; access to Divi Aruba All Inclusive facilities with a complimentary shuttle

What Not To Miss: The evening entertainment which ranges from live steel bands to artistic swimming

Location: Oranjestad

This waterfront resort provides covetable views of swaying palms on a dreamy white sand beach, 236 Deluxe and Premium oceanfront suites that have 55-inch smart TVs, and most notably for families, kids 12 and younger eat, stay and play for free. Families with children of all ages will feel right at home at Tamarijn Aruba, which has multiple restaurants, kid-friendly munchies, and a youngsters-only Sea Turtles Club. Where activities are concerned, boredom is unlikely as options run the gamut from limbo fire shows and live steel bands to snorkeling tours, basketball, karaoke, trivia, pirate treasure quests, windsurf tutorials or scaling the 30-foot rock wall. To top it all off, guests can also have a world of fun—and make use of all the amenities—at the adjacent Divi Aruba All Inclusive, Tamarijn Aruba's sister resort.

Best All-Inclusive Resort For Couples In Aruba: Divi Aruba All Inclusive

Divi Aruba All Inclusive

Who Will Love It: Laid-back couples looking for a blissful beach stay offering wellness and romance

All-Star Amenities: Indulgence by the Sea spa; Alhambra Casino within walking distance; 3 pools; tennis clinic; catamaran; windsurf lessons; bike tours; rock climbing wall; Dive Winds Sports Center

What Not To Miss: Sipping cocktails or Balashi beers barefoot at Pelican Bar at sunset

Location: Oranjestad

Divi Aruba All Inclusive has everything smitten twosomes need for a blissful vacation à deux. Perks for honeymooners include preferred room locations, bottles of bubbly, and a paper anniversary gift of one complimentary night's stay the year after getting married. Duos prone to a little friendly competition can try their hands at tennis, volleyball, or golf—at The Links at Divi Aruba golf course a stone's throw away—or place their bets at the adjacent Alhambra Casino.

Housed in buildings of one to four stories, the 261 accommodations at Divi Aruba All Inclusive provide ocean, pool, or garden views and have spacious furnished patios or balconies that are just perfect for joint stargazing. There are three pools from which to get engrossed in a good book, an enviable collection of open-air bars and the Indulgence by the Sea spa for lovable tandem massages. With shared privileges to neighboring Tamarijn Aruba granting access to a total of 14 food and beverage locations, there's even more to love about this oceanside retreat.

About Rosie Bell, Your Aruba Guide

I am a location-independent travel writer and the author of the book "Escape to Self." I have written for publications on both sides of the Atlantic, including BBC Travel, BBC Worklife, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Fodor's, National Geographic Traveller, Cosmopolitan, Atlas Obscura, and Lonely Planet. I have been featured as a travel and life design expert in Business Insider, ABC News, NBC News, South China Morning Post, and Scandinavian Traveler. I am trilingual and grew up in four countries on two continents, but these days you'll generally find me wherever it's warm. I adore the Caribbean and I will never say no to the ABC Islands or a beautiful oceanfront hotel on powder-white sand with an inviting spa. Follow my travels on Instagram (@TheBeachBell) and read more of my writing at RosieBell.net.