The Ritz-Carlton Aruba
aruba, aruba · ★★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
The Ritz-Carlton Aruba is the highest-rated luxury full-service resort on Palm Beach and the only true Ritz-tier property on the island — opened in 2013 as the northernmost high-rise on the strip, with the largest beach footprint of the Palm Beach hotels and a position that puts the Ritz further from the busy mid-strip and closer to the calm of the divi-divi dunes. Palm Beach is the wider, more amenity-dense alternative to low-rise Eagle Beach: the high-rise hotels share a paved boardwalk and a continuous strip of watersports vendors, while Eagle Beach south stays low-rise, divi-divi-fringed, and quieter. The Ritz's competitive advantages are clear — the rooms are the largest on Palm Beach (550 sq ft entry-level), the beach is the widest on the strip with the most generous lounger spacing, the spa is a 15,000-square-foot full-service operation with private couple's-suite garden cabanas, and the food execution at BLT Steak is the best of any Palm Beach hotel. Aruba's weather guarantee — outside the hurricane belt, under 20 inches of rain a year, dependable trade winds, 365 sunny days as a marketing claim that is functionally true — applies as everywhere on the island. For couples who want full Ritz-Carlton service standards on the dependable Aruban climate without sacrificing Palm Beach amenities, this is the unambiguous top of the Palm Beach tier.
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- ✓Want direct beach access
- ✓Are willing to invest in once-in-a-lifetime
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
89/100
Book Your Stay
Check availability
We compare The Ritz-Carlton across partners and redirect to the cheapest option.
At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
Club Level Ocean-Front Suite is the honeymoon pick — the dedicated 9th-floor Club Lounge with private breakfast, all-day snacks, evening canapés, and dessert service, plus the front-facing ocean balcony with the unobstructed Palm Beach panorama. The Club Lounge alone is the strongest concierge experience on Aruba — better than the Marriott's Tradewinds and the Hyatt's Regency Club. Avoid garden-view rooms (they overlook the parking and the back of the property); pay up for the ocean view, the view is the reason. For absolute luxury, the Ritz-Carlton Suite (1,800 sq ft, separate living room, wraparound terrace) is the Caribbean honeymoon room.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Room (7 nights avg $1,450/nt) | $10,150 |
| Flights (2 pax, economy/premium) | $1,800 |
| Airport transfers / seaplane | $200 |
| Dining & drinks (beyond room) | $15,225 |
| Excursions & experiences | $700 |
| Spa / signature treatments | $300 |
| Tips & service (8%) | $2,030 |
| Total estimated | $30,405 |
Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Arrival at Palm Beach
Fly into AUA and transfer 25 minutes to the Ritz on the northern end of Palm Beach. Check in at the Club Lounge on the 9th floor, settle into your ocean-front suite, and head down to the lobby bar for sunset. Dinner at BLT Steak — the on-property steakhouse and one of the best dining rooms on Aruba.
Arikok National Park 4x4 Adventure
Half-day private 4x4 tour through Arikok National Park — Aruba's protected 18% of cactus, the Conchi natural pool on the wild north coast, and the Fontein cave paintings. The Atlantic east coast is wild surf with no swimming; the contrast with the calm leeward Palm Beach is the geographic story of Aruba. Return for an afternoon at the adults-only pool and dinner at Solanio (the on-property Italian).
Eagle Beach Comparison Day
Walk south along the Palm Beach boardwalk to where the strip ends, then taxi 5 minutes to Eagle Beach to spend a half-day at the wider, quieter divi-divi-fringed strip — beach chairs at Manchebo or Bucuti for a fee, lunch at Passions on the Beach, and the iconic Fofoti tree photograph at the south end of Eagle. Return to the Ritz for the spa afternoon.
Antilla Wreck Snorkel
Half-day catamaran out to the SS Antilla — the 400-foot German freighter scuttled in 1940 in 60 feet of water, one of the largest accessible wreck snorkels in the Caribbean. Most operators leave from the Ritz pier or pick up at the Ritz steps. Return for spa afternoon at the Ritz-Carlton Spa (book the couple's signature aloe-and-volcanic-clay treatment in the private garden cabana) and dinner at BLT Steak.
Oranjestad Sunset
Drive into Oranjestad in the late afternoon — the pastel Dutch colonial capital, the pedestrianised Caya G.F. Betico Croes shopping street, and the historic streetcar loop. Aperitivo at the Renaissance Marina, sunset on the malecón, and dinner at Zeerovers in Savaneta — the local fishing-shack institution where you point at the catch of the day and they fry it on the dock. The most authentic Aruban food experience available.
Renaissance Private Island Day
Day-pass to Renaissance Wind Creek's flamingo island — the 40-acre private island reached only by hotel boat from the Renaissance marina downtown. Day passes are limited; the Ritz concierge can usually arrange one for around $125 per person. Half a day on the calm beach with the resident pink flamingos, beach lunch at the Papagayo Bar & Grill, and a return to the Ritz in time for sunset on the boardwalk.
Final Pool Morning & Departure
Slow breakfast at the Club Lounge, one final hour on the loungers, and the 25-minute transfer back to AUA. US Customs pre-clearance at AUA — you fly home as a domestic passenger with no customs queue at JFK, MIA, or BOS. Build in 90 minutes for pre-clearance and immigration; the home end is seamless.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
The Ritz is the most expensive hotel on Aruba — for couples on tighter budgets the Marriott or Hyatt offer 80% of the experience at 60% of the price.
Palm Beach is the high-rise strip — the Ritz is the northernmost tower but still part of a continuous wall of seven hotels, and the beach is shared with day-trip vendors.
The casino is open 24 hours; smoking is contained on the gaming floor but the entrance through the lobby passes through.
Resort dining is excellent at BLT and Solanio but charges Ritz prices — expect $200+ per couple for dinner without wine.
Some Club Level rooms above the 9th floor have a partial view of the parking deck on the south side; insist on north-side ocean-front in writing.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon inquiry — Ritz-Carlton Aruba Dear Ritz-Carlton team, We are planning our honeymoon [DATE]-[DATE] and would like a Club Level Ocean-Front Suite (or Ritz-Carlton Suite if available). Please advise on availability, honeymoon packages, spa garden-cabana reservations, and BLT Steak / Solanio reservations for our key dates. Thank you, [Your names]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Good for honeymooners?
Yes — the Ritz is the highest-rated full-service luxury hotel on Aruba and the Club Level concierge experience is the strongest on the island. Couples wanting deeper hush should pick Bucuti or Manchebo on Eagle Beach instead, but for full Ritz-Carlton service standards, this is the top of the Palm Beach tier.
Best time to visit?
Year-round — Aruba is outside the hurricane belt, averages 82°F, and gets 17 inches of rain annually. April–August is best value with identical climate. December–March is peak with the highest rates.
Ritz or Bucuti?
Different products entirely — the Ritz is full-service Palm Beach luxury with casino, multiple restaurants, and a 19-story tower; Bucuti is low-rise adults-only carbon-neutral boutique on Eagle Beach with 104 rooms total. Honeymooners choose Ritz for amenities and Bucuti for hush.
Adults-only?
Not as a property — the Ritz is family-friendly. The dedicated adults-only pool and the Club Lounge access policy give the meaningful adults-only spaces.
Best room type?
Club Level Ocean-Front Suite. For absolute luxury, the 1,800 sq ft Ritz-Carlton Suite is the best honeymoon room on Aruba.
How to get there?
Reina Beatrix International (AUA) is 25 minutes by taxi or transfer. Direct US flights are 4–5 hours from the East Coast. US Customs pre-clearance on departure is one of the best airport experiences in the Caribbean.
Same Vibe, Different Destination
