I LOVE birthdays…especially mine because I get to celebrate another year of life through a dream trip!  It’s when I get to reflect on how fortunate I am for the life and family I have.

This year, I am going to Aruba and I am super excited.  I did some research and narrowed it down to three options:  Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino or The Ritz-Carlton Aruba.  Fortunately for me, they all fall under the Marriott brand which means I will save 25-43% on my hotel accommodations!

Here are highlights of each property, according to its importance to me:

Room count:  Renaissance 556/Stellaris 414/Ritz 320…in my opinion, the more rooms means the more guests therefore the beach might be crowded.

Full service spa:  No/Yes/Yes

Wi-Fi:  In the lobby/In the lobby/Anywhere on property

Restaurants:  One/Five/Four

On the beach:  No/Yes/Yes

Hotel rating:  4☆/4.5☆/5☆

After careful review, the winner is… Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino!  It was neck and neck with the Ritz but the tie breaker were the reviews I read on Tripadvisor and hotels.com.  I found that even though Ritz would by default be the top pick, since it is world renowned for top notch service and simply beautiful, I had to rely on others to provide insights into their experience.  I however, will experience the grandness of Ritz one day, just not in Aruba.  I am definitely guilty of being an overthinker at times, but when it comes to travel I have to be because I want my experience to be the best it can possibly be!

Why the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino?

+ most in restaurant options (five restaurants and two bars)

+ umbrellas on the beach (this will allow for me to be a beach bum longer)

+ on the beach (definitely fulfills my blue crush crave)

+ full service spa (posh amenity I always think is great to have)

Please return to this post after August 14th to read about my trip.  I’ll update it and share with you what activities we booked while on the island.

Thanks for reading!  If you’ve ever been to Aruba please feel free to share your experiences below.  I’d love to hear about it!

Haze- Blue Crush Travel