Hyatts in Aruba
Aruba may be a relatively small island, but Hyatt offers three completely different ways to experience it. Whether you're looking for a beachfront luxury resort, an adults-only all-inclusive escape or a practical airport hotel, there's a Hyatt property to match your travel style. Collectively, the ToP team recently traveled to all three of the program's properties in Aruba, and each offers a distinctly different vacation experience. Here's how they compare to help you decide which of the three Hyatts in Aruba is best for your island vacation.
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino
For many points travelers, the Hyatt Regency Aruba is the crown jewel of Hyatt's Caribbean portfolio. Located directly on Palm Beach, it places you in the heart of Aruba's most popular tourist area, with restaurants, shopping, nightlife and water sports all within walking distance. If you're looking for the quintessential Aruba vacation—beautiful beaches, plenty to do, and no need to rent a car—this is hard to beat. I'll cover some highlights below, and read Lana's full review here.
Property Highlights
One feature that's especially nice is that you don't have to wait until your room is ready to start your vacation. Even if you arrive before the standard check-in time, the resort allows guests to begin enjoying the property immediately. Spend time at the pool or beach, grab lunch or a drink, and make the most of your first day while waiting for your room to be ready. The beach is one of the best on the island, and the resort offers multiple pools, a waterslide, an adults-only pool and several dining options. It's easy to spend an entire day enjoying the property while still being just steps away from everything Palm Beach has to offer.
Hyatt Globalists are treated well with complimentary breakfast, room upgrades when available, and waived resort fees on award stays. The biggest downside is the price, since it is a Category 8 property. A recent category change has now made it one of the most expensive Caribbean redemptions. Award nights can require a substantial number of Hyatt points during peak season. Still, for many travelers, the location alone makes it worth the premium.
Hyatt Regency Aruba is the best for:
- First-time visitors to Aruba
- Travelers who don't want to rent a car
- Families and couples
- Anyone wanting the classic Palm Beach experience
Secrets Baby Beach Aruba
If the Hyatt Regency Aruba is all about experiencing Aruba, Secrets Baby Beach Aruba is all about escaping from everything when deciding between the Hyatts in Aruba. Opened just over a year ago, the Category D all-inclusive still feels brand-new. The grounds are beautifully maintained, with multiple pools, restaurants, bars, a gorgeous spa, a modern fitness center overlooking the ocean, a café, gift shop and ongoing expansion that includes a future casino. Although construction is currently underway, it was never disruptive during my stay.
Located near San Nicolas on Aruba's eastern side, this adults-only resort is intentionally removed from the busy Palm Beach area. Most of the island's attractions are at least 30 minutes away, making this an ideal destination for travelers looking to truly disconnect. If you do want to explore Aruba, the resort offers excursions, or you can rent a car. One feature I especially appreciated was the flexibility on arrival day. While guest rooms are typically ready between 3-4 p.m., guests are welcome to begin enjoying the resort as soon as they arrive. You can grab breakfast or lunch, relax by the pool, head to the beach, or enjoy a drink while waiting for your room, making it easy to maximize your vacation from day one.
Property Highlights
As a Hyatt Globalist, I booked a standard Junior Suite and was upgraded to a Preferred Club Ocean View room. My benefits included Preferred Club check-in, lounge access, butler service throughout the day and evening, premium liquor selections, and access to Oceana for à la carte breakfast and lunch. The staff was one of the biggest highlights of my stay. Aruba is known for its hospitality, and the team consistently delivered warm, friendly service throughout the resort. The bartenders were especially memorable. Although I don't drink alcohol, they were happy to create custom mocktails, offer recommendations and make just about anything I requested. Fellow guests consistently commented on how good—and strong—the cocktails were, while Preferred Club guests enjoy access to top-shelf liquor.
Dining
The food exceeded my expectations, particularly the buffet, which was one of the biggest surprises of the trip. Open for breakfast and lunch, it featured a wide variety of fresh options well beyond what I expected from an all-inclusive resort. Dinner is available at four restaurants:
- Himitsu
- Tierra
- Portofino
- Oceana
Each offers a different cuisine. But on longer stays, the dinner options can begin to feel repetitive—simply because there are only four restaurants. During the day, the Barefoot Grill serves burgers, hot dogs, fries and snacks beginning at 11 a.m.
Pools, Amenities + Entertainment
The resort offers several pool experiences, depending on your mood. Some feature music, games and organized activities, while others remain quiet and relaxing. Complimentary loungers and white cabanas are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but I never had trouble finding one, even later in the day. Premium cabanas with Champagne and dedicated table service are also available for an additional charge.
The spa deserves special recognition. The hydrotherapy circuit includes drinks and light snacks, creating a relaxing experience before or after treatments. My 50-minute Swedish massage was one of the highlights of my stay. The resort also features a full-service salon offering hair services, manicures and pedicures. The fitness center may have one of the best views on the island, overlooking the Caribbean through floor-to-ceiling windows while offering a wide variety of modern equipment.
One unexpected surprise was the resort's Fourth of July celebration. The festivities rivaled many celebrations I've experienced in the United States, complete with entertainment and themed activities throughout the day. Evening entertainment also includes karaoke at one of the bars.
Beach
Just outside the resort is beautiful Baby Beach, one of Aruba's most famous beaches. Although it's public, the resort maintains its own section with loungers, umbrellas and drink service. The water is crystal clear, and the soft white sand makes it easy to spend an entire day there. Seating fills quickly, however. I arrived around 10 a.m. and claimed one of the last available setups. Arriving earlier is recommended if you want your pick of chairs.
Secrets Baby Beach Aruba is the best for:
- Adults-only vacations
- Honeymoons
- Relaxation-focused trips
- All-inclusive fans
- Hyatt members looking for exceptional value from a Category D redemption
Hyatt Place Aruba Airport
The Hyatt Place Aruba Airport serves a completely different purpose than the island's two resorts, and that's exactly why it's worth considering when choosing between the Hyatts in Aruba. Located just a few minutes' walk from the airport terminal, it's an excellent choice for late arrivals, early departures or travelers who want to arrive in Aruba the night before and head to one of the island's resorts first thing the next morning. The Category 3 hotel is also an affordable home base for visitors planning to rent a car and explore the island.
Unlike the beach resorts, you'll almost certainly want a rental car if staying here for more than one night. While taxis are readily available, airport taxi pricing can become expensive quickly. The property also has a private shuttle, but you must book it 24 hours in advance with the front desk making it difficult to use for a one-night stay. My 7-minute taxi ride cost $26, making a rental car a much better value for most visitors.
Property Highlights
The hotel sits directly above a shopping center with several restaurants, a café, a nail salon and multiple rental car agencies, making it super convenient. It's also a short drive from many excellent local restaurants, beaches and towns. As a Hyatt Globalist, I received an upgrade to a spacious one-bedroom suite featuring a separate living room, dining table, mini refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher and plenty of space to spread out. For longer stays or remote work, the additional room made a noticeable difference.
Dining
Breakfast is complimentary for every guest, it and was one of the better Hyatt Place breakfasts I've experienced. Alongside the standard eggs, bacon, pastries, fruit and cereal were local favorites like fried plantains, moro rice and steamed vegetables. The Placery restaurant and bar serves food and drinks throughout the day for guests who don't want to leave the property.
Pool + Amenities
The pool remained quiet throughout my stay with no competition for loungers, and the fitness center was clean and well-equipped.
Hyatt Place Aruba Airport is the best for:
- Airport overnights
- Budget-conscious travelers
- Digital nomads
- Travelers planning to explore the island by car
Which Hyatt in Aruba Should You Choose for Your Island Vacation?
Here's a quick, at-a-glance overview of the three Hyatts in Aruba:
| Property | Best For | Car Needed? | Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyatt Regency Aruba | Classic Aruba vacation | No | Beachfront luxury with activities |
| Secrets Baby Beach Aruba | Adults-only relaxation | Recommended | Quiet all-inclusive escape |
| Hyatt Place Aruba Airport | Airport stay or island exploration | Yes | Practical, affordable base |
ToP Thoughts: Which of the Three Hyatts in Aruba is Best for Your Island Vacation
What makes Hyatt's Aruba portfolio so appealing is that none of these properties compete with one another—they complement each other. Each offers a distinctly different way to experience the island. If you want the quintessential Aruba vacation with Palm Beach at your doorstep, Hyatt Regency Aruba remains the top choice. If your goal is to unplug, enjoy unlimited food and drinks, and relax at a beautiful adults-only all-inclusive, Secrets Baby Beach offers outstanding value—especially as a Category D redemption. And if you're arriving late, departing early, or simply want an affordable base while exploring Aruba by car, Hyatt Place Aruba Airport is an excellent choice.
But for many travelers—including me—the ideal itinerary may be a combination of all three. Spend your first night at Hyatt Place Aruba Airport, then head to either Hyatt Regency or Secrets the next morning. Both resorts allow guests to begin enjoying the property before guest rooms are ready, so you won't lose a day of your vacation waiting for check-in. It's a great way to experience three very different sides of Aruba while getting excellent value from your Hyatt points. Wondering which of the three Hyatts in Aruba is best for your island vacation? Let us know your thoughts over in the ToP Facebook Group.
