Renaissance Aruba
The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino is NOT a nudist resort nor does it condone nudity.
Buuuuttt... for topless and adults only facilities, read on.
We've been to Aruba several trips and have stayed at the hotel so let us know when you're ready to go!
Resort Overview
Located right in the heart of downtown Oranjestad and across the street along the beach, the hotel is the largest in town and one of the largest on the island with a full range of services and amenities including well-appointed guest rooms, suites, restaurants, topless beaches, nightlife, spa treatments, and world-class gaming. But no nude beaches.
The hotel contains 290 guest rooms and 268 suites spread over several parts of the property. The Marina Hotel (tower) where we’ve stayed contains guest rooms while most of the beachside accommodations are suites located across the street facing the ocean.
The hotel offers “adult-exclusive” accommodations and amenities including adults only, topless sunning at Flamingo Beach on the private Renaissance Island owned and operated by the resort with complimentary shuttle service from the hotel by boat during the day. A word about topless in Aruba.
You may or may not find it along the public beaches. Although Aruba was legally part of The Netherlands, it's an independent country so it's best to observe what other tourists and/or locals do at the beaches. Just be prepared to go with the flow and have fun.
And, it features adults-only facilities and accommodations including The Marina Hotel, the Marina Hotel pool and fitness center, the Okeanos Spa, the Lounge, Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island and two casinos which also cater exclusively to guests over 18.
Families are welcome in other parts of the hotel and in the Ocean Suites section featuring the Patamingo Kids club and on the family part of the hotel’s private island.
Topless might be found at Flamingo Beach in the Adults only section but not in the family portion. ALERT: This is NOT guaranteed and topless might not be practiced when you choose to visit.
BEST FEATURE: Aruba lies outside the hurricane belt, so visit any month of the year.
Getting There
Aruba, a world-class vacation island in the southern Caribbean, is a destination with international air service from the north, central and South America as well as from Europe.
Daily service from most major cities in the western hemisphere is available and frequent service from many other Caribbean islands and nearby countries on the mainland is convenient as well. Venezuela is minutes away by air and the South American continent can be seen from certain parts of Aruba.
Take a taxi, shuttle or rental car from the airport to the hotel.
Other than air access, thousands of cruise passengers arrive weekly flooding the island with more merriment.
Before or after your Aruba holiday, consider other tropical destinations in the southern Caribbean such a shuttle flight over to Bonaire or Curacao, just minutes away from Aruba.
Services
Aruba's best shopping; dining, casinos, and nightlife are at the Renaissance Aruba Resort. For groups, the Renaissance Convention Center offers 22,000 sq ft of function space as well as special themed events on Renaissance Island.
You’ll find Aruba among the most “user-friendly” island destinations in the Caribbean. Most everyone is multilingual. Most languages spoken include Spanish, Dutch, English, and Papiamento, the local island dialect, a mixture of all of them.
On-site hotel services include: Car rental, Child Care, Car Rental, Concierge, Gift Shop, Hair Salon, Laundry Service, Room Service, Casino, Coffee Shop, Cocktail Lounge, Concierge Desk, Exercise Room, Hair Salon, Pool, and Sauna, Meeting Space
Nice touches: High-speed internet access, valet dry cleaning, concierge service, room service 6 AM – 11 PM, laundry on-site, cash & ATM machine right on-site, barber and beauty shop, vending machines and car rental desk.
Spa services include Body scrub, body wrap, facial treatments, foot bath, massages, steam room, therapy baths, and waxing.
A fitness center includes cardiovascular equipment, free weights, aerobics, yoga, and tennis.
Ambiance
Aruba was previously part of the Dutch empire but gained its independence several years ago. Its neighboring islands, Bonaire and Curacao, are still part of Holland, so you will enjoy a Dutch flavor to Aruba’s architecture, customs and citizens, who are a wonderfully fun mix of citizens with backgrounds from South America, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean basin.
This big hotel has it all from beach and pool action to fine dining and gaming in the casino.
Activities are numerous. Choose from sports selections including Jet-skiing nearby, Tennis, Fitness Center/Gym, Sailing/Boating, Hobie Cats/Sunfish, Jogging Trail/Track, Kayaking, Horseback Riding, Volleyball, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling.
Group Trips
We do not have listed group trips to Renaissance Aruba, but that doesn't mean its not a great place for two, three or even dozens of couples to get together for a group trip. If you have other couples that might want to join you, please contact us and see what kind of group trip deals we might be able to package especially for you.
Sightseeing
Lots of choices are nearby including Bowling, horseback riding, fitness trail, jet skiing, numerous casinos, sea kayaking, nature & preserve trail, sailing, scuba diving and snorkeling, sauna, sky diving, squash, tennis, volleyball.
Golf is available at the Tierra Del Sol Golf & Country Club (18 holes) and at The Links (9 holes) 8 and 4 miles away, respectively.
Other sightseeing include Island tours, Museo Arubano (museum), Atlantis submarine tours, Jeep safari tours, deep-sea fishing, glass-bottom boat rides, gaming, Red Sail Sports (water sports center), Crystal Theatre.
The cheapest way to see lots of downtowns—walk. The hotel is right downtown so you can bar hop, shop ‘til you drop or make your way from one franchise snack shop to the next. You’ll see them all including McDonald's, donut shops, Subway and lots more places to feed your face.
But for a real treat ask some of the locals where they dine for island fare.
Actually, Aruba is easy and safe to travel around with the road system and infrastructure as modern as you will find in Europe or North America.
Dining
You’ve got lots to choose from within the hotel as well as in downtown. Bar hopping, beer drinking and trying out the local franchise dives seems to be a popular past time especially for the many cruise passengers who visit Aruba on virtually a daily basis.
Don’t forget to ask the local citizens or your waiter where they eat if you want an authentic island meal. You may have to take a taxi to reach some of the local spots. We used to go to the Pearl near downtown.
In-house restaurants at the Renaissance Aruba Resort include the following (not guaranteed, subject o change without notice):
Steakhouse Located in the Marina Hotel featuring fresh certified Angus Beef and an extensive international wine list. The restaurant offers a contemporary setting with views of the marina and busy boulevard below.Rates
Two lodging options at this Aruba hotel offer both style and a tropical flavor. The Renaissance Marina Hotel is a destination for adults and the Renaissance Ocean Suites is reserved for families.
Both resort options have swimming pools. Enjoy 40-acres of privacy and two beaches on Renaissance Island, which features hammocks, a casual restaurant, bar and many water sports activities.
Resort, Island and Ocean accommodations in standard hotel room configurations and Suites offer guests plenty of variety for singles, couples, groups and families.
Charter airfare packaged with resort rooms usually offer the best value for your vacation. Rates are seasonal and can vary widely so check with us for a quote and travel specials.
Aruba is a year round destination with little variation in temperatures.
Room features include: Air conditioning, Balcony / Terrace, Clock Radio, Coffee/Tea Pot, Data Port, DVD, Hair Dryer, Handicap-Accessible, High-Speed Internet, Voice mail phone, Iron / Ironing Board, Mini-Bar, Safe, Telephone, Television, Suites include microwave ovens. Entertainment includes cable channels, color TV, satellite TV, pay-for-view movies and a wet bar.
Impressions
Uppers-Downers
▲ The hotel is conveniently located smack in the middle of town.
▲ The BEST feature: Aruba is outside the summer/fall hurricane belt.
▲ Although the hotel is in town, Renaissance Island is close by for beach and tropical relaxation and an almost all over tan.
▲ A real gas is to enjoy the sun on Renaissance Island and watch the big jets land across the bay at Aruba’s international airport.
▼ Depending upon the season, if you’re sunning on Renaissance Island close to the mangrove trees, you may experience a few flying critters so bring along a little bug spray.
▲ Casinos are located in several parts of the island as well as in the hotel itself.
▲ The hotel has its own private beach at Renaissance Island, a short boat ride from the main hotel lobby. The hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to the island for its registered guests.
▼ Like St. Martin, the island and especially down town can get really crowded when the cruise ships dock.
Age Ranges
Families, adults, babies, seniors and groups are all welcome. However, the adults only areas are reserved for guests 18 years and over.
Most guests arrive from north and south America with western Europe (especially Holland) and central America contributing most of the other visitors to Aruba
Best Time To Go
Any time of year is a great time to go. Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, the so called ABC islands, are outside the hurricane belt and enjoy year round great weather.
Temperatures vary from the 70’s to 90’s year round.
Aruba is a year round destination with little variation in temperatures and the island itself is quite arid. The tallest hill is about 400 feet high.
Wish List
● Wish Flamingo Beach was clothing optional… it used to be when we first started visiting Aruba and the hotel when it was operated by the Sonesta chain.
Photo Album
The photos were either shot by us, our clients or provided by the resort. If you have recently visited Renaissance Aruba we invite you to send in your photos for us to display. To contribute your own photos (or trip reports), go to our Contribute Trip Report / Photographs page.
Trip Reports
If you have recently visited Renaissance Aruba, we would appreciate you contributing a trip report. You can contribute to this section buy using our Contribute Trip Report / Photographs page. Here is one we have from a client.
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gbbigboy
The island is laid back and the locals there are Very pleasant and friendly.The food and night life is among the best I have experienced and the water sports are superb. If you do not have fun there... it is you're own fault. The more you adventure out, the more you find to do. The clubs stay open all night and the beaches and water sports take up most of the day, so go well rested and plan to party while you are there. Stay away from the hotel casinos and take your gambling to the stand alone casinos. They seem to be looser on the weekdays... when cruise ships are away. TAKE LOTS OF SUNSCREEN!
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