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HOTEL REVIEW: Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
Best part about Aruba: visiting the flamingos on Renaissance Island! Where is the best hotel to stay in Oranjested, Aruba? Our hotel review of the Renaissance Aruba Hotel shows why you must stay, and includes things to do such as visiting flamingo beach on their private island, cabana rentals, shopping, and restaurants! There is an adult hotel and family hotel, which is fun for everyone!
Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
Address: L.G. Smith Blvd 82, Oranjestad, Aruba
Website: Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino
Flamingo Beach - Renaissance Island
The number one reason to stay here is to visit Flamingo Beach! After we were spoiled staying at the Hyatt Regency Aruba, the Renaissance was nice but we spent more time with my new pink friends than in the room! Read all about our days spent at Aruba’s Renaissance Island - Flamingo Beach . Many ask: Is flamingo island worth it? 1000% YES!
Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks!
Renaissance Adult Only Hotel in Aruba
There are 2 hotels at the Renaissance property, both right across from each other. The adults-only hotel is more inland but still in the marina. It’s also connected to a very fancy, high-end mall and casino! Check out rates here: booking.com
All-inclusive rooms in Aruba!
All-inclusive room rates at Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino are available. However, these rates tend to be higher because they include onsite food and beverages in the room rate.
How to get to Renaissance Island Aruba with the Flamingo Beach
The Renaissance owns a small island just a quick 10 minute boat ride away that they have named Renaissance Island. Booking your stay at the Renaissance guarantees you access to the island, there is a small chance you can buy a ticket the morning of, but there are very few if the hotel is not sold out. Here, you will find beautiful beaches with lounge chairs, a restaurant, hammocks, and FLAMINGOS. A water taxi stops every 15 mins in the lobby to head to Renaissance Island.
Read more here: Aruba’s Renaissance Island Flamingo Beach
Things to do at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
Go to Renaissance Island for the Flamingo and Iguana beach
Rent a cabana on Renaissance Island - The cabana comes with 2 bottles of Voss still water, 2 bottles of Voss sparkling water, bottle of sparkling wine, refreshing food amenity, personalized cabana butler service, towels, 2 water floats, and 2 full face-snorkeling masks. Cabanas at Iguana Beach come with kids snorkels. Cabana 4001 at Iguana Beach has a water slide. Rates start at $300 - BOOK EARLY!
Go for a dip in the pool (there is a family pool and adult-only pool)!
Get a drink at the lobby bar - it overlooks the pool and ocean!
Go shopping! There is a little plaza to shop around for clothes and souvenirs!
Have breakfast on Renaissance Island! There is an amazing restaurant, called Papagoyo Bar & Grill, that serves a large breakfast that will fill you up for a day in the sun!
Go to the Spa Cove on Renaissance Island! Peaceful and serene, this spa only has ocean views!
Arrival: Parking, Lobby, and Bar at the Renaissance Aruba
Valet parking is available under the lobby. We took a taxi and didn’t need a car to get around the island. The lobby was open air and the bar was located right next to the pool. Check-in was a breeze. Literally. The staff was really nice and when our room wasn’t ready, they stored our bags and we were allowed to go to the island.
Renaissance Aruba Guest Rooms
Our room was a decent size. We booked a Guest room, 1 King or 2 Double, Limited view in the Marina Hotel. The design was fairly modern and looked like they had been renovated fairly recently.
Guest Room
The little booth was cute but not very comfortable. Our limited view was an inside view and we were located right above Starbucks. The most exciting thing that happened out the window: watching people board the boats for Renaissance Island.
The closet was small, our suitcases didn’t fit inside. The robes were nice, though!
Bathroom
The bathroom was on the smaller side compared the Hyatt we had just stayed at, but was perfect for spending 24 hours there. SO many towels.
Renaissance Aruba Adult Pool
The adult pool was so quiet and relaxing, perfect for honeymooners. With ocean and marina views, why would you ever want to leave!
The lobby bar and the pool bar are one and the same. I love how open and bright the bar area is!
We basically paid $400 to see Flamingos, but they were worth every penny!
Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks!
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MORE ARUBA!
Guide to Kaanapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii: Where to stay, things to do, and best restaurants
A complete guide to Kaanapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii including where to stay, things to do, and best restaurants! Debating on Wailea vs Kaanapali? See why we love Kaanapali Beach and how it is perfect for any occasion whether you are with family, friends, or going as a couple. See the best hotels that will fit your budget and activities to add to your itinerary.
Sheraton Maui Kaanapali Beach Resort
Everything you need to know about Kaanapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii: best hotels, what to do, and great restaurants
If you’ve booked your trip to Maui, I’m jealous already! We got engaged, married, and have celebrated our anniversary there every year since 2014! Maui is our favorite place and we ALWAYS stay on Ka’anapali Beach. If it’s your first time or sixth time, this guide will help you navigate the beach to make sure you have the best trip possible!
RELATED POST: How much does it cost to go to Maui? - Itinerary, budget, and more!
Not sure which area is right for you? Our Maui Travel Guide compares Kaanapali, Wailea, and other regions.
How to get to Kaanapali Beach - Map, Airport Transfers, and Parking Information
The best way to get to Kaanapali Beach from the airport is to rent a car. You’ll probably want to drive around the island at some point, it’s best to have your own vehicle. If you are planning on spending all of your time at the beach, check with your hotel to set up airport transfers. Uber and Lyft are available as well, it’s about $50-ish each way.
We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!
You can always park at a hotel but if you’re just coming for the day, there are a few lots but they are pretty pricy. There are 2 free parking lots but you have to get to them early - one is just before the Sheraton on Kaanapali Pkwy and the other is on Nohea Kai Drive before the Hyatt. See our Google Map for more info!
Where to Stay on Kaanapali Beach
Here are some of the best resorts on Kaanapali beach! All resorts are literally located right on the beach and walking distance from each other. We often use our travel credit card rewards for FREE nights! Check out this helpful article from Money Magazine to see which card would be best for your needs.
Sheraton Maui Room Views
Budget-Friendly:
Royal Lahaina Resort - great for your wallet and NO RESORT FEES! Rooms are spacious and a quick trot to the beach. This hotel is located north of Black Rock, so it is typically less crowded, but a bit of a walk to the other hotels.
Kaanapali Beach Club - might need an update, but the rooms are clean and the pool is huge! Located closer to Black Rock.
Mid-Range:
Flamingos and swans at the Hyatt Regency Maui on Kaanapali Beach
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa - our favorite resort on Maui Kaanapali Beach! Located right in front of Black Rock, which is the best place on the island for snorkeling. See our full review: Sheraton Maui Hotel Review
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa - recently renovated rooms and an adult pool to have some quiet time! One of the best Kaanapali accommodations! There are multiple pools that families can enjoy as well, there’s even a waterslide! Their spa is the ultimate relaxation destination.
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa - lovely resort with penguins and flamingos (yes, I mean it). The Hyatt also has the best Lu’au on Kaanapali Beach. Their pool is pretty great too.
Condos and club hotels are also available in the area if you are looking to house more people! See booking.com for more options in Kaanapali, HI!
Need help packing? See our Hawaii Packing List for everything you’ll need! Check the weather before you go!
Top 10 things to do on Maui Kaanapali Beach
Black ROck Jumping
Snorkeling at Black Rock Beach
Black Rock is our FAVORITE place to snorkel! We’ve seen turtles, octopus, rays, and tons of tropical fish! See more snorkel info and our video here: Best Snorkel Spots in Maui
Jump off Black Rock!
Jump from the top of Black Rock to the plunge into the depths below! Do this at your own risk as it is hard to climb up Black Rock and it is, well, rocky.
Go Shopping at Whalers Village
My favorite shop in Whaler’s Village is Sand People that is like Etsy in person, loaded with coastal decor, souvenirs, clothes, and jewelry. Other shops include Sephora, Honolua, Quiksilver, Kate Spade, and other designers.
Need a snack, beer or wine, souvenirs, macadamia nuts? The ABC Store is the best for all of those things!
Penguins at the Hyatt Regency Maui
4. Visit the Penguins and Flamingos
Yup, you heard that right! At the Hyatt Regency Maui, they have a menagerie of birds all over the resort. In the morning they have a penguin feeding and it’s just the cutest thing! You can hang out with the one-legged pink friends on the other side of the resort.
5. Go to a Lu’au
Drums of the Pacific Lu’au at the Hyatt Regency puts on a great show on Kaanapali Beach! With traditional Polynesian dances and a feast, you’ll be sure to have a great night! The Royal Lahaina Luau, Myths of Maui, will also have you dancing in your seat - it could be the music or the free drinks! Get a great deal on luau tickets with Activity Authority.
6. Have a drink at the pool bar (and maybe even whale watch)
We love to sit at the bar, have a drink, and enjoy the view! If you come between December and March, you are likely to see whales! If you look hard enough, you can usually see the whales come up and spout water. Keep a close eye because after they spout, they usually breach out of the water or you can catch a glimpse of their tales. There are tours you can take to get closer to them, and if you scuba dive or snorkel, you can often hear them!
7. Spa Day at Black Rock Spa
The massages at Black Rock Spa are my favorite. Get hot stones, and enjoy some relaxation! We usually get a basic full body massage for 50 mins (about $130 each), but this last time we went for the 80 mins (about $180) and it was worth every penny. The spa rooms are patio like with natural sunlight peaking from the top, complete with soothing Hawaiian tunes.
Water Activities on Kaanapali BEach
8. Water Activities - Go parasailing, take a surf lesson, rent a jet ski, or go paddle boarding!
You can arrange with your hotel or go to a stand on the beach to get your adventure on! Fly high in the sky and enjoy looking over Kaanapali Beach while parasailing, or skim the water with a surf board! Learn how to surf like a pro with Maui Surfer Girls. You can even learn how to scuba dive right on Kaanapali beach! See related post for scuba: Best Scuba Spots Maui
9. Golf at Kaanapali Golf Courses
You’ll pass this golf course as you arrive and want to take a swing with your club. I don’t know which one but Josh does. You can see the ocean from most holes!
10. Zipline with Skyline Hawaii - Kaanapali Zipline Tours
Just up the hill from the golf course is Kaanapali Zipline Tours! Check-in at the shop, then they will drive you up to the zipline course with breathtaking views - high in the sky! See related post, Best Maui Ziplines, for more!
Best Restaurants on Kaanapali Beach
Here are a few of our favorites right on the beach that are fan favorites! See our full list here: Best Restaurants near Kaanapali and Lahaina
Monkeypod Kitchen - Kaanapali Beach
Monkeypod Kitchen ($$$)
Kaanapali Location: Whalers Village - 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy, Bldg I-1, Lahaina, HI 96761
See our full review: Best Restaurant in Maui: Monkeypod Kitchen
We first discovered Monkeypod in Wailea and were overjoyed when they opened a second location in Whalers Village, Kaanapali! We’ve found that it is the perfect spot for drinks and dinner. Get a Monkeypod Mai Tai with their fabulous honey foam! We love the Wood Roasted Chicken Wings (kiawe-roasted free range chicken, garlic, kula farm rosemary, tzatziki sauce) and the Bulgogi Pork Tacos (handcrafted kimchee, jalapeño, asian pear, sriracha aioli, locally-made corn tortilla). Jalapeño mashed potatoes ARE A MUST. They are green, but don’t let that scare you!
Dessert is a must! We loved the rich Chocolate Cream Pie, but they have other cream pies, such as Banana, available as well. Make a reservation in advance; we used Opentable.
Ice Cream Sandwich at Barefoot Bar
2. Hula Grill/Barefoot Bar ($$$/$$)
Location: Whalers Village - 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761
Located in Whalers Village with outstanding ocean views, these two restaurants are not only owned by the same company, they are connected to each other. Hula Grill is a little more pricey with delicious traditional Hawaiian entrees including many fish dishes (crab, snapper, shrimp) and land dishes (chicken, steak, short rib, emu).
The barefoot bar is more casual ($$) serving burgers, fish and chips, pizza. The fun part about the bar, your feet are in the sand. Usually, they have live music and entertainment. Regardless of which restaurant you try, I love their Mai Tai's which are served in tiki glasses topped with the umbrella!
Also, you MUST have dessert! Try the Hula pie - vanilla or macadamia nut ice cream with an Oreo crumble pie crust, with whipped cream and fudge on top (served at both restaurants)! OR get the ice cream sandwich (pictured). No words on that one other than YUM!
3. Cliff Dive Bar and Grill
Location: Sheraton Maui Resort
Located by the pool, great for lunch or an afternoon snack. Can’t go wrong with their burger or chicken sandwich. At sunset, the cliff diver lights all the torches around the pool and along the top of black rock, then jumps into the water.
3. Ono Gelato Company ($)
Location: Whalers Village
Try some handmade artisan gelato by the beach! When in Rome… err, or Maui!
More restaurants can be found in our post: Best Restaurants in Maui
We hope you enjoy Kaanapali Beach as much as we do! It’s the perfect vacation destination for families, couples, or a group of friends. Kaanapali vacations are the best vacations! Hope you didn’t miss our Maui Hotel Map Kaanapali Beach
RELATED POST: How much does it cost to go to Maui in 2021? - Itinerary, budget, and more!
Black Rock Snorkeling with a Turtle
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More Maui posts to help plan your trip:
6 Days in Aruba - What to do in Aruba and Full Itinerary Included!
Aruba is the perfect place for your next vacation! Not only is the weather perfect, but the hotels along the beaches are beautiful! We stayed in Oranjestad for a few days then moved downtown to see the flamingos! See where to eat and things to do in Aruba!
We spent 6 glorious days in Aruba and it didn’t seem like enough! The island is known as “One Happy Island” and it definitely lives up to it’s name! The people are so nice there, it’s very clean, and you feel very safe. The beaches are gorgeous, full of white sand from coral and white rock weathering away onto the shores.
Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island
There are many activities to do for couples or as families. If you’re bringing kids, teens would enjoy the island more than tiny kids. We were there for 6 days and never bored. Here is all you need to know to plan your perfect trip to Aruba.
UTV Tour - Around Aruba UTV Tours
This blog uses affiliate links. If you’d like to purchase a recommended product, please use the link to support this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, it simply allows me to continue creating these posts. Thank you so much for your love and support!
DAY 1
Arrival into Aruba
We arrived into Aruba’s Queen Beatrix Airport, right along the water! Arriving was pretty easy, we got off the plane, handed a government agent our declaration card and scanned our passports where our picture was taken by an automated machine. Also, the airport had views of the ocean were gorgeous while walking through!
Pro-tip: Tourism boards are usually parked in the arrivals area with reusable bags filled with coupons and info about Aruba... they are FREE, so take one! We used them all over, around the hotel, threw towels in for our UTV tour, to the beach, etc.
Taxi Drive views of Downtown from the Aruba Airport
It’s a $25 flat rate to get from the airport to the high rise hotels or $18 to get to the Downtown hotels. Here is a link to handy chart for taxi rates for getting around Aruba: Taxi Fares in Aruba
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino
Address: Juan E, J.E. Irausquin Blvd #85, Noord, Aruba
Website: Hyatt Regency Aruba
We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino for 4 nights over New Years 2019! Located mid beach of hotel row, it is the perfect place to spend the day at the beach and walking distance to everything! The rooms were so nice, hard wood floors and super spacious! The pool was huge, complete with a water slide, volleyball net and swim up bar to get your drink on!
My favorite part of walking through the resort was looking for wildlife! Parrots, swans, large iguanas, coi fish, and turtles were all over!
Read our full HOTEL REVIEW here: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino
We also stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino so we could visit the flamingos on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach! Read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach. We’ll get more into that on Day 5 and 6!
Afternoon Beach Time
After we checked into the Hyatt Regency Aruba, we couldn’t wait to go to the beach and grab a bite to eat! There were a bunch of restaurants inland but we wanted to eat by the water. From our room, I could see a restaurant on Pelican Pier and said we should eat there. Reviews on Yelp and Google Maps said The Pelican Nest Seafood & Grill Bar was good, which was good enough for me!
Pelican Pier in Aruba
Restaurant: The Pelican Nest Seafood & Grill Bar
Address: On Pelican Pier, J.E. Irausquin Blvd 237, Noord, Aruba
Website: pelican-aruba.com
Cuisine type: Caribbean, Seafood | Price Range: $20 - $30
We sat down in the bar which was open seating, ordered chicken sandwiches and happy hour beverages since we were there between 4-6pm. We sat at the bar along the walkway and weren’t complaining about the oceanfront views.
Pelican Nest Drinks
Chicken Sandwiches at Pelican Nest
After our meal, not sure if it was lunch or dinner, but walked along the beach to catch a beautiful sunset.
Sunset on Aruba Beach
Watch where you step, you never know what you might find!
Ice Cream in Aruba - Gelatissimo Palm Beach
Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 345, Noord, Aruba
Website: Gianni’s Gelatissimo
Pricing: $3-$8
Gelatissimo - Ice Cream in Aruba
We went exploring inland where we saw shops and restaurants on our drive in. Of course we had to find some ice cream and we came across some delicious gelato at Gelatissimo!
I went with a waffle cone trying the Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nutella (chocolate hazelnut).
Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nutella (chocolate hazelnut)
New Years in Aruba
New Years Fireworks in Aruba
We asked our cab driver where the place to be is at midnight on New Years Eve, to which he said, “right in front of your hotel!” Perfect. He wasn’t wrong, we had a few drinks at the bar and wandered down to the beach around 11p. Fireworks are legal in Aruba so they were going off all day along with these giant firecrackers that people would set up randomly in the streets. We sat and watched as people set off sparklers and small fireworks around us. As soon as midnight hit, a bunch of barges in the water close to the beach shot off fireworks for a good 20 minutes! It was spectacular, the whole beach was lit up from this amazing display!
New Years Fireworks in Aruba
DAY 2
Breakfast in Aruba - Dushi Bagels & Burgers
Address: J. E. Irausquin Blvd #87 Noord, Aruba
Website: http://www.dushibagelsandburgers.com
Cuisine type: Bagels, Breakfast, Burgers, Sandwiches | Price Range: $7-$12
We decided to try a restaurant recommended by a friend, which was walking distance to our hotel called Dushi Bagels. The price was right for our meals and the service was quick. There was a bit of a wait so we just ate at the bar. They also offer to go options if you’re in a hurry! We enjoyed a breakfast burrito with ham, french toast, and delicious hash browns.
UTV Tours - Around Aruba Tours
Website: https://www.aroundarubatours.com/tours-in-aruba/
Or book through Viator tours: Aruba UTV Tour
Booking: We took a 4 hour UTV Tour around the island with Around Aruba Tours. It was $180 for the 2 of us. The Hyatt Regency concierge was able to book the afternoon tour for us. They also offer ATV tours and Jeep tours too! Note: An ATV is for one person, the UTVs hold 2-4 people. The driver should be at least 18 years old with a valid driving license while the minimum age for the passengers is set at 6 years.
What to bring: You will get very dusty, I’d avoid wearing white. You must wear sunglasses or something to protect your eyes. They will provide a souvenir bandana to shield half of your face from the dirt and dust. The tour ends in the Natural Pool, where you can jump in the water if you want to, I’d wear a swimsuit under your clothes because there isn’t a place to change. Also, bring a towel if you’re going in the water! The tour provides small bottles of water that they have in coolers on ice.
Our guide was AB, who was energetic and funny, and he even grew up on the island! He picked us up at our hotel in a school bus around 2pm and took us to Phillip’s Animal Garden to get situated. We paid there (they do take credit cards) and as the tour company was collecting information and payment, we were able to wander and feed the island’s most exotic animals.
Our first stop was the Alto Vista Chapel which was built in 1750. It was renovated in 1950’s and rebuilt by missionaries from Venezuela. It resembles the church in Westworld to me!
Alto Vista Chapel
Alto Vista Chapel
We traveled as a group following single file. Driving from spot to spot was dusty (and very bumpy) but had spectacular views.
Aruba UTV Tour Views
The next stop was the Natural Bridge, where a rock formation created a bridge. Not a whole lot to see but you can walk on top of it (or jump).
Our next stop was the abandoned Bushiribana Gold Mill, which sits on the northern coast. This site once processed ore from mines in the nearby hills during Aruba's gold rush of the nineteenth century. In 1824, gold was found on the island and over 3 million pounds of gold were produced.
Next, we entered the Arikok National Park on Aruba’s east coast. Conchi is a natural ocean pool sheltered by craggy rock formations. Beaches include Boca Prins and Dos Playa, a turtle nesting site.
Some got in the pool while others wandered around. I climbed on rocks and could see crabs and fish in the shallow waters nearby. Josh got in and waved!
Natural Pool
Crabs at the Natural Pool
We were dropped off at our hotel and needed to shower off the dirt! We were starving and wanted to go somewhere close-by that we could walk to…
Dinner at Smokey Joe’s Island Grill
Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87, Noord, Aruba
Website: http://www.smokeyjoesaruba.com/
Cuisine type: American, International | Price Range: $20 - $30
AB our UTV tour guide recommended Smokey Joe’s and told us they have all you can eat ribs on Tuesday and Thursday claiming they are “the best ribs in the Caribbean.” The ribs were good, and we got some chicken as well. The service was really slow, but we weren’t in a rush, just hungry!
I saw the Pink Iguana drink on the menu and it was everything I wanted. It was like a Miami vice or lava flow, filled with coconut cream, rum and strawberries! For dessert, we HAD to try the Fried Oreos and vanilla ice cream! We didn’t leave anything behind.
We did a quick stroll around the shops to walk off our dinner.
DAY 3
Breakfast at a Dutch Pancake House - Diana’s Pancake Place
Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370, Noord, Aruba
Website: Facebook Page
Cuisine type: Dutch | Price Range: under $15
Diana’s Pancake House is located by hotel row and across from the Hyatt, above the I Love Aruba store. Dutch pancakes are served as one pancake on a large plate with whatever ingredients you desire from the menu. The pancakes were bigger than my face! I went with the Hawaiian (ham, cheese, and pineapple) and Josh had the Apple Cinnamon. They were good, but we weren’t planning on going back every morning.
Diving with Aqua Windies
Address: Dr. Horacio E. Oduber blvd 4, Eagle Beach, Aruba
Website: aquawindies.com
We went diving two days in a row with Aqua Windies! Everyone was super nice, we would get picked up and get our gear at the dive shop before continuing on to the boat. On our first day our crew was Sean, Big Rob, Rob, and Dan. We went out with Sean, who was new to them. He was very nice, but wasn’t privy as to where to look for marine life that frequented certain spots.
We drove out past our hotel to a dock with tons of birds and the prettiest aqua waters.
We had two great dives, checking out some sunken ships and the coral reef that has grown on and around them! We even caught a ray passing through!
Dinner at Salt and Pepper
Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370-A, Noord, Aruba
Website: http://www.saltandpepperaruba.com/
Cuisine type: Spanish, Tapas | Price Range: $10 - $20
Salt and Pepper shakers were everywhere! They had different salt and pepper shakers at every table and the walls inside had shelves and shelves of shakers. They even offer free sangria for those who bring a set for them to keep! After our dives we were so hungry, so we ordered quite a few tapas plates to try:
Meatballs - my fave
Chicken wings - josh fave
Fried Brie - Yum *drool*
Spicy beef - Great!
Chicken pincho - good sauce
Grouper - not a huge fish fan, but it was pretty good!
Chorizo sausage - it was good, but everything else as better
We ordered a beers to go, you can walk around with alcohol (just like Vegas)! We walked down through some of the hotels and played in the casinos, while checking out the pools and properties.
DAY 4
Diving with Aqua Windies - Aruba Scuba Diving
We went out for a second day of diving with Aqua Windies bright and early to check out the airplanes. Our guide’s name was Ed who was from New Jersey and was hilarious! The airplanes were so cool and so large underwater. You could even go right through them! Our second dive was at Harbor Reef where we found lots of giant eels!
One of our favorite dives was the Airplane Wreck (70-90 ft / 24-30 m), a Convair 400 and a Beech craft 18. Both airplanes were sunk on a sloping reef surrounded by soft corals. Check out our Scuba in Aruba video here:
Relaxation
We shared a sandwich at the pool bar and spent the afternoon by the pool and took a long walk along the beach.
Steak Dinner at the Sunset Grille Steakhouse
Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 81, Noord, Aruba
Website: Hilton Aruba Resort | Dinner Menu
For our last dinner over by Palm Beach, we decided to be fancy and have a nice steak dinner. We had a reservation at Sunset Grille, located in the Hilton Aruba Resort, which was right next to our hotel and a quick jaunt down the beach.
We sat outside to enjoy the sunset while at the Sunset Grille! I had a mouth watering Filet Mignon and Josh ordered the Cowboy Bone-in Rib Eye. For sides, we tried the Garlic mashed potatoes and Gouda Cheese Croquettes. The croquettes were little balls of cheese and potato heaven. SO GOOD.
For dessert, we had the Chocolate Decadence Cake, rich and sweet, served with fruit on the side. YUM!
DAY 5
Breakfast at Salt and Pepper
American Breakfast | Price Range: $10 - $20
Even though we had already had dinner here, we loved the service and the breakfast menu looked good! I had and omelet that was overloaded with ham (thats a good thing) with amazing hash browns! Their house coffee was great too, came with free refills!
New Hotel Check-in: Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino
Address: L.G. Smith Blvd 82, Oranjestad, Aruba
Website: Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino
Flamingos on Renaissance Island
Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com
I had been waiting ALL week to check into this hotel! What I was looking forward to the most for our Aruba trip was meeting the flamingos on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach.
Again, read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.
Renaissance Adult Only hotel
There are 2 hotels at the Renaissance property, both right across from each other. The adults only hotel is more inland but still in the marina. It’s also connected to a very fancy, high end mall and casino! We tried to check in, but our room wasn’t ready. We were given passes to get to Renaissance Island to go to Flamingo Beach!
More flamingo pictures here: Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.
Dinner Downtown at Driftwood Restaurant
Address: Driftwood Building, Klipstraat 12, Oranjestad, Aruba
Website: driftwoodaruba.com
Cuisine type: Aruban, Caribbean, Seafood | Price Range: $25 - $35
Loved the ambiance! The walls were plastered with driftwood and it felt like a being on a ship with steering wheels as lamps (minus the sea sickness)! Something happened in the kitchen and it took over an hour to get our food. The way they seat you and take orders, we weren’t quite sure who exactly was our waiter. We asked if everything was alright with our order and they apologized for the delay. A round of drinks with mermaid accoutrements came on the house.
I ordered the chicken with tropical citrus sauce and wish I had the recipe for that sauce! Josh tried the Aruban meal - fresh catch of the day with potato and veggies. Although the presentation of the meal was underwhelming, the food quality was spectacular.
For dessert, we ordered the Brownie a la mode and it was perfection!
Brownie a la mode at Driftwood Aruba
After dinner, we walked around the downtown area and played in a few casinos. I was still reeling from my day with the flamingos!
DAY 6
Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach & Breakfast
We had to get up early to go to Flamingo Beach one more time so I could feed them! We tried to hop on the 8am boat but because the tide was low, they were boarding outside so we missed it and waited for the next one. The island wasn’t crowded at all! I was able to feed them and get some great pictures of just us!
One more time, read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.
Feeding flamingos on Flamingo Beach
We had breakfast over by the Iguana beach and this completed our PERFECT Aruba trip.
Departing from the Aruba Airport
We were warned by a few people to get to the airport at least 3 hours early if you are traveling back to the United States from Aruba. Not only do you pass through Aruba customs, but you also pass through US customs. The benefit here is that you don’t have to hassle with customs when you get to the US, the bad part is you spend a long time in lines at the airport. There were 7 steps to get to the gate, here is why it takes so long to get through the Aruba airport customs:
Step 1
First you have to check-in and check your baggage, which took about 30 mins to get to the counter.
Step 2
Next, you have to clear customs with Aruba. This line was outside and luckily it was a nice breezy day! It took about 15 mins to get to the front of this line.
Step 3
After, we were to take everything through the TSA metal detectors, all electronics must come out of your bags. This line took another 15 mins or so.
We thought we were done since we entered the terminal with duty free shops, but no, we were not done yet.
Step 4
We kept walking until we entered the US customs area where you have to find your bags that you checked in step 1. Some bags were on the carousels and others were lined up by airport staff. We were not allowed to open our bags.
Step 5
After gathering our bags, we lined up for the US customs check. The line takes about 30 minutes or Global Entry had no line.
Step 6
Once we were passed the custom agents, we dropped our bags off, again.
Step 7
Now we had to go through the TSA metal detectors one last time. Luckily there was a separate line for TSA pre-check, but you still have to take your shoes off. This took about 10 minutes.
Finally, we entered the terminal to find our gate! We had time to spare and with our Priority Pass account, we could go into the VIP lounge. It was a small lounge with limited snacks: bagged chips, muffins, sandwiches, and drinks included: wine, rum, whiskey, coffee, beer or soda. We were ok with this, all we wanted to do was sit and grab a bite to eat!
We were exhausted when we got back home, but were ready to go back right away! Let us know what you thought of the post or if you have any questions in the comments below!
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Everything you need to know about visiting Flamingo Beach, Aruba!
In Aruba there is an island where you can feed and get up close with pink flamingos on the beach! Here is everything you need to know about Renaissance Island's Flamingo Beach and how to get there!
Everything you need to know about visiting Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach, Aruba (part of the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino)!
Address: L.G. Smith Blvd 82, Oranjestad, Aruba
Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks!
Flamingos on Flamingo Beach - Renaissance Island
My favorite part of Aruba was definitely hanging out with the gorgeous flamingos living on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach! Just because I’ve posted hundreds of pictures of these pink beauties, doesn’t mean you can find them all over Aruba. They have inhabited the Renaissance Island and you must plan ahead to see them, they are not available to the public. Here’s all you need to know about the island so you don’t miss out on your flamingo selfie.
Let’s flamingle - Flamingo selfie
Flamingos on Renaissance Island
Pricing and Getting to Renaissance Island
This is a perk for staying at the Renaissance Aruba hotel because it’s free to get in! If you’re looking to spend the day there, it’s $100 a day per person but comes with food and a drink. However, if the hotel is completely booked, they might not offer the pass and you can only purchase tickets the day of, first come, first served.
Find the best rate for the Renaissance Aruba by booking your room through Booking.com!
Renaissance Aruba Lobby - Boat Dock in front of Starbucks
The island is open from 7am to 7pm with boats that come every 15 minutes, picking up in the lobby by Starbucks as well as over by the casino. When the tide is low and the boats can’t make it into the lobby, pick up is in front of Lucy’s right across the street from the Renaissance. You must use your room key or day pass to get on the boat to visit the island.
Aruba Adults Only Hotel and Casino
There are 2 hotels at the Renaissance hotel property, an adults-only hotel and a family hotel, both right across from each other. The adults-only hotel is more inland but still in the marina. It’s also connected to a very fancy, high-end mall and casino!
Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island
These beautiful pink birds hang out at Flamingo Beach all day! Kids are allowed from 9-10am to feed them and take the cutest family photos. Since we stayed at the hotel we ended up going 2 days in a row. We went the first day around 2pm and stayed until 5:30pm. I was immediately glued to the flamingos as soon as we arrived. I probably took 200 pictures/videos!
There were 6 pretty birds and they seemed to all travel as a flock around the beach. It was great people-watching, you could tell who had just arrived for the first time, who was doing it for social media and those who were truly enjoying themselves. And then there was me…
Do the flamingo
Food and drinks served at Mangrove bar until 5pm on Flamingo Beach. I wanted something to match my new pink flamingo friends and went with a strawberry daiquiri.
Drinking with pink sea chickens
We had a burger as a late lunch and ate it on the beach while watching the flamingos roam.
Flamingos starting the conga line
The bartender suggested to leave before 6pm so you didn’t have to wait long for a boat to come.
We came back the next day and missed the 8:15am boat since they loaded across the street because the tide was low to pick us up in the lobby. We caught the 8:30am which was pretty crowded. It was still nice to get there early and have one on one time with my pink friends! The crystal clear water makes this one of the best beaches in Aruba!
Feed Flamingos
Bring a few US quarters, there’s a gum ball dispenser filled with flamingo food when you walk in! $0.50 is a lot of food to feed them for one person. They’ll either eat it right out of your hand or run from you depending how much they’ve already had to eat.
Flamingo Feed
Feeding Flamingos
What else is there to do at Flamingo Beach?
Other than watching the silly flamingos, Flamingo Beach is a great beach to take a dip in! The beach is fully equipped with towels, pool chairs, bar, restaurant, bathrooms, floaty rentals, scuba gear, etc. We charged things to our room or you can pay in US dollars or their local currency, Florin. Don’t miss an opportunity to relax in a hammock! Rent floaties for $6 a day or rent a fancy cabana ahead of time. You can even get massages on the island in private rooms!
Hammock life
Don’t forget the essentials!
Iguana Beach on Renaissance Island
Iguana beach is the family beach and more like a beach! There are plenty of fish to see if you snorkel or you can swim/float/etc.
Breakfast is served from 8a-12p. The menu is limited to a few items for $19.95 USD, you can get a fruit plate, basket of pastries, entrée, and coffee/tea/orange juice.
Secret Spot on Renaissance Island
If you head towards the end of Iguana Beach past the restaurant, there is a hidden area where baby flamingos nest!
The babies aren’t as pink as the adults, but they are still so cute!
It was like a dream! Is this real life!? It sure can be! :) Add Flamingo Beach to your bucket list!
Again, find the best rate for the Renaissance Aruba by booking your room through Booking.com!
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More Island Life:
Best part about Aruba: visiting the flamingos on Renaissance Island! Where is the best hotel to stay in Oranjested, Aruba? Our hotel review of the Renaissance Aruba Hotel shows why you must stay, and includes things to do such as visiting flamingo beach on their private island, cabana rentals, shopping, and restaurants! There is an adult hotel and family hotel, which is fun for everyone!