Aruba Polishes Its Tourism Product

Apr 13, 2011

When it comes to new tourism developments, Aruba is quick out of the gate in 2011. A number of resort renovations, restaurant openings and expansions to the island’s green initiatives have been introduced, with more developments scheduled throughout the year.

New and Refreshed Resorts
The Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa has embarked on a $30 million room refurbishment. The furniture, fixtures and facing will recapture the resort’s original late 1950’s architecture and open-air design. Each guestroom will be equipped with flat-screen televisions, surround sound capabilities and adjustable Sleep Number mattresses. One building at a time will be closed for the project. The first and second buildings have been completed and the final building is scheduled for completion in October 2011.

The Westin Resort & Casino, Aruba, has unveiled the Palm Beach Casino, featuring new gaming machines and an updated bar area with live entertainment. The resort will also host a new magic and comedy show, “Magic Live!” with Adam Steinfeld at 9 p.m. nightly.

Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa is unveiling its newly renovated Deluxe Ocean and Garden View rooms. The new Deluxe Ocean View Rooms have luxury bedding and spa bathrooms with waterfall showers, as well as ocean views from private balconies. The Deluxe Garden View rooms have also been refreshed with updated furnishings in warm island tones.

The Divi Aruba All-Inclusive Resort recently completed construction on its new pool deck. The deck features white-cushioned chairs, a shallow reflection pool for sun-loving guests, plus plenty of shade for those who prefer it.

Restaurants and Shops
Amazonia Churrascaria has launched its new Midnight Lounge on the deck overlooking Palm Beach Road. Every Friday and Saturday night, patrons can dance to a live DJ or relax and enjoy a menu of new hors d’oeuvres such as chicken and pineapple pinchos and Brazilian chorizo with fried polenta.

Amuse is a French bistro that opened last December at Playa Linda Beach Resort Aruba. Amuse serves contemporary favorites in appetizer portions. The menu ranges from homemade soups and fresh seafood to hearty meat dishes and indulgent desserts.

Longtime Aruba residents, Rosie and Aaron Walisever, recently opened The Mad Hatter at the Village Mall on Palm Beach. The boutique is stocked with a variety of hats and jewelry, as well as handbags made from 100 percent recycled materials.

Visitors to South Beach Centre near Palm Beach can now experience the brand-new La Vie Med Spa and Beauty Salon. Spa-goers can choose from a variety of services, including facials, massages, manicures and pedicures, as well as treatments like spider vein therapy, tattoo removals, laser hair removal and a permanent makeup procedure.

New Attractions and Upgrades
Aruba Fun City is a family amusement facility that recently opened at Palm Beach Plaza. The attraction has 21,527 square feet of recreation options, including video games, a climbing wall and a laser tag facility. Aruba Fun City’s piece de resistance is its Flow Rider, a sheet wave that imitates an ocean swell, giving riders the thrill of surfing. The Flow Rider’s large open face allows surfers to perform everything from basic maneuvers to more advanced moves. Aruba Fun City also has a daycare facility and a baby gym.

De Palm Private Island’s Blue Parrotfish Water Park recently underwent a technical upgrade in which an auto-pilot chlorination system, which ensures the optimal condition of the water, was installed under the guidance of a U.S. water park consultant. The park is back up and running, sporting new designs on its decoration panels.

Construction has begun on the Aruba Linear Park, which is poised to become the largest park in the Caribbean with a total length of 10 miles extending from the Reina Beatrix Airport to Arashi Beach. The park will include a cycling path, a walking path, sheltered areas, parking spaces, public bathrooms, kiosks and sufficient space for organizing different activities, all with breathtaking views of the ocean. Construction will take place in phases and the first phase is expected to be completed this year.