Aruba Dreams

I was very disappointed by the people and service, especially with how expensive the island is. I don't think I'd visit Aruba again. Leaving home, we had to show an ED card for immigration. In the rush not to miss our plane, we got scammed and ended up paying $100 each for our group of three, when it should have been only $20 per person. After arriving, we were told to take a taxi to the hotel tierra del sol, which cost another $50. Renting a car would have been better. Distances are huge. At tierra del sol, a rude woman at reception directed us to our rental, a three-bedroom apartment that was old and falling apart. If you stay at the hotel, there's only one restaurant, open from 10 am to 8pm. It's very expensive and the food was so-so, with no flavor. That same day we went back to the airport, rented a car, and stopped at the many supermarkets around the island. Avoid the Asian ones. I think they put chlorine on their food to preserve it. There are a few places to visit, like the light house, which costs $6 per person to go up and down. There wasn't much to see, and you couldn't even hear the story on the way up. You could maybe walk around oranjestad or paseo hacienda, but everything is very expensive. For souvenirs, there's a market where the cruise lines are, so bargain there. One more thing: tierra del sol advertises a gym, but you have to pay, it's not free. There was room service, but I didn't see a soul for the 3 days I was there. The restaurant ceiling leaks, so be ready for a wet meal. And the streets, oh lord, drive slowly. I thought the money they collect was for fixing the roads. Bahahaha... And they call it one happy island.

We got a local rate for golf instead of the guest rate, luckily. The course was scenic, with a few holes along the ocean, but nothing memorable. It needs a lot of work, and at that price it isn't worth it. The wind also made the round difficult.

Visited January 23rd 2026 The pool is stunning and the views are beautiful. Pretty much everything else was bad, from the food and service to the general hospitality. I bought a pool day pass and arrived at 2:30 PM. Only then was I told the pool and restaurants would close at 3:30 PM for a private event, something nobody had told me beforehand. They wouldn't refund the pass. I had to push for some compensation, and eventually they said I could use the gym after the pool closed so I could enjoy the property a little longer. When I was asked to leave the pool an hour later, the spa receptionist had finished her shift and the spa was closed. Three employees brushed me off and wouldn't let me into the locker rooms, not even to shower or change. I gave up and left. Then at the main hotel reception, I asked for help calling a taxi and was told they couldn't help because I was a day pass guest, not a hotel guest. I ended up walking 45 minutes to another hotel to get a taxi to my cruise ship. I really don't understand why they offer day passes when day visitors clearly aren't welcome or treated properly. There were no towels for day guests either, even when I offered to pay. The food was extremely disappointing, clearly aimed at American tastes, with not a single local or Caribbean dish available. It's a gorgeous property, completely spoiled by terrible service and a lack of basic hospitality.

The quiet, well-kept neighborhood felt safe and private, with 24-hour security, lovely landscaping, and views across the fairways and hills. Tierra del Sol sits in a beautiful gated community on a stunning golf course, and from arrival I felt relaxed. The Airbnb was spacious, comfortable, and very clean. I liked sitting outside in the mornings to watch the sunrise over the course. Evenings were calm and serene too. It's a short drive to some of Aruba's best beaches, restaurants, and shops, so it combines a peaceful retreat with convenient access to things to do. I'd definitely stay here again and recommend it for comfort, relaxation, and a touch of luxury.