Caribbean Palm Village Resort

The pool and hot tub were good, but the food was awful and expensive. Our suite was on the ground floor by the laundry room and needs updating. They put us in a terrible room that faced a walkway and wall, where maintenance staff pass by, even though some other rooms looked better. If you only need somewhere to sleep, it could work.

The rooms are cleaned daily, and the staff are accommodating. Guests were also given beach chairs during our stay. There’s a supermarket and restaurants within walking distance, and I’d especially recommend Green Hut down the block. The food is great, and it costs less than most restaurants on the island. The place has pool access and a beach shuttle, too.

There were five of us, but we were given one king size bed. When we asked for more beds, they told us, “Oh, you have the sofa.” They brought one more bed after we insisted, and then gave us two of the thinnest mattresses. If we pay for five people, it seems reasonable to provide comparable mattresses for all five.

You can definitely relax here, with two pools, a sauna, and a swim up bar at one pool. There’s a gym if working out is part of your routine. The place isn't on the beach, but they have shuttles to get you around, and security staff on site are attentive. Aruba is one of the safest places to visit, and their presence still helps you feel secure. There are daily food specials, happy hour, and entertainment, which made it feel like home for a week. One of the island's top 10 restaurants is on site, with good food at a good price. Check the room configuration against your reservation request before booking, since the options vary. Check in and check out were easy. I had little contact with the front desk staff, who didn't seem very interested in talking with guests.