The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba

The service was first class and the food was superb. We've been three times recently, and I highly recommend this restaurant at the Ritz Carlton. You can't go wrong. There was a small delay bringing our order. They knew they'd made a mistake and didn't charge us a cent. When dessert arrived, they had written “welcome back” in chocolate on the plate. They deserve six stars or more!

This is the best place in Aruba, though it's not for kids. The wind was a little strong this time and the adult pool was filthy. Still, that beat eating sand all day as it blew into our mouths, and the wind is out of their control. Aside from that, the staff were fabulous and respectful. Top-notch place, but not inexpensive. 😘

We were upgraded to a very nice junior suite with a welcome amenity, and the service from everyone was top-notch, full RC service. The spa treatment was excellent too. One odd thing was the men's spa outdoor area, which was basically on a resort walkway and offered almost no privacy. The hotel meals were very good, at the prices you'd expect at a high-end Aruba resort. The resort fee, $90/night, felt like a bit of a slap for anyone using points, and didn't seem to offer value. We got the breakfast buffet, and although it all looked incredible, every item was cold. I'd recommend the hotel because the service delivers, but in such a competitive market they need to improve some parts of the stay. It is quite pricey.

We've just returned for our fourth trip, four years in a row, and it was as great as the previous three stays. At the end of the beach, the hotel is peaceful and relaxing, with perfect rooms and a great view. BLT Steak at the Ritz is one of the island's best restaurants. The staff really make this place. It's lovely to see familiar faces each year, and people seem to genuinely like working here. Bjorn at the desk, Smiley, Eduardo, Ely at the beach, Germain, who seems to work everywhere, Greg at the pool, Greg at the lobby bar, Adriel (may have misspelled), the beach manager, Chef Awanish, Buzz and Ferdinand at the door, and Johnathan in the gift shop all stood out. I'm sure I've forgotten a few names, so I'll mention them next visit. Can't wait to come back!