Staying at Barceló Aruba: Full Review of the All-Inclusive Experience

Located on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Barcelo Aruba is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing, stress-free vacation. Barcelo Aruba is consistently ranked among the best resorts in Aruba thanks to its all-inclusive amenities and prime location.

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At Barcelo Aruba, you can enjoy everything the Caribbean has to offer without ever having to leave the resort. You can spend your days lounging on the beach, swimming in the crystal clear ocean, or exploring the lively town of Noord. When you’re ready for a break, head to one of the many restaurants or bars for a delicious meal or refreshing drink.

In this Barcelo Aruba review, I will cover accommodations, food and drinks, the spa, and the best things to do in Aruba.

The Hotel

Barcelo Aruba is a high rise, beachfront resort located only 20 minutes away from the airport in the town of Noord. The resort’s lobby is large, with ample lounge space connected to shopping, restaurants, the fitness center, and guest services.

Barcelo Aruba is easily accessible and walkable – the walk from the lobby to the beach only takes a minute or two! I recommend taking some time after arriving to explore the resort and get an idea of where the restaurants, bars, pool, and activities are located.

Directly across from the resort you’ll find a variety of restaurants, bars, local stores, and excursions and activities. There are also several beachfront restaurants and bars within walking distance.

Barcelo Aruba is family-friendly, and offers amenities specifically for families including a kids club during the day.

All-Inclusive Features

Barcelo Aruba offers two all-inclusive plans, the Basic All-Inclusive (included with every reservation) or the upgraded Royal Level All-Inclusive.

The Rooms

Barcelo Aruba boasts 373 rooms, ranging from a traditional guest room to spacious suites with living room space. Each room features a balcony or terrace and offers garden views, pool views, or ocean views. The rooms at Barcelo Aruba are large with plenty of space to unpack and relax, but are a bit outdated. Every room includes the following amenities:

• Free WiFi
• Coffee and Tea
• Bathrobe
• Stocked Mini Bar
• Safe
• Alarm Clock
• Ironing Board
• TV

The Beach + The Pool

Located on Palm Beach, Barcelo Aruba boasts pristine beaches with white sands and calm, turquoise water. The ocean in Aruba is warm, and the beach is shaded with palm trees and straw huts. The beach at Barcelo Aruba has plenty of lounge chairs, so there’s no need to get up early to find a spot.

There is one large pool at Barcelo Aruba with two smaller hot tubs in the middle of the pool. The pool has an upbeat atmosphere, with a swim up bar, music, and daily activities including water aerobics and fun water challenges. Surrounding the pool, you’ll find chaise loungers with umbrellas and cabana beds to relax on.

The Food + Drinks

Barcelo Aruba has two buffets, The Palm and The Beach Club, along with four themed restaurants that require reservations.

RESTAURANTS:

• Aruban Seafood: The Aruban Seafood restaurant is located on the beachfront and offers indoor or outdoor dining in a tropical, beachy atmosphere. The restaurant serves high quality meats and fresh seafood with a large variety of options.
• Kyoto: Kyoto offers Japanese cuisine in two styles – a la carte or at a teppanyaki table. The a la carte menu features fresh sushi and popular Asian dishes including Chicken Satay and Tempura Shrimp. If you’re dining at a teppanyaki table, you’ll be seated at a grill with other guests where the food will be prepared in front of you by a chef.
• L’Olio: The resort’s Italian restaurant, L’Olio is perfectly decorated to create an upscale ambience both inside the restaurant and on their outdoor terrace. Each meal consists of Italian bread and olive oil, fresh vegetables, and classic Italian dishes including Chicken Parmigiana and Ravioli.

• Mexico Lindo: Mexico Lindo boasts a fun and upbeat atmosphere with authentic Mexican dishes, from homemade pico de gallo to fresh fajitas. The restaurant is where you’ll find the best margaritas in the resort!
• Beach Club Buffet: Located near the pool and the beach, the Beach Club is the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast with a view or grab a quick lunch. At breakfast, you’ll find a personalized omelette station, fresh fruit, and traditional breakfast items including pancakes and french toast. During lunch, you can make a customized salad, order a freshly grilled hamburger, or indulge in the fresh catch of the day.
• The Palms Buffet: The Palms is the larger buffet, open for breakfast, lunch, and themed dinners. This buffet offers a wide variety of meals, with everything from personally sliced chicken breasts to a customizable pasta station and sides such as grilled vegetables and rice. The Palms also offers a gluten free and vegan section with similar dishes.

BARS:

Barcelo Aruba has two main bars, the Lobby Bar and the Pool Bar. The Lobby Bar is located near the lobby and the casino, with comfortable seating and a curated menu of drinks for guests. In the evening, the Lobby Bar features live music and piano performances. The Pool Bar offers pool seating with one side as a swim up bar and the other side as a walk up bar. The Pool Bar offers several frozen and tropical drink options.

The Spa

The New Image Spa at Barcelo Aruba is a luxurious oasis where you can relax in a tranquil setting. The spa offers a wide variety of treatments, including massages, facials, body wraps, and nail care. You can also enjoy the spa’s hydrotherapy facilities, including a sauna, steam room, and whirlpool. The spa is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate after a long day of exploring Aruba.

Some of the spa’s most popular treatments include:

• Hot Stone Massage
• Aromatherapy Massage
• Body Wraps
• Signature Facial

Things To Do At Barcelo Aruba

Barcelo Aruba offers a variety of onsite activities for guests along with their curated daily classes, ensuring you’ll never have a dull moment while on vacation. The resort includes the following complimentary activities:

• Tennis
• Pool Volleyball
• Basketball
• Mini Soccer courts
• Snorkeling
• Kayaking

Barcelo Aruba also offers daily instructor-led activities including:

• Zumba on the beach
• Water aerobics
• Dance lessons
• Martini lessons
• Tequila and rum tasting

Nearby Activities

Barcelo Aruba offers a variety of activities and amenities to keep guests entertained, but there are also plenty of things to do outside of the resort. With the island only being 21 miles long and 6 miles wide, you have access to endless activities and new experiences in Aruba.

Aruba has over 20 miles of sandy beaches, making it the perfect destination for beach hopping. North of the resort you’ll find Malmok Beach, Arashi Beach, and Boca Catalina, all with turquoise waters and fewer tourists than the resort beaches. If you’re hoping to explore beaches on the southern end of Aruba, Baby Beach and Rodger’s Beach both offer picturesque calm waters in a relaxing atmosphere.

Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities in Aruba, as the island’s clear waters are home to a diverse array of coral reefs and marine life, including fish, turtles, and stingrays. One of the best places to explore underwater is Hadicurari Beach, only a short walk from the resort. There are also several tour options that leave directly from the resort and allow visitors to experience natural, untouched marine life.

There’s more to Aruba than just beaches, and this unique island is best explored by visiting the island’s hidden gem – Arikok National Park. Inside of the National Park, you’ll find unspoiled desert terrain that makes up nearly 20% of the entire island. It is possible to explore some of the park with a rental car, but I highly recommend booking an ATV Tour or Jeep Safari so that you can explore the entire park. You’ll see towering cacti, lush vegetation, and stunning views of the rugged coast. This is a great way to see some of the more remote areas of Aruba, and learn about the island’s history and culture.

Final Thoughts

Situated in one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, Barcelo Aruba provides a relaxing and luxurious all-inclusive vacation. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or a fun-filled family vacation, Barcelo Aruba has something for everyone.