Escape to Paradise: Aruba's Eagle Aruba Resort Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Aruba's Eagle Aruba Resort Awaits! - A Messy, Honest, and Delightfully Chaotic Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans (and probably a little bit of my morning coffee) on the Eagle Aruba Resort. Forget sterile, corporate jargon. I'm here to tell you what really went down, the good, the bad, and the "wait, did that just happen?" moments.
Accessibility: Getting Around (and Not Tripping Over My Own Feet)
First things first: Accessibility. Listen, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I do appreciate a hotel that gets it. Eagle Aruba had some good points, like a decent elevator (essential!), and I think they had facilities for disabled guests, but the info was kinda vague, the ramp entrance wasn't super obvious, and honestly, navigating the place sometimes felt like an Olympic sport, especially after a few of those potent poolside cocktails. Which leads me to…
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure (and Avoiding a Hangover)
Alright, let's talk food. Crucial. Because let's be honest, a good vacation is fueled by deliciousness.
- Restaurants: Okay, the resort has a bunch of restaurants, like, a bunch. Restaurants. You've got your a la carte spots, a buffet in restaurant option, and a snack bar to hit when you're feeling peckish. I'm not a huge buffet fan (germs!), but even I have to admit, the breakfast [buffet] was pretty solid. They had everything you'd expect. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Check. If you're craving a burger, there are Western cuisine in restaurant spots and if you like to explore, there is Asian cuisine in restaurant too.
- Poolside Bar: This is where things got interesting. I spent approximately 75% of my waking hours at the poolside bar. The bartenders were friendly, the drinks were strong (maybe too strong – more on that later…), and the poolside bar was a total vibe. The view from the bar of the pool was something to see.
- Room Service: Now, room service [24-hour] is a lifesaver, right? Especially after a long day of… well, existing. And while the food sometimes took a while to arrive, it was a godsend. I'm not sure I ordered a bottle of water though.
- Other Food Options: They also have a coffee shop, which I didn't visit.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling (Mostly) Safe and Sound
Let's be real, the COVID era has made us all slightly obsessed with cleanliness. Eagle Aruba seemed to take it seriously. They boasted anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and staff trained in safety protocol. They even had hand sanitizer readily available, but I still carried my own, just in case. They had a first aid kit too. The room sanitization opt-out available was an interesting thing, so I'm not sure how my room was sanitized. The thing that I appreciated most was the Safe dining setup, with Sanitized kitchen and tableware items.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax, and Maybe Get Your Zen On (Or Not)
Okay, folks, let's get into the good stuff – how to actually relax and enjoy this paradise.
- The Spa: Spa/sauna are great ways to relax, if you can get there.
- Swimming Pool and the "Pool with View": It also has a swimming pool [outdoor], which is great for families and groups.
- Body Wrap and Body Scrub: I don't like these to be honest. I'm not sure about these in the resort.
- Fitness Center: Don't even look at me. No comments.
For the Kids (and the Kid in You)
- Family/child friendly: Very. You'll find families everywhere.
- Kids facilities: Check those out too, if you have kids.
- Babysitting service: This is good if you need to leave the kids.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Big Difference (And the Ones That Don't)
The place had the usual suspects: Daily housekeeping (bless 'em), Concierge (helpful-ish), Laundry service (expensive, but necessary), and luggage storage (essential for my chaotic packing style). They also had a gift/souvenir shop, which I sadly became intimately acquainted with… more on that later. They also had Air conditioning in public area, thank god.
Rooms: Your Home Away From (A Slightly Chaotic) Home
Okay, let's talk rooms. My room was a non-smoking zone (yay!), and while it was a decent size, it wasn't exactly palatial. It had air conditioning, air conditioning, air condition (are you sensing a theme?), a mini-bar (essential), and a coffee/tea maker (for when you need that caffeine fix). The complimentary tea was a nice touch. It also had the free Wi-Fi, and Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! that worked pretty well and a desk.
- The Bed: Ah, the bed. Blessedly comfortable, with a nice extra long bed (I'm tall, so this was a win).
- The Bathroom: The separate shower/bathtub was a definite plus after those long days. The provided toiletries were… okay. Nothing to write home about. I appreciated the hair dryer though.
Internet Access, Internet [LAN], Internet Services, Wi-Fi in public areas:
- Internet Access: This was a bit of a mixed bag. There was Internet access – wireless that was fine and some Internet access – LAN, if you wanted to be old-school.
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi [free] was available in almost all rooms.
Getting Around: From Beach to Bar (and Maybe Back Again)
- Airport Transfer and Taxi Service: Okay, the airport transfer was smooth sailing. The taxi service to make getting around was also a life saver.
A Quirky Observation/Anecdote:
Okay, here comes the juicy part. I had a moment at the poolside bar. A major moment. Let's just say the bartender's "special" concoction (I'm pretty sure it involved a whole pineapple, some rum, and a healthy dose of Aruban sunshine) got the better of me. I ended up… well, let's just say I thought I was fluent in Spanish. Turns out, I wasn't. And my attempts to serenade the staff with a drunken rendition of "Despacito" were, shall we say, memorable. The next morning, I had to buy a whole bunch of "I survived Aruba" souvenirs to atone for my sins.
The Verdict and a (Slightly Desperate) Offer:
Eagle Aruba Resort is a mixed bag. It's not perfect. It's a little rough around the edges. But, it has charm. It has energy. It has a certain je ne sais quoi that makes you smile even when you're slightly sunburned and regretting that third piña colada.
And now, for the hard sell:
Book Your Escape to Paradise Today!
Here's the deal:
- Book NOW and save 20% on your stay!
- Free bottle of wine to help you forget about your mistakes!
- Guaranteed room with a view (so you can watch the sun rise and set… or just hide from the world).
- Don't Delay! This offer is only valid for a limited time.
So, what are you waiting for? Embrace the chaos! Book your escape to Aruba's Eagle Aruba Resort today! And maybe, just maybe, you'll have a story to tell. Like me. And I'm still here to tell you about it.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-planned itinerary, and trust me, my life ain't perfect, even in Aruba. This is my messy love letter to the Eagle Aruba Resort, with all its sun-kissed glory and potential for total vacation meltdown.
Eagle Aruba Resort: My Chaotic Aruba Adventure (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Aloe Vera)
Day 1: Arrival…And Immediate Panic.
- 1:00 PM (ish) – Landed. Or, more accurately, thrashed onto Aruban soil. The flight was a nightmare. My carry-on, which contains everything (passport, emergency chocolate, enough sunscreen to last a nuclear winter) was wedged under someone's seat. Cue minor existential crisis. Found it. Ate the chocolate. All is right with the world…for approximately 10 minutes.
- 2:00 PM – Check-in at the Eagle Aruba Resort. Beautiful lobby…and already I'm sweating. The air conditioning, bless its little cotton socks, is working overtime. The receptionist, a woman named Maria with the kindest smile, is a saint. She, somehow, manages to calm my frazzled nerves and even finds me a room overlooking the pool. Score!
- 3:00 PM – The room! Glorious. Until I realize…no coffee machine. This is a crisis of epic proportions. I need coffee. Okay, deep breaths. Embrace the chaos.
- 3:30 PM – Wandered the resort. It’s big. Got gloriously, pathetically lost. Found the pool… which is stunning. Took a selfie (terrible, I'm squinting) and then immediately tripped over a rogue chaise lounge. My dignity: gone. My knee: scraped.
- 4:00 PM – Found the bar! Immediate recovery time. Ordered a ridiculously fruity cocktail that tasted vaguely of sunshine and hope. Watched other people confidently swim in the ocean. Maybe tomorrow.
- 6:00 PM – Dinner at Passions on the Beach. This is not a drill, people. Dinner on the beach. Feet in the sand. The food? Delicious. The sunset? Unfathomably gorgeous. The romance? My husband kept complaining about the sand in his toes. I think I still had sand in my undies, at that point.
- 8:00 PM – Stumbled back to the room. Exhausted, sunburned, and strangely content. Also, discovered the coffee machine! Sweet, sweet victory!
Day 2: Beach Bliss and Mildly Overcooked Chicken
- 7:00 AM – Coffee in hand, sitting on the balcony, marveling at the sunrise. This is the life. This is what I came for. Until I realize my phone is dead. Major issue!
- 8:00 AM – Beach time! The sand is perfect. The water is the color of a ridiculously expensive swimming pool. I find myself actually relaxing. (A rare occurrence.)
- 9:00 AM – Snorkeling! Ok, so maybe I didn't look quite as elegant as I pictured, a snorkel in my mouth as I attempted to swim towards a school of fish, but I saw a sea turtle! A real-life sea turtle! Almost screamed in my snorkel. Pure, unadulterated joy.
- 11:00 AM – Back to the beach. More sunscreen applied (apparently, the first application was a suggestion, not a directive).
- 1:00 PM - Pizza time Got pizza from the resort, it tasted good, I will have another one.
- 2:00 PM – Naptime. The beach, the sun, the cocktails… It’s a potent combination. Woke up an hour later, convinced I’d aged approximately a decade.
- 4:00 PM – Explored the resort. Found the gym. Briefly considered using it. Opted for another cocktail instead. Prioritized my happiness.
- 7:00 PM РDinner at a restaurant I decided to not mention. The d̩cor was charming, but my chicken was tragically overcooked. Ate it anyway. Waste not, want not.
- 9:00 PM – Back to the room. Attempted to stargaze from the balcony. Got distracted by a particularly loud gecko. My mind's eye is not the best, but I am trying.
Day 3: The Great Aloe Vera Debacle…and a Sunset That Made Me Weep
- 8:00 AM – Sunburn. Oh, the sunburn. I am Picasso's palette. Remember that glorious, unadulterated feeling of joy? Yeah, it’s now replaced by a throbbing ache.
- 9:00 AM – Aloe vera run! Searched for the hotel store to find Aloe vera. This is a crucial mission. I was nearly in tears, until I found the store only to realise it was closed. "Closed?" I wailed. "Closed?! But the sun…the suffering…"
- 9:30 AM – Found a tiny convenience store off the resort. Jackpot! Bought an entire bottle. Applied it liberally. I now resemble a glistening mermaid. Okay, maybe not. But the relief is profound.
- 10:00 AM – Back to the beach, but this time, in the shade. I'm learning.
- 12:00 PM – Tried paddleboarding. Failed spectacularly. Ended up mostly swimming and clinging to the board for dear life. Humbling experience.
- 2:00 PM – Lunch. Simple, delicious lunch.
- 4:00 PM – Pool time, more cocktails. Avoiding the sun like the plague, but living my best life in the shade.
- 6:00 PM – Sunset at Eagle Beach (again). This time, it was perfect. The colors exploded across the sky. I think I actually cried. It was that beautiful. My husband, bless his heart, bought me a banana daiquiri to make me feel better. The day before he made me complain of the beautiful. I love him.
- 8:00 PM – Dinner at a local restaurant, a charming place with tiny chairs. Ate too much. Immediately regretted my choice of outfit.
- 9:00 PM – Back to the room. Already thinking of how I can come back. Or, at least, how I don't want to leave.
Day 4: Farewell, Aruba (and my sanity)
- 7:00 AM – Heartbreak. I don’t want to leave. Not ready.
- 8:00 AM – Final breakfast on the balcony. Coffee. Embrace the moment.
- 9:00 AM – Quick final dip in the pool, then a last walk on the beach. The sand, still perfect. The water, still that impossible blue.
- 10:00 AM – Check out. Maria, the lovely receptionist, smiles and wishes me a safe journey. I want to hug her, but I'm still covered in Aloe vera.
- 11:00 AM – At the airport. The departure lounge is a hive of tired travelers. My bag is miraculously right where I left it (a miracle!).
- 1:00 PM (ish) – Take off. Looking down at Aruba, a tiny jewel in the vast ocean. Swear I can hear the sea, calling my name.
- 2:00 PM – Realize I left my favorite swimsuit at the resort. Another minor existential crisis.
- Whatever PM – Land back home. The world seems colder, grayer. But I have memories. I have a sunburn. I have a bottle of Aloe vera. And I have a burning desire to go back.
So, there you have it. My messy, imperfect, utterly glorious experience at the Eagle Aruba Resort. It wasn't perfect. It wasn't seamless. But it was real. And it was mine. And, mostly, it was wonderful. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go plan my return trip. (And pack extra sunscreen.)
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Escape to Paradise? Eagle Aruba Resort: The Real Deal? (Ask Me Anything!)
Okay, spill the beans! Is Eagle Aruba REALLY paradise, or just... Instagram-worthy?
Alright, alright, settle down! Let me tell you, paradise *is* definitely in the mix at Eagle Aruba, but with a healthy dose of reality sprinkled in. It's not a perfectly smoothed-over Instagram filter, thankfully. It's more like… a fantastic, sometimes messy, sometimes delightfully frustrating vacation that you'll remember fondly. I went with my family, and lemme tell you, keeping *them* happy is a whole other level of challenge than dealing with a wonky Wi-Fi connection, which, by the way… we'll get to that. Think turquoise water that actually *IS* turquoise (no filters needed!), soft white sand, and a vibe that's chill, but not *too* chill. Basically, yeah, it's pretty darn good. But…
The beach! Is it as amazing as the pictures? Because, you know, Photoshop…
Okay, the beach. This is where Eagle Aruba really shines. The photos? They're not lying! The sand is ridiculously soft, like walking on powdered sugar. Seriously, I spent a solid hour just… feeling it between my toes. And the water? Crystal clear, perfect for swimming, splashing, generally being a happy human. There was this one day, the sun was *blazing*, and I swear the water was the perfect temperature, like a giant, warm bath. I remember just floating there, completely weightless, and I genuinely thought, 'Yep. This is it. This is what life is all about.' (Cue dramatic music and me, dramatically splashing.) The only downside? Finding a good spot. People get up EARLY to claim their chairs. It's a whole Olympic sport, I swear. We learned to, uh, embrace the early bird, or just go for a swim and embrace the sun.
Tell me about the rooms. Are they modern and clean? Do they have those awful resort smells?
The rooms… alright, let's be real. They're not *newly built* luxury-hotel-level modern. They're comfortable, clean, and well-maintained, but they've got… let's call it “character.” They're perfectly adequate, and yes, they do have the little balcony you will be living on, especially for sunset. One of the rooms we had *did* have a slight… *perfume* (not a bad smell, just… a scent). This is where my opinion on the resort is going to be real, and I mean, I got my share of complaints. I just found it to be a bit stuffy, at first. Honestly, I was in vacation mode and I was happy to be anywhere that wasn’t my house, but a quick phone call to the front desk sorted it out and the smell disappeared. We didn’t get a chance to complain about anything else, really, but they were a little older, but, yeah, perfectly fine. Plus, who spends all day *in* their room in Aruba anyway? I mean, you’re there to… well, you know.
Food! What about the food at the resort? Any good restaurants? Can you give me a recommendation?
FOOD! This is the make-or-break for me, sometimes. Eagle Aruba's got a decent selection. There are a few restaurants on the property, which is handy. There's the casual stuff, good for a quick lunch or a swim-up bar snack. Then there's something a bit fancier for dinner (but still… Aruban casual, so ditch the tie and embrace the sandals!). The food itself is… mostly good, I'd say. There were some amazing fish tacos at the beach bar, oh my god. Totally to die for. The restaurant with the ocean view, that the one that blew my mind. Actually, let me just say, the only real let-down was the pizza… it was… not Italy. But hey, you can’t win them all! My strongest recommendation? Branch out! Explore the island's restaurants! There's a whole world of deliciousness to be discovered. Ask the locals where the best *pastechi* are, trust me.
Do the kids dig it? Because, let's be honest, happy kids = happy parents.
Ah, the million-dollar question! (Well, maybe not literally, but you get the point!) The kids... look, mine are a demanding bunch. They NEED constant entertainment. They're the reason I drink. Okay, I kid. Sort of. The resort has a pool (essential!), and it's generally kid-friendly. They had their days of being bored though. They got over it. They loved the beach, naturally – building sandcastles, chasing waves, you name it. There's a kid's club too, which can be a lifesaver. But the real win, and this is something I should say a word about, is the *freedom*. It's not like a mega-resort where you're constantly worried about your kid wandering off and getting lost. There's a sense of security here, which is seriously priceless. I can't emphasize enough how much this meant to me. You could actually *relax*. So, yes. The kids dug it. And so did I, because, hello, relaxation!
Okay, the nitty-gritty: What's the Wi-Fi like? Because, sadly, we can't unplug *completely*.
Oh, the Wi-Fi. Insert eye roll emoji. It’s… let's say, *island time* Wi-Fi. It's there, which is a miracle, but it's not always blazing fast. It got my daughter's Instagram stories up eventually, but it took a little longer than she was accustomed to (cue eye rolls from her). Good for checking emails. Okay for streaming, *sometimes.* If you're a digital nomad expecting to work hardcore, maybe invest in a hotspot. Otherwise, embrace the slowness (or, you know, enjoy the fact that you're, like, actually *away*). I'm being honest here, it could be a bit clunky, yes, but for the price, it's fine. It's not a deal-breaker. It's a minor inconvenience.
Anything else I should know? Any hidden gems or things the brochures *don't* tell you?
Okay, the real hidden gems… *outside* the resort! Rent a car (be prepared for some, well, *interesting* driving, but it's worth it!), and explore the island. Head to Arikok National Park – the natural pool is epic! Go snorkeling or diving (if you're into that sort of thing, and I am VERY into that sort of thing!). Hit up some local markets for souvenirs – much cheaper than the resort shops. And, seriously, chat with the locals! They’re incredibly friendly and will give you the best insider tips. Also, the sunsets… *breathtaking*. Don’t miss a sunset! And, if you'reRooms And Vibes
