Holiday Inn Aruba
About
Holiday Inn Aruba sits on Palm Beach, where the high-rise hotel strip meets the sand. The #19 ranking among Noord activities reflects its recent renovation—modern interiors, oceanfront location, and a casino if that matters to you—but this is ultimately a beachfront hotel, not a tour operator. It delivers complimentary beach chairs and proximity to the nightlife corridor, which is the appeal for most guests who stay here. The two on-site restaurants fill fast, so book a table when you check in or you'll be walking to another property for dinner. Power outages have hit the building before, which is worth noting if uninterrupted air conditioning is non-negotiable. The renovated rooms are clean and current, and the beach access is direct. If your trip centers on UTV safaris or guided excursions to Arikok, you'll book those separately—this property is about oceanfront location and evening options, not daytime adventure packages.
At a glance
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How to decide
- ✓You want beachfront relaxation with complimentary chairs rather than guided excursions to natural pools or national parks
- ✓Nightlife and casino access matter more than daytime UTV safaris or water activity packages
- ✓You prefer staying at a renovated oceanfront hotel over booking separate half-day tour operators
- You're seeking organized guided tours to Arikok National Park, caves, or natural pools like ABC Tours Aruba offers
- You need guaranteed dining without advance reservations, as the two on-site restaurants require booking ahead
- You want family-friendly water activities with slides and banana boats like De Palm Tours provides
Unlike ABC Tours Aruba and Around Aruba Tours which specialize in UTV safaris and guided national park excursions, Holiday Inn Aruba provides oceanfront lodging with beach access and casino proximity for travelers prioritizing relaxation over adventure tours. While De Palm Tours offers structured half-day water activity packages, Holiday Inn gives guests complimentary beach chairs but requires advance restaurant reservations and has experienced power outages.
Photos
© T801EYcynthian via TripAdvisor© T801EYcynthian via TripAdvisor
© mariannpop108 via TripAdvisor© mariannpop108 via TripAdvisor
© mariannpop108 via TripAdvisor© mariannpop108 via TripAdvisor
© mariannpop108 via TripAdvisor© mariannpop108 via TripAdvisor
More activities
OutdoorFrom $100© Management via TripAdvisorAround Aruba Tours
Around Aruba Tours runs UTV excursions out of Noord, and the #1 ranking among outdoor activities in the area reflects thousands of trips without drama. This is a four-hour route through Arikok and the natural sites on the east side—caves, the Natural Bridge ruins, Alto Vista Chapel—straightforward land touring without the add-ons some operators bundle in. The price sits at $100, which puts it between the budget half-day trips and the seven-hour safaris that include natural pool swims and cruise port coordination. What you're paying for is reliable organization and the UTV format itself, which handles the dirt roads better than most rental cars and feels more hands-on than riding in a van. The 4.9 rating across 7,600-plus reviews suggests the operation runs consistently. If you want the longer day with natural pool access, ABC Tours offers that at a higher tier. If you just want the backcountry without committing to a full-day schedule, this is the middle option that works.
OutdoorFrom $150© Management via TripAdvisorABC Tours Aruba
ABC Tours Aruba operates out of Oranjestad and has held the #3 spot among outdoor activities in the capital for a reason — it's a full-day commitment. The standard safari runs seven hours, which is longer than most competitors, and covers Arikok National Park, the natural pool, caves, and a handful of beaches in one loop. That scope explains the $150 price point, which is about double what shorter half-day land tours charge elsewhere on the island. The back-to-back Travelers Choice awards and the volume of reviews point to consistent execution, and the guides get mentioned often — not just for driving, but for pacing the day so it doesn't feel like a forced march. Families book this because the private routes skip the roughest terrain and can accommodate infants, which matters if you're trying to see the interior without bounce-testing a car seat. If you're on a cruise, ABC coordinates timing around port schedules. If you'd rather spend half the day at a beach club, this isn't that.
OutdoorFrom $90© Management via TripAdvisorJolly Pirates Cruises
Jolly Pirates runs a four-hour catamaran cruise out of Hadicurari, the fishing pier on the northwest coast near the high-rise hotels. The boat is ranked #7 among Oranjestad water sports for a reason: multiple snorkel stops, rope swings off the stern, and a crew that keeps the vibe relaxed without being forced. You'll hit at least two reef sites, and the water is shallow enough that kids can snorkel comfortably—this is the lowest-intensity water activity in the category. Morning departures include a full meal; afternoon trips are drinks only, so check the schedule when you book. At $90, it's positioned between De Palm Tours' beach club package with slides and banana boats and the pricier land-based jeep safaris. If you want open water over a beach club, and sailing over driving through Arikok, this is the call. Book direct through their site. Cash tip for the crew is standard.
Source: TripAdvisor · view on TripAdvisor →
Photos by individual contributors as credited above.
Review summaries are AI-paraphrased from public traveler reviews.