#19 of 39 things to do in Noord

Holiday Inn Aruba

Name: Holiday Inn Aruba
Rating: 5

★★★★★5.0 out of 5 · 4 reviews

nightlife

Age 18+

indoor

Photo: © T801EYcynthian via TripAdvisor

Holiday Inn Aruba is a nightlife experience rated 5.0/5 by 4 TripAdvisor reviewers; lasts 2 hours; minimum age 18.

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

Category: nightlife
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $0
Minimum age: 18+
Intensity: ●○○○○
Setting: indoor
Booking partner: direct
Product ID: —

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

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Visiting in October?

You're visiting during shoulder season when crowds are moderate and construction is common at several resorts. Weather is warm and humid, with occasional rain showers, but beaches remain beautiful. October sees returning visitors enjoying quieter beaches and Eagle Beach's exceptional calm waters.

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More activities

OutdoorFrom $100© Management via TripAdvisor

Around 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.

land

Exploring the hidden treasure only accessible on our tour.

OutdoorFrom $150© Management via TripAdvisor

ABC 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.

land

Choose a Snorkel or Sunset Cruises aboard the Jolly Pirates.

Jolly 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.

water

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Pairs well with

Around Aruba Tours

Jolly Pirates Cruises

Octopus Sailing Charters

Octopus Sailing Charters runs three-hour trips off the Palm-Eagle Beach coast, and the 4.7 rating across thousands of reviews suggests they keep things consistent. The Travelers Choice award backs that up. It's a mid-intensity outing — you're on a catamaran, not in a kayak — so it works for most ages and fitness levels. The boat makes stops for snorkeling and usually swings by a shipwreck or two depending on conditions. Crew handles the sailing; you handle the sunscreen. The $75 price point sits in the middle of the water sports market here, which tracks for a half-day charter with gear included. Groups tend to be mixed, so expect other travelers. Book directly through their site. Morning departures are cooler and the water's usually calmer before noon, though afternoon light is better for photos if that matters to you.

Beaches nearby

Eagle Beach

Eagle Beach runs along the southwestern coast between the high-rise strip and the airport, and it's consistently ranked among the Caribbean's best beaches. The sand is white and wide, the water is calm and swimmable, and the iconic divi divi trees lean sideways from decades of trade winds — those same winds that earned it four Travelers Choice awards also mean you'll deal with blowing sand most afternoons. The #5 ranking among Palm-Eagle Beach attractions reflects what it does well: fewer crowds than Palm Beach, better sand than most hotel beaches, and enough space that you can claim a spot without stepping over tourists. It's popular with couples and wedding parties for a reason — the divi divis photograph beautifully and the vibe is quieter than the action up north. Snorkeling is unremarkable here; the marine life and visibility don't compete with Baby Beach or Malmok. If you're bringing small kids, the wind can turn a beach day into a sand-in-everything situation. Visit early if you want calmer conditions.

Palm Beach

Palm Beach runs along the high-rise hotel strip on the northwest coast, and the location is the whole selling point. You're steps from restaurants, bars, and nightlife — Bugaloé Pier alone has rentals, food, and drinks without leaving the sand. The beach ranks #7 among Palm–Eagle Beach attractions and pulls a Travelers Choice Best of the Best nod, so the crowds show up. That means limited towel space and a lively atmosphere that skews resort-entertainment rather than quiet escape. The tradeoff: water quality takes a hit from watersport boat traffic. Reviewers flag visible fuel and oil in the shallows, and the ocean floor can look murky. If snorkeling or pristine swimming matters, Baby Beach or Eagle Beach will serve you better. Palm Beach makes sense if you want convenience — walk off the sand to dinner, catch July 4th fireworks from the high-rises, or grab a cocktail without moving your car. The wind stays calmer here than on other parts of the island, which helps for floating but doesn't fix the boat residue.

Source: TripAdvisor · view on TripAdvisor →

Photos by individual contributors as credited above.

Review summaries are AI-paraphrased from public traveler reviews.

Holiday Inn Aruba

Not sure how this fits your trip?

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Around Aruba Tours

ABC Tours Aruba

Jolly Pirates Cruises

Around Aruba Tours

Jolly Pirates Cruises

Octopus Sailing Charters

Eagle Beach

Palm Beach

We're still listening.

Around Aruba Tours

Jolly Pirates Cruises

Octopus Sailing Charters

Eagle Beach

Palm Beach

Malmok Beach