Marriott Aruba Ocean Club Review: Luxury Stay in Palm Beach Aruba

Looking for the perfect island getaway? Marriott Aruba Ocean Club might just be the spot for you. Located right on the stunning Palm Beach, this resort offers everything you need for a relaxing vacation in Aruba. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, enjoying oceanfront views, or diving into some of the best dining options, Marriott Aruba Ocean Club promises a stay filled with tropical vibes and ultimate comfort. If you’re curious about what makes this resort stand out, here’s my full review of everything you can expect during your stay!

Our next stop on our mother/daughter Aruba trip was the beautiful Marriott Aruba Ocean Club.  We chose to stay here because we wanted a little more space to stretch out after sharing a room for the first two nights. This hotel was more of a condo style, so we had a bit more privacy. We didn’t have far to walk since the hotel is right next door to the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.

First impression

With 218 rooms, it is smaller than the Surf Club next door.  This allows the hotel to give a high level of attention to their guests.  The lobby area had a tropical color scheme of aqua, orange and yellow, with lovely blown glass light fixtures and plenty of room to sit.

Let me show you around our suite.

  We stayed in room #5587 an

Ocean Front One Bedroom Suite

I was surprised when we walked in the room and saw the décor. It was not the tropical vibe as the lobby, but rather a modern, sophisticated feel.

First thing first… Check out this view!

Our oceanfront suite has a lovely view of Palm Beach. Our balcony was one of my favorite spots in the suite.  It had two chairs and a table.  I loved starting my day off with my coffee and book while listening to the waves.

The view was actually more of a side view of the water since it was not directly in front of it.  I was a bit disappointed considering it is called an Ocean Front room. However, it was a lovely view, especially as evening hit.

Take a peek at the bedroom

Since it was just the two of us, and my daughter doesn’t mind sleeping on a pullout couch, we decided a one bedroom would be perfect for us.  After all, how much time do you really spend in your room while in the Caribbean? The room had a comfortable king bed with lots of pillows. I love that the bedroom has its own tv, so we could both watch what we wanted before bed.

The suite was 941 square feet, which gave us so much room to spread out.

Our living room

This room was tastefully decorated in warm earth tones but with a touch of pastel blue and green accents that tie nicely to the ocean outside. The fold-out couch was as comfortable as one could be and they provided sheets, pillows and blankets without having to call down for them. The furniture was modern and there were pops of color throughout the suite. The living room has a television and a DVD player (a little odd since many hotels have switched over to smart televisions.)

Our kitchen had everything we needed.

The white cabinets made the room feel bright and large. The kitchen was fully equipped with a stove, microwave, full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, and coffee maker. The peninsula counter had stools and they even provided amenities like coffee, creamer, sugar, salt & pepper, and dish soap.

Our dining area was convenient and large.

Thank you so much for the lovely welcome gift from the hotel.

Our bathroom

Our bathroom had a double sink marble vanities which was great for allowing us to get ready at the same time.  There was also a roomy stand-up shower.  The only odd thing was the placement of the jacuzzi tub in the bedroom instead of the bathroom.

As much as we loved our room, we couldn’t wait to explore the grounds. Let me show you some of our favorite spots.

Our Pool

This pool was amazing and we spent most of our time relaxing by it.  It is a winding pool with plenty of room for everyone to have their own space.

The swim up bar served delicious cocktails (and mocktails for the kiddos).

A lovely waterfall gave it a tropical feel.

There is a smaller ‘quiet area’ pool but we didn’t see many people using it.

The small splash pool is wonderful for toddlers.

There are Jacuzzis but we didn’t use them because the weather was so hot. I like how they are set up high in the pool area so you get a bit more privacy.

Pool chair were always available while we were there and we never had to get up early to reserve them. The pool looked beautiful at night.

Palm Beach

This is what we came to Aruba for…the powder white sand and emerald blue waters of Palm Beach. The beach has few waves, which is perfect if you are traveling with kids.

Tip: If you would like to get a palapa (thatched beach umbrella), guests have to line up before 4 p.m. or before or by 7 a.m. They are given away on a first-come, first-serve basis. I would go down at around 7:30 each morning on my way to get coffee and there would only be around 3 other people in line. It costs $10 to get one. The resort also reserves palapas in advance for up to three days for a $25- $30, depending on what row you choose.

Landscape

The landscape was gorgeous and well-maintained.  There were tropical gardens, palm trees, and green lawns. Keep your eyes out for adorable lizards and iguanas.

Yard games

There was corn hole, shuffle board, pickleball, volleyball, basketball, tennis, bocce ball, and more.

When you check in, they give you an activities calendar with lots of fitness classes you can take. It also lists activities such as tennis clinics, pool bingo, crafts, and Kids Night Out.

There are several adult-only programs like local mixology, wine socials, movies on the beach, karaoke, sip and floats, and local beer tastings.

Restaurants

Antilla Beach Bar

We loved this beach bar and came for lunch on our first afternoon here. This bar is perfect for a refreshing cocktail, wine or a smoothie with stunning views of the ocean. We had the best tuna poke bowls we’ve ever had.  (Yes…we ate a TON of sushi in Aruba!)

Malmok Bar & Grill

We came here for lunch on our last day and guess what we ordered? Those amazing tuna poke bowls we had at Antilla Beach Bar. (They use the same menu.)

Champions Sports Bar

We came for dinner one night and had delicious burgers. There are tons of TVs playing different sports games and it is a typical sports bar. There is food like fish tacos, sandwiches and quesadillas, BBQ ribs and chicken.

Ocean Café Gelato

We loved Ocean Café Gelato, located in the lobby of the resort.  It had lots of unique flavors and was a perfect afternoon treat.

Cafes

Ocean Club also has two small cafes: the Ocean Cafe, which serves pastries, sandwiches and salads throughout the day, and a Lobby Cafe that serves coffee, ice cream, sandwiches and salads.

Water sports

Excursions and Water Sports

In the lobby of the resort is a desk for De Palm Tours, which can arrange sightseeing trips of the island, snorkeling, sailing, or underwater submarine expeditions. We did a trip to De Palm Island and loved it!

Red Sail Sports, also located in the lobby, rents out small sailboats, windsurfing boards and other watercraft on the beach, as well as guided parasailing and wild rides towing rafts behind speedboats on the ocean.

Mandara Spa

Ocean Club is home to Mandara Spa, arguably the premiere spa in Aruba. The Balinese teakwood decor sets a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere. We never got around to using the spa but I would have loved to!

What’s nearby

Stellaris Casino – 1 min walk

Palm Beach – 6 min walk

Fisherman’s Huts – 7 min walk

Butterfly Farm – 2 min drive

Tierra del Sol Golf Course – 4 min drive

Things to see/do nearby

Click on the tours below to discover some amazing activities!

Aruba UTV Tours – New Natural Cave Pool with Cliff Jumping

Aruba Champagne Breakfast and Lunch Cruise with Snorkeling

Island Ultimate Jeep Safari in Aruba

Aruba Atlantis Submarine Expedition

Sunset Sail

Natural Pool Horseback Riding Tour in Aruba

Aruba Sunset Cruise and Seaside Dinner

Jolly Pirate Morning Sail and Snorkel Cruise 

Aruba Happy Hour Sunset Sail with Food and Drinks

Where do you fly in?

The best place to fly in is Queen Beatrix International Airport

CLICK HERE TO FIND AN AMAZING FLIGHT

The hotel is a quick, 20-minute drive from the airport.  We had great transportation from the airport by De Palm Tours.

Who would I recommend it to?

This hotel is perfect for families as well as couples. There were less kids at this hotel than at the other Marriott resorts. It would be a fun place to stay for a girls’ weekend. We felt safe and had the best time!

Tips for Planning your Stay

There is complimentary Wi-Fi in your villa and throughout the resort.

Parking: There is ample complimentary on-site parking.

Check-in: 4:00  Check-out: 12:00

Room choice? I would definitely get a room with a water view.  I would also recommend a room on one of the higher floors for an even better view.

The Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club is right between two other Marriott properties: Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, and the Aruba Surf Club.

Since we are Platinum members for Marriott, we received a card that got us discounts at all Marriott restaurants and a few others in the area.  It also gave us discounts on shops and tours.

Laundry facilities can be found on each floor, but we did not use them.

There is a convenience store on site for some basic needs.

Hertz rental is located on site. I would think it’s best to book before you get there.

There is a casino at the Marriott next door.

You can get DVDs at the front desk.

You can not use the pools in the other hotels.

At check-in, the front desk will be able to provide an updated activities guide for the week of your stay.

There is a 24-hour front desk.

Marriott Aruba Ocean Club

L.G. Smith Blvd 99, Noord, Aruba

Phone: +297 586 9000

Click here to get to their website.

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