Sunset Villa Aruba
A Very Special Stay in Savaneta
by Susan Campbell
The first time I set foot inside this best kept secret tucked away off the road in the tiny fishing village of Savaneta on Aruba’s southwestern coast, my jaw dropped. It was like entering the swanky lobby of a luxury boutique hotel.
Your eyes are first greeted by the sight of a gleaming crystal chandelier suspended over a grand piano surrounded in bold colorful art pieces that then lead to a wall of windowed doors overlooking a massive wooden deck perched over clear, aqua waters.
Then, the expansive living space is peppered with antiques, hand carved mahogany furniture, stylish sofas, and more art. On one side is a huge modern
open kitchen that could easily accommodate a small restaurant, and on the other side is a door that leads to a separate deck with a hammock hovering over a cut-out with stone steps to the sea. The unexpected opulence in this remote off-radar area boggled my mind, and I couldn't wait to see the rest. That was almost ten years ago.
This impressive property was once the home of Oysth Henriquez, a legendary local artist and visionary and creator of Aruba Ocean Villas (www.arubaoceanvillas.com), located a few doors down the road. It's a luxurious adults-only boutique resort featuring overwater villas designed for couples and romance. As that resort grew, she decided to open up this house as a family-friendly escape and an ideal stay
for small groups (it sleeps 8,) offering them the same bespoke style of holiday she delivers at the other property. I make it a point to stay there each year during my research trips, and each visit reveals even more jaw-dropping luxuries and amenities.
On my last visit, I witnessed a fabulous transformation of all four bedrooms. The most significant addition being the private outdoor soaking tub and rain shower in a lush tropical garden off the master bedroom which also has a separate private entrance to the outdoor deck hammock nook. (You sleep to the sound of waves lapping under the deck in that room.) And, although there is individual air conditioning in each bedroom, the complex is now 100% solar powered, and the space is designed to capture the constant tradewinds in the common living areas as an eco-friendly way to keep it comfortably cool. And note, there are purposely NO TVs there, unplug and recharge is the motto, but strong, reliable complimentary Wi-Fi reaches every nook should you want to stream on your own devices.
Thoughtful amenities like complimentary snorkel equipment, (a ladder to the sea leads to colorful fish,) kayaks and life vests for exploring the area from the water, and portable chairs and coolers should you want to go beach hopping are all included. Cribs, toddler beds, highchairs, and car seats can also be requested free of charge.
As for location, it’s a mere 15-minute drive from the airport, and there are supermarkets, bars, restaurants, and specialty stores within walking distance. But I do recommend a rental car to explore the rest of the island’s awesome attractions and all of Aruba’s beaches are open to the public.
They also offer another deluxe familyfriendly villa for rental with its own pool closer to downtown Oranjestad called Cunucu di Nana.
See their website Aruba Family Villas for both:
www.arubafamilyvillas.com
