Villa Tropical Aruba
An Affordable Mansion for Small Groups
by Susan Campbell
In my over 25 years covering Aruba as a destination, I’ve stayed in almost every hotel on the island. But when I took on the mission to bring five others on the last trip, all wanting their own rooms and bathrooms, yet still wanting to stay together in a communal space, and all wanting a pool, I was stumped. Finding affordable accommodations that would serve everyone’s desires was a tall order. In fact, I wasn’t sure such a place existed. It does. Villa Tropical Aruba checks all the boxes… and then some.
Secreted high on a hill in an upscale residential neighborhood, a few-minute drive from both Palm and Eagle Beaches, sits a
massive modern ‘villa rental’ that should really be labeled a ‘mansion.’ It’s huge. Upon arrival, the lofty grandeur of the exterior was almost intimidating. But once inside, the spacious sprawl of luxury struck me as far more homey than haughty. (A foosball table beside a formal dining room under crystal chandeliers? That was a surprise.) And the bright pops of whimsical Aruban themed art throughout gives it a warm, welcoming ‘One Happy Island’ tropical feel as well.
Beyond the five bedrooms, and four and half bathrooms, and state-of-the -art modern kitchen, there are two separate living areas, one formal and the other more of a
TV-den style space. But we barely “lived” in any of them the entire week as the property behind the villa was irresistible and there were so many pleasurable diversions, we spent most of our stay outdoors.
The “backyard” consists of 2.5 acres of lush grounds with so many places to lounge, dine, relax, or play, we didn’t know what to do first beyond luxuriating in the incredible carved rock waterfall pool oasis. Soak in the whirlpool on deck, play ping-pong, or try a game of volleyball on the white sand court? Have a round of billiards at the palapa bar while watching the game on TV? Relax in a hammock, or escape to the inviting fruit orchard below to have a coffee in a secret garden full of brilliant blooms? We managed to do all of it over time and made frequent use of the massive BBQ and outdoor refrigerator for meals. And the Bluetooth sound system added to our enjoyment of pool parties under the tropical stars at night.
We had the use of the owner’s van, (available for an extra charge,) and used it often to hit mega-sized grocery store Superfoods Plaza for supplies a mere five minutes away. It was also great for beach-hopping, and they include complimentary portable essentials like snorkel gear, folding chairs, umbrellas, pop-up shade tents, coolers and more. Having a washer and dryer on site also comes in handy after sand and sea days. Those seeking additional luxuries can ask their dedicated VIP private concierge for upscale extras like on-site spa services, private chefs, and catering options.
For island exploring, a rental car is a must, but when outings will inevitably involve imbibing, taxis are a reasonable flat rate to action areas like the Palm Beach strip full of fine dining, nightlife, and glitzy casinos or Alhambra Mall with much of the same, too. The villa sleeps 12 people, ideal for a small group or a big family stay, and if you split the cost, it’s extremely affordable.
https://arubavillatropical.com
