A direct flight from Boston lands you on the happy isle of Aruba, where Hyatt’s 12-acre beachfront luxury resort is the antidote to frigid February.
By Amy Jamieson
Has this unbearably snowy and bitterly cold New England winter got you plotting a tropical getaway whenever you have a free moment? Aruba, in the South Caribbean, is an ideal destination for shedding the seasonal blues. Along with Bonaire and Curaçao, Aruba is part of the Leeward Antilles, and this blissful oasis, with its white-sand beaches, welcoming atmosphere, and consistently warm weather, has effortlessly earned the title of “One Happy Island.”
The newly renovated Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa & Casino on the island’s idyllic Palm Beach is the perfect accommodation for your visit there. A convenient 5-hour nonstop flight from Boston Logan and a quick 15-minute cab ride from Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport bring you to the resort’s swimming pools, waterfalls, great food options, and thoughtful amenities, all of which promote relaxation from the moment you arrive.
The 35-year-old property underwent an island-chic refurbishment that immediately creates a sense of calm as you are handed a welcome glass of champagne in the natural-stone-and-wood lobby. Leaving your cares (and luggage) in one of the new oceanfront/partial oceanfront Deluxe Sunset Studio rooms or the dreamy oceanfront 2,745-square-foot Governor’s Suite, you can then wander down to inviting rows of seaside thatched-roof palapas on white sand, sheltered poolside cabanas, a twisty water slide, and an adults-only pool.
Other options include morning yoga on the green, an afternoon paint-and-sip activity with other guests, or a relaxing massage or facial at the renovated ZoiA spa.
Also new are deliciously elevated menu items at the resort’s onsite restaurants, which also underwent updates. There’s Piccolo, a stylish contemporary steakhouse, the only Kosher-certified option on the island, and Ruinas del Mar, a Caribbean/Mediterranean seafood restaurant, luxuriously set in a faux ruin with hanging vegetation and koi fish. ShinSen, a Japanese sushi house, is the perfect spot for a sunset meal, complemented by its sophisticated vibe.
The island is less visited in early winter, giving you ample opportunities to experience both the resort’s many enhancements and a chance to participate in local activities like street parties and costume parades that celebrate Carnival, the island’s biggest cultural event. There are also numerous outdoor activities: water sports, hiking, cave adventures, wildlife watching, and, of course, swimming and lounging on Aruba’s world-famous beaches.
There, caressed by the island’s signature breeze, soaking in the Caribbean sun, and with a stunning view of the aqua-colored ocean, it is easy to leave your snow-plowing memories behind.
