I recently stayed at the Holiday Inn Resort Aruba with two friends, and our experience was disappointing, especially for the price. While the beachfront location is beautiful, several issues tainted our stay.
The hotel caters heavily to families, which is fine unless you're seeking a quiet retreat. Our spa visit was rushed, with moldy-smelling towels and no body soap—a basic oversight that was surprising. Our Sea Tower room was also underwhelming. The view was partially obstructed, and the other side faced a parking lot, where morning noise from trucks disturbed us. The air conditioning mysteriously turned off at night, leaving the room uncomfortably warm. Adding to our discomfort, our room was next to a beach club where loud music blared until 2 AM, even earplugs couldn’t block it out. The ice machine on our floor was also out of order, which was inconvenient.
The Sea Tower hallway had a persistent, unpleasant odor for two days, reminiscent of a dirty diaper—a smell that lingered far too long for a hotel of this caliber.
Breakfast was another letdown. The omelette station, typically a highlight, was staffed by someone who was rude to guests, which was not the welcoming start to the day we had hoped for.
While the Holiday Inn Resort Aruba has potential, its prime location is overshadowed by the numerous issues we encountered. We hope management addresses these concerns to provide a better experience for future guests.