Hotel Review: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino

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We spent five days after Thanksgiving in Aruba. The last time we were on the island was in 2018 and we stayed at The Ritz-Carlton Aruba. The first two nights of this trip, we stayed at the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort (review here). We then moved about 15 minutes away to the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino. While I loved the private island with the flamingos at the Renaissance, I preferred this hotel.

Anthony’s Take: The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino is a lovely resort with lush grounds, a nice lounge, solid treatment of elite members, and is a relaxing place to spend some time while in Aruba. I’m excited to check out the St. Regis when it opens, but would stay here again.

Booking

I booked a 1 King Bed Resort View room through Hyatt Privé for $684 per night including taxes and fees. It was the same rate as booking a Standard Rate on Hyatt.com. If you want to get the benefits offered through Hyatt Privé, I can help with reservations. Just email me at anthony.losanno@fora.travel.

A resort charge of 15% of the daily rate is included within this rate. Hyatt waives this for Globalist members, which saves these elite members quite a bit of money. This was removed from my folio without having to ask. I applied a Suite Upgrade Award to the reservation and upgraded us to a Resort View Family Suite.

Transportation to/from the Hotel

We took a taxi to the hotel from the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort to the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino. It took around 12 minutes for the 4.5-mile ride and cost $25. When we left, we went to the airport, which cost $30 for the taxi.

Location

The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino is not located near as many shops and restaurants as the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort, but we were fine with what was offered on property for the two nights we stayed there.

The lobby is filled with lots of seating divided into separate areas for small groups.

Check-in

Check-in is located on the left side of the lobby when you enter from the valet. There was a separate line for World of Hyatt® elite members.

We were offered a welcome drink and some macarons. We arrived at the hotel around 3:00 PM and our suite was not ready. The agent assisting us offered access the Regency Club while we waited. We were hungry and opted to have lunch by the pool.

I had chicken fingers and my husband opted for a cheeseburger. Both were passable. Service was slow and inattentive throughout the meal. After eating, we walked back and finished check in.

The agent explained the benefits included with booking through Hyatt Privé. These include:

• Complimentary breakfast buffet for two at Palms restaurant
• $100 hotel credit
• Upgrade one room category (based on availability)
• Early check-in and late checkout (based on availability)
• Complimentary Premium Wi-Fi
• Welcome Amenity (Drink Voucher for two)
• Receive $100 Match Play Voucher at check-in

We did not pay the Resort Fee based on my Globalist status as mentioned, but had if you are made to pay the hefty 15%, this is what is included:

• Access to water complex and facilities
• Access to landscaped and maintained grounds
• Access to waterfalls
• Access to beach facilities
• Wi-Fi:  rooms
• Wi-Fi: public areas
• Access to tennis courts
• Access to fitness center
• Access to hydration stations
• Access to pool and beach towels
• Access to pool and beach chairs and facilities
• Access to Koi Pond Lagoon
• Access to seasonal resort recreational activities (based on availability)

A lot of the inclusions like “access to landscaped and maintained grounds” are laughable.

I requested a 1:00 PM late checkout and this was granted without having to haggle. Something happened with the application of the Suite Upgrade Award and the rate got all messed up. The agents worked together and called Hyatt. This was resolved before I checked out. With keys in hand, we made our way to the suite.

Infused water can be found near the check-in desk.

The elevators are across the long lobby and past the casino.

The elevator lobby was clean and decorated for Christmas.

A Christmas tree was near the stairs that led to the meeting space.

The elevator lobby and hallways on our floor were also clean and in good repair.

An ice machine was nearby in the hallway.

Resort View Family Suite (807)

There are 359 rooms and suites at the hotel.

The suite felt like an apartment and had two bedrooms.

A sink, refrigerator, water, and coffeemaker were found near the entrance.

The refrigerator was empty for guest use.

On the counter, there was a coffeemaker, coffee, tea, condiments, bottled water, glasses, and an ice bucket.

A children’s room was down the hall (it had bunk beds).

A TV was mounted across from the beds.

The closet held some fitness equipment and a luggage rack.

I liked the amount of space that the suite provided.

The bathroom was near the children’s room.

It included a vanity with tons of counter space, but only a single sink.

A bar of Pharmacopia brand soap was on the counter.

The toilet was well spaced.

The shower was spacious. Water pressure and temperature were also both fine.

Bottles of Pharmacopia body wash, shampoo, and conditioner were mounted on the shower wall.

The main bedroom held a king-sized bed along with two nightstands, a TV, and chair.

The chair was near the windows.

The TV was on the wall across from the bed.

The closet held robes, extra pillows, a luggage rack, an iron and an ironing board, along with a safe.

The living room had a couch, chair, coffee table, and TV.

The TV (the third in the suite) was on the wall across from the couch and mounted above another cabinet.

A desk and chair were in the corner.

A small balcony was off of the living room.

Breakfast

The breakfast buffet at Palms Beachside Grill was included as part of the Hyatt Privé booking. The offerings were plentiful and the food quality was good with a nice mix of hot dishes, baked goods, fruit, yogurt, and more.

Pancakes

Bacon

Scrambled Eggs

Sausage

Breakfast Potatoes

Ham

Gluten-free breads and a separate toaster

More bread and a toaster for guest use

Chips, salsa, and guacamole

Yogurt and fruit

Veggies

Meat, cheese, and smoked salmon

Oatmeal and toppings

Whole fruit

Cereal

Dinner

We also had dinner at Palms Beachside Grill to use the $100 credit that came with the Hyatt Privé booking. Ruinas del Mar was closed and its menu was being served at Palms. It’s normally served in the space above.

We started with the Homemade Herb Focaccia, which was great to dip in our soups.

I had the Lobster Bisque and my husband ordered the French Onion Soup. Both were tasty.

For our mains, I had the Ruinas Risotto and my husband chose the Penne Piccata. We enjoyed both dishes.

Regency Club

The Regency Club is located near reception. It’s open for breakfast, snacks, and a nice spread in the evening.

A desk to check your room number is immediately inside.

The lounge had a lot of seating and was not busy aside from breakfast.

Coffee machines were available throughout the day.

There was also a selection of soft drinks.

Breakfast offered a lot of the same items from the restaurant.

This included hot dishes like eggs and bacon.

There was also a good assortment of cold items.

Oatmeal and toppings

The evening spread was pretty robust. It included items like salads, breads, meats, and some desserts. Wine and beer were also served.

Hummus and other spreads

Salads and breads

Coconut Shrimp

Beef Taquitos

Cookies and snacks were available throughout the day.

A computer and printer were also available for guest use in the Regency Club.

Public Areas & Amenities

The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino offers beach access, multiple pools, a fitness center, beautiful grounds, a spa, some shops, several restaurants, an ATM, and more.

The landscaping was well done throughout the property.

There were multiple exotic birds near the lobby.

One of several bars

The main pool

This was open to families.

It also included a waterslide.

The adult pool was further away from the beach and pretty quiet.

There were tons of empty chairs here.

We ordered a Tuna Poké Bowl and Pepperoni Pizza for lunch here. Both were well made.

The fitness center was located a level below the lobby and near reception.

It’s not a huge space, but it was quite empty.

There was a good amount of equipment.

Unfortunately, there were no Peloton Bikes.

Towels were provided.

There are also men’s and women’s locker rooms.

The casino was pretty busy, but not lucky for me.

The Zoia Spa is also located near the lobby. We did not check it out on this visit.

The Aruba Aloe store sold sun care and more.

The meeting spaces can accommodate 600 and 200 guests between them. They are located down a flight of stairs near the guest room elevators.

Overall Impression: The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino is a lovely space to spend a few days in paradise. The staff was helpful and friendly. The elite benefits are decent and I enjoyed this hotel more than the nearby Renaissance.

(Featured Image Credit: Hyatt.)