Resort Details
Guest Reviews
Customer ratings & reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
3573 reviews
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May 13, 2025Just a Touch Above Average, Pricey, Trades on Location
You always hear about the Ritz having such spectacular service and we went, having seen what the rooms looked liked and being kind of unimpressed but hopeful that we would be wowed by the service instead. I expected to walk away thinking -- I never want to stay at a hotel that's NOT a Ritz again. I don't feel that way though, and for the money, I expected to be more blown away. We stayed four nights in April. This is a beautiful property, with a lovely location. And as I said, I had seen photos of the rooms and knew going into this that the décor was kind of corporate and (albeit upscale) "chain hotel." Our frame of reference is the grander, Old World beauty of five star hotels in Europe. This ain't it. Maybe this is the intentional aesthetic, but the place felt like it had just been painted quickly. Started off on the wrong foot with a wait at check in, a lengthy and unnecessary process to enroll us in the points program, and the wrong room configuration. We were moved to a King room when requested, but sacrificed a view -- we were literally in a corner. And we were on the first floor which felt very exposed. When I say I hated the room location, I'm not exaggerating. I didn't feel safe on this floor. It felt too close to main thoroughfares, like anyone could walk out of the bar or casino and walk by. But I felt like I was going to be a real squeaky wheel if I asked to be moved a second time. But obviously, because the reservation wasn't right (not my fault, I had a print out that said what was requested/booked -- through Marriott, not a third party), we got what was left. Upon entering the room, of course the HVAC was off. I'm already in a mood because I've had to wait to check in, correct a room error, and schlep my own bags to the room -- and now I'm hot?! So we unpack and I want a shower -- and the lovely bathroom has no handheld shower hose, which again, might just be an expectation from staying hotels in Europe but I think that's a pretty reasonable expectation. Also, the toiletry bottles were full size, which initially I was worried they were the kind that they just top up between guests but they were sealed bottles so I can't complain about that communal "ick" factor. I've told you I didn't love the room décor BUT the bed did sleep very well. Towels were replenished daily -- thankfully, because in that humidity and enjoying the pool and beach I was showering 3+ times a day. I did feel like we were at the tail end of the housekeeping rounds because we always seemed to beat them back to the room. I can't fault their attention to detail -- the room was spotless. Had breakfast in both the restaurant and as room service. Room service online ordering was glitchy but I was able to call and received lovely service. The room service breakfast was better than the food in the restaurant. Although, some of the friendliest service we received on the island was the staff at breakfast. We enjoyed both the sunshine from both beach umbrellas and pool umbrellas. Some of the best food we ate on the island was the spicy tuna wrap, the shrimp tacos, and the ceviche served from the poolside bar. Epic cocktails they were beautiful, tasty - and to be honest, not that strong. I never felt a buzz from a single drink they served me. But poolside and beach food delivery -- they really have the delivery and packaging figured out! Not sure why they don't have online ordering for these locations like they do the room service. We had a hard time getting the attention of the servers in both areas -- and neither were busy. Had dinner one night at BLT at the hotel. This food was awesome -- expensive, but fantastic. We also enjoyed the spa -- the BEST massage of my life. This was our first time on the island, and we were visiting with a group so we didn't plan much ourselves. While the beaches were lovely, I didn't feel like I experienced a ton of Aruban culture. You are so far from the old town, and what we did see of the old town was so vastly different from the hotel areas. We would return, with tempered expectations. Service was good, but the bits like slow check in, not having the right room, lack of bellhop assistance, slow service on the pool and beach … just could have been better.
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May 10, 2025The Ritz Aruba experience
The Aruba Ritz seemed a bit dated at first, but the service starting with the desk manager Shaquille elevated our experience. The entire Ritz staff was exquisite. From the room service calling us familia and treating us like it, to Harold furthering the family vibe topping it off with sun bed assignment . David KILLED the service to my family and myself at the cabana experience for a family birthday. Juan and Jean in the Volkswagen bar slayed coconut and pineapple margaritas at 1st class. I cannot recall a better experience where the service at an establishment treats you so incredibly well. Huge love to the Ritz Aruba and many thanks you all 💚🙏
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May 07, 2025BEAWARE
Before my arrival, I clearly informed the Ritz team—and specifically the General Manager—that I did not want any issues during this vacation. I returned in good faith despite a previous bad experience, trusting that your team would ensure my stay was handled with the professionalism and care expected from a Ritz-Carlton property. Unfortunately, what occurred was the opposite. On April 25th, I experienced one of the most unprofessional and upsetting incidents I have ever faced at a luxury hotel. My personal belongings, including my purse, were moved without my permission from the beach chairs. I had arrived around 6:00 a.m., as the beach area operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. I waited until 7:00 a.m. just to receive towels. After breakfast, I returned and was shocked to find that my belongings had been moved and the chairs taken—without my consent. When I approached Antoine about this, rather than calmly addressing the issue, he began screaming at me, ignoring my repeated requests for him to stop. His behavior was completely disrespectful, aggressive, and unprofessional. The next day, my son spoke with Marlin and Mitch to express concern about Antoine’s behavior. Antoine was present and defensively responded, “There is no proof I did that.” This kind of deflection and denial from a staff member—rather than accountability—was deeply disappointing. It was clear that no one truly cared or took responsibility. To make matters worse: • My gold Cartier bracelet went missing during my stay, and no one has provided an explanation or made any effort to assist in locating it. • A friend left my Louis Vuitton sandals at the front desk with my room number and last name. Yet no one brought them to me. It wasn’t until four days later, when I remembered and went to the front desk myself, that they were found—hidden inside a cabinet after about 15 minutes of searching. I also contacted Marriott Bonvoy customer service and opened Case but despite this, I have yet to receive any meaningful resolution or follow-up. I am extremely upset and disappointed by the lack of professionalism, communication, and accountability throughout my stay. I came seeking a luxury experience, but what I endured was far below even the most basic expectations. This was not just a bad experience; it was a violation of trust and a complete failure of service. I will never return to The Ritz-Carlton Aruba, and I believe it is critical that executive leadership be fully aware of what took place. Is only 3 people in the Ritz Carlton Aruba beach recreational team they are excellent that's Mitch, Russo and Marilin Mesa! The Ritz Carlton Aruba don't deserve to have Mitch, Russo and Marilin Mesa work in that hotel.
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May 07, 2025Not worth the hype
I will say, the rooms and the property are beautiful, however service across the board was poor. Immediately we noticed a problem with communication. Very few staff understand and speak English, although the vast majority of their guests are American. Poolside staff were nearly impossible to flag down, pool/ beachside food was borderline inedible, and there seemed to be a general attitude that guests were a nuisance. The only sense of urgency came when a manager was present. Beach attendants were quick to pack up chairs, water, and sunscreen right at 5 p.m., when guests are still trying to use them. Lobby bar staff ignored us for 25 minutes before we gave up and left. Front doormen don’t help with our doors to cabs, as they’re preoccupied with games on their phone instead. While the breakfast buffet and Casa Nonna (shoutout to Ria) were solid, our dinner at BLT Steak was disappointing—undercooked food had to be sent back, even the manager admitted it wasn’t prepared as ordered. The worst part: medication was either stolen or tossed by housekeeping. When we contacted the front desk, no manager was available to assist. We lost a night scrambling to replace it and missed a dinner reservation. The next day, we made sure to keep the do not disturb sign up before leaving the room. To our surprise, the sign was gone when we returned, and housekeeping lied, stating the sign was inside the door when confronted. It’s like we were being pranked. When we brought it up, management shrugged it off as something that “happens at every hotel.” Not at any we’ve stayed at. This experience was so mishandled we are considering cancelling our Bonvoy credit card. We've traveled extensively, and this was easily our worst hotel stay—unacceptable for any property, let alone a Ritz-Carlton.
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May 07, 2025Just OK
Visited the Ritz Carlton Aruba this past April over spring break. The staff were all attentive and friendly, but the hotel is average at best. Looks and feels like a mid-level Marriott vs a RC. The towel huts at the beach were nice in offering sunblock, fresh water, etc. The food was just OK across the board. While we weren't expecting gourmet options on the kids menu, the chicken nuggets on the kids menu poolside look like they came straight from McDonalds, just terrible. At a high end resort, I would have expected better quality. An order of fish tacos came out dry bc they had run out of the salsa that accompanied them. We have stayed in other RC's throughout the Caribbean with a high higher caliber of options across the board. The pools were small - by mid day the family pool had lots of leaves floating in it that were never cleaned up. Outside of the restaurant the coffee place for breakfast which also served gelato, closed the night we tried to visit by 6pm. Rooms were clean and big, just not super updated. Again staff were all lovely but quality of the food and overall property was mediocre.