Posted on December 20, 2023 by Deborah P. Carter
Now that all that careful wedding planning is in the rear view, it’s time to heave a happy “whew” and kick back for some idyllic alone time with your new mate. There is no better place to do that than Aruba. This Dutch-ruled island gets little rain and has a dry, desert-like landscape peppered with Fofoti trees (they look like full-sized Bonsai), making it an excellent pick for a beach getaway. In fact, this year Aruba’s Eagle Beach was named the second-best beach in the world by Tripadvisor.
The Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort is a few paces from that blue water on the low-rise side of the island, where unobstructed trade winds are plentiful, and breathtaking sunsets are a head-turn away. The Amsterdam Manor’s freshly renovated rooms have a cheery vibe, furnished with ocean-blue turquoises and sunny yellows. On the walls, oversized art prints feature sights around the island—a visual reminder of the paradise beyond your door. A suites-and-studios hotel, the property has 72 rooms, most on the ground-floor and all have full or partial kitchens. (For a night in, room service is available, or there’s a grocery store with gourmet goods and local finds a short walk from the property.) The second-floor, ocean-facing honeymoon suite is extra special with a generous dining area, king bed and shower for two (amenities include luxurious Aruba Aloe body wash). Rates from $171 per night.
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First off, Aruba is laid all the way back; there is no rush or fuss in this paradise known as “one happy island.” See the sights with De Palm Tours. Guided tours are offered to the many beaches around the island—some rugged with rockier shores, others, calm like the Baby Beach, a lagoon with knee-deep warm waters and powdery soft sand. There are tours to see the inner workings of the Aruba Aloe Factory, a butterfly farm and a now-defunct gold mine. In the downtown area called San Nicholas, a walking tour of the community’s mural project reveals one- and two-story paintings that capture scenes and photo-realistic faces. Boat tours are also an option and range from dinner cruises to scuba diving and snorkeling adventures with Pelican Adventures.
The Amsterdam Manor’s signature restaurant, Passions on the Beach, has a casual beachside deck that is open for all-day dining. Though, its piece de resistance is a complete toes-in-the-sand experience—dinner on the beach. The outside “dining room” is surrounded by tiki torches. A roving guitarist serenades patrons. A frequent marriage proposal spot, romance stays in the air! For an off-site dinner, the in-town eatery Taste My Aruba presents a smorgasbord of local cuisine in a warm, convivial setting. Try squid ceviche, Aruban-style fried rice, local lobster and classic Aruban cashew cake for dessert. Have a nightcap at Apotek Speakeasy. This spot makes sublime cocktails titled as fun Prohibition-era prescriptions—just what the doctor ordered!
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