Welcome to Aruba! This southern Caribbean island is one of the ABC Islands along with Bonaire and Curaçao, and is one of my favorite destinations in the Caribbean. Aruba has some of the whitest sand and bluest water you’ll ever see! And the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort and Casino is in a truly premium location along the beautiful Palm Beach.
For dining, you can try the restaurants on property, like the Sunset Grille or Gilligan’s Seafood Shack. Sunset Grille is the premium option onsite, and a great place for seafood. Gilligan’s Seafood Shack is the place to go for a chill lunch without even really having to leave the pool or the beach! There are also several great options within walking distance of the hotel, just across the street. During our stay, we tried a wonderful French place called Papillon Restaurant.
And if you’re looking for a drink, the best spot to hang is Mira Solo, located outdoors just off the lobby. Try the Lime in the Coconut and the Watermelon Mojito while you’re there! You’ll also often find live music at night here, so this is where to go if you’re looking for good vibes and fun times.
You definitely can’t talk about the Hilton Aruba without talking about the beach! As mentioned before, Palm Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. The hotel has a long stretch of beach access just steps away from the pool. There, you’ll find plenty of beach chairs and palapas, which are free to book after 4pm for the next day at the pool hut. I highly recommend reserving a palapa to have some shade if you’re planning to spend a full day on the beach!
Before you reach the beach though, you’ll pass the two pools – one a family-oriented pool and one a bit quieter. There is a large pool bar area connected to one pool (which is on the other side of Gilligan’s), and you’ll sometimes find fun activities like trivia or bingo taking place there. There are also several hammocks located around the pool area – the perfect way to take a poolside nap! People do tend to go down early to claim chairs with towels, so if you’re looking for premium seats to sunbathe in, I do recommend stopping by before breakfast to lay claim to your chairs for the day. Or, you can avoid the hassle for a fee by booking a private cabana alongside the pool.
If you’re looking for a day of relaxation, definitely check out the Eforea Spa. I got the 50-minute Coco Massage during my stay, which hydrated me up with so much coconut oil. It’s the perfect break from spending all day in the sun and a good way to rehydrate it after all that sunbathing.
A fun thing about the hotel is all the daily activities they offer for guests. If you’re looking for things to do beyond lounging at the pool, I recommend checking out the daily schedule. You’ll find things like yoga, bingo, sports like pool volleyball, mixology workshops, and more. There’s also the ShocoLand Kids Club for kids ages 4-12. You can drop your kids off there for $60/day or $35/half day (both with lunch) for a day of fun while you relax. Example activities there include crafts and jewelry making, feeding the koi fishes, games, s’mores, and more.
Last but not least, don’t miss out on the gorgeous sunsets out on the beach. Aruba truly does have some of the best sunsets out there. And if you’re looking for an even better way to view them, you can do what we did and book a sunset cruise experience through the concierge – the boat leaves from right out on the pier next to the hotel!
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Disclaimer: I was hosted as a guest of the Hilton Aruba. As always, all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
![Toboggan on a street? Only in Madeira, Portugal! 🇵🇹
Madeira was the first stop on my 8-day Captivating Canary Islands cruise with @windstarcruises [hosted]. 🛳️
Luckily, we were docked there over night, so I had plenty of time to explore the port city of Funchal, including with a tuk tuk tour and this exhilarating toboggan ride.
This is the only place in the world you can toboggan on land without snow or guiding rails! You ride down in traditional wicker basket sledges with two runners, hitting up to 30 km/hr as you travel down from Monte.
The toboggans date back to the early 19th century where they were used as a means of transport by the local residents who wanted to travel quickly from the village of Monte to the city of Funchal. And nowadays, they’re definitely a blast for thrill seekers!
👉 SAVE this for your bucket list! Would you ride the toboggans? Let me know in the comments!
#madeira #madeiraportugal #madeiraisland #windstarcruises #cruiseblogger #RSJSCruises #cruisetravel / things to do in Madeira / Madeira cruise itinerary / top tourist attractions in Madeira / what to do at port in Funchal](https://readysetjetset.net/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
