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Aparthotels & serviced apartments in Oranjestad

12 stays · 9 aparthotels and 3 serviced apartments

Oranjestad is the capital of Aruba, and aparthotels and serviced apartments are a natural fit for a small island where many visitors stay a week or two. A kitchen lets families and groups eat breakfast and simple dinners in, a living area gives a break from the heat, and a separate bedroom helps if you are travelling with children or working remotely. The capital is also a practical base for shopping, ferries and the cruise port.

12 stays

Where to stay in Oranjestad

Downtown Oranjestad

  • first-time visitors
  • shopping
  • culture

Wikipedia describes Dutch Colonial-style buildings in the centre, including a distinctively painted City Hall on Wilhelminastraat, and names Main Street and Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard as principal shopping corridors. Fort Zoutman, built in 1798, is Aruba's oldest surviving structure according to the same article. Staying in the centre keeps you close to restaurants, shops and the harbour.

Stays in or near Downtown Oranjestad

Paardenbaai harbour

  • cruise passengers
  • ferries
  • short stays

Paardenbaai is the island's largest passenger port, according to Wikipedia and, according to the same article, Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard has gained popularity because of its proximity to the cruise terminal. Wikipedia also mentions a tramway line serving downtown. It is the most convenient area if your trip begins or ends with a cruise.

Stays in or near Paardenbaai harbour

Eagle Beach

  • beach
  • families
  • couples

Eagle Beach lies north-west of the capital and is described by Wikivoyage as often called one of the 10 best beaches in the world. It suits visitors who want a beach holiday with the town still within reach by bus or taxi.

Stays in or near Eagle Beach

Palm Beach

  • beach
  • nightlife
  • longer stays

Palm Beach features calm waters suited to swimming, according to Wikivoyage, with nearby hotels providing facilities. It is further from the capital than Eagle Beach, so it suits visitors who plan to spend most of their time near the sea and use buses or taxis for trips to town.

Getting around Oranjestad

Wikipedia says Queen Beatrix International Airport is 2.5 kilometres from the city centre, which makes arrival simple. From the airport, taxis are the usual option; Wikivoyage notes that cabs are available at airports and hotels. The Arubus public transport system serves resort areas and the capital, and Wikivoyage describes it as an economical way to reach resort areas and see how locals live.

Wikivoyage notes that Oranjestad is often jammed with traffic when the island is full of tourists, and that a bypass opened in 2019 to relieve congestion. If you are staying downtown, much of the centre can be done on foot. Cruise ships dock at Paardenbaai, so the harbour area can be busy on ship days; plan sightseeing around that.

Living in Oranjestad for longer

Oranjestad is the island's main commercial centre, with the shops, services and everyday facilities you need for a longer stay. A flat with a kitchen reduces how often you need to eat out, and a washing machine is useful in a hot climate. Arubus connects the centre with the beaches, so a car is optional for many visitors, although renting one gives more freedom for supermarkets and for exploring beyond the main strip.

Wikivoyage lists Dutch and Papiamento as the official languages, and notes that US dollars are widely accepted, so settling in is easy for visitors from North America and Europe. For advice on stays of a month or longer, see serviced apartments for relocation.

When to visit Oranjestad

Wikipedia describes a hot semi-arid climate with minimal rainfall year-round. Wikivoyage calls January to March the island's high season and notes that the island lies outside the zone usually affected by hurricanes. The tourist board promotes Aruba as having more sunny days than any other Caribbean island, with trade winds shaping its shores.

The tourist board also promotes the Autentico Aruba Culinary Festival in October. If you want a quieter beach and a wider choice of apartments, the months outside the January to March high season are the ones to consider.

Wikipedia places the city on Aruba's south-western coast and gives a 2020 census population of about 28,658. The tourist board describes Aruba as a small island of 70 square miles with more than 20 public beaches and coves. This page covers the main places to stay, how to get around by bus and taxi, and what the climate means for planning. For more of the island see Aruba, including the beach strip around Palm and Eagle Beach.

Long-stay tips for Oranjestad

Of the 12 properties here, 5 list a laptop-friendly workspace, 2 include some form of housekeeping and 1 have a 24-hour front desk. Each property page has a facts box, so you can compare apartments before you book.

8 properties list a full kitchen and 4 only a kitchenette, so check the room type if you plan to cook more than simple meals.

Where room sizes are published, the median apartment here is 39 m².

Moving for work? Our guide to serviced apartments for relocation explains what to look for.

Other cities in Aruba

Planning a longer trip? See aparthotels in Palm-Eagle Beach and Noord.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay near Oranjestad?

Downtown suits shopping and culture, Paardenbaai suits cruise passengers, and Eagle Beach and Palm Beach suit a beach holiday with the capital a short bus or taxi ride away.

How far is the airport from Oranjestad?

Wikipedia gives the distance from Queen Beatrix International Airport to the city centre as 2.5 kilometres.

Is there public transport in Oranjestad?

Yes. Arubus serves the capital and resort areas, and Wikipedia mentions a tramway line downtown. Taxis are also available.

When is the high season in Aruba?

Wikivoyage calls January to March the high season. The island lies outside the zone usually affected by hurricanes.

How many aparthotels are there in Oranjestad?

We currently list 12 aparthotel and serviced apartment properties in Oranjestad.

Do aparthotels in Oranjestad have kitchens?

12 of the 12 properties we list have a kitchen or kitchenette in at least one apartment type.

Sources

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