Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

Terrific, spacious accommodations, most with great views, gorgeous beach, attentive staff, the whole place living up to the official claim on Aruba’s license plate as this being “One Happy Island.” How happy you'll leave here may depend in part on your luck at Stellaris, billed as the island’s largest casino.

I stayed at this property in early 2005 and it has shown its age a little since then: In May 2007, there was one broken elevator awaiting parts, a non-functioning outdoor shower, tired floors, and the other usual high-traffic woes. But the Marriot is undergoing a $40-million renovation in the second half of 2007 to address these issues and more. The facelift will include installing soundproofing rooms, all-new bathrooms, and flat-screen LG TV’s with standard packages to allow you to plug your iPod, computer and whatever else you want into your television, making staying inside on a rare rainy Aruban day a lot more fun.

Wear and tear aside, the Marriott is a beautiful property ideally located at the western point of Aruba, with no development between it and the picturesque California Lighthouse (awesome restaurant at the lighthouse, sunset dining to die for). The rooms are billed as the island’s largest and while I don't know if that is true, they are extraordinarily spacious, with very roomy walk-in closets.

All rooms have a terrific view of either the ocean or the resort's fabulous tropical courtyard with its rock-grotto waterfall in the lagoon-style pool. Each room has a 100-square foot balcony, with the corner Governor’s Suites on the upper floors boasting wrap-around lanais and simply stunning vistas.

The beach is superb, well cared for and hosting ample lounge chairs and thatched huts, the latter most coveted on typically hot, sunny days (so reserve the day before). The pool area is equal parts shady and open, giving sun worshippers and sun blockers ample opportunity to enjoy the day.