Aruba has a major new all-inclusive resort: the highly-anticipated Secrets Bay Beach Aruba.
It’s instantly the premier all-inclusive resort in Aruba, with the pedigree of the Secrets brand that has a huge footprint across much of the Caribbean and Mexico.
The long-awaited resort is the third major new property to debut in Aruba in the last year, joining the new Joia by Iberostar and the ultra-luxe St. Regis.
Most crucially, it opens up the island to a whole new stream of travelers.
So what are the details on the new adults-only Secrets Baby Beach?
So here are the important numbers: 304 rooms, all suites, all with balconies or terraces. This is an all-inclusive, with four a la carte eateries (think Latin fusion or Asian inspired, for example),
The minibars are restocked every day, there are six bars and watering holes, with everything from a swim-up bar in the pool to a music lounge. The programming is a big part of Secrets’ brand identity, and here you get things like rum tastings and other nightly entertainment.
Is there a Preferred Club?
Yes, and I’ll admit that I always encourage travelers to pay the premium for it. You get better rooms, including some with their own pools or tubs on the balconies; you get concierge service, you get the dedicated club lounge and things like all-day treats and snacks, along with an exclusive bar. It’s always worth it.
What should I do during my stay?
Well, beyond enjoying the amenities at the resort, from its 3,200-square-foot spa to its poolscape, of course.
There are two major draws closer by: first, Baby Beach itself, one of the most spectacular beaches on an island filled with them: vibrant turquoise, shallow water, sugar-white sand, few crowds.
Then there’s the nearby town of San Nicolas, the island’s burgeoning cultural capital, where the biggest story is the street art. It’s a city I’ve visited many times, and each time I go it’s changed and improved — emerging more colorful and more dynamic. You can shop for locally-made art and stroll its streets and people watch in a cafe.
The entry of Secrets to the area should be a boon for the local economy, too; last time I visited San Nicolas, several shopkeepers told me how excited they were for the opening and the potential for new business.
Because in Aruba, it’s not about staying in the resort. It’s about exploring. That’s why the island has been so careful about all-inclusive development, and it’s incumbent upon the resort’s visitors to appreciate how important getting out into town, into Oranjestad, into the local eateries, really is.
What room should I choose? And how much does it cost?
A glance at Hyatt’s website shows opening rates around $1,014 per night, based on double occupancy. My recommendation? Go for one of the Preferred Club swim-out rooms, which give you all of the inclusions of the Preferred Club along with direct pool access right from your room. Those rooms are $1,498 per night, double occupancy. You can find more info at Secrets.
A big addition to Aruba
It’s finally here, and it’s unquestionably a big addition to Aruba. The new resort is now the third Hyatt-portfolio resort in Aruba, joining the existing Hyatt Regency Aruba and the newer Hyatt Place at the Aruba Airport.
Perhaps most importantly, the new resort is helping to position Aruba as one of the region’s adults-only capitals, with an impressive, growing collection of adults-only resorts from the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort to the hottest new adults-only on the island, the Boardwalk Boutique Hotel, which recently went fully adults-only (rooms at $421 per night).
