Stay & Play
Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Ocean Suites
An Ideal Downtown Playground with Private Island Access
by Susan Campbell
I’ve had the pleasure of staying at both Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort properties in the heart of the colorful little capital of Oranjestad many times. It’s divided into two distinct buildings – the adults-only Renaissance Marina Hotel overlooking the harbor, and the family-friendly Renaissance Ocean Suites with its own man-made beach and saltwater lagoon. Each has its own unique appeal, and both are connected to the broader Renaissance Wind Creek complex, which includes two casinos, an upscale shopping mall, a marketplace on the marina with an arcade and entertainment offerings, and a convention center, along with independently owned restaurants, bars, cinemas and a public bandstand with nightly live music. It’s an impressive array of attractions concentrated within a few-minute walk from either property, but they also offer complimentary shuttles between the hotels.
The Family-Friendly Side is also Good for ‘Adulting’
Ocean Suites has 258 rooms, all with a large bedroom, kitchenette, living room with sofa bed, and a balcony or private patio. On my most recent visit I opted for family-friendly property even though I was not traveling with kiddos as I prefer to be steps away from the waves whenever possible. I chose a room on the ground floor a few feet from the hot tub and the beach, and right off the adult pool with its swim-up bar. It was a perfect ‘adulting’ retreat away from the children’s pool area, and stellar unfettered sea views were simply icing on the cake. And then there’s the island!
Renaissance Private Island
Both properties have full access to a 40-acre islet a few minutes offshore for their guests. Complimentary water taxis depart from the interior lobby of the marina hotel with later pick up at the dock beside Ocean Suites. This island is the signature amenity of both hotels where you can ‘flamingle’ with resident flamingos for those much sought-after souvenir selfies. It’s also divided into two categories, adults-only Flamingo Beach and family-friendly Iguana Beach. Originally, the plan was that the flamingos were to reside only on the adult side with supervised daily visitation options for children, but the quirky birds never got the memo! Now they wander at will between the two beaches, and even make the odd stop into the gift shop!
Beyond the birdwatching there’s lots more to do, the swimming is excellent and the snorkeling is also awesome. In fact, you can even spot colorful fish right off the boat dock without even getting wet. Kayaking or paddleboarding through the mangrove canals is also an option, and everyone gets a kick out of watching the wild iguana feeding every day at noon. They are comical. There’s also a secluded Spa Cove offering romantic couples’ massages over the sea, and for those seeking over-the-top luxury, each beach has private cabana rentals that come with food, drink, butler service, water floats, and snorkeling gear.
‘Inclusive’ packages are now also an option…
New inclusive package options offer access to participating Renaissance-operated food and beverage outlets, including L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chophouse, with certain exclusions and limitations. But EP is also still available at both properties, too. So, if you want to stay in the heart of Aruba’s cosmopolitan downtown action yet still experience the island’s brilliant beach life then Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort is the place.
