Known for its white-sand beaches and turquoise water, Aruba is one of the most popular islands to visit in the Caribbean. From the welcoming people to the delicious cuisine to the sunny weather — according to locals, it rarely rains — it’s no surprise that the island’s slogan is “One Happy Island.” But while most tourists become familiar with the bustling west side of the island, known as Palm Beach, a new adults-only, all-inclusive Hyatt caught our attention, and is a terrific way to discover Aruba’s southeastern side, conveniently adjacent to the iconic Baby Beach.
Related: Your ultimate guide to Hyatt hotel brands
Secrets Baby Beach Aruba is about 30 minutes from Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA), and is the first all-inclusive luxury hotel in the San Nicolas area. Plus, as part of the Hyatt portfolio, it’s fully bookable using points.
Here’s a snapshot of what guests can expect at this beautiful, new all-inclusive property.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
Related: Secrets and Dreams Playa Esmeralda review
First impressions
Arriving at the cliffside resort, I was greeted with a cold towel, and an attendant immediately helped with my luggage.
The expansive property reflects the island’s natural beauty, with the vast cacti landscape taking center stage, both inside and outside.
Upon entering the lobby, I was greeted by an extremely large communal space filled with various seating areas where guests can take in open-air views and the fresh ocean breeze.
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GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
If you are checking in as a Preferred Club member, you will be taken to a separate check-in area, known as the Preferred Club lounge, where you can enjoy an assortment of pastries and small bites, as well as a full-service bar, while you wait for your room assignment.
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Related: Guide to World of Hyatt club lounge access awards, including how to use them for someone else
The rooms
Secrets Baby Beach currently features 304 suites, each with a private, furnished balcony or terrace. Preferred Club guests will enjoy additional room amenities, such as a private pool and/or a soaking tub. Though this property is not situated directly on the beach, depending on your room choice, you’ll still have a partial view of the ocean.
My partner and I stayed in a Preferred Club Master Suite Ocean View room. Designed with Aruba’s landscape in mind, featuring cacti-inspired art carved into the walls, the room was spacious at 1,230 square feet, with a king-size bed, an additional sitting area and a fully stocked minibar. The minimalist, modern room had sleek, natural wood finishes and neutral tones throughout.
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A roomy, well-lit bathroom boasted double sinks below a huge mirror, an en suite toilet and a rainfall shower. Toiletries were from Pharmacopia’s hydrating argan oil collection.
Though the interior of the room was lovely, a private pool with lounge chairs and a separate outdoor soaking tub were the stars of the show. These amenities and the beautiful landscaping surrounding them certainly underscored the romantic ambience of the hotel. Note that if you have a pool attached to your accommodations, you’ll be staying on the ground floor of the hotel, which means your view of the ocean is a bit limited.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
Dining at Secrets Baby Beach Aruba
This resort has four a la carte dinner restaurants: Tierra, with a menu of South American fusion cuisine; Portofino, an Italian restaurant; Oceana, a seafood restaurant; and Himitsu, which offers Pan-Asian cuisine.
I had the opportunity to dine at Tierra, Oceana and Himitsu.
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GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
Tierra reigned supreme in my eyes, blending bold flavors and spices. Some highlights were the Colombian Tacacho, a mashed plantain with pork crackling, pork confit and pickled onions. I also loved the fresh catch of the day, which was snapper cooked in banana leaves with fried green plantains. If you want to add a little spice to the dish, be sure to ask the server for a side of papaya hot sauce.
Another standout meal was the surf-and-turf dish from Oceana, which featured sauteed shrimp and a beef fillet paired with potato mousseline and mushroom sauce.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
Out of the three restaurants I tried, Himitsu came in third. The shrimp tempura sushi roll appeared to be premade and then refrigerated, with the rice slightly dry and the shrimp cold. The shrimp pad thai’s sauce had a very lemony taste, which is not typically the flavor profile of this dish.
Overall, I found that the more regionally focused food really excelled compared to other international dishes.
For breakfast and lunch options, guests can choose to dine at the Market Cafe, an international buffet featuring a variety of options, including made-to-order omelets and crepes, as well as sashimi. For Preferred Club members, you can opt to dine in a separate seating area and choose from an al a carte menu. However, I felt that the breakfast options were quite similar to those being served at the buffet. Since I like the autonomy of being able to go up and choose items or grab several plates, I decided to dine in the buffet area.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
Other dining options include Barefoot Grill, which serves light bites by the pool; Coco Cafe, a 24-hour coffee, ice cream and snack bar; and room service.
Related: Best all-inclusive resorts in the world
Amenities and service
As with most luxury all-inclusive hotels, the resort’s amenities are a major selling point. At Secrets Baby Beach, there was a nice blend of high-energy activities and wellness-focused services.
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GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
- Pools: This resort has two infinity pools (one pool is only for Preferred Club guests) overlooking Baby Beach, and an activity pool. The beachfront pools are quieter and are ideal for those seeking relaxation. However, the activity pool is a fun environment, offering lively music and poolside games for guests.
- Spa: For ultimate relaxation, pamper yourself with a massage or facial treatment at this beautiful spa, which also features a sauna, steam room, cold pool and hot tubs.
- Access to Baby Beach: From the resort, you can walk down the path to Baby Beach. Though it is a public beach, the hotel offers guests complimentary chairs, snorkeling equipment and drinks to enjoy while at this beach. However, note that Hyatt does not have a designated beach area for hotel guests at Baby Beach.
- Entertainment: Aside from enjoying the daytime music and games by the main pool, the resort also has live music each night. A highlight was sitting outside at the bar, enjoying a predinner drink and listening to a violinist play ’90s pop songs. After dinner, head to the resort’s nightclub, Desire, and listen to a DJ set or sing karaoke or go to the sports bar and watch a game. The hotel also has nightly singers and stage performances.
- Fitness center: This impressive gym features ellipticals, treadmills, free weights, strength training machines and more; you can also opt to join a fitness class like yoga, aerobics or Zumba.
- Activities: While I love to unwind on vacation, I also enjoy participating in activities. This hotel offers a ton of classes like Sip & Paint, cocktail making, bike tours, bingo and jewelry making. Additionally, you will find attendants in the lobby who can assist you in booking off-site excursions, such as a cave tour of Arikok National Park.
- Casino: This hotel features a casino, but it was not open during my stay.
Related: 2 new all-inclusive resorts you can book with Hyatt points just opened in the Dominican Republic
The local experience
While the resort offers many on-site activities, what makes this hotel really special is that Secrets Baby Beach encourages guests to venture off the property and experience what Aruba has to offer. In fact, you can even book a rental car right at the hotel, or just grab a taxi at the check-in desk.
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GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
The town of San Nicolas — which is just a few short minutes from the hotel — is a reflection of the island’s Caribbean roots and culture, and has become a major hot spot for art. A highlight of the trip was experiencing the street murals and visiting local galleries. If you’re in search of authentic cuisine, head to O’Niel Caribbean Kitchen and dine on a few staples such as fresh fish, jerk chicken and curry goat.
I also recommend renting a car or taking a guided tour to Arikok National Park. You can explore caves and see ancient drawings on the rock walls.
Location and logistics
This resort is only about a 30-minute drive from Queen Beatrix International Airport. There are no Uber or similar ride-hailing services in Aruba, so to get to the hotel, you can opt to take a taxi, which typically costs between $20 and $30. You can also prebook a round-trip car service, which I would recommend for a hassle-free experience. A shared transfer to and from Secrets Baby Beach is about $45 per person.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
For a more luxurious experience, De Palm Tours offers a VIP luxury round-trip airport transfer for about $423, accommodating a maximum of four passengers.
What it costs to stay at Secrets Baby Beach
Secrets Baby Beach Aruba is part of Hyatt’s all-inclusive collection, which means you can book this resort with points. This resort is a Category D property, which means rates for off-peak dates start at 25,000 points for a standard room, 34,000 points for a club room, 43,000 points for a standard suite and 50,000 points for a premium suite.
Cash rates for standard rooms begin at around $700, while Preferred Club rooms start at around $1,000 per night.
Award prices for this hotel were only showing premium room availability to book with Hyatt points on select dates.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
When booking a stay at Secrets Baby Beach Aruba, you’ll want to use a credit card that earns the most points for Hyatt stays, or one that offers automatic World of Hyatt elite status for value-added benefits. These include:
Related: TPG’s guide to the best all-inclusive resorts you can book with points
Accessibility
Secrets Baby Beach offers two wheelchair-accessible room types (both located on the ground level), as well as wheelchair-accessible ramps and elevators throughout the property. There are also wheelchair-accessible bathrooms in public areas, such as the lobby.
For specific needs, TPG recommends contacting the resort directly before booking to confirm how the resort can accommodate them.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
Bottom line
A solid option for couples looking for a romantic escape and adults in search of a relaxing Caribbean getaway, this new oceanside, all-inclusive resort from Hyatt offers intimate accommodations in a beautiful setting, with a range of activities both on and off the property. Additionally, if you’re looking to immerse yourself in the local culture and see beyond the property’s walls, the hotel is a great jumping-off point for exploring the revitalized city of San Nicolas.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
However, since this hotel is on the less-touristed side of the island, you’re off the beaten path, about 45 minutes away from the hotel zone of Palm Beach. If accessing that area’s livelier scene — which includes additional hotels, bars and restaurants — is important to you, the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino, though not all-inclusive, may be a better fit.
Overall, couples and adults who seek to avoid Aruba’s more touristy areas but want high-end services and amenities with access to a more local vibe should check out Secrets Baby Beach Aruba for their next getaway.
