On the heels of recent trip as a threesome to Aruba- mother-daughter-grandmother aka #momzilla #thebrat and #thenan, (all in good fun,) we can say One Happy Island is epic for multi-generational travel for the ladies. This is the second time we’ve traveled there together as a trio to celebrate my December birthday – this time marked the big 60! We each have individual dining preferences – my daughter is vegan, my mother is vegetarian, and I cannot eat spicy foods – so we’re not that easy to feed. We find Aruba is the ideal island to meet all our needs on that front with so many modern, creative and cosmopolitan choices. It’s also a very accessible island. At 83, my mother can no longer do a lot of stairs or steep hills, but by design Aruba is a very flat and the Palm Beach areas are all connected by sidewalks and flat boardwalks making getting around a breeze. Perfect year-round weather, and a safe, friendly and extremely welcoming vibe add to this island’s allure. We did a lot of hotel hopping during our adventures and found that each stay had its own distinct appeal for multi-generational travel. It really depends on the type of holiday you’re seeking, and your budget of course, but here are some highlights of each resort: Holiday Inn Beach Resort. We adore the beachfront there for its pond-calm aqua surf and silky sand bottom, and the killer views from their Seaview Tower are postcard perfect. The surprisingly excellent gourmet fare (including creative vegan choices) at their Da Vinci Ristorante is not to be missed, and there are enough great food and drink outlets onsite to make their new all-inclusive option totally worth it. Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort. Their spacious two-story suites with multiple bathrooms – each with a whirlpool tub- and their full kitchens with all you need to make a meal, plus your own laundry facilities make it an ideal home away from home stay. A friendly swim-up bar with tempting tapas, elegant on the beach sunset dining, and the luxe spa with a sea view for champagne mani-pedis will also please all ages of women travelers.
The Ritz-Carlton Aruba. It’s worth it to splurge for a suite on the Club Level as the five-time-a-day food and drink offerings they serve in the private lounge are sensational. Onsite dining is also first class, if a bit pricey, but after all it’s The Ritz. You can also enjoy great reasonably priced fare from their beach bar with wait service provided by servers on Segues – such fun! Plus, they have the best casino on the island in my opinion – open 24/7, and the spa is also excellent. Aruba Ocean Villas. We almost hate to share our enchanting hidden Eden secreted away in Savaneta in case they are all booked up for my next birthday since there are only a few villas at this surreal South Pacific style boutique resort. But because the staff there makes us feel so much like family, we will, as it’s way too special not to encourage other discerning tropical travelers to discover it. Words alone cannot do it justice though, you must visit the website to appreciate the insanely creatively appointed overwater bungalows, luxe beach villas, and even the two-story treehouse. Or if you are on island, reserve a beach dinner at their tiny stand-alone restaurant to preview the property. – Sue Campbell is a travel writer and lifestyle journalist.