Wonders Boutique Hotel

Charming, small, quiet hotel that makes you feel like you're at home. Perfect way to stay away from the resort atmosphere, yet not feel like you're missing anything. The staff is helpful and friendly, breakfast was delicious, and if you need anything - they are right there to help.

Prós: Very clean, very quiet location away from the typical resorts. Breakfast was incredible, pool was relaxing, and the entire place was gorgeous. Can't wait to make a return trip.

Contras: Loved everything...nothing bad to say.

My main worries were that we would be too far from town or the beach to have a relaxing experience, but I was completely wrong. Gaston, the caretaker at Wonders, picks you up from the airport and runs people out to the beach (among other places) everyday. Oranjestad is just a ten minute walk down the street (you can see it from the hotel). And on top of that, Gaston will guide and help you through booking tours/boat trips/a car, making restaurant reservations, and finding popular destinations. Wonders has a real charm to it-- the lobby, pool, and garden are all decorated beautifully. Everything is clean. Breakfast costs $9-16 everyday (if you want it), but it's delicious, and fresh, and really relaxing to start your day with a meal at one of their pretty tables in the garden/pool area. It was never too crowded, yet somehow every space at Wonders felt intimate and inviting. They provided towels, snorkeling gear, and a discount card for Moomba Beach. The hotel is stocked with books and magazines for guests to use. Our room was very clean and nice. The air conditioning worked great. Unlike other reviewers, we weren't bothered by 'dog barking' at night-- we could hear dogs occasionally but it was nothing more than average neighborhood sounds (we certainly couldn't hear them with the tv or air conditioning turned on) and nothing kept us up at night. The rooms are spacious, our bed was big, and though WiFi is only guaranteed in the lobby (wired internet is available in the rooms), we could get it in our room occasionally too. This hotel is great for people that want to have an authentic experience. I liked that we were in an area of Aruba where locals lived, and that locals (Gaston and crew) were advising us of the best things to experience in Aruba. We completely enjoyed every moment of our stay there. I wish there was a place as authentic and charming as Wonders everywhere I travel.

Prós: This hotel is beautiful-- it's well-decorated and inviting. The staff there help you in any way possible, and really try to make your visit an incredible one. It really has an authentic feel to it, but you have absolutely everything you could need.

Contras: I loved everything about it. It's not an all-inclusive resort and it's located in a real neighborhood of Aruba (it isn't beachfront), but it's safe and we really enjoyed getting to see more of the 'less-touristy' side of Aruba.

Very friendly and accommodating staff. Beautiful garden/pool area. Very relaxing because of the atmosphere. Very spacious room with nice balcony overlooking garden/pool area. Excellent breakfast (European style).

Prós: The layed back atmosphere and the accommodating staff. Beautiful garden/pool area. Very relaxing because of the atmosphere. Excellent breakfast (European style). Only stayed 1 night and wish we had stayed longer. Good location.

Contras: Only wish we knew how lovely it was - we wish we could have stayed a couple more days. Next time FOR SURE!