Six Nights of Splendor: The St. Regis Aruba Redefines Family Luxury
- Michael Dade
- Nov 3
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 9
By Michael Dade for ResortChasers.com
After six glorious nights, our family of four has returned from Aruba aka "One Happy Island" utterly spoiled by the unparalleled service and dazzling beauty of The St. Regis Aruba Resort. If you’re a family accustomed to luxury but worried about finding a resort that truly caters to all ages, stop your search now. The St. Regis Aruba is not just a hotel; it’s an immersive, exquisite home away from home located at J.E. Irausquin Blvd 75 E, Noord on the brilliant sands of Palm Beach in Aruba.
From the moment we stepped into the immaculate, airy lobby—a cool reprieve from the Aruban sun—we knew we were in for something special. The resort achieves that rare balance of sophisticated elegance and genuine warmth, making it feel both grand and welcoming.
The Art of Anticipation: St. Regis Butler Service
The legendary St. Regis Butler Service is, without question, the cornerstone of the experience. It transformed our six nights from a luxury vacation into a bespoke, effortless escape. Our dedicated butler was a maestro of anticipation.
The most essential service, as any parent of young children knows, is caffeine delivered promptly. Every morning, like clockwork, our butler ensured a freshly brewed pot of coffee (and hot chocolate for the kids) was delivered exactly at 7:00 AM allowing us to start our mornings on our balcony over looking the calm turquoise ocean. This simple ritual, handled discreetly and seamlessly, allowed us to start our days relaxed before the pool or beach chaos began.
Beyond the coffee, the Butler service managed every nuance of our stay: reserving the perfect pool loungers before we even finished breakfast, pressing garments for an evening out at Akira Back, and even assisting our nine-year-old with a tricky connection to the resort’s Wi-Fi for her tablet. Having a personal point of contact who could manage dining reservations and small requests was a game-changer for maximizing our family time.
A Feast Fit for Royalty: The Daily Breakfast Buffet
Our family had the privilege of enjoying a complimentary daily breakfast buffet (served at Eskama Cucina Illtaliana) due to our Platinum status with Marriott Bonvoy and was a highlight we looked forward to every morning. The breakfast buffet was a delightful feast that satisfied both the sophisticated palates of us adults and the discerning tastes of our children and also offered a la carte options.
The selection was vast and beautifully presented: perfectly ripe tropical fruits, a full charcuterie station, fresh-pressed green juices, and an array of baked goods that made skipping dessert difficult. For the kids, the live omelet station and and pancakes were a major hit. Our six-year-old, declared the miniature chocolate chip pancakes “the best hotel pancakes ever,” and our nine-year-old loved building her own custom omelet every day. Since the resort is directly located on the beachfront, you dine with gorgeous views of Palm Beach, making the experience feel relaxing and immersive.
Culinary Elevation: Dinner at Akira Back
For our date night (with our children), we experienced the innovative Japanese-Korean fusion cuisine at Akira Back, the resort’s signature rooftop restaurant. The ambiance is sleek and sophisticated, offering the only rooftop dining experience in Aruba with breathtaking views of Oranjestad and the Caribbean coastline. We indulged in the delectable Atlantic Black Cod, Rock Shrimp Tempura, Tuna Pizza, Yellowtail Jalapeno and the Hot Mess Roll. It was a true culinary event—a moment of quiet, world-class dining that reminded us we were enjoying a luxury getaway. While every dish was fresh and met every expectation, the meal as a whole could be considered pricey for some so make sure you prepare your budget. Parents can take full advantage of this experience by having your butler arrange a kids' club experience for your children downstairs.
Poolside Paradise and Palm Beach Perfection
The resort’s location directly on Palm Beach is simply unrivaled. The powder-soft white sand and the impossibly turquoise Caribbean sea are just steps from the pool deck. We appreciated the dedicated beachfront area with ample loungers and attentive service, making it easy to transition from sandcastle building to a refreshing swim.
For us, however, the star attraction was the incredible network of heated pools. Crucially, the St. Regis provides multiple distinct pool areas, ensuring quiet contemplation for couples and vibrant fun for families. We spent most of our afternoons splitting time between the infinity pools, which offered stunning ocean vistas, and the dedicated family pool area. The fact that the water was gently heated meant no shivering—even after a slightly windy afternoon. Our children could play for hours without complaint, and we never felt squeezed, always finding space in one of the six inviting outdoor pools.
Beyond the resort grounds, the prime location proved invaluable for exploration. We booked an amazing off-roading ATV tour to explore the Arikok National Park and the rugged side of the island, and the starting point was a mere 15 minutes drive from the St. Regis lobby. This convenience allowed us to pack maximum adventure into our six-night stay without losing precious beach time to long travel days.
The Evening Ritual: Champagne and a Saber
As the sun began to dip towards the horizon, painting the sky in Aruban hues, we frequently participated in the signature St. Regis Evening Ritual: the Champagne Sabering at 6:00 PM.
Held on the St. Regis Bar Terrace overlooking the pool, this timeless tradition pays homage to Napoleon’s love for the art of Sabrage. Watching a skilled sommelier dramatically slice the top off a bottle of bubbly with a saber—the cork flying perfectly into the sunset—is theatrical and elegant. I was given the fun and exciting opportunity to partake in my own Sabering experience after careful detailed instructions by the staff. The children were captivated by the dramatic flash and sound, and we, of course, enjoyed a complimentary glass of Champagne as the resort transitioned gracefully from the activity of day to the elegance of night. It’s a moment of shared celebration that perfectly captures the resort’s flair for tradition.
Final Verdict: The Definitive Family Luxury Destination
The St. Regis Aruba doesn't just offer luxury amenities; it provides a comprehensive, stress-free family experience defined by exceptional service. The ability to wake up to butler-delivered coffee, enjoy a lavish breakfast buffet (free for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum members and above), spend the day enjoying the heated pools and Palm Beach location, and cap it off with the Champagne Sabering ritual created a rhythm of effortless elegance. For six nights, every detail was handled, every need was met, and every moment felt intentionally crafted. This resort is the definitive choice for sophisticated travelers who refuse to compromise on either style or family fun. We departed with a lingering sense of peace and a firm promise to return to Aruba’s best address.
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