Hotel “Talk of the Town”

Aruba is very beautiful if you spend time discovering the interesting part of the island. The other part is like a big candy cake. Really. The authentic part is virgin and special; while the other is full of "all inclusive" macro hotels and pink casinos.

I spent first nights in the boutique hotel "Boardwalk". It is the antithesis of what Aruba means. It is a small hotel with "nice casitas" and a charm difficult to explain. It is one of those places that you have to experience: an oasis away from crazy tourists. As I was spending a few days on the island, I wanted to look for another hotel closer to the center, but without falling close to those who go there to spend their money without restraint.

"Talk of the Town" matches what I was looking for. It is not too big, it has an innovative design and it is well located. The facilities are cool. The rooms are very spacious, clean and impeccably restored. I got a ground floor with a terrace. Do not imagine any luxury, but it is good value for money. In fact, I was unlucky that the room faced the back. It had no pool view.

The hotel only has a ground floor and one floor. I found it cute. It is white in color and, due to its construction, could be a hotel more of the Mediterranean than the Caribbean. The pool (whose color changes at night) is placed in the center. It has different spaces and its shapes are irregular. It is surrounded by palm trees. On one side is the bar. I only went one night, but it is fine. Because the profile of people who go to the hotel is calm, the atmosphere that is breathed is relaxed.

The best thing about the hotel, without any doubt, is its location. Although it does not have views of the Caribbean, it has everything close without being in the middle of the hustle and bustle.

Just across the street, there is Surfside Beach which, for me, is one of the best beaches. It is not overcrowded; in fact, I was practically alone. On the same beach, there is the "Barefoot" restaurant, which is one of the must-sees on the island. It is very cute. It is so beautiful. There are tables inside a wooden pergola and others are placed on the sand. It's a lovely place.

A few minutes away is the Aruba Surfside Marina beach, which is even more solitary and the "Pinchos" restaurant. I hope I can publish these two posts soon. They are two charm places that I went twice!

Fifteen minute walking takes you to the center. The area is called "Oranjestad", where everything is: hotels, casinos (this is the island's top tourist attraction), restaurants, shops and the bus station. I am not deceiving you if I tell you that it is like a sweet cake. Everything is pink.

The airport is four minutes away by car. Taking into account that I liked the island a lot and that, as always, I spent many fewer days than I would have liked, I was very grateful for these travel savings. I think the location of the hotel is very good.

Without having any luxury, it is a highly recommended place.