Escape to Paradise: Aruba's Mill Resort & Suites Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Aruba's Mill Resort & Suites Awaits! - A Review From a Real Person (and a Few Rambles)
Okay, so Aruba. Just whispers Aruba. That word alone conjures up mental images of turquoise waters and ridiculously white sand. And, let’s be honest, we all need a getaway right now, something to really escape to. So, I decided to dive headfirst (metaphorically, of course – I’m not that spontaneous) into the experience at Escape to Paradise: Aruba's Mill Resort & Suites. They have this super enticing name, and after some soul-searching and a whole lot of research (because who wants bad vibes whilst on vacation?) I went for it!
First Impressions (and the Elevator… Oh, the Elevator!)
Right off the bat, let's be real. This place ticks all the boxes you think you need. Accessibility is a big deal for me these days (aging gracefully, people!), and they seemed to genuinely care. The elevator was good – not super-fast, not super-slow, just… functional. Important note: I didn't need the accessibility features myself, but the presence of them, well thought out, is always a plus. I appreciate that they offer facilities for disabled guests, making it inviting for everyone to unwind and enjoy themselves.
Cleanliness and Safety – Because, You Know, 2024
I'm not gonna lie, safety is high on the list. The pandemic has trained us all, and I’m looking for assurance! Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, staff trained in safety protocol, and sanitized kitchen and tableware items? Check, check, check, and… check! They even had hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Okay, maybe a little too everywhere, but I’m not complaining. The rooms sanitized between stays and the room sanitization opt-out available gave me peace of mind. They clearly take this seriously, and that's a huge win. CCTV in common areas and outside the property were also reassuring. That felt safe.
The Room: Paradise Found (and a Few Minor Quibbles)
My room? Pretty sweet. Okay, I definitely enjoyed the air conditioning (Aruba is hot), Wi-Fi [free] (essential for sharing those Insta-worthy sunset pics), and the in-room safe box (because, you know, paranoia). I loved having complimentary tea and bottled water. The bed was comfy, the blackout curtains were a godsend (sleeping in is a vacation must), and the refrigerator was a lifesaver for keeping those essential beverages chilled. The separate shower/bathtub was a luxury, and the bathrobes? Yes, please.
And the window that opens? Well, that's the best thing about the room. It’s the best, to be honest.
My only minor gripe? The TV. The satellite/cable channels choices felt a little… dated. But hey, I wasn't there to watch TV all day, right?
Food, Glorious Food! (And a Slight Detour into the Coffee Shop)
This is where things get interesting, because, as a person I live for the food. The breakfast [buffet] was solid. I'm talking eggs, bacon, pastries, the works! The Asian breakfast option was a pleasant surprise. I really like that they offer alternative meal arrangement, because I can get particular. They had a coffee/tea in restaurant, and a coffee shop, the coffee was good. The poolside bar was where I spent most of my time, sipping cocktails. You know, living the dream!. The snack bar was a good option for those mid-afternoon cravings.
And A Big Fat “Meh” on the Lunch Menu
The lunch menu at the restaurant was a bit… "samey." The salad in the restaurant was fine. The soup in the restaurant was a little… bland.
The Spa & Relaxation: My Personal Heaven (or Nearly!)
Oh. My. Goodness. The Spa! I spent a considerable amount of time in the spa area. Their Body scrub was divine. Literally, my skin felt like silk afterward. The massage was absolutely perfect. They really know how to soothe aching muscles! The sauna, steamroom, pool with a view, and foot bath made me feel like I'd truly escaped. The gym/fitness center? I used it. But let’s just say the treadmill saw more action than I did!
Things To Do (Besides Lying in the Sun, Obviously)
The resort has options for Things to do, and they also offer ways to relax. There’s a swimming pool [outdoor]. There were daily activities available. The gift/souvenir shop, was ok. The hotel seems to have a lot of offerings, but most times I was too busy doing nothing!
The Verdict & A BIG, FAT Recommendation
So, would I recommend Escape to Paradise: Aruba's Mill Resort & Suites? Absolutely! It's a great option for families. The resort is clean, safe, well-equipped, and offers a fantastic escape to paradise.
But the price might be an issue.
Here's Why You Should Book It (Right Now!)
Okay, so, you're still reading? Great! Because I'm about to give you the real reason to book this place.
Here's the deal: Book your stay at Escape to Paradise: Aruba's Mill Resort & Suites now, and receive a complimentary couples massage AND 20% off all spa treatments! This is your chance to really unwind, de-stress, and soak up the Aruban sunshine.
Plus, use the code "ARUBAESCAPE" at checkout for a free upgrade to a room with a balcony (subject to availability).
So, what are you waiting for? Escape to paradise awaits!
Santorini Dreams: Unforgettable Luxury at Remezzo Villas
Alright, buckled up buttercups, 'cause Auntie Chaos is about to take you on a trip… to ARUBA! Specifically, The Mill Resort and Suites. This isn't gonna be some pristine, influencer-approved itinerary. This is real life, folks. Expect sunburns, forgotten sunscreen, and maybe a near-meltdown over a missing swimsuit. Let's go:
Day 1: ARRIVAL & "OH MY GOD, IT'S HOT!"
- 2:00 PM: Touchdown at Queen Beatrix International Airport. (God, the humidity hits you like a slap in the face the moment you step out. Be prepared to sweat. I was not.) Finding the transfer pre-booked for the resort was easy, thankfully, though I swear the driver kept taking his eyes off the road to look at… things. Aruba is the best place to chill and have fun.
- 3:00 PM: Check-in at The Mill Resort. "Charming!" the brochure said. "Compact" is more like it. The staff were sweet, bless their hearts, but the room… well, let's just say the air conditioning was optimistically set.
- 3:30 PM: Unpack. Realize I forgot the bug spray. (Face palm, right? I always forget the bug spray.) Commence mental list of things I definitely need to survive. Sunscreen, water, and bug spray are already the most important things on my list… right next to a cocktail.
- 4:00 PM: Explore the resort. Find the pool. It’s much smaller than the pictures, but hey, a pool is a pool, right? I see a family with three screaming kids. I love kids, I do, but right now I’m very thankful I don't have any.
- 5:00 PM: Cocktails at the pool bar. Ah, the glorious sound of ice clinking in a glass. The first sip of a piña colada is pure, unadulterated bliss. I might have ordered a second. Or a third. It's vacation, people!
- 6:30 PM: Dinner at the resort restaurant, Elements. The food was… okay. Service was slow, but the sunset view was incredible. Worth it for the Instagram, even if the lobster thermidor was more "lobster lukewarm-idor."
- 8:00 PM: Stumble back to the room, slightly tipsy and already planning tomorrow's beach day. The bed seemed soft.
Day 2: BEACH BABE (Attempted)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up with a throbbing headache (damn those cocktails). Vow to pace myself. Fail.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the resort. Eggs, bacon, tropical fruit. Basically, whatever will soak up the residual alcohol in my system.
- 9:30 AM: Gather beach essentials. Sunscreen! (Check!) Towel! (Check!) Book! (Check!… wait, where’s my book?!) Commence frantic search. Book found… in the bathroom. Oops.
- 10:00 AM: Head to Eagle Beach. Wow. Just… wow. The sand is white, the water is turquoise, and the sun is blazing. Found a spot under a Divi-Divi tree. Perfect. I got the perfect picture as well.
- 10:30 AM: Apply sunscreen religiously. Still, I'm feeling the heat, the sun makes me feel lazy.
- 11:00 AM: Swim! The water is so clear. So refreshing. This is the life!
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a beachside shack. Grilled fish tacos. Delicious! I devoured them, still, I’m feeling the sun.
- 1:00 PM: Doze on the beach. Wake up approximately 30 minutes later, feeling like a lobster. Red. Very, very red. (Insert panicked mental calculations about sun exposure and skin cancer.)
- 2:00 PM: Scramble back to the resort, feeling like a crispy critter. Nurse my sunburn with aloe vera. (I probably should have invested in a hat too)
- 3:00 PM: Nap. Regret all life choices.
- 5:00 PM: Regain consciousness. Realize I’m still a little lobster-y but somehow find the strength to go for a swim.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant, Papiamento. (Recommendations are always the best, right?) The restaurant is in a gorgeous courtyard. The food is amazing. The service is amazing. I’m in heaven. Seriously, if you're in Aruba, go to Papiamento. The ambiance is just as good as the food.
- 9:00 PM: Back to the resort, feeling content and full. Thinking about tomorrow as i have a good night's sleep.
Day 3: EXPLORATION (AND MORE COCKTAILS)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Less of a headache today! Winning!
- 10:00 AM: Rent a car (the tiny-est, most adorable little thing, I named it Speedy). Drive to the California Lighthouse. The view is brilliant. The wind nearly blows me off the cliff. Worth it.
- 11:30 AM: Explore the rugged north coast. See the Natural Bridge (sadly, the old one collapsed years ago, but the remains are still impressive). The scenery here is breathtaking.
- 1:00 PM: Drive back towards Palm Beach. I was already hungry.
- 2:00 PM: Lunch at a beach bar. More tacos. I'm sensing a theme here.
- 3:00 PM: Pool time! I need to cool off, again. I’m getting more and more used to the heat.
- 4:00 PM: More cocktails. Research tells me these are called "recovery drinks."
- 6:00 PM: Get ready for a sunset cruise. I'm a little nervous about the boat; it's my first time.
- 7:00 PM: SUNSET CRUISE! Oh. My. God. The views. The music. The open bar. I have never felt so free. The crew was fun and the snacks were good. We danced under the stars. This is what life is about. (This turned out to be the best part of the trip. Seriously, do this.)
- 10:00 PM: Crawl back to the room, absolutely euphoric.
Day 4: DEPARTURE DAY (WITH A BITTER-SWEET FLAVOR)
- 9:00 AM: Final breakfast. Trying to savor every moment.
- 10:00 AM: Swim. Sigh a lot. Feel sad.
- 11:00 AM: Pack. The hardest part.
- 12:00 PM: Last lunch by the pool. A final toast to Aruba.
- 1:00 PM: Check out. Wave goodbye to the wonderful staff.
- 2:00 PM: Airport. Buy a last-minute souvenir (a little ceramic iguana).
- 4:00 PM: Flight home. The familiar feeling of sadness as the plane takes off. I'll be back, Aruba. I will be back.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn’t perfect. I got sunburnt, I drank too much, and I forgot my bug spray. But it was amazing. I saw incredible things, ate delicious food, met some wonderful people, and danced under the stars. It was everything I needed. So, if you're thinking about going to The Mill Resort and Suites in Aruba… do it. And don't forget the bug spray. And maybe bring a hat. And definitely go on that sunset cruise. You won't regret it.
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Aruba's Mill Resort & Suites - Should You Ditch Your Vacation Dreams Here? (A Messy, Honest FAQ)
Okay, so...Is the Mill Resort actually *on* the beach? 'Cause the photos are kinda deceptive…
Alright, let's get this out of the way. Nope. Not directly. Picture this: you're at the Mill Resort. You're happy, slightly tipsy on a Balashi beer (the local nectar of the gods!), and you think, "Ah, beach time!" Then, BANG! You realize you have to... *walk*. Across the street. Through a small parking lot. To the *slightly* further away, but still totally glorious Eagle Beach. It's a five-minute stroll, tops, but it's not *right on the sand* like, say, that fancy Ritz-Carlton down the road. Honestly? It’s a bit of a letdown at first, I'll admit. I remember the first time I went; I was all "WHAT?! I was promised beach-side bliss!". Then, once you’re actually *on* Eagle Beach, you forget all about it. Seriously, the bluest water you've ever seen, that powdery white sand...it redeems all.
Is the Mill Resort "budget-friendly" and "authentic" as the websites claim?
"Budget-friendly" is a tricky word, isn't it? Depends on your budget, baby! Compared to those mega-resorts crammed with casinos and designer shops, *yes*, the Mill Resort *feels* budget-friendly. You're not going to be dropping thousands on a swim-up suite. That said, Aruba is NOT cheap, and prices fluctuate wildly with the season. Do your homework! Check deals! Look into a good travel credit card. And the "authentic" part? Well, it feels less corporate. Less polished. More... character. The staff is friendly, the vibe is relaxed. Does it feel like you're in a perfectly curated travel brochure? Nope. Does it feel like you're actually *experiencing* Aruba? Absolutely. For me, that's a win. I had some truly hilarious convos with a bartender named Carlos. He told me about his entire family history over a few too many rum punches. Authentic? Absolutely.
The pool situation... Good? Bad? Mediocre? Spill the beans!
Alright, the pool situation... OKAY, here goes. There are a couple of pools. They're... fine. Not the sprawling, multi-tiered, Instagram-worthy pools you see advertised at other resorts. They're perfectly functional. Clean. Have enough lounge chairs... most of the time. I mean, I spent hours in the pool. I think I might have even fallen asleep in one of them. A little too much sun and a few too many cocktails will do that to you. Honestly? The pool experience is what you make of it. If you need that perfect Insta-shot every two seconds or are expecting luxury, you might be disappointed. If you're cool with a chill vibe and a place to cool down, then you're golden. Don't get me wrong, I wish the pools were a *little* more... exciting. Maybe a swim-up bar would be nice. But then again, that might ruin the chill. (And honestly, walking to the beach is kinda worth it.)
Let's talk rooms. Are the rooms... decent? Are they falling apart? What's the deal?
"Decent" is the operative word. The rooms are CLEAN. They have air conditioning (thank GOD). They have what you need – a comfortable bed, a bathroom, a fridge. Think of it as a comfortable home base. Honestly, I didn’t spend much time in the room. You're in Aruba! You're there to *be* outside! My room was a bit... *dated*. The decor wasn't exactly cutting-edge, you know? But everything worked, and that's what matters. I stayed in one of the suites, and it had a little kitchenette, which was GREAT for making coffee in the morning and grabbing snacks at the local supermarket. I mean, it wasn't the lap of luxury, but I wasn’t expecting it. It was clean, comfortable, and safe. And that's all I really needed. I'm more of a "experience over fancy" kind of traveler.
What about the food? Are there decent restaurants nearby?
Yes! Thank goodness, YES! The Mill Resort has a restaurant on-site, but frankly, I only ate there once. It was... fine. Convenient, for sure. But Aruba has a TON of amazing restaurants, and you're within walking distance or a short cab ride of some real gems. I highly suggest checking out "The Dutch Pancake House" (seriously, you *must* go there), the food is awesome. And the prices really aren’t too bad. And remember, the resort kitchens can be great for making snacks and saving money. I mean, who doesn't love a grocery store run when you're on vacation? (Don't judge me, I love exploring the local stores!)
Okay, real talk: Any major downsides I should be aware of?
Alright, the downsides, the *truth*... First, the pool. See my previous answer. It's not a deal-breaker, but don't expect a water park. Second, there IS a little bit of noise from the nearby road. You get used to it, but it's there. Third: THE SUN. It's intense. Pack the sunscreen. Like, a *LOT* of sunscreen. And use it. Fourth, the resort itself can be a little...busy at times. It's popular. So, if you're looking for absolute solitude, this might not be the place. However, I *do* want to give a shout-out to the incredibly helpful staff! They're genuinely friendly and always willing to help with anything. I once misplaced my wallet and the guy at the front desk (I forget his name, sorry!) was just amazing. Found it and kept it safe for me! It's those kinds of things that make a big difference.
Would you go back? Honestly?
You know what? YES. Absolutely. Flaws and all. The Mill Resort isn't perfect, but it's got a certain... charm. It's got the kind of relaxed vibe that I crave on a vacation. It's close to Eagle Beach. It's affordable. And, most importantly, it's a place where I can chill out, sip a Balashi, and completely forget about the stresses of everyday life. I'd happily go back tomorrow. And maybe I'll finally learn some Papiamento while I'm there. I'll probably book another suite too... that kitchenette was a lifesaver. Just don’t expect perfection, and you'll have an amazing time. Book it! (But don't take my favorite lounge chair!).
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