Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort Aruba

This was our 6th or 7th time at the resort and it did not disappoint. We booked an Oceanview room and was secretly hoping we would get upgraded to a Tara suite as we have in the past since we were return guests and I mentioned it was our 20th anniversary. Alas, we did not but the room was great and view was amazing. Arrival experience was a bit drawn out especially since we were return guests so we didn’t need to hear every last detail. We just wanted to get changed and hit the beach but in addition to the lengthy welcome, I had to call down to prompt delivery of our luggage. That said , there was a nice welcome amenity of sparkling wine, cheese, crackers and Aruba aloe products. I did the pre order groceries and everything was there. The room per usual was well appointed, bed comfortable and a nice size, cool fridge for your own provisions. I really liked the new bath products- great fragrance. And the nightly tea service is a great addition (though I’m not sure it’s always caffeine free…) Although my husband and I don’t typically eat breakfast on vacation, we make a point of it here. We go towards the tail end to make it a sort of a lunch appetizer. And because we are quasi regulars Nakarid and Juan (who are both fabulous) know our routine in that we get a bottle of bubbly in lieu of coffee. It’s a pretty good spread but I always go for the made to order omelette (was sad that there was no spinach on the last day), fruit, cumin cheese, potatoes (if they are being served and frankly they should be served every day in my opinion), and of course the delicious hot papaya sauce. The beach is amazing and I love the chair reservation system. Though I don’t like people who reserve the front row chairs but don’t show up until late afternoon if at all. We haven’t eaten at Elements in a while as 1. They got rid of the gado gado salad which was our favorite and 2. We once ordered chicken and it was incredibly dry. But we did order eggplant and bitterballen for our arrival lunch on the beach and the red pesto gnocchi and quinoa for dinner one night and both were very tasty. I think the new menu and chef are worth trying out. The workout room is still fully functional with great equipment. You can’t go wrong with this resort and I would and have recommended. We will be back!

We just returned from our eighth outstanding stay at Bucuti and Tara. It is a luxury adults only boutique hotel that will guarantee rest and relaxation! It is perfect for couples who prefer a quiet romantic setting. You can enjoy their wellness program if you choose….including great menu options. The beach has beautiful soft white sand, clear turquoise water and no waiting for their comfortable padded chaise lounges. You book your lounge chair ahead of time ! Breakfast is included, it is plentiful and delicious and is served at their restaurant Elements, which serves lunch and dinner in a magnificent setting on the beach! There are plenty of other restaurants to choose from that are a short cab ride away or walkable. We continue to vacation here, because we just don’t experience this level of luxury and comfort anywhere else…or the genuine kindness and pleasantry of the staff. We booked our ninth stay for next year, and can’t wait to return!

Reserve early! Best place if you're a beach lover who craves peace and quiet. The service is perfect; helpful but not intrusive. Best beach chairs/towels/umbrellas...I love the space in between chairs...so very different from the high rise scene!

This was our second visit to Bucuti in just under a year (we reserved this year's trip weeks after leaving the resort last year). This visit was a repeat of last year - with the added fun of a wonderful new restaurant (Terra) and the reopening of the other terrific restaurant (Elements), which was being renovated last year. We originally came for the views, sun, sand and waves but we'll keep coming back for the Bucuti service, which only heightens the overall vibe of Aruba as "One Happy Island." Bucuti is not all-inclusive, which we like because it frees you to explore the island. As a result, we have eaten and had drinks at probably a dozen different places on the island on our visits - including at several other resorts. The level of service everywhere is generally very good, but Bucuti stands out for warmth, efficiency and consistency. It would be unfair to single out any one aspect of the service, since from the moment you arrive until the moment you climb into the cab to the airpot to go home, everyone makes you feel welcome and valued. This is one of the advantages of being small (100ish rooms), and Bucuti has it down to a science. We actually felt like we were seeing friends and look forward to seeing them again next year (we've already booked). In terms of the experience itself, the resort is on the best section of one of the best beaches in the world. Bucuti offers a wide range of wellness activities - some complimentary, others for a small fee - and has arrangements with a number of tour guides and excursion operators, with an emphasis on cultural and environmentally focused activities. The concierge team has yet to steer us wrong with an outing suggestion. The area of "low rise" resorts offers fewer choices within walking distance than the "high rise" district at the north end of the island. Still, we enjoyed happy hour and lunches at a number of nearby resorts during our stay and never felt we didn't have a good option. There's also a small casino and some shopping within five minutes. We loved the quiet, and relaxed vibe of Bucuti and being beyond the age of having young children, we especially valued the adults-only nature of the resort. We started to relax the moment we arrived and I'm still feeling a bit of sadness now that I've returned home. Bucuti is an indulgence (at least for us) but worth every dollar.

The service at Bucuti & Tara resort make it stand apart. That, and the beautiful beach. The rooms are nice, but not spectacular. But again, the service shines in every respect, from the check in process, to the beach service, to every restaurant.