Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort Aruba

This was our second stay at Bucuti & Tara. We returned because we absolutely loved our first visit, and that's part of why this experience was so disappointing. We knew then, just as we knew this time, that Bucuti was a quiet, couples-focused resort. But during our first stay, we met other couples, talked and laughed with people at the pool and bar, and enjoyed ourselves while still respecting the peaceful atmosphere. There is a huge difference between maintaining tranquility and making guests feel as though normal socializing is a problem. This time, it felt like the latter. And it wasn't just us. Multiple guests we spoke with were frustrated by the same thing. One couple told us they were talking with friends at their bungalow and were told by staff to “make it quick.” In other words, even a conversation with friends at their own bungalow was treated as something that needed to be cut short. Other longtime repeat guests told us they had never experienced the resort this way before and said they would not return. Our problem was never that the rules exist. It was how selectively they appeared to be enforced and the way certain guests were made to feel while they were being enforced. At one point, six of us were sitting in and around the pool, sober, simply talking and laughing. We were approached about being disruptive. Yet on our final day, we watched ten or more couples gathered in and around the pool drinking, laughing and socializing together without apparent intervention. We were happy to see people enjoying themselves. What we couldn't understand was why that same socializing had been a problem when it was us. The interaction at Elements was particularly embarrassing. We were already seated when another guest came over, pulled up a chair and began chatting with us. She wasn't joining us for a meal. She simply came over to have a drink and talk. We didn't arrange an additional gathering or ask the restaurant to accommodate another person. We explained that she had simply come over to chat, yet staff still intervened and essentially expected us to break up the conversation. What exactly were we supposed to do, tell another adult she wasn't allowed to sit down and speak to us? Management later acknowledged that the interaction should have been handled more discreetly and courteously. Even attempts at humor became uncomfortable. After these interactions, an employee jokingly told my father he “needed a leash.” Under normal circumstances, we probably would have laughed. After repeatedly being approached and made to feel like a problem, it felt insulting instead. We contacted management privately after returning home because we had genuinely loved and recommended this resort. Their response was perhaps the most disappointing part. Rather than meaningfully addressing why enforcement appeared so inconsistent or why returning guests were left feeling singled out and embarrassed, we received a lengthy explanation of rules we already knew existed. By the end of this experience, it was difficult not to feel that Bucuti picks and chooses which guests warrant intervention and which guests are simply left to enjoy themselves. Whether that distinction is based on spending, room category, relationships with the resort, or something else, I can't say. But our experience certainly left us questioning whether every paying guest receives the same consideration and respect. And that's the real shame, because Bucuti itself is beautiful. The beach is gorgeous, the property is exceptionally clean, breakfast and the food are excellent, and the turndown service is wonderful. There are also employees who deserve enormous credit: Jonathan, Jhon, Juan, Christopher, Culven, Rianne, Shaendeeh, Michael and Orville. They were funny, warm, kind and incredibly helpful. Rianne felt like our best friend by the end of the trip, Christopher and Jonathan were a breath of fresh air, Juan and Shaendeeh constantly made us laugh, and Jhon was wonderful helping us arrange our turtle tour. They were the bright spot of this stay and deserve recognition. Bucuti describes itself as a sanctuary for couples. If your ideal vacation is a beautiful beach where you remain extremely quiet and keep socializing with other guests to a minimum, this may be exactly what you're looking for. We loved Bucuti enough to return. This time, we left feeling like normal conversation and laughter were something to be corrected and that the rules depended far too much on who was being watched. We won't spend our money somewhere that leaves us feeling that way. There are plenty of beautiful resorts in Aruba where we'll be happy to spend it next time.

If you want a quiet and calm experience this is the place for you. Be sure to read the website for all the “rules”. I went to Bucuti and Tara on the recommendation of my daughter. She went two years ago for her honeymoon and loved it. My husband and I went with her and her husband. If you are social and like meeting new people from all over the world do not go to this hotel. You will be spoken to for “grouping” (2 or more people). We met some lovely people and in chatting with them were told they were spoken to for grouping as well. Humans are social beings. People talk and yes sometimes we even laugh. This is not accepted there as you may get too loud and disturb other guests. Our family from a different hotel came for a visit. We asked the staff to put 2 tables together for lunch. We were a total of 6. The management came over and told us we could not put 2 tables together and 6 together was too many. Our family was mortified and we all were very uncomfortable after this encounter. I will say the hotel is beautiful and clean. The beach is amazing. The staff are wonderful and accommodating. Some were very funny and had us laughing every day. If you enjoy the company of others I would not recommend this hotel. It is for couples who want quiet and relaxation. We went to our family’s hotel. We were welcomed there. We sat talked and laughed out loud. We were not reprimanded. We will not go back to Bucuti and Tara. Maybe at 85…

This was our first visit to Aruba and couldn't be more pleased with our stay at the Bucuti & Tara. Everything from the time we arrived to departure was perfect and location and view was phenomenal. The concierge did an excellent job booking several experiences and making suggestions for our visit which all turned out great.

Probablty our favorite resort in the Caribbean and one of our favorites in the world. Elegant and understated.

Consistently excellent: the facility, the staff, the amenities, the food! There aren't enough superlatives to describe the Bucuti experience.