Aruba's famous Palm Beach area is popular with tourists for a reason.
The west side of the island's perfectly clean beaches with clear, barely-lapping water make it an ideal option for families with kids, while the myriad restaurants, bars and casinos found on Palm Beach mean there's always something to do.
Now, onto the bad news: Aruba, and especially Palm Beach, is expensive to visit. According to Expedia, the average four-star hotel on Palm Beach runs about $350 during October, which is the off-season. And if you want to stay somewhere all-inclusive, you'll likely pay $500 or more per night for a hotel room for two.
The good news is that Palm Beach is absolutely brimming with major brand hotels you can book with rewards. This means that instead of forking over thousands for a week-long stay, you can sign up for a few hotel credit cards and score a free or almost-free stay instead.
Holiday Inn Aruba
The Holiday Inn Aruba is a three-star resort that just so happens to sit on a five-star beach. The property features clean but basic rooms, huge pools and plenty of restaurants, along with a to-die-for (and extremely wide) beach with palapas and plenty of room for chairs and sunbathing. The water outside the resort is stunning, and there are plenty of restaurants and shopping malls within walking distance.
You can book this property for 40,000 IHG Rewards points per night, or less if you use the IHG "points and cash" option.
Hilton Aruba Resort
The Hilton Aruba Resort sits on the far end of Palm Beach near the RIU all-inclusive resort. Like all other properties on this famous strip of sand, the hotel features a large beach of its own along with proximity to restaurants, bars and watersports.
The Hilton Aruba also features one of the best (and most lively) casinos on the island, along with an executive level and lounge for those who wish to upgrade. You can book a basic room here starting at around 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Spa
Snuggled between the Holiday Inn and the Hilton Aruba Resort, you'll find the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Spa. Like the others on this list, this property features expansive pools, proximity to dining and nightlife and a gorgeous chunk of beach to call its own.
A night at this property will set you back 25,000 points from the World of Hyatt program, but you can also transfer points to Hyatt from Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Ritz-Carlton Aruba
The Ritz-Carlton in Aruba offers luxury on Palm Beach. Not only does the property feature gorgeous pools, but it also has its own casino, an on-site spa and varying room sizes large enough for big families. You can book a basic room that sleeps up to two adults and two kids for 60,000 Marriott or Ritz Carlton points per night, but you can also stay here with a free night certificate from the Ritz Carlton credit card.
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino is another Palm Beach mainstay that is easy to book with rewards. For just 45,000 Marriott points per night, you can enjoy a basic guest room with a king bed or two queens.
This property offers amazing amenities such as a large freeform pool, a huge fitness room and on-site dining. And of course, guests can relax and unwind on beautiful Palm Beach, which is right outside the door.
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