Tucked away within a couple of blocks from Palm beach is one of Aruba's best kept secrets. The Boardwalk is family owned and operated and a lovely tranquil getaway from the crowded, casino-dominated beach hotels. There is nearby bus access to town and the hotel is within walking distance to the restaurants in, and near, Palm beach's high-rise hotels. Each unit is different with spacious living room, fully equipped kitchen, ceiling fans, and a large furnished balcony. Request an upper floor casita for views of the beach and better exposure to the cooling trade winds. Beds could be upgraded, but the rooms are clean and well appointed. The air conditioning system is unfathomable with controls that require a degree in Egyptology to decypher. The Boardwalk is popular with the windsurfing crowd but is also great for families and tourists. There is a small swiming pool which is suitable for children, but a bit too small for adults. The office is not attended at night and this isn't the place for high maintenance guests requiring a personal concierge. However the staff is gracious, helpful and incredibly friendly. The Boardwalk is charming, a great value, and a taste of the real Aruba.

We were in Aruba for 10 days and booked the playa linda resort for 8 days. We found the Boardwalk at the last minute and stayed there for the remaining two days. Although it's not situated directly on the beach (you have to cross a busy street to get to the beach, which is no big deal), it was much nicer and more convenient than I expected. The rooms were large and clean, and the hotel is within short walking distance from the highrise hotels and beaches. The supermarkets are about a $10 cab drive, but renting a car is advisable if you plan on making more than a couple of trips into town and to the other side of the island.

1. On arrival, we were greeted by the friendliest hotel staff who immediately showed us to our room and recommended a nice dinner restaurant within walking distance.

2. For half the price of a hotel room, our casita was huge. We had an outdoor patio with barbeque grill, table and chairs and hammock; full kitchen and separate living room. There is reading material in the living room, and the kitchens are fully equipped with pots and pans, china, and silverware. There's a coffee maker, microwave, toaster oven, blender, stove top. There is a cooler and portable folding chairs for the beach. They even provide ice packs to put in the coolers.

3. All the casitas have dvd players and there are free dvds at the front desk to borrow (we saw Ray and Kill Bill, which were both great). There is also a binder full of useful information about Aruba.

4. There's free internet in the front office, as well as a shop with snacks and drinks (not way overpriced).

5. There is a pool, and all kinds of snorkeling equipment. We didn't use either, but we would have if we were there longer.

6. The beds were really comfortable and they have goose down comforters.

7. The info book in the hotel room lists the rates for international calls, so you're not caught off guard when you get your bill at the end of the stay. There's also a button on the phone marked "international calls" which makes it extremely simple to call outside of aruba.

I would highly recommend this hotel and will definitely stay there again when I return to Aruba.

-Pia-

What a super little gem hidden behind the Marriott. We planned a short notice jaunt to windsurf and attend Soul Beach. The staff at Boardwalk Apartments accommodated us in a cozy and clean casita with patio set (lovey wooden with comfy pads), hammock, gardens and a little pool area. It is a 3 min. walk to the beach. I cannot say enough about this oasis. The rooms have full kitchen facilities and great beds..SOFT down comforters and lovely fabrics.

Enjoy!

Friendliest hotel staff we have ever encountered!

The Boardwalk is a picture-perfect, intimate little resort, with private casitas. Clean beyond compare. Spacious, comfortable rooms, big fridges. A 3-5 minute walk to the Marriot (and Palm beach). All the advantages of developed Aruba in a lush, garden setting.

Romantic but family-friendly too. A gem!