The hype
Travelers obsess over the private island and flamingos but find the rooms a bit tired for the price point.
Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort
$350-550/ night
Book this if You want the famous flamingo Instagram shot and don't mind trading a traditional beach for a boat ride to a private island.
Why People Love It
- Exclusive access to Renaissance Island (flamingos included)
- Adults-only Marina Hotel offers a legit city-vibe escape
- The new REVIVE fitness center at Ocean Suites is actually inspiring
Quick Take: It's a shopping mall hotel with a really cool boat, not a toes-in-the-sand beach resort.
Reviewed by @SarahGallagher: I loved how easy this trip was! The boat picks you up right inside the hotel to take you to the private island—feeding the flamingos was a dream. The rooms are simple, but the food and that private beach access made it 100% worth the money.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The water taxi line can get long at peak times, and if you miss the boat, you're stuck at the pool.
- You prioritize pool scenes and shopping over quiet seclusion
- You are a couple seeking an adults-only zone (Marina Hotel)
- You want to be walking distance to Oranjestad's best restaurants
Cleanliness & Maintenance
8.5
- Housekeeping: Generally reliable daily service, though some reports of missed dusting on high shelves.
- Bathroom hygiene: Clean but dated. Complaints about lack of hooks and occasional slow drains.
- Maintenance: Common issues with worn carpets in hallways and peeling paint on ocean-facing balconies.
- Linens & towels: Standard Marriott quality—crisp and clean, though pool towels can run out by midday.
- Odors & scents: Marina lobby smells like Aveda products; some older rooms have a faint musty/humidity smell.
Sleepability™
6.5MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Lobby DJ / bar noise echoing in Marina atrium
- Street traffic from L.G. Smith Boulevard
- Cruise ship horns and port activity
Before you book
Good to know
- The water taxi runs every 15 minutes from 7am to 6:45pm
- Resort fee is approx. $69/night plus a $3.50 environmental levy
- You can use facilities at both Marina (adults) and Ocean Suites (family) regardless of where you sleep
What to pack
- Water shoes (the rocky entrance at the private island lagoon needs them)
- US Quarters (to buy flamingo food from the dispensers)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Ocean Suites upper floors for quieter, spacious family stays
- Marina Hotel Ocean View (not Island View) for actual water sights
Rooms to avoid
- Marina Hotel 'Atrium View' rooms (no natural light, high noise)
- Ground floor Ocean Suites near the pool (privacy issues)
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I am requesting a room on a high floor facing the ocean, specifically avoiding the Atrium/Interior view categories to ensure quiet away from the lobby DJ.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the private island really free?
Yes, for guests. The water taxi and access are included. Non-guests pay ~$125 for a day pass.
Can kids see the flamingos?
Only between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM. The rest of the day, Flamingo Beach is adults-only.
Is it all-inclusive?
Optional. You can book an all-inclusive package, but standard rates are room-only (European plan).
How much are the cabanas?
Expensive. Expect to pay $425-$500+ per day. They sell out months in advance.
Is there a beach on the mainland property?
No. There is a man-made saltwater lagoon at Ocean Suites, but no open ocean beach.
Which tower should I book?
Marina Hotel for adults/couples/nightlife. Ocean Suites for families/space/quiet.
Insider Tips
- ✨
The 'Island View' rooms often overlook the mall roof/HVAC units, not the sea.
- ✨
You can grab a Starbucks in the mall without leaving the air conditioning.
- ✨
The water taxi picks up inside the Marina hotel lobby—it's a cool photo op.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'Atrium' rooms in the Marina tower have windows that face an indoor hallway, not the outside world.
💡Bird poop on the balconies is a frequent complaint due to the local grackles.
💡The water taxi can break down or get delayed, leaving a line of frustrated guests in the lobby.
💡You have to walk through a shopping mall to get to some amenities.
💡The 'lagoon' at Ocean Suites is stagnant compared to the open ocean.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort is located and what's nearby.