J.E. Irausquin Blvd 83, Noord, Noord, 27000, Aruba
resort comparison guide

Barceló Aruba vs Tamarijn Aruba

Choosing between Barceló Aruba and Tamarijn Aruba? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, nightlife, price & more so you can decide which resort is the best fit for your next all-inclusive getaway.

Barceló Aruba resort
Barceló Aruba
All-Ages • Palm Beach • Lively All-Inclusive

Best for families and couples who want a lively Palm Beach all-inclusive with a big free-form pool, varied dining, and walkable resort-strip energy.

Tamarijn Aruba resort
Tamarijn Aruba
Beach-First • Casual • Low-Rise Feel

Better for travelers who want a more casual low-rise Aruba all-inclusive with a beachfront, feet-in-the-sand feel and a simpler resort experience.

Quick Verdict: Barceló Aruba vs Tamarijn Aruba

If you want a classic high-rise Palm Beach stay with an all-inclusive plan, multiple restaurants, a casino, kids’ activities, and a central location near shopping and nightlife, Barceló Aruba is the stronger fit.

If your priority is a more relaxed, low-rise beachfront setting with an easygoing Aruba atmosphere, Tamarijn Aruba is likely the better match—especially if you prefer casual over polished.

Bottom line: choose Barceló Aruba for Palm Beach convenience, dining variety, and a livelier all-ages resort feel; choose Tamarijn Aruba for a more laid-back beach-first vacation.

Barceló Aruba vs Tamarijn Aruba – At a Glance

Category Barceló Aruba Tamarijn Aruba
Overall Vibe All-ages Palm Beach all-inclusive with a lively pool scene, resort activities, several restaurants, and a central high-rise location. Casual beachfront Aruba all-inclusive with a more relaxed, low-rise feel and a stronger focus on simple beach time.
Location On Palm Beach in Noord, close to the walkable hotel strip, shopping, restaurants, casinos, and beach activity. Set on the beach in Aruba with a quieter, more laid-back atmosphere than the Palm Beach high-rise strip.
Rooms & Suites Air-conditioned rooms in two towers, each with a private balcony or patio, with some room types accommodating families. Better for travelers who prefer a casual beach-resort room style over a high-rise hotel feel.
Dining Seven restaurants and multiple bars, including buffet, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, seafood, beachfront casual dining, and swim-up drinks. More casual all-inclusive dining experience, best for guests who want easy beach-vacation meals without a formal resort-strip feel.
Pools & Beach Large lake-shaped free-form pool with waterfalls, whirlpools, tropical landscaping, and a swim-up bar, plus direct Palm Beach access. Beach-forward setting with a more relaxed shoreline atmosphere and less emphasis on a big high-rise pool scene.
Kids & Family Family-friendly resort with a Kids Club for ages 4 to 12, daily activities, nightly entertainment, and all-ages amenities. A good fit for families who want an easygoing beach stay, while still appealing to couples who prefer a casual setting.
Price & Value Best value for travelers who will use the Palm Beach location, dining variety, pool scene, casino, and family programming. Best value for travelers who care most about a relaxed beach setting and a simpler Aruba all-inclusive experience.

Rooms & Suites: Palm Beach High-Rise Comfort vs Casual Beach-Resort Style

Barceló Aruba – Room Style

Rooms at Barceló Aruba are set across two towers and work well for travelers who want a full-service Palm Beach base with balconies or patios and easy access to resort amenities.

  • Air-conditioned rooms with a private balcony or patio
  • Room types can accommodate couples and families depending on category
  • Royal Level is an adults-only boutique section within the resort, not the whole property

Barceló is the better pick if you want a more polished resort-hotel setup with convenient access to restaurants, bars, the pool, and Palm Beach activity.

Tamarijn Aruba – Room Style

Tamarijn Aruba is better suited to travelers who want a more casual beach-resort feel rather than a high-rise Palm Beach hotel atmosphere.

  • More relaxed, low-rise vacation style
  • Best for guests who plan to spend most of the day at the beach
  • A better fit if you prefer casual comfort over a busier resort-strip setting

If you want a simpler, beach-first room experience and do not need the central Palm Beach high-rise feel, Tamarijn Aruba may be the more comfortable choice.

Dining & Drinks: More On-Site Variety vs Casual All-Inclusive Ease

Barceló Aruba – Restaurants & Bars

Dining at Barceló Aruba is one of its strengths for travelers who want variety without leaving the resort, with a mix of buffet, à la carte, beachfront, and bar options.

Expect:

  • Seven restaurants, including Italian, Japanese, Mexican, seafood, buffet, and beachfront casual dining
  • Multiple bars, including a lobby bar and swim-up pool bar
  • À la carte dinners generally require reservations and follow dress codes

Tamarijn Aruba – Restaurants & Bars

Tamarijn Aruba is the better fit if you want a more casual all-inclusive dining rhythm that matches a laid-back beach vacation.

  • Easygoing meals suited to a relaxed resort stay
  • Less formal atmosphere than a central Palm Beach high-rise experience
  • Ideal if dining convenience matters more than a large on-site restaurant lineup

If dining variety and bar choice matter most, Barceló Aruba has the edge; if you want casual simplicity, Tamarijn Aruba may feel easier.

Pools & Beach: Lively Palm Beach Pool Scene vs Relaxed Beach Focus

Barceló Aruba – Pool & Beach Scene

Barceló Aruba combines direct Palm Beach access with a large free-form pool area, making it a strong choice for travelers who like a lively pool-and-beach day.

  • Large lake-shaped free-form swimming pool with tropical landscaping
  • Waterfalls, whirlpools, and a swim-up pool bar
  • Best for guests who want Palm Beach energy and resort activities close by

Tamarijn Aruba – Pool & Beach Scene

Tamarijn Aruba is more about a relaxed beach vacation, with a setting that suits travelers who would rather keep the day simple and close to the sand.

  • More beach-first atmosphere than big pool-complex feel
  • Better for travelers who prefer low-key days by the water
  • A good choice if you want less high-rise resort energy

If you want a livelier pool scene and Palm Beach buzz, choose Barceló; if you want a calmer beach-first feel, choose Tamarijn.

Kids & Family: Structured Activities vs Laid-Back Beach Time

Barceló Aruba – Family Programming

Barceló Aruba is an all-ages resort with family-friendly amenities, including a Kids Club and a daily activities program that helps keep younger travelers busy.

  • Kids Club for children ages 4 to 12
  • Daily activities and nightly entertainment included in the all-inclusive plan
  • Good fit for families who want organized resort programming

Tamarijn Aruba – Family Programming

Tamarijn Aruba works best for families who prefer a simple beach vacation and do not need a busier Palm Beach resort atmosphere.

  • Better for relaxed family beach days
  • Appeals to couples and families who want a casual setting
  • Best for travelers who value ease and beach time over structured programming

If kids’ activities and resort entertainment are priorities, Barceló Aruba is the safer pick; if your family wants a low-key beach rhythm, Tamarijn Aruba may suit you better.

Price & Value: Which Aruba All-Inclusive Feels More Worth It?

Barceló Aruba – Value Snapshot

Barceló Aruba delivers the most value when you will take advantage of its Palm Beach location, restaurant variety, pool scene, casino, and family-friendly programming.

  • Best for travelers who want an active Palm Beach base
  • Great if multiple restaurants and bars are part of the appeal
  • Strong value for families who will use the Kids Club and activities

Tamarijn Aruba – Value Snapshot

Tamarijn Aruba is the better value if your vacation priorities are beach time, a casual atmosphere, and a simpler all-inclusive stay.

  • Best for travelers who want an easygoing beach resort feel
  • Stronger for guests who do not need the Palm Beach high-rise scene
  • Worth it if a relaxed setting matters more than extensive on-site variety

Who Wins? Best Aruba All-Inclusive by Travel Style

Best for Palm Beach Energy
Barceló Aruba resort

Barceló Aruba

Choose Barceló if you want a lively Palm Beach all-inclusive with family amenities, a large pool, several dining options, bars, activities, and an on-site casino.

Best for Laid-Back Beach Time
Tamarijn Aruba resort

Tamarijn Aruba

Tamarijn Aruba is the better pick for travelers who want a more casual, low-rise beach vacation and a quieter-feeling Aruba stay.

Best for Dining Variety & Pool Scene
Barceló Aruba resort

Barceló Aruba

For families who want kids’ programming, pool activity, and walkable Palm Beach convenience, Barceló Aruba is the stronger choice.

Best for Casual Aruba Simplicity
Tamarijn Aruba resort

Tamarijn Aruba

If you want a more relaxed beach-first atmosphere and do not need a large Palm Beach resort scene, Tamarijn Aruba is likely the better fit.

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

Questions? Contact Us!

Barceló Aruba

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

Questions? Contact Us!

Close