Why it made this week's list
This is an especially interesting time to look at The Westerly because the 161-room tower only officially opened in May 2026, giving families a chance to stay in one of Palm Beach’s newest accommodations while using the established amenities of Hilton Aruba.
The next 30–90 days also overlap with Aruba’s September–November low season, when visitor numbers are generally lower and accommodations, flights, cars and activities can be more attractively priced. October through December brings a somewhat higher chance of brief showers, but Aruba averages only about 18 inches of rain annually and sits south of the main hurricane belt.
October travelers also have the 2026 Autentico Culinary Festival, running October 3–11 across the island.
Why families may like it
This combination works especially well for families who want an easy beach vacation without spending seven straight days inside a resort. The Westerly sits directly on Palm Beach, with restaurants and shopping nearby, while Eagle Beach, the Butterfly Farm and several other attractions are only a short drive away.
Back at the resort, families get two zero-entry pools, beach access and daily activities that can include paddleboarding, pool volleyball, movies, s’mores and educational programming. Hilton also lists cribs, childcare, kids’ menus and connecting rooms, although specific childcare availability and charges should be confirmed for your dates.
The tradeoff: this is not an all-inclusive resort, and Palm Beach is Aruba’s livelier resort district. Families wanting a secluded, quiet island escape may prefer another part of Aruba.
Hotel overview
The Westerly is essentially a newer, more intimate hotel experience inside the larger Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort. Its 161 rooms and suites have private balconies, contemporary interiors and spa-style bathrooms; larger suites add living and dining areas. Guests still get full access to Hilton Aruba’s 15-acre Palm Beach resort.
That means your family can move between Palm Beach and two zero-entry pools, join daily activities, eat at restaurants including Laguna, Shore Club and Sunset Grille, or book time at eforea spa.
What makes The Westerly different is the newer room experience, private arrival and dedicated concierge. Adults can also add Terrace on 10 access for the entire stay, with breakfast, rooftop wellness programming, drinks and evening service. Terrace on 10 is adults-only and is not automatically included with every Westerly reservation.
Also budget for Hilton’s daily resort charge; included benefits currently cover Wi-Fi plus selected non-motorized watersports, fitness activities and other resort programming.
Best for
Families wanting an easy resort stay: Pools, beach, food and activities are all together. It may feel too lively if you want solitude.
Families with school-age children: Beach time, snorkeling, submarine trips, butterflies and island exploration create plenty of variety. Some excursions have age or height limits.
Families with teenagers: Watersports, Palm Beach activity and off-resort adventures offer more than a kids-club vacation. Younger-child programming may matter less to them.
Multigenerational families: Connecting-room availability, zero-entry pools and a mix of active and low-key days make it flexible. Confirm room layouts before booking.
Couples adding a family trip: Parents can use the spa or optional adults-only Terrace on 10 while still staying at a family-friendly resort.
Aruba
Aruba gives you two very different vacations in one small island. Along the west coast, Palm Beach and Eagle Beach have pale sand, calm Caribbean water and most of the island’s resort activity. Drive east and the scenery becomes dramatically drier and rougher, with cactus-covered hills, limestone coast and the wild landscapes around Arikok National Park.
The Westerly puts you in the middle of the active side of the island. Eagle Beach is about 2 km away, the Butterfly Farm about 1 km, and Oranjestad is an easy drive south. Baby Beach, near San Nicolas, is farther away—Aruba tourism estimates roughly 45 minutes from the Palm Beach hotel area.
Don’t stay at the resort all week. Give Palm Beach a few slow days, but also see quieter Eagle Beach, spend time around Oranjestad, and devote at least one day to Aruba’s desert interior or southern coast. One safety distinction matters: the protected west and south coasts generally offer calmer swimming, while the exposed north and east coasts have stronger surf and should be treated more as scenic exploration areas.
Things to do with children
Palm Beach: Swim, paddleboard or simply stay close to the resort. Best for all ages; allow a half or full day.
Butterfly Farm: Guided tropical-garden visit explaining the butterfly life cycle. Great for younger children; about 1 km from the hotel. Arrive early to see newly emerged butterflies.
Eagle Beach: A quieter, broad beach about 2 km away. Good for sand play, swimming and a half-day outing.
Baby Beach: Shallow lagoon well suited to younger swimmers; roughly 45 minutes away. Stay inside marked swimming/snorkel areas.
Atlantis Submarine: A 1¾-hour real-submarine trip from Oranjestad. Ages 4+, minimum 36 inches, and children must manage stairs. Reserve ahead.
Arikok day: Desert scenery, caves and rugged coastline make a good contrast to the beach; choose a family-appropriate guided tour if you plan to tackle rough roads.
Oranjestad: Walk the colorful downtown, browse shops and add a meal or museum stop—useful on a cloudy afternoon.
Sample family itinerary
Day 1: Arrive & Settle In
Morning: Travel.
Afternoon: Check in after 4 p.m.; explore the resort.
Evening: Easy Palm Beach dinner.
Family note: Keep arrival day unscheduled.
Day 2: Resort Day
Morning: Palm Beach.
Afternoon: Pool and rest.
Evening: Sunset walk.
Family note: No car needed.
Day 3: Butterflies & Eagle Beach
Morning: Butterfly Farm.
Afternoon: Eagle Beach.
Evening: Dinner near Palm Beach.
Family note: Return early for naps if needed.
Day 4: Explore Aruba
Morning: Arikok-area outing.
Afternoon: Slow return and pool.
Evening: Casual resort dinner.
Family note: Guided touring simplifies rough terrain.
Day 5: Slow Day
Morning: Sleep in and beach.
Afternoon: Pool, spa or room downtime.
Evening: Sunset Grille or Shore Club.
Family note: Intentionally leave this day light.
Day 6: Baby Beach
Morning/Afternoon: Southern-coast beach day.
Evening: Back to Palm Beach.
Family note: Allow roughly 45 minutes each way.
Day 7: Oranjestad & Submarine
Morning: Explore town.
Afternoon: Atlantis Submarine.
Evening: Final sunset.
Family note: Reserve the submarine in advance.
Day 8: Departure
Morning: Breakfast and final swim.
Afternoon: Check out by noon and head to AUA.
Best time to visit
Aruba is warm all year, generally in the 80s°F. December through April is the driest and busiest period; Aruba tourism lists September through November as the quieter low season. October–December brings the island’s modest rainy season, but showers are usually intermittent rather than day-long.
September and October average around 88°F, so midday heat can be noticeable even with Aruba’s trade winds. May through October is also the windier season. Aruba lies south of the main hurricane belt, although distant tropical systems can occasionally disrupt wind or rainfall.
Winter gives families appealing beach weather but overlaps with peak travel season and school holidays, so hotels and popular restaurants can fill sooner.
Best overall: February–April for dry, warm beach weather.
Best value: September–November.
Best weather: December–April.
Best for fewer crowds: September–November and parts of summer.
Period to approach carefully: Christmas/New Year and spring-break periods if price and crowds matter most.
Family travel tips
Don’t assume you need a rental car all week. The hotel is on Palm Beach with dining and shopping nearby. Rent one for a few exploration days or use taxis/transfers instead.
Plan your airport ride. Queen Beatrix International Airport is 12 km from The Westerly, and Hilton does not provide an airport shuttle.
Complete the ED Card for every traveler. Aruba requires it even for infants and children; it can be completed within seven days before arrival. Aruba currently lists a $20 sustainability fee per passenger.
Budget beyond the room rate. This is not all-inclusive. Breakfast may carry an extra charge depending on your rate, and the hotel has a daily resort charge.
Reserve your must-dos. Submarine tours, popular restaurants and special excursions are worth arranging before a busy travel week.
Important things to know before booking
Resort charge: Hilton currently lists a daily resort charge covering selected Wi-Fi, non-motorized watersports, fitness activities and other programming. Confirm the amount for your dates before paying.
Terrace on 10: This Westerly rooftop is adults-only and available as an add-on rather than automatically included with every room.
Room choice matters: The Westerly offers several views and larger suites, plus select adults-only swim-up accommodations. Families should confirm maximum occupancy and bedding for the exact room booked.
No airport shuttle: AUA is 12 km away, so arrange a taxi, transfer or rental car.
Entry step: Every traveler needs an approved Aruba ED Card, including children and infants.
Final thoughts
The Westerly at Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort is a strong choice for families who want an easy beach vacation with enough variety to keep a full week interesting. You can spend slow mornings on Palm Beach, mix in pool time and resort activities, then head out to explore places like Eagle Beach, Arikok National Park, Oranjestad, and Baby Beach.
The newer Westerly rooms add a more modern feel to an already established resort, while the Palm Beach location makes dining, activities, and sightseeing relatively simple. It is especially well suited to families who like having plenty to do without needing every day planned from morning to night.
The biggest thing to remember is that this is not an all-inclusive stay, so meals, the resort charge, transportation, and excursions should all be part of your trip budget. But if your family wants warm Caribbean water, dependable beach time, and a destination that is easy to explore beyond the resort, Aruba can make a very comfortable seven-night getaway.
Unlock Premium Deals & Save More
You're already a free member. Premium unlocks more deals, bigger savings, and access to travel your way — try it for 14 days for $1.
Get more deals and bigger savings.
Check live availability and book your dates.
Premium members save $100s on family stays.
Search 2M+ hotels and book at private rates.