Editor’s Note: This story was inspired by Episode 021 of Unstuck to Finding Your Edge, my weekly Substack Live series with Jess, The Creator. Jess took me on a local tour of Miami before we headed virtually to Aruba, where I recently traveled with family to experience a new adults-only all-inclusive resort near Baby Beach. Watch the replay below for the photos, our conversation, and a hammock incident I’d rather not repeat.
I thought I knew Miami.
I’ve spent time in South Beach, sailed out of its cruise port, and stayed at the Ritz-Carlton on Key Biscayne to watch my dance instructors compete. That weekend actually inspired me to start taking dance lessons.
But when Jess described her hometown as having a laid-back island vibe, I was surprised.
Miami? Laid-back?
I’d always thought of it as a smaller New York, with palm trees.
Jess had a different perspective. And as she walked me through the Miami she knows, I began to see what she meant.
Then we headed to Aruba, where my family’s request for an all-inclusive vacation had taken me to a newly opened resort in a quieter part of the island.
Two destinations. Two very different experiences and a few things I’d want you to know before planning either trip.
Miami Through A Local’s Eyes
Jess lives near Little Havana, and she described Miami as a mix of South American, Central American, and Caribbean cultures.
There are different dialects, neighborhoods, traditions, and wonderful food everywhere and apparently, everyone operates on Miami time.
Jess joked that if you want someone to arrive at nine, you should tell them seven.
I laughed because I remember eating dinner in South Beach at nine or ten at night. The streets were still full of people, music, and activity.
It reminded me of Spain, where dinner often starts much later than we’re accustomed to in the United States.
Sarasota, where I live, is a different story. Happy hour can begin at four, dinner is often around six or seven, and many restaurants close by ten.
Jess told me she regularly eats dinner at nine or ten.
That sounds like my kind of schedule, but Miami isn’t all nightlife.
Jess talked about the causeways where she exercises, the beautiful water, and the fact that she can reach one of her favorite walking routes in about ten minutes.
She loves the city’s energy, although she isn’t particularly interested in partying anymore.
There’s music, sports, restaurants, and plenty to do when she wants it. And when she doesn’t, she can head outside to enjoy the water or catch a sunset.
She also told me about her personal Art Basel tradition.
Jess has so much art in her house that during Art Basel week, she’ll photograph her walls and tag the event.
People message her asking where she is.
She has to explain that she’s at home. Of course.
By the time we finished our Miami tour, I was thinking that I needed to go back and experience more of the city beyond the places I’d visited before and then it was my turn to take Jess somewhere. Aruba.
How A Family Request Took Me To A Different Side of Aruba
My most recent trip to Aruba started with a family request.
My brother and niece wanted to go somewhere warm. They wanted an island, and they wanted an all-inclusive resort.
We went through quite a few options.
No. No. No.
Eventually, we agreed on Aruba.
Now, all-inclusive resorts aren’t usually my specialty. I tend to spend my travels exploring different hotels, restaurants, and local experiences, but this trip was about finding the right place for my family.
We chose a newly opened adults-only Hyatt all-inclusive resort near Baby Beach, away from the busier hotel and cruise-port areas.
This was my second visit to Aruba.
On my previous trip, I’d stayed at the Marriott before departing on a cruise. That put me closer to the waterfront activity, shops, casinos, and restaurants.
Baby Beach offered a very different experience. It was quieter, more remote, and still developing.
For my niece and her husband, who live in a cold climate, spending December relaxing by the pool was a wonderful treat.
They were perfectly happy doing nothing. I was happy they were happy, but I was also curious to see what this new resort was really like.
And my first impression?
Wind. Lots of wind.
The Wind, The Beach, & The Ocean Views
I had barely arrived when I decided to record a quick video to share the new property.
My hair was blowing everywhere. You can hear the wind in the recording.
I knew Aruba could be windy, but I wasn’t expecting quite that much.
Even the resort’s infinity pool had ripples across the surface when nobody was swimming and the beach wasn’t quite what you might imagine when you picture an Aruba vacation.
Parts of the shoreline near the resort were rocky. There was a smaller sandy area with lounge chairs, umbrellas, a restaurant, and access to calmer water, but it wasn’t an expansive stretch of sand directly in front of the hotel.
The resort offered golf-cart transportation down to that beach area, which was convenient. We spent most of our time by the pools.
Jess said she’d be perfectly happy looking at the ocean from a pool chair without necessarily getting into the water.
I understood completely especially after what happened to me on my earlier Aruba visit.
I’d spotted a hammock near the waterfront and thought it looked like the perfect place to relax. I walked out, sat down, and the wind picked up. Over I went. Straight into the sand.
Apparently, I’ve lost my hammock skills, but back to the resort. If you’re considering this property, I’d pay close attention to the beach and room descriptions before booking.
The hotel has a U-shaped layout, and many rooms are set back from the ocean. Unless you’re positioned toward the outer edge of the resort, you may not get the water view you’re expecting.
The rooms were comfortable, although I wouldn’t describe them as especially fancy.
For someone looking for a quiet, pool-focused all-inclusive vacation, the property could be appealing.
For someone whose priority is a wide sandy beach and a spectacular ocean view from the room, I’d want to discuss those expectations first.
That’s why I like experiencing properties personally. Photographs only tell you so much.
What I Enjoyed About The Resort
The resort offered two levels of accommodation, including a Preferred Club option with access to a private pool, a separate dining area, a lounge, and butler service.
The private areas were quieter, which suited our trip. There were several restaurants on the property, and I enjoyed the food. The gelato was particularly good.
At the Pan-Asian restaurant, the chef cooked in front of us, creating a large heart-shaped arrangement of rice and preparing vegetables with flames. Quite a production and quite tasty.
Having several dining choices on-site was convenient because the resort was about a twenty-minute drive from the nearby town. I also appreciated having different pools and places to relax.
The sun, however, was intense even in December, and I didn’t find as much shade as I would have liked. I can only take so much sun. I’m too pale.
Overall, this was a resort where my family could settle in, enjoy the warm weather, and spend time together without needing to organize much, but you know me.
I wasn’t going to spend the entire trip sitting by the pool.
Click here for Robyn’s special link to an exclusive deal at the Secrets Baby Beach Adults only hotel
San Nicolas Was Worth Leaving The Resort For
We arranged a private guide for a day exploring the island.
One of our stops was an aloe vera production facility.
Aloe is an important product in Aruba, and we toured the operation to learn how it’s processed and used in its skincare and cosmetics range.
I found it fascinating. If you’re interested in seeing something beyond the beaches, it’s an experience I’d recommend considering.
Then we headed into San Nicolas, about twenty minutes from our hotel and I loved seeing this side of Aruba.
The town was full of colorful murals painted across older buildings.
Our local guide walked us through the streets, showing us the artwork and explaining how the buildings had been brought to life through local creativity.
There were murals everywhere. The town also has restaurants, music, and local festivals, giving it an entirely different atmosphere from the resort.
It was a lovely change of pace and I was glad we’d hired a guide rather than spending another day exclusively at the hotel.
I would have missed San Nicolas altogether. For me, meeting people and discovering places like this is one of the reasons I travel.
Even on an all-inclusive family vacation.
Would I Stay Near Baby Beach Again?
That depends on the kind of trip I wanted.
The area around Baby Beach was much quieter than the waterfront I’d experienced on my previous visit.
Near the cruise port, you have the shops, restaurants, casinos, and crowds arriving from the ships.
At our resort, we could spend the day relaxing and barely leave the property.
Jess liked the idea of visiting the busier part of the island and then returning to a peaceful hotel.
Exactly.
You could even split your stay between the two areas if you wanted both experiences, but I’d also pay attention to the development happening around Baby Beach.
During my visit, construction was underway near the resort, with additional buildings planned. The area was changing quickly.
That’s worth knowing if you’re expecting complete seclusion.
It’s also why I’m interested in experiencing places while they still have a quieter side.
Rare Finds — Luxury Travel is about going before the crowds, and knowing what you’re going to find when you get there.
For this particular trip, the resort gave my family the relaxing vacation they wanted.
I enjoyed the pools and dining, discovered a wonderful local town, and came away with a much clearer idea of who I’d recommend the property to and who might prefer another part of Aruba.
That’s information I’d want before booking my own vacation.
In Episode 021 of Unstuck to Finding Your Edge, Jess and I take you from her hometown of Miami to my recent family trip to Aruba.
We talk about Miami’s neighborhoods and island atmosphere, the quieter side of Aruba, my experience at the new all-inclusive resort, and the places I discovered when I ventured beyond the hotel.
Watch the Live above, and follow Rare Finds — Luxury Travel for more firsthand hotel experiences, destination discoveries, and travel recommendations.
Explore more,
Robyn
Resources From This Conversation
Follow Robyn at Rare Finds - Luxury Travel →
Follow Robyn at Finding Your Edge →
Scan Robyn’s QR code to access her Youtube channel →
Follow Jess at NP Fellow Become The CEO of Your Health →
Follow Jess at Nurse in the Market →
Follow Jess at Unstuck to Published →
Thank You
Thank you so much for everyone who tuned into this live, your presence is truly appreciated, and to the people who are watching the replay, thank you!
See you next Friday at 12pm ET for our weekly show, stay tuned!
-Robyn Levin & Jess, The Creator
