Review of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort in Aruba

Photo credit: www.travelandleisure.com

Bucuti & Tara

Bucuti & Tara is an exclusive adults-only resort that harmoniously blends the allure of Aruba with contemporary luxuries. The resort provides an unparalleled level of service, handling dining and adventure reservations both on and off the property weeks ahead of your arrival. Nestled on Aruba’s most serene beach, guests can easily reserve loungers and umbrellas through an in-room tablet, eliminating the need for early morning beach stakes. As the Caribbean’s inaugural carbon-neutral resort, sustainability is integral here, evident in features like solar-heated Jacuzzis and an innovative cocktail menu aimed at minimizing food waste. Each stay includes complimentary early morning yoga, Pilates, and tai-chi sessions on the beach. For those seeking indulgence, the penthouse suites come with full kitchens, spacious balconies equipped with daybeds, and exclusive access to thatched palapas directly on the beach.

I consider myself fortunate that my grandparents invested in one of Aruba’s earliest timeshares back in the 1980s. This property became our sanctuary, a refuge from Massachusetts’ bitter February chill. For two delightful weeks, we exchanged snow shovels for sand pails and traded blizzards for tranquil beaches. As I matured, my affection for Aruba deepened, leading me to discover luxurious alternatives to our beloved timeshare.

Ironically, just days after my grandmother’s passing, I had a trip to Aruba scheduled. I contemplated canceling but ultimately realized that revisiting our cherished place could serve not only as a tribute to her memory but also as a means to feel connected during my time of grief.

For years, I had heard glowing reviews of Bucuti & Tara, often regarded as the island’s premier accommodation. Situated in the tranquil Eagle Beach area, this adults-only boutique resort has been operating since 1987, seamlessly merging traditional Aruban hospitality with high-end amenities.

Private cabanas are available for guests.
Jacqueline Dole/Travel + Leisure

Aruba’s slogan, “One Happy Island,” reflects its splendid weather and the warmth of its locals. However, as tourism booms, some challenges arise for guests at popular resorts, like the race for beach lounge chairs, which often requires an early wake-up call. Bucuti & Tara mitigates this hassle by allowing guests to reserve sunbeds the day prior using their in-room tablets, allowing for more restful mornings.

Each vacationer envisions their getaway differently, yet many resorts can adopt a vibrant party atmosphere, making it tough to unwind. Bucuti & Tara offers a serene ambiance, focusing on couples and intimate gatherings over large events. Instead of trying to be everything for everyone, the property has honed its offerings to cater specifically to its guests, unlike any other establishment on the island.

Hospitality can be defined in various ways, but to me, it involves creating a welcoming environment where guests feel appreciated and attended to. This sentiment was palpable during my entire stay at Bucuti & Tara.

The Rooms

Interior of a Deluxe Ocean View guest room.
JOHN MCKINNON/Courtesy of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort

My penthouse suite boasted a complete kitchen, a cozy dining area, an expansive living room, a bathroom with a walk-in shower and soaking tub, and a generous balcony featuring a daybed and bistro set. Each of the four penthouse suites offers stunning views of Eagle Beach, perfectly positioned for sunset views and watching the catamarans along the coast.

Beyond the scenic vistas and spacious accommodations, a key reason to opt for a penthouse suite is the exclusive thatched palapa situated on the beach. These palapas come equipped with seating and loungers and are available for use without needing reservations. Alongside the penthouse options, the resort features 104 rooms, including garden-view and oceanfront suites, and delightful bungalows. Each room is bright, adorned with dark wood accents and the signature tile flooring synonymous with traditional Aruba. Amenities range from full kitchens to mini-fridges, and each room has a balcony or patio. Premium rooms may also include espresso machines, and you’ll find organic tea awaiting you during nightly turn-down service.

Accommodations are equipped with Tempur-Pedic mattresses, a selection of pillows, and luxurious Frette bedding. Additional amenities include dehumidifiers and air purifiers. Guests will also discover a tablet in each room, which allows for reservations of both beach and pool palapas, as well as easy access to island excursions and in-room requests.

Food and Drink

Ocean views from the Elements Restaurant terrace.
Kenny Theysen/Courtesy of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort

All accommodations include a complimentary daily breakfast at the newly refreshed Elements Restaurant. Guests can look forward to an extensive buffet featuring fresh pastries, a variety of fruits, hot dishes, and a dedicated omelet station. The restaurant also serves lunch and dinner daily, emphasizing locally-sourced and sustainable ingredients while catering to vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets. For a more romantic experience, guests can reserve a five-course dinner on the beach in one of four private palapas. While the property is not all-inclusive, they offer a Dine Around plan, which features a prix-fixe dinner at various excellent restaurants, allowing guests to explore the island’s culinary landscape with ease.

The resort’s commitment to sustainability is particularly evident in its bar offerings. The SandBar features cocktails crafted from ingredients typically discarded, such as banana sugar made from banana peels and Champagne foam from unfinished bottles. Unique drinks like the banana old-fashioned and a Melon-infused Negroni exemplify creativity. For beachgoers, raising a red flag from your lounge chair is all that’s needed to signal for service, with an emphasis on nonalcoholic options as well. The resort hosts a daily Healthy Hour with half-priced mocktails and smoothies, complemented by a complimentary Mocktail Masterclass led by Nicolas Nemalceff, the director of food and beverage.

Activities and Amenities

The resort’s prime location on Aruba’s finest beach makes lounging under an umbrella and transitioning between the ocean and sun lounges an ideal way to pass the day. The beach is a significant draw in Aruba, and guests can luxuriate in its beauty. In addition to beach access, the resort features a pool and a solar-heated Jacuzzi. Nightly live music, weekly markets with local vendors, and movie nights on the beach enrich the experience. Notably, the pool is open 24 hours, and each morning, guests can participate in complimentary yoga, Pilates, or tai-chi classes, along with access to a fitness center.

For those wishing to explore beyond the property, the concierge offers a curated selection of activities, such as catamaran cruises, paddleboarding, and snorkeling. Unique to Bucuti & Tara guests are exclusive experiences like sunset sails, moonlit yoga, and bird-watching tours. The tour partners selected by the resort share a commitment to sustainability and refrain from promoting environmentally harmful activities like ATV tours.

The Spa

A guest enjoying a beachfront massage treatment.
David Troeger/Courtesy of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort

The Purun Spa offers signature treatments like the Sacred Massage of Totomo, which pays homage to the island’s ancestral heritage, and the Aruba Aloe facial. Spa services are available indoors as well as on the beach in outdoor cabanas.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Accessible features include designated parking, ramps, elevators, and restrooms. Elements Restaurant and the SandBar are accessible via an entry-level ramp. Additionally, there is an ADA-compliant room in the Tara Wing, equipped with an adjustable bed height, low handles, wheelchair-accessible plugs, and a level bathroom with a no-step shower.

Since 2018, Bucuti & Tara has proudly held the title of the Caribbean’s first and only certified carbon-neutral hotel. In 2020, the United Nations recognized the resort with a UN Global Climate Action Award, designating its sustainability initiatives as “highly replicable and scalable.” This dedication to eco-friendliness underpins many aspects of the resort, from sourcing local fish instead of imported beef to utilizing Eco Power machines in the gym that convert energy into electricity, boasting the lowest per-room electricity consumption of any hotel in Aruba, along with on-site solar panels that heat water for guest accommodations.

Location

The resort is centrally located in the low-rise district adjacent to Eagle Beach. While numerous restaurants and attractions are nearby, this area is notably more tranquil compared to the vibrant high-rise district of Palm Beach and downtown Oranjestad, both just a ten-minute drive away. Although renting a car is optional since taxis are readily available, it could enhance your ability to explore the island at your own pace, and parking is included in your booking. Both rental cars and taxis can conveniently be arranged through the hotel’s concierge. Should you choose to rent a car, opting for a locally owned rental service is advisable for better reliability and competitive pricing compared to larger chains.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

With an impressive average occupancy rate of over 97 percent year-round and a loyal guest return rate exceeding 60 percent, Bucuti & Tara is a highly sought-after destination. Consequently, discounts and promotional rates are rare. The most affordable room rates can typically be found during Aruba’s off-peak seasons in late spring and summer.

Source
www.travelandleisure.com