koucou

Situated in a cheery spot in a peaceful residential neighborhood, the studios and one-bedroom apartments at the Coconut Inn feel like a cross between summer cottage and camp cabin.

Whichever of those is more appealing, the quarters here provide a cozy retreat. The location allows easy access to the beaches and energy of the high-rise hotels, though with enough distance to permit a more serene feel. The apartments themselves are basic and equipped with all the main amenities, plus each unit has a little porch on which to enjoy the sunshine. There is a full-sized pool surrounded by palms and ...

Brickell Bay Beach Club is in the center of the action, situated along the long row of restaurants and shops amid the high-rise hotels. It’s a sleek, opulent resort, with amenities—and rates—to match. Off-season, rates for the less expensive rooms come down considerably. Those looking for proximity to the beach, the hubbub of the neighborhood, and a luxurious spa and swim-up bar might just find that Brickell Bay Beach Club to be worth the off-season splurge.

This little gem is a koucou favorite. MVC's most obvious plus-mark on our list derives from its location, just across from the pristine (and often fairly untouristed) Eagle Beach. But it’s the hospitality that makes MVC shine. The friendly staff members tend to remember the names of guests. As a consequence, there are lots of return visitors at MVC.

The rooms are barebones but homey, on the standard motel room template. There is a delightful restaurant on the premises called Tulip, which turns out Aruban and Dutch favorites, as well as a small pool (great for kids!) and ...

Ocean-front property Ocean 105 is located directly on the beach, not far from Aruba's California Lighthouse. The setting is quieter and more low-key than the High-Rise District just a few minutes down the road. A sprawling, lush patio is in the center of the property, with four apartments surrounding it.

Ocean 105's ocean view apartments are a bit over the koucou maximum rate, but the garden view apartments are not. Equally lovely, they offer easy access to a rocky stretch of coral directly in front of the property and a sandy beach just a two-minute walk away.

What this property lacks in ambiance it makes up for in affordability. This is a budget property at its best (imagine: $65 per day—in high season). To be certain, these are very basic accommodations, sparsely decorated studios with kitchenettes. Cable TV essentially begins and ends the short list of amenities at Cactus Apartments.

The property itself looks rather uninviting from the outside, occupying as it does a slab of concrete. Two lines of apartments are bisected by a solitary row of palm trees. It’s set in a residential neighborhood, not terribly close to the beach—you may want ...

This adorable property is somewhat off the beaten path but well worth the trek. It’s located on the less-touristy side of the airport, away from Aruba’s main concentration of hotels. It’s mere blocks from a quiet beach frequented by locals, and an easy shot to both Oranjestad and the vibrant town of San Nicolas.

At Sea Breeze’s large courtyard is lush with palm trees and tiki huts, as well as a pool that looks remarkably like something out of the Flintstones. There’s also a grill and a thatched, open-air patio lined with plush couches and ...

Perle d'Or's rooms are tiny, almost dorm-room in style, which is fitting, we suppose, in light of the fact that Perle d’Or is frequented by twenty-somethings and even houses a multi-purpose facility for students (with a bar, a shop, Internet cafe, and laundry.)

The property is pretty, with a cool, comfortable patio and pool, and is mostly popular among Europeans. Rates are very good for Aruba, with double rooms beginning at $85 per night.

We’ll be honest: the barred façade, overrun with plants, made us a little uneasy at first. But the apartments on the other side of A1's façade are clean and comfortable and a great value for money. Rooms center around the proprietors' home, so there is always someone on hand. The friendly couple who run the property are amiable, and the location is great. A1 is just a few short minutes from downtown Oranjestad in one direction and a few minutes from the beach in the other.

With a tranquil, umbrella-lined patio (lit in the evenings with twinkle lights), a beautiful pool and a full spa on the premises, Aruba Harmony offers much of what one expects from a full resort, without the typically exorbitant resort rates. For under $110 a night, two people can stay in a bright, commodious studio apartment, with full kitchen, adorable wood and wicker furnishings, and sunny terrace.

We like the fact that Aruba Harmony Resort is set up along the soothing traditions of feng shui, but more important in our estimation is the atmosphere of camaraderie here, which makes for comfortable ...

Even hotel snobs will find this property to be stunning. The communal areas are open and elegant, with an airy patio, a large pool and an adorable playground for the under-10 set. The onsite restaurant serves up tropical drinks and yummy local fare. Studios and rooms (for groups of three and four) feature brightly colored walls and furniture.

Rates are very low for Aruba. And sun worshipers will appreciate the fact that the inn makes up for its (short) distance from the beach by offering a free shuttle service.