The Aruba Government has declared the sea between the Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort and the Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort a restricted area. Jet-skis and other motorised vessels are permitted in the area but must reduce their speed and avoid making waves. Anchorage in this restricted zone is forbidden.
The Sunrise Rock Development Group has received planning permission from the government to build 3 five-star hotels in Aruba. The Aruba Rock Hotel and Spa will offer 200 rooms and will be situated approximately half a mile from Baby Beach and will also feature a golf course, while the Boca Grande Beach hotel will offer 450 rooms and a casino and will be specifically targeted at high stakes gamblers. The group are also planning a 500-room hotel at Baby Beach itself.
The Bucuti Beach Resort has been named by Brides magazine as one of the 20 ‘Best Honeymoon Hotels’ in the Caribbean.
Louis Vuitton, the luxury French fashion and leather goods brand, has opened its first store in Aruba. The exclusive store is located at the Renaissance Mall in Oranjestad.
The Westin Aruba Resort on Palm Beach opens for business today. Formerly the Aruba Resort Spa and Casino, it has been completely renovated by Starwood Hotels. With 478 rooms it is the largest resort on the island.