Latest news with #SanNicolas
Hospitality Net
a day ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Hyatt's Inclusive Collection Expands to Aruba with Secrets Baby Beach Aruba
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced the opening of the adults-only, all-inclusive Secrets Baby Beach Aruba. The opening of this resort marks the first Inclusive Collection branded property on the island of Aruba, further strengthening Hyatt's brand presence in the destination alongside Hyatt Place Aruba Airport and Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa and Casino. Situated near the peaceful shores of Baby Beach Bay on the island's southeastern coast, Secrets Baby Beach Aruba offers a scenic and serene retreat in one of Aruba's most beautiful coastal towns, with white coral sands and vibrant turquoise waters. With proximity to the charming town of San Nicolas, one of Aruba's most breathtaking locales, guests can visit the vibrant San Nicolas Street Murals, an outdoor art gallery created by local and international artists that reflect the rich culture and history of the country, as well as Boca Grandi, a beach paradise for advanced kite surfers and enthusiastic spectators. Elevated Accommodations Guests can unwind in the stylist comfort across 304 thoughtfully appointed suites, each featuring private, furnished balconies or terraces and daily refreshed minibars, with nature-inspired décor that include elements of water and earth, with cactus, lush palm tree flora, and stunning views of the Caribbean Sea, creating an authentic and serene ambiance. The resort's architecture emphasizes open, airy spaces, highlighting majestic ocean views, and a desert-like landscape where guests can relax and recharge. For those seeking elevated accommodations, the Preferred Club offers select room categories with private pools, providing a more intimate and secluded escape. Additional amenities are available for Preferred Club guests including private soaking tubs on terraces, butler service, a dedicated Preferred Club Lounge with concierge service, daily continental breakfast service, afternoon hors d'oeuvres, decadent desserts, a dedicated bar, pool and more. Culinary Offerings Secrets Baby Beach Aruba highlights both regional and international cuisine at four à la carte gourmet restaurants such as Pan-Asian and South American fusion options, an elevated, thoughtfully curated buffet, a café and a grill, along with 24-hour in-room dining options. At Secrets Baby Beach Aruba's six bars and lounges, including a swim-up bar, music lounge and lobby bar, guests can relax and unwind with top-shelf spirits and premium brand domestic and international beverages. Guests can further indulge with a variety of culinary adventures, including local rum tasting and local theme nights. Vibrant Inclusions Secrets Baby Beach Aruba seamlessly blends relaxation and adventure to create a unique vacation experience. Renowned for its blend of adventure and relaxation, guests can participate in bike tours, cocktail and cooking classes, dance lessons, macrame, mixology lessons, and more. The three pools on-site complement the expansive beach and include two infinity pools, a more active pool and two outdoor whirlpools. For those seeking a more calming atmosphere, the 3,200 square foot Secrets Spa welcomes guests to pamper themselves with rejuvenating treatments, a reflecting pool, hydrotherapy circuit, sauna and steam room, and an indoor lounge area. Weddings, Meetings, and Events Secrets Baby Beach Aruba offers 2,569 square feet of flexible meeting room space with state-of-the art technology. Dedicated group event planners work with groups to provide immaculate care and personalized attention, creating a memorable group function from creative theme parties to team building activities and elegant gala dinners. The opening of Secrets Baby Beach Aruba complements Hyatt's growing brand footprint in the Latin America and Caribbean region following the recently opened Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa. Hyatt's thoughtful brand expansion throughout the region is expected to continue in 2025 with multiple planned openings including Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana, Cas En Bas Beach Resort St. Lucia, and Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotels & Residences. World of Hyatt members can earn 500 Bonus Points for qualifying nights at Secrets Baby Beach Aruba with the New Hotels Bonus Offer. For more information or to join World of Hyatt and book your stay, visit here. To learn more about Secrets Baby Beach Aruba, visit the resort's website or follow along on Instagram. The term "Hyatt" is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates. Hotel website
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Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
This 'Forgotten' City in Aruba Is Quietly Becoming One of the Caribbean's Hot Spots for Art and Culture
Book a one-bedroom suite at Eva Resort and spend mornings making coffee in your very own kitchen. Embark on a guided mural tour of San Nicolas to learn more about the history and culture of the island and its communities from a local. Bask in the vibrant colors, music, and costumes of a Caribbean carnival celebration at the Carnival Euphoria Exhibition. Spend an afternoon soaking up rays and swimming with turtles at Baby Beach. Dine on jerk chicken wings and curry lobster at O'Niel Caribbean Kitchen. When I first set foot in Aruba, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I knew the island had a great reputation, that the sand would be powder-soft and the waters shimmery turquoise, but I hadn't anticipated uncovering its cultural core, or feeling such a strong personal connection. Aruba has long been a destination for sunseekers in search of a serene island escape, but beyond its pristine beaches lies a place filled with vibrant culture, cuisine, and street art. San Nicolas is a reflection of the island's rich heritage, influenced by the generations of Afro-Caribbean and South American immigrants who call it home. As someone of Caribbean descent (my mother is from Trinidad, my father is Puerto Rican), I immediately felt at home among the melting pot that defines this part of the island. A powerful story lies in the colorful streets of San Nicolas. The island's second-largest city—known for its past as a thriving port and industrial hub during Aruba's oil boom, and later as the island's red light district—is now at the epicenter of a cultural revival. Today, locals like Tito Bolivar, founder of the ArtWeek Aruba and Aruba Art Fair, are setting out to not only reclaim what the city once was, but also transform it into a celebration of Aruban culture. 'San Nicolas used to be one of the most important places in Aruba, but it's become a forgotten city. I wanted to bring light, art, and culture back,' said Bolivar. 'I started with the Aruba Art Fair, which includes a program where artists paint murals in San Nicolas. The goal was to rebrand San Nicolas as the 'street art capital' of the Caribbean.' Every street, with walls adorned in stunning murals, tells a story. Tales of the many industrial revolutions the tiny island has undergone, of the cultural mosaic that makes up its people, and of the trials and triumphs that have been experienced along the way. It's a story of reinvention, resilience, and a joie de vivre that feels so distinctly Aruban. Attractions like the Mural Tours, the Museum of Industry, and Baby Beach have brought a healthy heaping of interest to the area, but it still feels like a hidden gem. With Secrets Baby Beach Aruba, a popular all-inclusive resort, slated to open in June 2025, and the third annual Aruba Art Fair set to take the city in October, my instinct tells me San Nicolas is on the precipice of becoming the next hot spot. For now, the area remains an incredible cultural haven for those who crave an adventure beyond the glossy resorts. The pool at Bucuti & Tara during sunset. While some locals are less than enthused about what the opening of this large all-inclusive will do to the area, many business owners I spoke with in San Nicolas were buzzing with excitement. A resort this size is indicative of the area's growth, and more people mean more visitors and more attention. Secrets Baby Beach Aruba, set to open in June 2025, is located just two minutes down the road from San Nicolas' downtown center, along the serene Baby Beach. The all-inclusive, adults-only resort—part of the Hyatt Inclusive Collection—features 304 suites (some with ocean views and plunge pools), seven dining options, an infinity pool with Balinese-inspired daybeds, and a fully packed activities calendar. For a boutique stay that feels more like a private hideaway than the many cookie-cutter resorts dotting the island, head to Eva Resort in Savaneta. The intimate property offers just four one- to two-bedroom suites, each equipped with a full kitchen and cozy living room, so you can really lean into the whole home-away-from-home feel. The saltwater pool, private chef experiences, and VIP tours add an extra layer of luxury to any trip. Located just 15 minutes from San Nicolas, it's an ideal home base for venturing off the beaten path. Although it's about a 40-minute drive from San Nicolas, Joia Aruba by Iberostar is the current belle of the (beach) ball—it's the newest luxury resort to arrive on the island. Nestled along the shores of Eagle Beach, named the best beach in the Caribbean, this oasis is not only stunning, but it also has an eco-conscious design and world-class amenities, including an 18-hole golf course (the only one on the island), a state-of-the-art wellness center, and gourmet dining options showcasing regional flavors. Also set near the sunny coast of Eagle Beach, Bucuti & Tara is a dreamy adults-only escape with a focus on wellness, sustainability, and romance. It was even voted one of Travel + Leisure readers' favorite resorts in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas in 2023. A couple at the Museum of Industry. One thing that immediately captivated me about San Nicolas was the vibrant murals lining the streets. Walking around was an immersive experience, each wall telling a different story of the island's past and present. Bolivar selects street artists from around the globe to share their tales of the island's culture with splashes of color. 'I look for artists whose style aligns with Aruba being 'One Happy Island,'' he said. He offers a few different Mural Tours of different lengths, but perhaps the most intriguing is The Whole Story & Workshop, a 6.5-hour option that includes live art lessons with a local artist. If you want to learn more about Aruba's history and culture, visit at least one of the three museums in San Nicolas. The Museum of Industry offers a deep dive into the many industrial revolutions Aruba has undergone. The Carnival Euphoria Exhibition gives visitors a glimpse into the heritage of Aruba's carnival season with costumes, memorabilia, and hands-on workshops with the community. And the Community Museum, which sits inside the restored Nicolaas Store, brings local history to life with recreated rooms and relics from the island's early communities. While Palm Beach and Eagle Beach can get crowded (for good reason), Baby Beach is the ideal spot for something a bit more relaxed. Its curved, crescent-shaped shoreline keeps the waters calm and prime for snorkeling. There's also a restaurant called Big Mama Grill for post-swim refreshments. During my time spent exploring the underwater world at Baby Beach, I was able to spot a colorful array of parrotfish and angelfish, and even swam with a few sea turtles—one of my island highlights. During the oil boom, thousands of Afro-Caribbean and South American laborers arrived to work in the refineries and shaped the area into the cultural melting pot it is today, and the cuisines of San Nicolas still tell that story. Aside from soaking up the art and history of the island, eating my way through the city is something that still lingers on my mind (and my tastebuds). Lobstery curry and outdoor seating at O'Niel Caribbean Kitchen. Danielle Robles/Travel + Leisure Jamaica-born and Aruba-based chef Oneil Williams brings a blend of Caribbean flavors to San Nicolas at O'Niel Caribbean Kitchen. The restaurant lives up to its motto, 'local and Caribbean cuisine, good to the last bite,' with mouthwatering delicacies like jerk chicken wings, oxtail stew, and, my personal favorite, curry lobster. Of all the amazing meals I had on the island (I had many), this was easily one of my favorites. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Nick and Kedesha Gordon, Kulture Cafe sits inside the Nicolaas Store and just below the Community Museum. Everything feels healthy and fresh here, from the signature salmon and avocado toast to the sage and lime juice quencher. Aside its from tasty food, the cafe celebrates local culture. 'Our goals include providing a welcoming space for residents and visitors to connect, hosting events that showcase local talent and arts, and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Aruba,' said owner Nick Gordon. Live music, art exhibitions, and culinary experiences that reflect the island's traditions are just a few items on the cafe's calendar. Renowned among locals and visitors alike, Kamini's Kitchen combines Aruban flavors with chef and owner Kamini Kurvink's Trinidadian roots for some good old-fashioned Caribbean comfort food. The half-Trini in me was beyond thrilled to find staples like doubles, roti, and chana and potato curry on the menu, just like my grandmother made them. Setting out to bring the flavors of his childhood to the forefront of the Aruban food scene, chef Marc-Alain Arcelin (a.k.a. chef Makaveli), founded Dessalines Haitian Caribbean Cuisine. On the menu, you'll find plates like pork belly pineapple ceviche and his take on Haitian spaghetti, a traditional breakfast dish made with turkey sausage, smoked herring, a hard-boiled egg, fresh tomatoes, and red peppers. Aerial view of Baby Beach. San Nicolas is best enjoyed by day, when colorful murals, galleries, and cafes bring the area to life. As the city continues to evolve from its red light district roots, it's still finding its footing, making morning and afternoon the ideal times to experience it at its most vibrant. Since Aruba is not a part of the hurricane belt, any time of year is a good time to visit. The temperature typically sits around 82 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, with occasional rain between October and January. One thing that surprised me was how windy the island was during my visit, and according to locals, May is typically one of the windiest months. If you want to experience Aruban culture in San Nicolas up close, come the first week of September, when ArtWeek Aruba kicks off. The week culminates with the three-day Aruba Art Fair, where the community comes together with live performances, art installations, food trucks, and more. A colorful mosaic on the streets of San Nicolas, Aruba. Visitors will fly into Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA), which is a direct flight from many major U.S. cities, especially on the East Coast, as well as many major international airports around the world. As of now, visas are not required for citizens of the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and most of South America, but visitors will need to fill out the Embarkation and Disembarkation (ED) card online and pay a $20 sustainability fee. To get to San Nicolas from the airport, travelers can rent a car (my personal preference) or take a taxi. It's about a 25- to 30-minute drive along the coast. Depending on where you're staying on the island, you can rent a car from the airport, find a local rental, or take a taxi to San Nicolas. Since it's a bit off the beaten path and not particularly close to most hotels, I recommend renting a car so you can explore the island at your leisure. Driving in Aruba is pretty straightforward, and traffic is fairly calm.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Warriors in Kamehameha Parade to wear traditional feather capes
HONOLULU (KHON2) – June 11 every year is the arbitrary date recognized as King Kamehameha Day. Well, this weekend is the floral parade. Here's Honolulu's King Kamehameha Day hours: Every time you see the parade, the leading float is always big men dressed in their malo and their spears and that is the mōʻī float. Every year, they have always used synthetic fabric and synthetic materials for the presentation. This is the first time though, as you see we have these amazing feather capes, that they will all be adorned with traditional feather capes. One man who is really a part of the mōʻī float is parade participant Uncle Ocean Kaowili. You have been doing this for many years and seen the evolution. From materials such as this to the materials behind you, how significant is that transition? 'Oh man, you know, if you look and I understand, to portray what our aliʻi wore, to have something that at least come close to what it looks like. There would use crushed velvet and whatever they have to use to make it look as authentic as possible,' says Kaowili. 'But with this, man. Especially with today's times, we have artisans who have taken up the cultural aspect with creating, learning the artwork, the art form and creating pieces like this so significance, there is no words.' Well, as uncle mentioned, there are artists, there are practitioners who dedicate their time to the art of feather work, one of those being Kumu Hulu Rick San you, I have seen you continue to elevate the exposure of feather work across not just Hawaiʻi, but the world. To see the amount of exposure that our native artwork of feather work is getting, how important is that for the lāhui? 'One of the real reasons why I wanted to participate in that and to bring all the feather work to come out because I think there is going to be maybe 15 individual feathered capes, so they will have the battle capes that all of the warriors will wear, the 'ahu kaua, the mōʻī, Kamehameha, will wear a full feathered cloak, the yellow cloak and mahi ole, and then maybe even some of the pāʻū riders will have that too,' says San Nicolas. 'But what I want people to see and what I hope they get from that is that aw feeling where they will go 'wow, those are real' and for them to realize this work is still being done today and it is still being taught today. ' If anybody may be interested and their interest is taking the next step into featherwork, where can they contact you? 'You can find it at my website at or you can go onto my Instagram at @kiaimea and once you get there, on my bio, you will see a link to Pualiʻahu and so there is an application to be filled out to be considered for scholarship and I go through the people and I select the ones who will really be able to help push this more into the future, into the 21st century and beyond. That is a great way and hopefully we will get more people interested in doing it,' says San Nicolas. This is amazing to see these pieces up front and to know that our kāne, our men will be wearing that on the mōʻī float this Saturday. Again, the King Kamehameha Floral Parade will be kicking off at 9am from King St fronting ʻIolani Palace going all the way through Waikīkī and ending at Kapiʻolani Park. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news For more information on the King Kamehameha Celebration Parade, click here. For more information on Kumu Rick San Nicolas, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
