Eagle Aruba Resort & Casino

Once a part of La Cabana, Tropicana is now its own entity, but some signs of the mid-2000s separation can still be seen, like the “La Cabana” branding on jetted bathtubs. From the small entrance through a parking lot and past a Dunkin' Donuts, it's difficult to tell how expansive the resort is. It consists of four towers that house 362 rooms. Two large swimming pools, with artificial rock walls and waterfalls, meander through the grounds, which are well kept and planted with palm trees. You can see the ocean from some points in the property. Many guests return year after year, especially families who want low rates near the beach, and don't want to book all-inclusive rates. Note that guests are required to wear a wristband. 

Tropicana Resort and Casino is located directly behind La Cabana Resort in Aruba’s safe and touristy Low Rise hotel zone. It’s about a five-minute walk to stunning Eagle Beach, lined with divi divi trees, and can easily be accessed off of either of the island’s main roads. The area has a good choice of restaurants (such as Passions on the Beach’s romantic on-the-sand dinner service), hotel bars, beach bars, and a few casinos. There’s also a large supermarket and home goods store with a cafe inside and bank ATM outside just across the main road, at the back of the hotel. A slew of restaurants, shops, bars, and tour operator jumping off points are just five minutes north in the High Rise hotel zone. Queen Beatrix International Airport is roughly 15 minutes south along L.G. Smith Boulevard. 

As of our visit in 2018, most of Tropicana’s 362 spacious rooms had a significant renovation, though some were simply refurbished with fresh paint, bedding, and flat-screen TVs. Standard King Rooms feature a contemporary look and come with two flat-screen TVs, a kitchenette with a full-size refrigerator, microwave, small stove, furnished balcony, and a large living room with a pullout sofa bed. Some rooms offer laundry facilities. Non-renovated rooms are still quite nice, the furnishings and tile floors just look dated. All units have separate living and dining room areas, private outdoor space with pool or courtyard views, and high ceilings. Some rooms may have a musty smell from years of condensation and faulty air-conditioning. Bathrooms in the non-renovated room show the most age with pink and sea foam green plastic moldings and “La Cabana” branded shower/tub combinations. Note that Wi-Fi costs extra in the rooms that have a signal. 

The Tropicana offers full resort-style features, with the exception of beach access. Both of the Tropicana’s restaurants, Pizza Bob’s and Double Down, have a room service option, although if you want anything from the mini-market or on-site Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins storefront, you’ll have to head down toward the lobby and pick it up yourself. Since the rooms are stuffed full of equipment for self-catering, hopping across the road to grab ingredients from the local Superfoods supermarket to make your own meals is also an optionThe big 150-foot waterslide twisting its way into the resort’s north-side pool is a big draw for families. This pool area also has a dedicated shallow kiddy pool, large shady palapa hut with a scattering of plastic lounge chairs, adult-only hot tub, and Bikini’s swim-up bar. Guests at Bikini’s pool bar can enjoy live music on weekends, twice-daily happy hours, and seating in the water or on the deck. At the other end of the resort, the hotel’s second pool swaps the waterslide and bar for a large, rocky waterfall and small spa, making for a much more relaxed, less rambunctious vibe. Other property features include a full casino with slot machines, gaming tables, and loads of flat-screen TVs for sporting events. For relaxing, there's a tiny but efficient spa with head-to-toe treatment options. Off the parking lot, there’s a multi-court area for beach tennis with a plastic kids' playground. There is no dedicated lobby, although an outdoor (but covered) lounge area with cushioned wicker furniture flanks the entrance path to the hotel. Inside by the front desk, there’s a telephone with a direct line to AVIS car rental (an actual desk is across at La Cabana) and a concierge desk where you can also print boarding passes.Guests either have to purchase an internet card from the front desk or stick to the lobby or Bikini’s bar for free Wi-Fi -- either way, service isn’t guaranteed. There’s lots of free parking surrounding half of the property, but be sure to grab a parking pass from the front desk.