We recently stayed at Barcelo Aruba as a couple and unfortunately, our experience did not meet expectations. From the moment we arrived, the front desk staff were noticeably unfriendly and unwelcoming — not the warm greeting you’d hope for when starting a vacation.
The resort itself feels very dated and in serious need of upgrades. Our room was only stocked with one towel for two people, and despite calling for another, it took over an hour for it to be delivered. Simple necessities like the Wi-Fi passcode or towel cards were not included in the welcome envelope, leaving us confused and having to chase down basic information.
There were also clear maintenance issues throughout the property. There was a leak directly above one of the cook stations, which felt unsanitary and unsafe. On the 4th floor where we stayed, the hallways smelled like sewage, and there were towels scattered on the floor to catch leaks — not exactly the relaxing atmosphere we were hoping for.
The pool area was also overcrowded, and we struggled to find chairs daily. The pool itself is quite small for the number of guests the resort accommodates. Even the fridge in our room was understocked, with not enough bottled water for two people.
Overall, we were disappointed with the quality of service, cleanliness, and upkeep of the resort. For the price and the Barcelo brand, we expected much more. We would not return or recommend this resort to others.
