Aruba might not be the smallest island in the Caribbean but it certainly isn’t one of the largest. It is just six miles across at its widest point, whilst from tip to toe it is only 20 miles long. With that in mind, it is actually reasonably surprising that there are so many casinos available for punters to head to in order to place a wager or two.
You can read about the other ones elsewhere on this site, with this page being dedicated to the Casino at the Ritz-Carlton Aruba. Aruba might well be somewhere you head to for sun, sea and sand, but it can also be your destination for blackjack, slot machines and table games aplenty.
The Casino
The Casino at the Ritz-Carlton Aruba puts slot machines front and centre of the gaming floor, which won’t come as too much of a surprise to anyone who has ever been to a casino pretty much anywhere in the world. The reality is that slot machines are money-makers for casino owners, to say nothing of the fact that they offer a visual and aural sense of excitement to the venue. In the case of the Casino at the Ritz-Carlton Aruba, there are more than 200 of them on the 15,000 square-foot casino gaming floor. They promise video reels, spinning reels and games with attention-grabbing jackpots that will entice you to sit down and play.
Slots
The denominations that you have to use to play the machines vary, but there are some with extremely low options and some with extremely high ones. If it’s the high ones that you’re after then you’ll be pleased to know that the casino has a High Limit slot area where you can place bets for as much as $200 per spin. Slots, of course, aren’t for everyone, so you might prefer to sit at one of the video poker machines or opt to play on the electronic roulette. If you’d rather get involved with table games populated with actual real people then that is also an option, thanks to the 15 tables in place on the gaming floor for your amusement.
Table Gaming
The most popular games in any casino are blackjack and roulette, with both on offer at The Casino at the Ritz-Carlton Aruba. If you head to the roulette table then you can choose whether you want to place your bet on individual numbers or on the more all-encompassing option of the likes of a range of numbers or a colour. It is one of the most simplistic casino games to understand, but is also one that is as good as impossible to master. If you would like something a little more complicated then you can head to the craps table, with the dice game asking you to place a bet on the outcome of the roll of a pair of dice.
The wise bettor will always look towards the blackjack table, thanks to the fact that playing Basic Strategy will allow them to reduce the House Edge quite dramatically. The House does still have an Edge, of course, but moving it more in your favour is never a bad thing. If you want to play a poker-themed game then there are a couple of options to choose from, with Three-Card Poker being well-known all around the world. The explosion in popularity of Texas Hold’em caused the creation of Ultimate Texas Hold’em, which is played on a blackjack table and asks players to take on the dealer rather than each other.
Sports Book
If you are a sports fan then you will no doubt be delighted to learn that the Casino at the Ritz-Carlton Aruba has a sports book available. This means that you can look to bet on the likes of Premier League football or the NFL, golf, tennis or Major League Baseball and everything in between. There are several Aruba Sports Betting Kiosks available for you to head to in order to place your wager, but always make sure that you do your research before placing your bets. The thing that the casino is hoping above all else is that you get a little over-excited and opt to place a bet on something you know nothing about, all but handing them your money.
The Resort
If you’d like to get outside of the casino then Aruba is an island filled with opportunity to discover new things. The Ritz-Carlton Aruba is a beachfront hotel with 320 rooms on offer, which includes 55 suites that have private balconies that look over the Caribbean Sea. The five-star resort was designed with the guest in mind, allowing you to easily explore the island or simply relax and unwind, depending on your desire. Whether you wanted a limited view, a coastal view or an ocean view, the hotel has all options available. There is also the ability to upgrade to Club Level, should you wish to, which promises personalised attention.
Restaurants & Bars
If you’re the sort of person that doesn’t like to leave your resort if you don’t have to then you’ll be delighted to learn about the numerous dining options that are located within the confines of the hotel. BLT Steak, for example, is a modern interpretation of the famous American steakhouse, whilst Casa Nonna New York, you won’t be surprised to find out, is an Italian-American restaurant. Solanio is where you’ll head for your breakfast, boasting gorgeous views of the Caribbean Sea and Divi Sushi Bar & Lounge is a bit more chilled out for an evening bite. There is also a coffee bar and a pool & beach bar and grill to round out your choices.
Facilities & Amenities
Aruba is about so much more than just spending time in your hotel, however. There are countless experiences to have by leaving the resort, such as the sailing, snorkelling and kayaking options open to you on the beachfront. There are two pools in the hotel if you prefer your swimming to be a bit less natural, with kids being able to enjoy their time in the Ritz Kids club. The island itself promises all sorts of different options, from golf to exotic birds, shopping and dining. Not that you have to leave the hotel, of course; the fitness centre is somewhere you can head to to keep on top of your fitness regime, or you can enjoy an unwind in the spa.