Aruba’s first luxury hotel is celebrating 65 years on Thursday July 18th, 2024
Long before becoming the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino, the iconic bastion of hospitality was originally named the Aruba Caribbean Hotel, and it was the first luxury resort on the Caribbean Dutch Island of Aruba. It officially opened its doors in 1959 and paved the way for tourism here.
To commemorate these 65 years, and to celebrate the hotel’s debut as the pioneer of Aruba’s luxury hospitality, the Hilton Aruba invites guests and locals to visit the newly renovated Sunset Bar, with an offer for the second drink, served at 1959 prices, only on July 18th, 2024, throughout the day.
Enjoy a Caribbean Punch for $1.25 or a Banana Daiquiri for just $1.- and imagine yourself sixty-five years ago, at the opening ceremony of the new Palm Beach landmark, in the presence of the Governor of the Netherlands Antilles, representing the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. He gave a short speech, just before cutting the ribbon.
The first General Manager of the Aruba Caribbean Hotel, had a limitless budget to bring the best entertainers of that time to perform in the “Klompen Klub,” among them Xavier Cugat, Harry Belafonte, Jack Benny, and Liberace.
Just before opening, during the hotel soft opening period, the 120-member Washington Symphony Orchestra came to perform in Aruba for two days.
Nicknamed the “Grand Dame,” the resort was designed by one of America’s most famous hotel architects, Morris Lapidus, who also designed landmark hotels such as the Fontainebleau, the Eden Roc, and the Americana, in Miami Beach, Florida. Of the 276 hotels designed by Morris Lapidus in his lifetime, his design of the first large hotel in Aruba is considered one of his best.
When it opened in 1959, the resort quickly became a favorite getaway for world-famous jetsetters. Over the years, the resort has hosted many distinguished guests, including members of the Dutch Royal family and renowned entertainers.
Among the royal visitors were Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander, and Princess Margriet van Vollenhoven. Additionally, prominent singers like Harry Belafonte and George Benson have also stayed here.
Other celebrity entertainers, including Elizabeth Taylor, Eddy Fisher, Jack Benny, Arthur Godfrey, Xavier Cugat, Abbe Lane, Jan Peerce, Liberace, Natalie Wood, Bob Hope, Roger Moore, and Tony Martin, have all graced the resort with their presence.
Drop in for a drink on July 18th and enjoy a second Antilles Cooler, a Gin and Crème de Menthe cocktail, or a second Papiamento O La La, a Cointreau, Vodka and Rum concoction for only $1.20.
