The location is ideal if you want to explore all of Aruba and get a real sense of the island beyond the tourist hotel strip on the northern beaches. San Nicolas and Baby Beach are super close, maybe 15 minutes drive, and Oranjestad wasn't too far either. It was great having a little beach and dock and being able to use the hotel kayaks and life jackets to check out Seaglass Island. It was also great being a 5 minute walk from Zeerover, the best deal for dinner that we found on the island. We didn't eat at Flying Fishbone, which shares a fence with Coral Reef Beach, because we didn't feel like we needed to splurge that much for good food, but it's very popular and everyone eating there seemed very happy. We did use the Flying Fishbone parking lot one evening when the small hotel parking lot was full. Apartment #2 has a bedroom with 2 queen beds, a dining room, a small, fully equipped kitchenette (I think the only thing making it a kitchenette vs a kitchen is that it has a two burner cooktop vs a stove. The kitchen has a door directly to/from the parking lot, which made it super easy to bring in bags and groceries. The bedroom also has a door to the courtyard and beach access, which made it even faster to get to the water. By the end of our 9 nights my husband and I were finding our bed a bit hard, but that was our only real complaint. It's not fancy or super modern, and you need to bring your own shampoo and conditioner, but the apartment had everything we needed for our time in Aruba including beach towels. We brought our own snorkeling gear but we could probably have just used the gear available in the courtyard. You also don't need to bring a cooler for beach trips as there are several available to borrow in the shared kitchen off the courtyard. Graciela was very welcoming and does a wonderful job cleaning -- the apartment was spotless. The people staying here all seemed very chill and kind, no noisy partiers.

Stayed in April 2025

It reminds me of a youth hostel so if you don't like the neighbors you won't like it, But we loved it.

Loved how the sand was right outside the door. Very peachy vibe.

Stayed in March 2025

Excellent location. very relaxed atmosphere.

Stayed in February 2025

They had my shoes which was nice that they kept them, but nobody tried to contact me.

Location and vibe

Stayed in December 2024

Small but has all the necessities for a pleasant stay

Stayed in September 2024

It felt like 'home.' The vibe of the entire place is calm, quiet, peaceful & literal feet from the water. Erik & Jenny have created a place to relax and enjoy the Caribbean. Gabriela keeps the place very clean and you can tell it is her pride & joy to have a nice place for everyone. I loved the 'Community Kitchen' where people left extra food they bought but didn't use, or to cook in. The 'Community' bug sprays, lotions, shampoos, etc. And the random hammocks hanging for leisure were wonderful!

Stayed in August 2024

This is a great place to stay if you set your expectations right. You will need a car to get to the downtown cafes and entertainment and popular beaches. You will be a few steps away from your personal beach, you will step onto the sand right out the door, you will have free kayaks and hammocks and chairs at your disposal any time you want. We stayed in the family suite, room 9, two adults and two kids, and there is much more room in there than in a double bed room that we usually book at hotels. A hotel would probably get you a more modern interior but you will also get more noise and crowds. Here you are likely to feel like you are at your own vacation home. Eric the host and all the maids are great and responsive and make the stay as comfortable as you can get it.

Stayed in July 2024

Small access to the ocean.

Beautiful spot. Super helpful staff. Close to a couple of great seafood restaurants, the one next door a bit fancy the one a 5 min walk away, Zeerover, cheaper and quicker to be served, both very good

Stayed in July 2024

Location, lodging, food choices and beaches near by were as described.

Stayed in July 2024

The hotel was really cute and rustic, which is exactly what we wanted

Stayed in June 2024

I wish the room had been just a little nicer but for the price I couldn't be happier. The kitchenette in the room was sufficient to cook simple meals. There is also a shared kitchen downstairs with a larger fridge and a gas stove with an oven. We used our in room kitchen and the main kitchen every day for making meals. Everything is adequate but not fancy. For example, the shower only has one handle and no hot or cold setting. It was always warm but not hot. I told my wife it would be like staying at a cabin on the beach and that's pretty much what we got. Nobody who wants a hotel chain experience will stay here anyway. Expect it to be a little rustic but comfortable.

We felt like Coral Reef is a rare find because of the location right on the water, the beach courtyard, close to groceries and some good restaurants. We wanted to stay away from the tourist end of the island at a comfortable and convenient place. If you're not expecting something fancy you'll be very happy here and you definitely can't beat the price. We went to Mangel Halto Beach a couple times and enjoyed it much more than Eagle Beach because it wasn't packed and there was a lot of shade. The shared space right on the water adds a lot of extra space to your rented apartment here. Our kids called it the downstairs beach. We were also surprised to have access to their shared snorkel equipment, beach chairs, and sea kayaks. We borrowed everything we wanted to use and never had to rent anything during our stay. Also, the caretakers are very responsive and the rooms are cleaned daily.

Stayed in June 2024

Nice, close to the water

Stayed in May 2024

Nothing

Location is superb

Stayed in April 2024

Everything was great. Make sure to make a reservation for the Flying Fishbone next door where you can eat with your feet in the water.

The location and staff were amazing.

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing comes to mind, if you are sensitive to noise, keep in mind that one of the most popular restaurant on the island is next door so you will listen to Happy Birthday more times than planned but they generally quiet down around 11pm.

Very nice, chill place, right next to the water with cabin style rooms and plenty of shared equipment from scuba to kayak if you want to enjoy the water. The staff is friendly and super helpful. The area is not too touristy so you have a chance for a quiet vacation in a cool place. It is also close to anything else to the island and the local bus stop is about 5 mins walk away.

Stayed in March 2024

all beautiful

no

Stayed in March 2024

Nothing!!!

The staff was unparalleled. They were kind and helpful. The room was steps away from the water … lovely.

Stayed in December 2023

Lighing is top

Stayed in November 2023

Next to the beach and restaurants Very Tranquil relaxed

Stayed in October 2023

Nothing that you wouldn't expect from a locally owned apartment (as compared with a large hotel or resort)

The peaceful serene location. Awesome views of the sunset. Very homely. Well situated. The owners thought of every small detail to make guests comfortable.

Stayed in September 2023

I love the area is breathtaking, relaxing you can have a really peace and quite. Right cloe to the sea

Stayed in August 2023

Nothing

Did not include breakfast.

Stayed in July 2023

Sometimes parking was a little hard to find, with a popular and busy restaurant right next door.

Beautiful little spot right on the ocean! Many extra amenities including large shared kitchen to prepare your own meals, with all cookware available. They also have all kinds of water sports equipment available for use anytime. Very peaceful sitting areas on the ocean, I enjoyed just taking it all in every night!

Stayed in June 2023

As the island itself is very small, it doesn't matter where you stay, especially if you have a car. We had a car and a location for our stay was perfect, as we did not want to stay in a big hotel or in the center of the city - Coral Reef Beach is a calm, remote, cozy and exotic place, 5 meters from the sea, with a neighborhood of some very good restaurants. We felt like we were staying at home, as there was everything you need for your vacation and a comfortable stay. The staff was very polite, helpful and friendly. Keep it going :) We are very happy that we found this great place for our vacation.

Stayed in June 2023