Casinos
Aruban casinos offer something for both high and low rollers, as well as live, nightly entertainment in their lounges. Die-hard gamblers may want to look for the largest or the most active casinos, but many simply visit the casino closest to their hotel
Alhambra Casino
Amid the Spanish-style arches and leaded glass, you can try your luck at blackjack, Caribbean stud poker, three-card poker, roulette, craps, or one of the 300 slot machines that accept American nickels, quarters, and dollars. A casual atmosphere and $ 5 tables further the welcoming feel. Head to one of the novelty touch-screen machines, each of which has a variety of games. There’s also bingo every Saturday, Monday, and Thursday beginning at 1 pm. If you fill your card, you can collect the grand prize of a few hundred dollars— not bad for a $ 5 investment. Be sure to sign up for the Alhambra Advantage Card, which gives you a point for each dollar you spend— even if you lose at the tables, you can still go home with prizes. Of course, winners can spend their earnings immediately at the many on-site shops. The casino is owned by the Divi Divi resorts, and golf carts run to and from nearby hotels every 15 minutes or so. The slots here open daily at 10 am; gaming tables operate from 6 pm until 4 am. It can get quite smoky sometimes. | L.G. Smith Blvd. 47 | Oranjestad | 297/ 583– 5000 | www.casinoalhambra.com |
Crystal Casino
Adorned with Austrian crystal chandeliers and gold-leaf columns, the Renaissance Aruba’s glittering casino evokes Monaco’s grand establishments. The Salon Privé offers serious gamblers a private room for baccarat, roulette, and high-stakes blackjack. This casino is popular among cruise-ship passengers, who stroll over from the port to watch and play in slot tournaments and bet on sporting events. The Crystal Lounge, which overlooks the betting floor, offers live music along with cocktails. | Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, L.G. Smith Blvd. 82 | Oranjestad | 297/ 583– 6000 |
Hyatt Regency Casino
Ablaze with neon, this hotel casino is an enormous complex with a Carnival-in-Rio theme. The most popular games here are slots, blackjack, craps, and baccarat. Slots and some other games are available at noon, the dice start rolling at 6 pm, and all other pursuits are open by 8 pm. From 9 pm to 2 am there’s live music at the stage near the bar— you’ll find it hard to steal away from the pulsating mix of Latin and American tunes. You can register for free dinners and brunches and hotel discounts at the hostess station. The casino is open until 4 am. | Hyatt Regency Aruba Beach Resort & Casino, J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 85 | Palm Beach | 297/ 586– 1234 | www.aruba.hyatt.com |