Tropicana Aruba Resort & Casino is far enough away from Aruba’s crowds to feel like an escape but close enough to enjoy all of the excitement that the area has to offer. When you arrive at the resort, get everyone settled in your condo before changing into swimsuits. Grab pool toys, water wings and goggles and remember that you can never have enough sunblock. There are two outdoor pools at the resort, one with a waterfall and the other with a waterslide. Challenge the kids to a race or take a seat at the swim-up bar and relax with a fruity beverage. Feeling lucky? Play a hand or two of Blackjack or some quick slots at the on-site casino. Head to the fitness center to get your cardio on. Treat yourself to a post-workout massage, facial or body treatment at the on-site spa.

One-bedroom condos sleep four guests and have a jetted tub. Two-bedroom condos sleep six guests. All condos are air-conditioned and have full kitchens because sometimes a mini-fridge just doesn’t cut it. There’s an on-site convenience store for stocking up on groceries. Don’t be surprised if you don’t do much cooking since the resort does have an on-site Dunkin Donuts, pizza restaurant, sports bar & grill and Baskin Robbins. In-suite entertainment includes flatscreen TVs with premium cable, perfect for catching a sitcom rerun or the big game. If you want a newly renovated condo, upgrade to a deluxe or premium. The worst part about the end of vacation is all of the laundry. Get out ahead of it and do a load or two at the on-site laundry facility. Now all you have to do when you get home is unpack.

If you need assistance booking island excursions, Tropicana Aruba Resort & Casino offers full concierge services. Eagle Beach is a short walk from the resort, bring the kids along and challenge them to see who can build the tallest sandcastle. Visit Aruba’s Butterfly Farm to experience hundreds of exotic butterflies flying all around you as you walk through a large mesh enclosure. If you’re lucky, a butterfly might even land on you. Bird lovers will have a blast at the Bubali Bird Sanctuary. Species of birds that you will encounter include the Brown Pelican, Neotropic Cormorant, Magnificent Frigatebird, Caribbean Parakeet and Burrowing Owl. Gather all of the shoppers in your crew and head to Paseo Herencia Mall. Get a new pair of sunglasses at Sole or Kok Optica. There’s nothing like accidentally packing uncomfortable shoes for your vacation. If you need a more comfortable pair try The Athlete’s Foot or Footfit Birkenstock. Check out the jewelry at Pandora, Pearl Gems and Little Switzerland and the apparel at Tommy Hilfiger, 98 Coast and Aruba Rocks. Hungry? The Lazy Turtle, TGI Fridays, Aki Sushi and Iguana Cantina are just a few of your choices. Surprise the kids with an afternoon movie at The Cinemas. It features six screens with first-run movies. Little ones will love going on a pony ride or ride as a family in a horse-drawn carriage.