The Bent Page

The next two posts will be mostly a photo essay of the Hyatt Hotel in Aruba. (Don’t worry, I’ll be doing the same for many other hotels. Just give me some time.) I used to stay at the Hyatt before relocating to another part of the island. This is the main entrance from the access road.

This is a circular drive accessed by taxis and buses. There are also valets at the entrance to the lobby. The hotel resembles a massive hacienda. When you reach the top of the stairs and look left, you’ll see the reception desk and the concierge is located to the right.

There are some guest rooms in a wing on this side of the complex. Looking right, you’ll see deeper into the lobby. On this side are located the casino, shops, and another wing of rooms. It is from this side that a pair of my characters in An Island Away enjoyed a view of the ocean from their room.

I stay out of casinos but my pal likes to gamble here. There is a live band that plays in a loft overlooking the bar and they’re quite good. Straight ahead from the entrance steps, you’ll catch a view of the lush foliage that is part of the central grounds.

There are man-made streams that cascade over waterfalls and ultimately end up in a koi pond or the swimming pools. First go down those stairs and look right, at the bar.

I’ve done a fair amount of writing at this bar (drinking, too), usually while I’m waiting for my pal to lose (I mean win) some money at the casino. Before heading further onto the grounds, take a look at the central courtyard and fountain through which the restaurants are accessed.

 Here they serve an absolutely fantastic Sunday Brunch, one I think rivals the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Every breakfast item is available, as is a carving station with both ham and roast beef, and a raw bar with oysters. Then there are shrimp, bananas foster, a donut machine, salads, three lunch entrees, numerous sweet dessert selections, and on and on and on it goes. I’ve been known to graze here for hours, until they close. Service is top notch.

In the next post we’ll have a look at more of the grounds. In the mean time, hang out and relax.