Many have been there previously, some for many years in a row! We know we will be back not only to Aruba but to this location specifically as the price is perfect for our needs. A smaller complex allowed us to chat/socialize/grab the sunset with a cocktail with the others staying there too. The complex as a whole has a small courtyard area with a large palapa for shade from the hot sun, a small pool to cool off in, some loungers to laze the day away and 2 gas grills in which we did a ton of grilling on for ourselves (as did many of the other guests staying). It served us very well for the week with no issues at all.
The Patrician, a similar German game series focused on ships and trade, but also featuring Anno-like strategy elements. Unknown Horizons, a game inspired by the Anno series. On the day of my actual birthday I came back to the studio with our deck area decorated, which was a wonderful surprise! We stayed in the large garden studio for a week and while it wasn't oceanfront that was very ok with us as it was a bit more quiet and private toward the back of the complex. The Settlers, a similar German real-time strategy and business simulation game. From getting us checked in, to assisting for a rental car to be delivered directly to us, a simple hello and wave as we/they walked by. Have your water shoes for the coral or walk/drive to the sandy beach of your liking! While we never got to meet the owners that every review had kind words, we did get to meet Renee, Marit, Iris and the ground staff, all of whom were amazing humans. A very good decision indeed! While the ocean was across the street, it was not a swimming beach but a great snorkeling beach (which we knew ahead of time). I reached out to all of them and received responses back on their availability and cost ultimately deciding (after reading great reviews everywhere) on Aruba Sunset Beach Studios. A couple of hits came up for dates I was looking at (beginning of Nov) and I read the reviews for the 3 hits that looked of interest.
I quickly jumped on the internet to find lodging that wouldn't be crazy expensive and would be away from crowds. When we made the decision to cancel that (because of all their quarantine restrictions) a month out, Aruba was my next choice. Let me clarify that this was my 50th birthday trip that originally had been planned for Thailand. It was perfectly fine for a hotel but with the ongoing pandemic we knew we did NOT want that environment/crowd/atmosphere for this trip. Husband and I have been to Aruba twice before and stayed at Holiday Inn Sunspree.