This tropically styled resort hotel at the northern end of Aruba's Palm Beach was a recipient of Travel + Leisure magazine's “World's Best” award in 2008. Surrounded by gardens and waterfalls, it attracts an international clientele of families, couples and groups.

Inside the peach-toned 8-story hotel, the hotel lobby has exotic hardwood and stone accents for an island vibe. Standard guestrooms are large and decorated with bright island art and colonial furnishings, including hand-carved mahogany four-poster beds. All rooms have private balconies or terraces with views of the gardens, lagoons or the Caribbean Sea, and are furnished with teak tables and chairs.

There are five restaurants at the Radisson Aruba Resort. One of the more romantic options is Dinner by Torchlight served on the beach. Gilligan's is a relaxed beach bar and grill serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, while the Sunset Grille, the resort's signature restaurant, has won the AAA 4-Diamond award. Laguna offers indoor and outdoor seating for an international buffet that changes its menu daily; and Mira Solo is a popular martini bar.

The Radisson Aruba Resort has two free-form swimming pools, surrounded by artificial rock formations, tropical plants and waterfalls. The expansive white-sand beach is the center for all water sports; there is also tennis, a large fitness center and a 24-hour on-site casino. For more relaxing pursuits, the 13,000 square-foot Larimar Spa has Jacuzzis, saunas and nine treatment rooms for massages, facials and body treatments.