In 1988 the Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort opened on Eagle Beach. It was first conceived as a timeshare property, but repositioned a few years later as a boutique hotel, wishing to distinguish itself from its larger timeshare neighbors.
While resorts in Aruba changed hands and switched brands the Amsterdam Manor remained privately held, with just one owner, a pioneer in the area of conservation.
We recently checked in with the resort, as it commemorated a quarter century of dedication to sustainability, including 10 years as an EarthCheck Master Certification.
Walking into the courtyard of the Amsterdam Manor I was hit with the realization that I must pressure wash my backyard deck, at once, because it was in no way cleaner than the clinkers under my feet. In fact, those under my feet, at the entrance to the front office, and everywhere, were spotless, and when I asked the agents what the secret was, they both told me there was none. The clinkers are cleaned every day.
That extra polish, lends the Amsterdam Manor the feel of an elevated boutique hotel, with meticulously manicured gardens and flowering pots. It is also freshly painted throughout, which by itself is a fulltime job, at the edge of the ocean, at the mercy of the island’s unrelenting salty breeze.
Cocktails at the Horizon Lounge, at sunset were a most pleasant experience. I had a delicious Aperol Spritz, and my companions sipped their Bourbon Old Fashioned happily. The head bartender, Lito, a veteran of many years, joined the staff at the Amsterdam Manor having been retired as a bartender from a branded high-rise resort. I am much happier here, he reports, guests are laid back, and staffers younger and dynamic.
Talking about staffers, the Amsterdam Manor has a most courteous, efficient, and proficient set of employees. Young and dynamic is right, fluent in English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamento, and pleasant at all times. I know we complain about the Millennials’ finicky attitudes. I found no trace of that at the Amsterdam Manor. They are all fired up about hospitality.
In its room inventory, the Amsterdam Manor features a number of penthouses and is perhaps one of the last properties on Aruba to offer dedicated honeymoon suites. We visited one of the elevated, ocean front, two-bedroom suites, which redefines ocean front accommodations. The view from the terrace slightly raised above palm treetops is spectacular. Reach out and touch the ocean, across the iconic Eagle Beach Fofotis. The two bedrooms and spacious living room are filled with light, and outstanding artwork, spectacular nature pictures, by talented photographer Suzanne Verbrugge.
The suite is comfortably appointed, on trend, with classic terrazzo polished floors. The kitchen equipped with a full-size fridge, ice trays waiting to be cracked, in the freezer. The two twin bathrooms with walk in showers, rain shower heads, and lovely amenities, are totally overshadowed by the Toto toilets, Japan’s high hygiene, deluxe sanitary bowls, with washlet bidets. Those are run by remote control and offer rear, and front, oscillating cleansing functions, beside silent lid closing and opening. I will leave it at that. I am in love with those Toto toilets.
For VIP guest welcome amenities, the resort supports local products and features wines by Alto Vista winery and quality Aruba Aloe products.
As you probably know, the restaurant, Passion on the Beach, is among the island’s famed, romantic, on the water’s edge, eateries. It promises Caribbean elegance and exceptional cuisine, and it delivers.
Walking in on the boardwalk, a flute of bubbly in my hand, I got an immediate sense of space. I was about to enjoy a serene experience of lovely food, in dreamy, magical surroundings, to my favorite live music, with sax woman Andrea.
Some of the restaurant’s beach competitors have a limited menu, not Passion on the Beach, here the back-lit menu is extensive with many yummy options, and the food arrives at the table, beautifully plated and hot.
In honor of Autentico week, we enjoyed a three course dinner, starting with Avocado Tuna Tartare, local cucumber, plantain, rocket leaves, cilantro. lime, red onions, and creamy, honey yogurt dressing, then went on to demolish a Caribbean Lobster Bouillabaisse with grouper, shrimp, scallop and lobster, saffron potato pearls, vegetable Julienne, funchi, grilled fennel, in coconut fish broth, escorted by a Caribbean crostini. The sweet ending an Exotic Fruit Tartlet was delicious. It was filled with local Ponche Crema custard, garnished with dragon fruit, kiwi, berries and mango.
An elevated boutique resort serving elevated cuisine.
As an after-thought, worth mentioning: When I asked management what their most important sustainability measure was, I was told they all are equally important.
Over the last years the resort cracked down on its water consumption by implementing water-saving initiatives, such as repurposing laundry gray water for irrigation. It has successfully reduced its overall water usage by 20%.
Electric consumption was reduced by 21%, by focusing on energy-efficiency and cutting-edge technology such as VRF – a power distribution solution, which lowers usage.
By adding an electric golf cart to the resort’s fleet, it has successfully reduced its gas usage by 21% and by using solar water heaters, it reduced the fuel usage by 19%.
As far as waste, by partnering with local NGOs, the resort managed to recycle 554kg of waste and divert 3,059kg food waste from landfill, in 2022-23.
Additionally, the Amsterdam Manor is committed to supporting local organizations such as Ban Duna Man Pa Cria Nos Muchanan, the Autism Foundation, the Red Cross and more, by contributing funds towards their impactful work.
