Good Life: Travel: Caribbean Dispatch: Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino


It’s kind of like the Marriott you stayed in for those meetings in Chicago. Except with a beach and a casino.


WHY: Yes, it’s kind of like the Marriott you stayed in for all those meetings in Chicago. Except that it’s got a beach and a casino. Plus, 411 swanky new rooms with LCD TVs, marble baths and soundproof walls, which you’ll appreciate even more (even if you never notice them) when you return exhausted from all the water sports. Most daring: kite surfing. Least daring: banana boat.

WHAT ELSE: For dining at the resort, there’s surf at Simply Fish (eat by moonlight, in the sand) and turf at Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

HOW MUCH/HOW FAST:
Rooms start at $469; 800-223-6388, marriott.com. Direct flights mean you’ll be there in under five hours.