Costa Linda Beach Resort Rating: 3.0 Pearls

Aruba

The Natural Pool

On a relatively unpopulated stretch of J. E. Irausquin Boulevard, the Costa Linda is primarily a time-share for families with children in tow. Since these regulars stay two or three weeks at a time, they all know each other well (and I stood out like a sore thumb). But new families would probably blend right in!

View on a Larger Map

About a 20-minute drive from the restaurants, shopping, and bars in Oranjestad and the High-Rise complex, the Costa Linda is far from most of the glitzy resorts and casinos. There is one casino -- the Alhambra -- within walking distance. This means guests don't have to fight with other beachgoers for a spot in the sun. But it also means they're hard-pressed for entertainment.

Unless guests rent a car, as many do here, they have to wait around for a taxi to get to town. The resort lies about 15 minutes ($22 cab fare) from Riena Beatrix International Airport. Usually it's fairly easy to get a ride in Aruba, but on this relatively unpopulated stretch, I waited more than half an hour!

The beach

Serene, even awe-inspiring, the beach at Costa Linda didn't have hordes of tourists hogging the beach or water-sports kiosks hawking their wares. It was the first time I could actually hear the roar of the ocean and watch the waves come crashing to shore. On a more practical note, with fewer tourists, guests didn't have to fight for a chair. The beach also has a well-maintained jungle gym for the kids.

The One Bedroom Suite

All units here are one-, two- and three-bedroom suites with at least a kitchenette (multi-room suites have a full kitchen), a balcony with pool views, and standalone showers and tubs. Beach-y decor is cheery yet a little dated -- and one-bedroom suites still have old tube TVs instead of Flat screens.

• Most rooms have separate showers and tubs in the master bathroom
• Fridge, stove, toasters, pots and pans, dishes, and utensils
• In-room safe large enough for a laptop
• TVs with cable channels
• Air-conditioning units in all rooms
• No in-room Internet, but guests can use the hotel's computers for free
• Free cribs (but the hotel does not offer rollaway beds)

Ocean kayaks

The Costa Linda has an awesome lagoon pool. Shaped like an exotic island, it has a broad deck brimming with lawn chairs and hot tubs tucked into every corner. It's also right by the hotel's main restaurant, Turtle's Nest Bar and Grill.

There's a pool table and giant chess pieces by the lobby. If you want a more vigorous workout, head to the small gym on the first floor. This L-shaped room doesn't look like it was meant to be a fitness center, but it's clean and has a good array of up-to-date equipment. Plus, there's a trainer on duty. No lockers, steam rooms, or saunas, though.

In the evening, the hotel has a screen for movies or, in my case, a boxing face-off between De La Hoya and Pacquiao. Only two people showed up. Guess there weren't too many boxing fans.

• Water's Edge serves seafood and steak, and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Pizza Bob's is a family favorite; open throughout the day
• Island Breeze Coffee has pastries and light snacks; open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Ellioti's Italian Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.
• Lola's bar serves cocktails in the evening.
• Turtle's Nest serves local Caribbean for lunch and dinner, and has themed nights.
• Frangipini's has a daily breakfast.