What to expect: Although some children arrive with their parents in summer, the resort caters primarily to couples, thus maintaining a quiet, restful ambience. The tidy Dutch Colonial-village atmosphere extends to paving-stone courtyards graced by terra-cotta pottery and neatly trimmed tropical plants identified by signs.

Amenity highlights: The Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort's frontage on Eagle Beach, rated one of the world's 10 best by Travel + Leisure, measures 100 by 35 yards and lies across a narrow street from resort buildings. A sundeck furnished with umbrella tables surrounds a 50-by-25-foot pool and a 10-foot-diameter children's pool. Use of mountain bikes, floats, and snorkeling gear is part of the All-Inclusive Plan. European Plan guests can rent this equipment.

Insider tip: Key Largo Casino is 0.5 miles away, but guests can cut walking distance in half by catching a golf-cart shuttle from the lobby of an adjacent resort.

What to expect: Popular with couples because of its determined efforts to maintain peace and quiet, the independently owned and operated resort discourages guests from bringing children and offers no children's facilities. Environmental awareness is another theme. Cactus gardens, palm trees, and expansive lawns maintained with recycled water substitute for water-demanding plantings such as flowering bushes.

Amenity highlights: The Aruba Bucuti Beach Resort's frontage on Eagle Beach, rated one of the world's 10 best by Travel + Leisure, extends for 200 yards, is 150 yards deep, and features 71 widely spaced thatched-roof shades. Freshwater swimming is available in a 50-by-25-foot pool, and a spa tub sits on the pool's sundeck. Motorized water sports are barred in front of the resort, but water sports are available from independent vendors farther north.

Insider tip: The Alhambra Casino a quarter-mile away includes a casual shopping bazaar that's open evenings--one of Aruba's few after-dark-shopping spots.

What to expect: Divi Aruba All Inclusive welcomes a broad mix of guests: couples, singles, and families who can enjoy everything from rock climbing and steel band music to quiet strolls on a white-sand beach. A spacious, open-air lobby with thickly cushioned rattan seating, warm woods, and stone walls greets arriving guests who can then hop onto complimentary golf-cart shuttles to get to their rooms, to the golf course across the street, or to the partner resort next door where they have full use of all facilities, including restaurants.

Amenity highlights: A 275 meter (300-yard) beach is dotted with lounge chairs and thatched-roof shades. Two pools provide freshwater swimming, one near the main bar, the Pelican Terrace. The resort supplies snorkeling equipment, windsurfers, small sailboats, floats, bicycles, and other sports facilities. A health spa is also on site (surcharges).

Insider tip: The Alhambra Casino 400 meters (a quarter-mile away) is accessible via the resort’s golf-cart shuttle and includes a casual shopping bazaar open evenings, making it one of Aruba's few after-dark shopping spots.