If you have been to Aruba you’re probably familiar with the infamous highrise hotels, in fact you probably stayed in one. The span of beach that is home to 10 hotels is where thousands flock to to regain warmth during the winter seasons and visit during the non-winter seasons because, well, its Aruba.

I have always known that the hotels located on the island including Riu, Marriott, Hyatt, Westin, Renaissance, Radisson, and others are world-wild hotels that produce some of the best services and accommodations. What exactly is the difference between all of them, I’ve never been too sure so I decided to venture out a little.

I am staying at the Marriott Ocean Club, which is part of the three-part Marriott Hotel. The adjacent buildings are the Marriott Surf Club and the Marriot Resort and Stellaris Casino. I have been here twice and can speak nothing but good things. It is a beautiful hotel and offers everything one can want for a family vacation. There are eight restaurants spread throughout the three hotels offering everything from American cuisine to Japanese and local seafood.

There are huge swimming pools with waterfalls, hot tubs, and kiddie pools. Rentable huts are located by the beach as well as an activities tent, standard features for most oceanfront resorts. Not to mention the whole hotel got a face lift when more than half of the rooms were redesigned. One thing stood out as I walked around the three hotels: there are more families than couples. However, this wasn’t something that immediately stood out to me. It wasn’t until after I visited the Hyatt that I realized that the Marriott was more of a family hotel.

The Hyatt is a hotel that does welcome families of all sizes and offers the same things as all the other hotels on the beach, but when I walked around the resort I mostly saw couples. Sometimes groups of four vacationing together, but it was mostly twos. Two people in a restaurant, two people getting their picture taken by the beach, or two people sitting at the bar. There was hardly a child in site.

The two resorts are quite similar (both have rooms that range from $300-$700 to anywhere near $1000, and the Hyatt also went under renovations) but the Hyatt is a more couple-friendly resort. The lobby is full of earth tones that calm any mood to fit the stereotypical relaxed Island beat. The pools, which includes a three-tier pool, are surrounded by tropical birds, lush vegetation, and a lagoon that holds tropical fish and wildlife. The only thing that is close to that at the Marriott is the Iguana preserve that is located throughout the Oceanclub, which is more of an entertainment feature as the reptiles try to steal food and the garnish of guests’ drinks.

The overall atmosphere at the Hyatt is one where you want to take your time, stop and take some pictures, walk slow and calm down. Yes, the Hyatt does offer everything a normal hotel or timeshare could offer, activities for children and adults but it’s a peaceful environment. At the Marriott, the bright colored patterns throughout the hotel makes even the latest sleeper want to get up early.

After spending some time in both hotels I came to the conclusion that both are good for vacationing and have been guests go-to’s since they opened. But if you want serenity and a guaranteed peace of mind visit the Hyatt. If you want to spend time with the family and be entertained at all times visit the Marriott. It’s a personal choice, but regardless of the decision you’ll still be on “One Happy Island.”