More photos My boyfriend and I just spent a wonderful week (from January 29 through February 5) at the Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa. We were looking for a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation, and we found it here. As all the reviews indicated, Manchebo is on THE best beach in Aruba. It is wide, always uncrowded and spacious between palapas, so you are never on top of another guest. Unlike in the high-rise section, you do not have to wait on line to reserve a hut or a spot on the beach. When you arrive at the beach in the morning, you are always greeted with a smile and your chaise lounges, which are placed wherever you want them. This is your spot for the day. A flag is available to place in the sand if you want a drink or snack, if you don’t feel like getting up to go to the Pega Pega. However, the Pega Pega is a great little beach bar, perfect for lunch–a hamburger, a hot dog, sandwiches–simple but good food. Pega Pega also has happy hour every day from 5 until 7, accompanied by live music. A fun, relaxing way to wind down after a day in the sun and before going to dinner.

The two on-site restaurants are very good. We opted for the all-inclusive package, because we did not want to have to think too much on this vacation or carry a lot of money. Giorgio’s Italian Restaurant is an open-air restaurant with very tasty Italian fare. You can sit inside or outside by the pool, which is lovely in the evening. It was a pleasure to be served by Jue, who was always happy to see you. Giorgio’s is also where breakfast is served, and you can’t beat having eggs or waffles or pancakes every morning by the pool. The other restaurant, The French Steakhouse, is elegant, with great live piano music. Again, the waiters are always kind and smiling, always making you feel at home. The food is excellent–from their broiled chicken to their fish dishes to their tiramisu or chocolate cake for dessert.

As part of the all-inclusive package, you are allowed one off-site dinner from a set list of restaurants. We chose the Old Cunucu House Restaurant, because it was off the beaten path and in an actual 150-year-old house. The food had Aruban flare and was just fantastic. There is a gentleman who plays the guitar, and the owner/server (I wish I got her name) was simply a doll. I wanted to take her home with me!

On another night, we chose to eat off-site on our own and chose Passions, which is right on the beach–the tables are in the sand. It is very romantic and, again, the food was delicious.

Manchebo is right across the street from the Alhambra Casino, where we went a few nights to try our hand at Blackjack and Caribbean Stud Poker. It was great, because, not only was it convenient, because it was so close, but it was more “local” than the “Americanized” casinos in the high-rise hotels. That, too, was a prime reason the Manchebo Resort was so great. It had a European flare to it, rather than another high-rise hotel with tons of guests you can find anywhere.

Manchebo also has an amazing spa–the Spa Del Sol. My boyfriend and I had a couples massage in a hut right on the beach. What a pleasure to hear the waves crashing as you are pampered. We also participated in a yoga class on the beach one morning. He might have been the only man in the group, but he held his own. It was simply divine.

Many other reviews made it a point to say that the rooms were not that great. I don’t understand this. You are not going on vacation to spend time in a hotel room. You are going to enjoy the beach, the water, the restaurants and other amenities. In any event, the rooms are not dingy or dirty or lacking anything by any means. Our room was spacious, with an updated bathroom (shower had a hand-held and a rain shower) and updated/marble/cherry-like wood furniture. There is air conditioning and an overhead fan, and we were never wanting for cool ventilation. There is also a safe for your valuables, a small refrigerator and microwave and a flat-screen TV. We were on the second-floor with a great view of the beach, with a small but perfect terrace. Honestly, what more do you need?

There isn’t much night life at the Resort, which was fine by us and exactly why we picked Manchebo. After dinner, you can go to the Pega Pega for a drink or two, but otherwise, you can take a walk under the moonlit sky, go to the casino or simply turn in. Karaoke was advertised for Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Pega Pega, which I was excited about, but, unfortunately, it never happened. We learned that it was a new event, so it might not have found its niche yet. That’s OK, though. I didn’t go to the Manchebo for karoake.

If you want a happening night life, there is always a cab ready to take you into town or to the high-rise section where there is plenty going on. The options abound and the choice is yours for the making.