The NYC Couple Enjoy Romance & Adventure on Aruba
The story of an Aruba vacation through the eyes of our visitors.
World travelers, vloggers, and Instagram influencers Mark and Amanda, known collectively as the NYC Couple, recently enjoyed a romantic getaway, staying at Boardwalk Boutique Hotel on the island of Aruba, and sharing their daily adventures with their followers on social media. The couple’s down-to-earth-style is relatable and approachable, explaining on their blog:
“Life is great, and we're thankful every day for this opportunity. After all, we're just an average couple - there's nothing extremely rare or special about us, and we're far from being rich. Our hope is that we can inspire you to live the life you want because it's short. Live it.”
And live it they certainly do! The couple made the most of their few days on Aruba, exploring local culture and enjoying a variety of island excursions, while still finding intimate moments together.
Although Mark and Amanda have done quite a bit of traveling, they have not spent much time in the Caribbean and this was their first visit to Aruba. “We were really curious to see how it compared to a lot of the beautiful islands and beaches that we experienced in Asia. Plus, the four-hour plane ride from NYC makes it's very appealing. Needless to say, Aruba is up there! The beautiful blue water and white sand beaches were incredible... and it was a nice touch that the sand didn't seem to burn our feet here when we were walking on it,” the couple explained. They were also surprised by Aruba’s contrasting landscapes that transition from striking turquoise waters and white-sand beaches to the dramatic beauty of cacti-filled desert terrain. “It really reminded us of parts of California (Joshua Tree/Palm Desert) where Coachella is held,” they said.
Aruba’s landscapes are the perfect playground for adventurous couples, and Mark and Amanda filled their days cruising on a catamaran, exploring the countryside and coastline on a UTV tour, and checking out the island’s local food scene.
Aruba’s varied accommodations certainly offer something for everyone, but the couple specifically chose Boardwalk Boutique Hotel, explaining, “We've stayed in plenty of large chain hotels and they are all pretty much the same. Sure, they are beautiful, but we were looking for something unique and different. Boardwalk fit the bill! With every casita being unique and the staff knowing us by name, they made us feel at home, we couldn't have asked for a better experience.”
Although the couple spent a lot of time discovering the island, Boardwalk was the perfect oasis to come back to, reveling in the intimacy and coziness of the hotel’s environs. “The casitas come fully loaded and it felt like we were at home; if we wanted to stay in and drink wine on the balcony, maybe even cook up a romantic late-night dinner, this is the place to be!”
Aruba’s overall hospitality and welcoming nature impressed Mark and Amanda, commenting, “The people were all so nice! Everywhere we went, everyone was smiling and happy to talk to us. This is a very unique trait, that only a handful of places carry.”
Mark and Amanda’s parting advice for travelers to Aruba: “Wear sunscreen—even on cloudy days. But, if you do happen to get sunburned, make sure you pick up some of the local Aloe! It's fantastic! Doesn't feel sticky like the brands we've tried back in the U.S., and it helped us when we spent a little too much time sun bathing.”
