Does this view look like bliss to you? For yogis, imagine doing your yoga poses on a beach like this, with the sound of warm crashing waves off in the near distance. For those who don’t have a committed yoga practice (I don’t go to yoga classes regularly btw, although I’m a huge fan), a place that oozes with serenity makes for a great escape for anyone needing to unwind after too many hours, weeks or even months of hard work at home.
Meet the Aruba’s Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa, a wellness stay that focuses on yoga and health. Overlooking Eagle Beach, this low-key four star resort dotted with palm trees and pure white sand is a lovely option for wellness gurus, yoga practitioners and fans.
All Things Wellness
Yoga is really their thing as is wellness, which started out with their on-site Spa del Sol, which they refer to as a Caribbean-Balinese spa oasis. Think teak wood furnishings, cool trade winds and soft music set against the ocean. They have individual thatched cabanas right on the premises, all of which overlook Eagle Beach. In other words, you can get a massage with a view. Be sure to read my write-up.
You can sign up for relaxing, hot stone and shiatsu massages, body scrubs and wraps, manicures, pedicures, and facials. There’s also a steam room and whirlpool outside that you can relax in before or after your treatment.
There’s plenty of Buddha and Balinese influences throughout the property, but most prominently at the spa itself. They also have two breezy, open-air yoga studios overlooking Eagle Beach, premium Manduka yoga mats, which we’re a huge fan of and have reviewed in the past. They’ve had yogis like Patrick Beach, who have held week long yoga retreats and workshops at Manchebo.
All guests of Manchebo enjoy one complimentary Yoga and Pilates class, with the option to add additional classes to fit their style and schedule. While I didn’t have time to do a Pilates class, I did do a couple of morning yoga classes under the main dome – note that you have a full view of swaying palm trees and the ocean off in the distance.
They had two morning classes when I was there and often one at sunset in the other space they refer to as the Yoga Deck which is very meditative. The resort offers 16 classes each week, ranging from Morning Vinyasa Yoga at the Pavilion that’s ideal for beginners to Sunset Stretch on the Yoga Deck. All of their classes are taught by highly trained Yoga and Pilates teams.
This is a great wellness stay for wellness-conscious travelers who are drawn to a small and intimate environment as well as healthy food options and activities right on the resort. The property itself is fairly small compared to so many of the larger hotels and all inclusives on the main strip, which are better options for millennials and family stays, like Aruba’s Marriott which has so many great options for kids, several eateries on site, an adult-only pool ….the list goes on. I loved my stay there, which is a short drive away. Remember that the island is relatively small, so you can actually get down to the far south of the island’s Baby Beach in about an hour or less depending on traffic.
Whether you’re new to yoga or a regular, I’d encourage you to take advantage of their daily classes. And, after that yoga or pilates class, you can order a fresh fruit or veggie juice, which they blend before your eyes. In other words, you can create your own and they’re so fresh and so divine, that you’ll begin to feel your body becoming more alkaline by the day if you order a few juices a day, cut out the meats and stick to fresh veggies, salads and grilled fish at night, which I did all week.
If you don’t have a mat or didn’t bring your own, they have them on the premises, so you can use them for your own meditation time when you’re not one of their official classes.
Outside the spa itself, there are other serene fine touches that add to the tranquility of the place. Pure natural beauty and some of it added, but the combination is just what the doctor ordered.
Beach Time
The beach stretch in front of the resort is considered one of the most pristine patches on the island.
Below is a view from my room off to the right on a particularly cloudy day. To the left is where the main thrust of activities occur; here sits a bar, where they sometimes have live music, one of the yoga spaces, a relaxing outdoor lounge area with couches where you can dive into a novel, take in a cuppa tea and watch the ocean off in the distance.
It’s so relaxing and lovely that even if you’re not a yogi, it makes a great getaway to simply turn off for awhile. Speaking of turning off, they do have wifi, but because of the type of guest they attract, you’ll find more people taking beach walks and reading than you will sitting around the property glued to their laptop. In fact, I don’t think I saw a laptop open once.
Below is the outdoor pool. Because there are so few guests at any given time, you don’t need to worry about finding a spare lounge chair. While I certainly saw guests in their thirties, there were many slightly older guests (40-60 years of age), which shouldn’t be a surprise given the peacefulness of the place. While it is not an adult-only property, there were no children staying when I was there and according to one of the managers I chatted with, you rarely see them at the property except for around school breaks.
Taking a stroll around the property is so blissful, it took me a shorter time to unwind than is typical when I go away.
Below, a view of the beach from my hotel room patio on a sunnier day.
Lounging on the beach and doing absolutely nothing at all is a must when you visit this quiet and treasured gem.
Healthy Dining
Below is one of my healthier breakfasts. Each day, they have healthy smoothie options as well as a buffet, from omelettes you can create (the chef will customize one for you), yogurt, eggs, bacon, bagels, toast, pastries and fresh fruit. I love Papaya, Mango and Kiwi when I head to the Caribbean.
For dinner, you can go casual or head to their on the premises upscale restaurant The Chophouse, which I loved. Not only did they have fabulous steak and grilled fish options, but there’s a sushi bar in the restaurant as well. (Omakase Sushi).
You have the option of sitting inside or out, depending on your mood and the weather, and both are romantic chic. When you stay with them for four nights or more, they will also treat you to dinner off-property, which an unusual feature, but most definitely a lovely one.
Above, inside of The Chophouse. Photo credit: Manchebo
Below is the lobby lounge area which has lots of books and magazines you can borrow or read on-site.
The Rooms
There’s only 72 guest rooms, so there’s no high rise energy here. They combine contemporary island style with the modern day amenities and services, using a soothing color palette of turquoise to create a warm ambiance. Tucked in two ocean-facing buildings rising no taller than the coconut trees that surround them, the rooms have balconies where you can sip that cuppa Joe in the morning if you don’t want to head down to the breakfast buffet.
Below, one of their deluxe rooms.
Above photo credits: Manchebo Resort.
As you sit out on your veranda, you’ll be in full view of jasmine, oleander, areca palms and banana plants or the ocean, or both depending on where you room is located. Their new bathrooms mix marble and cherry wood finishes and feature premium bath zero-entry showers with rainfall shower heads, which is oh so lovely after an ocean swim, which I did every day during my stay.
There’s also a spacious work desk, sitting area, armoire and refreshment nook with a fridge, microwave and coffeemaker. Two thumbs up — I would definitely retuern!!
DETAILS:
Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa
J.E. Irausquin Boulevard # 55
Eagle Beach, Aruba
888-673-8036
Note: I was hosted by the resort but all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
