ORANJESTAD (July 14, 2019) – Sundays I write about the most relevant and interesting happenings on the island in my newsletter.
This weeks edition features the top news headlines in Aruba.
Subscribing to my newsletter is an ideal way to stay up to date with what’s going on in Aruba – whether you’re living on the island, miles away or your first visit!
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Culinary Master Series at La Vista
Two chefs, are preparing an author’s cuisine during two nights at La Vista restaurant at the Marriott resort.
This food event will be hosted by the sous chef (Taka Kondo) at the 3 Michelin star restaurant in Italy named, Osteria Francescana, owned by Massimo Bottura, who is an Italian restaurateur.
Osteria Francescana was named the number 1 restaurant in the world in 2018.
Chef Taka Kondo will be accompanied by his wife, Chef Karime Lopez.
Chef Karime López is head chef at Gucci Osteria in Italy, also owned by Massimo Bottura.
The culinary event will be a five course dinner and wine pairing.
It will take place August 9 – 10, 2019 at Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. Events starts at 7:00 PM.
Price is $189 per person.
For questions and reservations visit the Marriott Resort front desk.
The Future of Port City in Aruba
The harbor in Oranjestad will soon be transformed into a vibrant living and commercial area named Port City.
Port City will become an integrated part of the downtown area, and the island as a whole. The city will host a diversity of businesses, convention center, restaurants, boardwalks, boutique resorts, affordable houses for locals, public spaces and a large recreational park.
The project is going to be built on approximately 50 acres of land, and has an investment value of $500.000
Bushiri beach, which is next to the harbor will be renovated and made accessible for locals and visitors.
The project is still in the planning stage and the date for construction is not yet known.
Olde Molen Night Club Plans on Revamping as a Local Boutique Hotel
Owners of the popular Olde Molen nightclub in Aruba announced their plans to transform the club into a new boutique hotel.
The Olde Molen has a popular landmark, which is an Old Dutch Windmill that was shipped to the island from the Netherlands in the 1960’s. This windmill is one of the most historic spots on the island, and reminds us of the Dutch influences in Aruba.
Since 1962, this old windmill has hosted several establishments, including restaurants and bars.
Now it will possibly be turned into a locally owned boutique hotel. The Olde Molen is located on Eagle beach, close to RIU resort. According to the owners, the boutique hotel will have traditional characteristics of buildings in Aruba, to give the hotel a local touch.
Here’s a sketch of the future boutique hotel.

The view of new Olde Molen Boutique Hotel.
According to the owners, it’s going to be named The Olde Molen Boutique Hotel.
The hotel will have 100 rooms, and will have the old Dutch windmill in the center. It will include a pool, kiosk with different shops, parking spaces. And the night club as it is known today, will be a memory.
The boutique hotel is only in the planning stage at the moment, no exact date was mentioned yet for start of construction.
5th Year Southwest Anniversary
Southwest Airlines celebrate their 5 year anniversary providing roundtrip service to Aruba.
The airline company made its first commercial flight from Baltimore (BWI, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport) to Aruba on July 1, 2014.
One year later, on March 7, 2015 Southwest Airlines sets another historic mark as they launched their first flight from Houston to Aruba.
You can fly out of Houston to Aruba once a week, on Saturday. It’s also possible to fly to Aruba with Southwest daily from Baltimore and Orlando (Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport).
A total of 85.000 passengers used the point to point flight service in 2018 by Southwest. Up to today in 2019, the airline already transporter up to 40.000 passengers, with an uprising trend that promises to break last year’s numbers.
Cruise Ship Hosting Cirque du Soleil Visits Aruba
An unique cruise ship will dock in Aruba on November 2019.
It’s the MSC Meraviglia.
What makes this cruise ship special?
They have a unique partnership with Cirque du Soleil, taking entertainment at the sea to a new level.
Visitors have the opportunity to see two original shows by Cirque du Soleil and enjoy a culinary experience.
Cirque du Soleil will have 2 different shows, Viago and Sonor. Each show has its unique concept, ambiance, story line, costumes and make up.
It’s the perfect dinner and a show in Aruba.
MSC Meraviglia will dock November 6, 2019 on the island.
Aruba Summer Music Festival
Aruba is hosting an additional Summer Music Festival in August 2019.
After Silvestre Dagond, Ala Jaza, Jeon and Manuel Turizo performed in the first leg of the festival, now it’s time for Farukko to put his show!
The best local bands like N’Fuzion, D’Licious and guest band from Curacao, Gentz are on the line up as opening acts.
Promoters estimate 5000 visitors to attend, and also the locals festival goers. It’s going to be one of those must attend festivals in the Caribbean.
Summer music festival will be at the Harbour Arena, in Oranjestad on August 17, 2019.
Tickets are available at Sandra’s Garden at Surfside beach. General entrance $38 – VIP $78 – Diamond $115.
Doors open at 7:00 PM and the first band starts at 8:00 PM
Local food trucks are also going to be on site with delicious street cuisine from different nationalities only found in Aruba.
Visit the island and experience how amazing festivals are in Aruba.
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