Aruba, Where To Stay

Aruba Form The Air

Aruba is a Dutch island 18 miles off the coast of Venezuela that features beautiful beaches, crystal blue water, an arid desert-like topography, and some of the nicest people anywhere in the world.

When researching where to stay we quickly settled upon the Renaissance Aruba Hotel and Casino.  The Renaissance Aruba is actually two distinct properties; the Marina Hotel and the Ocean Suites.  We opted Marina Hotel for a few reasons: the rooms have been recently renovated, it’s an adults only property, and the primary reason there’s a water taxi that runs from the hotel lobby (yes, in the lobby!) to the hotel’s private island complete with Flamingo Beach.

Boat ride en route to the private island
Boat ride en route to the private island

The reception area of the Marina Hotel is an escalator ride up from ground level and features an open air lobby and BLUE bar.  BLUE has excellent cocktails and sushi. If you’re into spicy food and drink I highly recommend the Peligroso Old Fashioned which features a homemade sweet red bell pepper/spicy yellow Madame Jeanette pepper syrup, papaya salsa, and bourbon; it really is an outstanding cocktail.

Peligroso Old Fashioned
The highly addictive Peligroso Old Fashioned

The rooms are spacious and our suite offered both a view of the marina across the street as well as an alternate view of the BLUE bar.  But as nice as the rooms are we couldn’t wait to explore the property and were especially excited about the private island!

Making new friends at Flamingo Beach
Making new friends at Flamingo Beach

In true James Bond fashion the water taxi picks you up in the hotel and whisks you off for a 10 minute boat ride en route to the private island.  Once docked at the private island you’re greeted by iguanas, lizards, and birds as you ascend the steps to the main part of the island. From here you have a choice: to the right is Flamingo Beach, to the left is a lagoon, beach, and Papagayo Bar & Grill.

Papagayo Bar & Grill
Papagayo Bar & Grill

Flamingo Beach is absolutely incredible and will make all of your Instagram dreams come true!  Food is available for purchase and the flamingos come right up to you and are more than happy to eat right out for your hand.  Be warned though, they’re not the most patient of birds so have your camera at the ready to snap the perfect shot, and don’t be surprised if you get honked at once or twice because even flamingos need personal space sometimes!

Flamingo Beach
Flamingo Beach
Private island lagoon
Private island lagoon

There are plenty of choices of beautiful places to stay in Aruba, however having access to Renaissance Private Island and Flamingo Beach made the decision easy for us.  If you’re considering a trip to Aruba the Renaissance Aruba Marina Hotel should be on your short list of places to stay, you won’t be disappointed.

Flamingo Beach
Flamingo Beach

Hemingsworth Clipper Swim Shorts Review

Hemingsworth and Prosecco

My wife and I are fortunate enough to live in Florida which means there’s no shortage of sunny days in the upper 80’s even in mid-October.  We decided to spend the weekend at the new Art Ovation Hotel located in the heart of Sarasota’s thriving theater and arts district. The hotel features curated art exhibits, artisan classes and professional demonstrations, as well as a Perspective, a roof top pool bar making it the perfect venue to break in my new Hemingsworth Clipper swim shorts.

Hemingswoth Clipper swim shorts
Hemingswoth Clipper swim shorts, perfect attire for a roof top pool

There’s no shortage of high-end swimwear choices for men these days.  I’m a fan of brands like Orlebar Brown, Sunspel, and Vilebrequin, but I was highly intrigued when I came across the English brand Hemingsworth.  Launched in January 2017 by former advertising executive, Matt Jones, Hemingsworth aims to be a purveyor of an “English gentleman’s travel wardrobe.”  The first piece in this wardrobe comes in the form of the Clipper swim shorts.

Hemingsworth Clipper swim short, pure white
Hemingsworth Clipper swim short, pure white

Hemingsworth Clipper swim shorts are handcrafted in England by London-based tailors and have impeccable details such as: Tahitian mother of pearl buttons, zippers custom made in Italy by Lampo, and side buckles that are cast and finished in Germany.  No expense has been spared when crafting these swim shorts. In fact, the swim shorts feature a 27 piece pattern and go through 17 distinct hand finishing processes.

The packaging of the Clippers is top notch.  The swim shorts come in a tube worthy of a single malt Scotch emblazoned with a brief story of the brand.  Inside the tube is a canvas bag containing the swim shorts as well as a handwritten note; truly first class.  Already a great experience from the packaging alone.

Swim shorts packaging
Swim shorts packaging

The fit of the Hemingsworth Clipper swim shorts is excellent.  I ordered a size 30, which is what I wear in Orlebar Brown Bulldog swim shorts, and the cut is spot on.  When compared to the Bulldogs the fit of the Clippers is a bit more tailored. The Clippers are not restrictive in any way, they’re just cut ever-so-slightly more trim in the legs than the Bulldogs giving the Clippers a crisp silhouette making them perfect for the pool, beach, or cocktails watching the sunset.  The finish of the swim shorts is perfect as well. There is not a thread out of place or a misplaced stitch. The mother of pearl buttons are beautiful in person and are an elegant detail.

     Tahitian mother of pearl buttons
Tahitian mother of pearl buttons

The color of the Clippers is also outstanding.  I ordered a pair in solid white and the color is gorgeous.  The color is not a “pure white,” it reminds me of a vintage Ford Mustang in “Wimbledon White.”  Surely that’s no coincidence as the solid white Clippers would not look out of place on Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Enjoying a private cabana at Perspective

I am extremely impressed with the product and high level of service offered by Hemingsworth.  I cannot recommend them highly enough and I’m incredibly excited to see what is next for the brand.