As this is our first-time stay at a holiday-apartment (normally we stay at hotels) it makes it a bit difficult to make an even-handed review. Let's give it a shot:
Camacuri apartments is situated a 5 to 10 minutes drive to downtown Oranjestad. It takes about the same time (5 minutes) to get to the airport. To rent a car is rather advisable as public transport is not really an option if you want to get to the typical tourist attraction of Aruba: the far-off beaches, the lighthouses, Oranjestad, the national park, et cetera. Don't worry about where to leave your rental car: Camacuri has a free secured parking lot.
Some of the apartments are arranged round a central courtyard and others (the larger, more comfortable and more expensive ones) are built along a quite tasteful garden-like expanse (trees, cacti, succulent plants, some birds -hummingbirds!-, the occasional iguana and a lot of lizards) which also has a small pool. All of the apartments have a small terrace at the back but unfortunately the view is restricted because of the fenced wall surrounding the entire compound.
The studio apartments themselves are sparingly, but adequately, furnished. The decor isn't especially stylish or trendy; in truth it could use a bit of an update. All apartments have air-conditioning.
The beds are quite 'springy'; so if you prefer this, it could be a bonus. Conversely, if you like a firm bed/mattress you might be in for a bit of a disappointment (we found them to be okay).
Every studio comes with a kitchen. Ours was of the "no frills' variety: no oven, no microwave, no dishwasher, a 2 element electric stove (one element not functioning properly), no other electric appliances. According to photos on the website (camacuriapartmentsaruba.com) some of the other apartments have kitchens with an oven and larger electric or gas cooking-ranges. So if you're planning tot do some (or a lot!) of cooking yourself, you might want to take these differences into account and choose your (type of) apartment accordingly.
The very friendly housekeeping staff keep the studios squeaky-clean and change the bedlinnen twice a week. Of course any used crockery/cutlery/pots and pans you will have to clean yourself (don't forget to buy some dishwashing detergent; brush and cloth you'll find in one of the kitchen cupboards).
If you need to do your laundry: there is a laundry room with washing machines (cost: 5 Aruban Florins = $2.75) and dryers. Regrettably washing powder isn't provided.
Very important nowadays (as we are such digital junkies we couldn't do without it anymore): Camacuri has free WiFi.
If you're interested in watching television: some American and Latin-american channels are provided as well as BVN (a Dutch-Flemish channel) and a BBC-channel. Pay-per-view or dedicated film-channels (usually an option in hotels) are absent. But hey: why would you want to watch TV when you could be having a good time elsewhere on Aruba?
And if you don't already know what to do or where to have dinner or what beaches are nice and quiet: the dedicated staff will give you and any and all information you wish for (in English, Dutch, Papiamento and probably some other languages as well!). Tell them you're going to go swimming and they'll very obligingly lend you a beach towel.
If you're looking for a more luxurious and higher service level stay, then you'd better book a hotel.
If you prefer direct access to the beach, then you're going to be better of choosing one of the residences/hotels/resorts on the West side of the island.
But if you prefer a bit of quiet, don't need an excess of non-essential luxury, and have a (rental) car available: then Camacuri apartments is reasonably good value for money.
Tip: the simple 'studio' is very basic. It might be a good idea to choose one of the other types of apartment: studio deluxe, suite or luxury suite. Also: the apartments along the 'garden' have more outside space and a nicer view.
