Oranjestad, Aruba
Long Life Studios
📍 33, Bushiri, Oranjestad, 00000
Your stay — Long Life Studios
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Oranjestad.
The Property — Long Life Studios
Long Life Studios is a no-frills 3-star property near Oranjestad's cruise terminal, geared toward budget-conscious travellers who want a clean, air-conditioned base with a kitchenette. The lobby is small and functional, with a tiled floor and a reception desk that doubles as a tour-desk. It suits independent visitors spending most of their time outdoors, not those looking for a resort experience.
Chronicles of Oranjestad
Oranjestad was founded in 1796 around the natural harbour of Paardenbaai, named for the horse exports that once dominated the port. The city's architecture mixes Dutch colonial gables with pastel-painted facades, a legacy of Aruba's time as part of the Netherlands Antilles. After the 20th-century oil refinery boom, tourism reshaped the waterfront, introducing duty-free shops and high-rise hotels. Today, Oranjestad balances a laid-back Caribbean vibe with a strong Dutch influence in language and street names, and its population is a blend of Aruban, Venezuelan, and European residents.
Best Time to Visit
Full Oranjestad guide →Best months
April to June: sunny weather with lower humidity than peak summer, and fewer cruise ships than winter. Late November to early December: just before the peak season, with calm seas and manageable hotel rates.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: school holidays drive family travel, pushing hotel rates 30-50% above shoulder season. The Aruba Summer Festival in late June/early July adds to the buzz. Cruise ship arrivals are also high, making downtown crowded during the day.
Budget shoulder season
May and September: lower prices by 20-30%, with slightly more cloud cover but still plenty of sun. October is also quiet, though risk of brief tropical showers increases.
Weather & packing
Aruba sits outside the typical hurricane belt, so severe storms are rare, but brief, intense showers can appear any day, especially between October and February. Pack a light rain jacket or packable umbrella, and always include reef-safe sunscreen (sold locally but more expensive), plus a long-sleeved shirt for sun protection and evenings with strong air conditioning.
Live City Briefing — Oranjestad
- Aruba's public bus service (Arubus) has updated its route schedules for 2026; check the official app for real-time arrivals, as frequencies may be reduced in off-peak hours.
- A new pedestrian-friendly plaza has opened at the corner of L.G. Smith Boulevard and Havenstraat, with shaded seating and local food kiosks.
- The government extended the visitor entry fee (Bonaire-style) to include Aruba from July 2026; all tourists must pre-pay a $30 'Tourist and Environmental Levy' online before arrival.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Long Life Studios, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor, ideally above the 3rd floor, to minimize the possibility of street noise from Bushiri, a relatively busy street in Oranjestad. These rooms will also be farther away from the service entrance, which is likely to be on the lower floors. Considering the hotel has no elevator, opting for a room on a higher floor will also spare you from the hassle of carrying luggage up and down stairs.
Rooms to avoid
Lower floor rooms, especially those on the 1st and 2nd floors, might be noisier due to potential street noise and proximity to the service entrance. Although the exact layout isn't specified, rooms near the service entrance or lift could experience more disturbance.
Best views
Given the hotel's address on Bushiri, rooms on the side of the hotel facing the east (towards the sea) might offer a glimpse of the ocean or the surrounding landscape, although this is speculative without specific layout information.
Quietest floors
3rd floor and above
🔊 Noise notes
Bushiri is a relatively busy street, so rooms on lower floors might experience more street noise. The absence of an elevator might also add to the noise due to guests and staff moving in and out of the hotel.
Insider tips
Be mindful of the lack of an elevator and plan your luggage accordingly. If you're looking for a spot of parking, the hotel's location on Bushiri means you might find street parking available, but be sure to check local parking regulations.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Long Life Studios
Free, 100 Mbps, Guest ID required for login
Serves all floors, no stairs-only sections
Complimentary PressReader access on all devices
07:00 to 22:00, early bag-drop available from 06:00; late check-out until 14:00 for AWG 50
Available at main lobby, complimentary for guests, 24/7
Step-free access, wheelchair ramp at main entrance; some rooms may have restricted wheelchair access due to structural limitations
On-site parking available, AWG 30 per night; nearest public car park at Plaza Futuro, AWG 20 per day; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: AWG 14.50 per person per night, collected at check-out
Deposit & card hold: AWG 100 credit card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglecia Odress Nuevos (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Gloria — 482 m · ~6 min walk
Parke Natural Cunucu Abao — 508 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.2 km · ~16 min walk
Botica di Servicio Eagle — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Eagle Convenience Market — 182 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Aruban Florin, AWG
You can exchange money at the airport or at banks in the city, but be aware that rates might not be the best. For better rates, try a currency exchange office in the Palm Beach area.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, including contactless payments at many restaurants and shops. Mobile pay is also common, especially among locals.
Tipping is not expected but rounding up the bill or leaving 10-15% at restaurants and bars is appreciated. For taxis, rounding up the fare is sufficient.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical coffee at a local café will cost around 5-7 AWG (about $3-4 USD).
You can find a lunch at a local eatery for around 20-25 AWG ($12-15 USD).
A budget-friendly dinner at a local restaurant will cost around 40-50 AWG ($23-29 USD) for a main course.
Street food can be found in the area around the bus station and along the waterfront.
You'll find supermarkets like Super Food Services and Goya in the area.
Affordable shopping can be found at local markets and high-street stores like Hato Bieu.
A day pass for the local bus system costs around 8.50 AWG ($5 USD). From the airport, you can take the bus number 10 or 11 to the city center for 5.50 AWG ($3.20 USD).
Consider buying a refillable water bottle to avoid single-use plastic, use the local bus system instead of taxis, and eat at local eateries for more authentic and affordable food.
Emergency Contacts
OranjestadFor general emergencies, a single number covers all services. For non-urgent police matters, call +297 582 0400. The Oranjestad Tourist Assistance Office is at +297 582 6800, open 8am–6pm daily. Download the government 'Aruba Info' app for location-based alerts.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Oranjestad, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Long Life Studios
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.2 km · ~16 min walk — pharmacy · Botica di Servicio Eagle — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Montaña Plaza Hotel → Eagle Beach or Palm Beach
💡 Get the hotel’s taxi call number saved in your phone. For beach runs, agree the fare before getting in — fixed rates apply per destination zone. Prices quoted in USD or AWG; pay in local currency for slight saving on exchange.
Bubali bus stop (near hotel, 5-minute walk) → Downtown Oranjestad (bus terminal near Renaissance Mall)
💡 Get a reusable 'Bus Card' from the terminal for 2.50 AWG — it loads credit and saves coins. Route 10 runs along the coastal road; best to board heading south. Last bus leaves downtown around 11:30 PM; check the digital schedule board at the terminal.
Montaña Plaza Hotel (walk 3 mins to bus stop on L.G. Smith Blvd, opposite SuperFood) → San Nicolas (tourist market area) or back to Oranjestad
💡 Route 1 heads south along the coast past Baby Beach — good for a cheap day trip, but schedule is loose. Take a photo of the frequency poster at the stop. Bring small bills and a bottle of water; no A/C on older buses.
Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) → Montaña Plaza Hotel
💡 Use the official taxi dispatch desk just outside baggage claim. Fixed rates to downtown Oranjestad are posted on a board. No need to negotiate; they're regulated. Tip 10% if driver helps with bags.
About Oranjestad
Wikipedia ↗
Oranjestad (UK: orr-AN-yə-staht, US: or-AHN-, oh-RAHN-, Dutch: [oːˈrɑɲəstɑt]; literally "Orange City" in Dutch; Papiamento: Orañestat or colloquially Playa, lit. 'beach'), the capital and most populous of Aruba's eight regions, is located on the southwestern coast of the island. Administratively,...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Long Life Studios?
Request a room on a higher floor, ideally above the 3rd floor, to minimize the possibility of street noise from Bushiri, a relatively busy street in Oranjestad. These rooms will also be farther away from the service entrance, which is likely to be on the lower floors. Considering the hotel has no elevator, opting for a room on a higher floor will also spare you from the hassle of carrying luggage up and down stairs.
Which rooms should I avoid at Long Life Studios?
Lower floor rooms, especially those on the 1st and 2nd floors, might be noisier due to potential street noise and proximity to the service entrance. Although the exact layout isn't specified, rooms near the service entrance or lift could experience more disturbance.
Is Long Life Studios noisy?
Bushiri is a relatively busy street, so rooms on lower floors might experience more street noise. The absence of an elevator might also add to the noise due to guests and staff moving in and out of the hotel.
Which rooms have the best views at Long Life Studios?
Given the hotel's address on Bushiri, rooms on the side of the hotel facing the east (towards the sea) might offer a glimpse of the ocean or the surrounding landscape, although this is speculative without specific layout information.
What are insider tips for staying at Long Life Studios?
Be mindful of the lack of an elevator and plan your luggage accordingly. If you're looking for a spot of parking, the hotel's location on Bushiri means you might find street parking available, but be sure to check local parking regulations.
What time is check-in at Long Life Studios?
Check-in at Long Life Studios is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Long Life Studios have Wi-Fi?
Free, 100 Mbps, Guest ID required for login
Is there a city or tourist tax at Long Life Studios?
AWG 14.50 per person per night, collected at check-out
Where can I eat cheaply near Long Life Studios?
You can find a lunch at a local eatery for around 20-25 AWG ($12-15 USD).
What is the cheapest way to get around from Long Life Studios?
A day pass for the local bus system costs around 8.50 AWG ($5 USD). From the airport, you can take the bus number 10 or 11 to the city center for 5.50 AWG ($3.20 USD).
When is the best time to visit Oranjestad?
April to June: sunny weather with lower humidity than peak summer, and fewer cruise ships than winter. Late November to early December: just before the peak season, with calm seas and manageable hotel rates.
Top Attractions in Oranjestad
💡 Best photo light is just after sunrise (around 6:30am) when the street is quiet and the sun hits the pastel facades.
💡 Visit on Saturday morning for the liveliest atmosphere with local vendors and cooked street food.
💡 Bring bread or fruit pieces to feed the iguanas—they’re used to tourists and will come right up.
💡 Go early (before 9am) to avoid crowds and hotel guest priority. Non-guests can enter after 10am.
💡 Visit during the Bon Bini festival on Tuesday evenings for free live music and dancing in the courtyard.