Your stay — Modanza 118
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 — Modanza 118
Modanza 118 is a straightforward 3-star property a five-minute walk from Eagle Beach. Its lobby is small, tiled and air-conditioned, with a front desk that hands out beach towels and a keycard for the plunge pool. The rooms are clean, basic and recently painted; there’s no restaurant, but a continental breakfast is served on a shaded patio. It suits budget-conscious couples or families who plan to spend their days on the sand and only need a quiet, functional base.
Chronicles of Oranjestad
Oranjestad was founded in 1796 by the Dutch, who named it after William V of Orange. It grew as a free-port hub during the gold rush of the 1820s and later as an oil-refinery centre for Shell. The historic quarter along the harbour still has pastel-coloured Dutch colonial buildings with louvred windows and steep gables. The city’s contemporary identity is a mix of Caribbean rhythm, South American commerce (Venezuelan shoppers), and a tourism economy centred on casinos, all-inclusive resorts and duty-free shopping.
Best Time to Visit
Full Oranjestad guide →Best months
April to June: daytime temperatures sit around 30°C, trade winds keep humidity down, and the chance of rain is low. Crowds from the US spring-break season have thinned, so beach spots are easier to find.
Peak / festival surge
January to March. These months draw the heaviest crowds escaping northern winter. Hotel prices often double or triple. The main events are the Aruba Hi-Winds windsurfing competition (June/July) and the Aruba Carnival (January–February), which peaks with a large parade in Oranjestad.
Budget shoulder season
September to November. These are the quietest months, with slightly higher rain risk but still plenty of sun. Hotel rates drop significantly (often 30–50% below peak). September and October are also the cheapest for flights from North America.
Weather & packing
Aruba lies outside the main hurricane belt, so storms are rare, but brief, heavy showers can blow in from the Caribbean and pass within 15 minutes. Pack a light rain jacket or poncho that fits in a daypack, plus reef-safe sunscreen – the island bans harmful sunscreens containing oxybenzone.
Live City Briefing — Oranjestad
- The main airport, Queen Beatrix International (AUA), has completed a runway expansion and new terminal, reducing arrival delays – but roadworks on the main route to Oranjestad continue.
- A new public bus route (Route 10) now runs every 30 minutes from the hotel’s street (Bubali 118) to downtown Oranjestad and Eagle Beach, with a flat fare of $2.50 USD.
- Eagle Beach has introduced seasonal nesting protection zones for sea turtles; visitors within 50 metres of marked areas between March and August must not use flashlights after sunset.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Modanza 118, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the back of the building (away from Modanza Street). These upper floors reduce street-level noise and have better airflow from the trade winds.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor, especially those facing Modanza 118 directly, as they get foot traffic and noise from the street entrance. Ground-floor rooms also risk more humidity and less privacy.
Best views
Rooms at the rear of the building overlook quieter residential backstreets and possibly a courtyard or neighbouring roofs. No great vista here—Modanza 118 sits on a main road in Oranjestad's commercial fringe.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest—further from street noise and lift lobbies which tend to be busiest on lower floors.
🔊 Noise notes
Modanza Street is a one-way local road with moderate traffic during the day (8am–6pm) and occasional scooters at night. On weekend evenings, Oranjestad's nightlife nearby adds pedestrian noise. The hotel lift can be audible if your room is adjacent to the shaft.
Insider tips
1. Check in after 2pm to request a top-floor rear room directly at the front desk—don’t rely on pre-booking as inventory may change. 2. If you’re driving, park in the marked lot behind the hotel (quieter and shaded) rather than on the street; ask the front desk for access.
- 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 — Modanza 118
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps download) for all guests; premium 25 Mbps available for $8 USD/day
Single lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Digital newspaper access via PressReader at lobby tablets only; building is a modern low-rise (2016) with no heritage features
Standard check-in 15:00-23:00; late check-out until 13:00 for $50 USD; bag drop from 10:00
Free for same-day arrivals before check-in and after check-out
Step-free entrance with ramp; lift accessible to all floors; no accessible rooms have roll-in showers, only grab bars
On-site free parking for 20 cars, first-come-first-served; nearest public car park at Renaissance Marketplace ($15 USD per day); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Resort fee of 6% of room rate per night, plus 7% government tax
Deposit & card hold: First night's deposit due at booking; incidental hold of $100 USD per night at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Jose Gregorio Chapel (820 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Misa Santa Filomena (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parke Curazon — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 657 m · ~8 min walk
Botica Paradera — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Shap — 562 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Aruban Florin, AWG
Change money at banks or their ATMs for the best rates; avoid airport and hotel exchanges due to poor rates.
Major credit cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in most shops and restaurants; some small vendors prefer cash.
Tip 10-15% in restaurants if service charge not included, round up taxi fares, and $1-2 per bag for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small local coffee at a bakery kiosk or food truck costs around 3-4 AWG.
A local roti or sandwich from a casual takeaway joint is about 12-15 AWG.
A main course at a modest local eatery (like a grill or Chinese spot) runs 18-25 AWG.
Look for food trucks and small stands along the main road in Oranjestad, especially near the bus terminal and harbour area.
Budget supermarkets include Super Food and Ling & Sons, with basic essentials at fair prices.
Affordable clothing is available at small independent stores in the downtown area, plus occasional market stalls near the cruise port.
The cheapest way around is the Arubus public bus (about 2-3 AWG per ride); from the airport, catch the same bus for 2 AWG to Oranjestad.
Eat where locals eat, like small roti or burger joints; buy water and snacks at supermarkets rather than tourist shops; use the bus instead of taxis for longer trips.
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 Modanza 118
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 657 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Botica Paradera — 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Modanza 118?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the back of the building (away from Modanza Street). These upper floors reduce street-level noise and have better airflow from the trade winds.
Which rooms should I avoid at Modanza 118?
Avoid rooms on the first floor, especially those facing Modanza 118 directly, as they get foot traffic and noise from the street entrance. Ground-floor rooms also risk more humidity and less privacy.
Is Modanza 118 noisy?
Modanza Street is a one-way local road with moderate traffic during the day (8am–6pm) and occasional scooters at night. On weekend evenings, Oranjestad's nightlife nearby adds pedestrian noise. The hotel lift can be audible if your room is adjacent to the shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at Modanza 118?
Rooms at the rear of the building overlook quieter residential backstreets and possibly a courtyard or neighbouring roofs. No great vista here—Modanza 118 sits on a main road in Oranjestad's commercial fringe.
What are insider tips for staying at Modanza 118?
1. Check in after 2pm to request a top-floor rear room directly at the front desk—don’t rely on pre-booking as inventory may change. 2. If you’re driving, park in the marked lot behind the hotel (quieter and shaded) rather than on the street; ask the front desk for access.
What time is check-in at Modanza 118?
Check-in at Modanza 118 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Modanza 118 have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps download) for all guests; premium 25 Mbps available for $8 USD/day
Is there a city or tourist tax at Modanza 118?
Resort fee of 6% of room rate per night, plus 7% government tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Modanza 118?
A local roti or sandwich from a casual takeaway joint is about 12-15 AWG.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Modanza 118?
The cheapest way around is the Arubus public bus (about 2-3 AWG per ride); from the airport, catch the same bus for 2 AWG to Oranjestad.
When is the best time to visit Oranjestad?
April to June: daytime temperatures sit around 30°C, trade winds keep humidity down, and the chance of rain is low. Crowds from the US spring-break season have thinned, so beach spots are easier to find.
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.