The Heart of Boardwalk Boutique Hotel, Aruba: Its Women
March celebrates International Womens Day and at Boardwalk Boutique Hotel, Aruba it’s a perfect moment to spotlight the women who help shape the heart and spirit of our hotel.
From the founders who imagined the hotel into existence, to the many team members who bring warmth, creativity, and care to the guest experience, women play an essential role in shaping what Boardwalk is today. Perhaps that’s part of the reason guests often say they feel something special the moment they step onto the property’s lush tropical grounds.
How Two Sisters Founded Boardwalk Boutique Hotel in Aruba
The story of Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba begins with Aruba-born twin sisters Kimberly and Stephanie Rooijakkers.
Being born on the island of Aruba, they always felt deeply connected to its culture and rhythm of life, the sisters eventually set out to create a place that reflected how they themselves loved to travel: relaxed, personal, and surrounded by nature.
The opportunity came in the form of a modest surfers retreat hidden among palm trees just steps from Palm Beach, Aruba. With no formal hotel experience but a clear vision, the sisters set out to transform the property into something that did not yet exist on the island: an authentic Aruban boutique hotel that captured the warmth, character, and natural beauty of Aruba.
Each bringing their own strengths and ideas, the sisters complemented each other naturally as they began shaping the hotel together.
What began as a bold idea between two 27-year-old sisters, 11 casitas and a team of five, gradually evolved into something far beyond what they first imagined.
Today, Boardwalk Boutique Hotel, Aruba is a tropical sanctuary with 49 private casitas, tucked within their peaceful former Coco plantation gardens just minutes from Palm Beach. The hotel now welcomes travelers from around the world seeking a relaxed and personal stay in Aruba and has recently been honored with two MICHELIN Keys, a rare recognition awarded to exceptional hotels worldwide.
The Women Behind Boardwalk Boutique Hotel, Aruba
While the founders planted the seeds, the atmosphere of Boardwalk today is shaped by many women across the hotel.
Currently, 60% of the Boardwalk team is female, contributing across every department, from guest services and culinary creativity to operations and the thoughtful details that make every stay memorable. Women also lead key areas of the hotel, including Marketing, Sales, Front Desk, Housekeeping and the role of Assistant Hotel Manager, helping shape both the guest experience and the future of Boardwalk Boutique Hotel, Aruba.
It’s their dedication, creativity, and care that give Boardwalk its distinctive spirit something guests often feel from the moment they arrive.
The Women shaping the Boardwalk Guest Experience
You’ll find women welcoming guests at the Front Desk after a long journey to Aruba, preparing dishes and fresh flavors at The Coco Café, caring for the lush tropical gardens, refreshing the colorful casitas with a fresh coat of paint, preparing casitas for new arrivals, and coordinating island experiences for guests eager to explore Aruba beyond the beach.
Together, they help create the warm and relaxed atmosphere that defines the Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba experience - a place shaped every day by the talent, care, and spirit of the women behind it.
Hospitality with Heart at Boardwalk Boutique Hotel, Aruba
Despite international recognition and awards, the atmosphere at Boardwalk remains refreshingly personal.
Kimberly and Stephanie are still closely involved in the life of the hotel. You may find them brainstorming ideas with their team, welcoming returning guests, or quietly refining the small details that make a stay feel effortless.
For the sisters, success has never been defined solely by growth or accolades. Instead, it’s measured in something simpler: the feeling guests carry with them when they leave.
Many travelers arrive at Boardwalk Boutique Hotel, Aruba looking for a peaceful boutique stay near Palm Beach. But they often depart feeling like they’ve discovered something more personal a hidden home in the Caribbean.
Women’s Month at Boardwalk Boutique Hotel
So while March may be known as Women’s Month around the world, here at Boardwalk the contributions of women are part of the everyday story.
From the twin sisters who envisioned a boutique hotel among palm trees to the many talented women who shape the guest experience today, their presence is felt in every corner of the property.
And perhaps that’s the real celebration.
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