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This Is the Hotel in Aruba to Ever Receive a MICHELIN Key – And It Got Two
Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba has entered a new league. The Palm Beach property has been awarded Two MICHELIN Keys by the MICHELIN Guide 2025 — making it the first hotel in Aruba ever to receive the distinction. It now joins a shortlist of 21 Caribbean destinations recognized in the inaugural MICHELIN Keys program.
The award places Boardwalk among just 572 hotels worldwide to earn Two Keys, out of more than 7,000 evaluated by the Guide. The designation is reserved for hotels that MICHELIN inspectors deem exceptional — properties defined by strong identity, sense of place and a consistently high standard of service.
Boardwalk’s story is distinctly local. Founded in 2011 by Kimberly and Stephanie Rooijakkers, who transformed a modest surf retreat into a boutique hotel, it has built a reputation around a personal approach to hospitality. The property’s 49 casitas are set within a former coconut plantation a short walk from Palm Beach, emphasizing intimacy over scale.
This year’s recognition underscores a shift in how MICHELIN evaluates hotels. The Keys are intended to spotlight properties with clear character and cultural connection rather than size or star ratings. Boardwalk stood out for its design, service, and its ability to reflect Aruba’s local identity in a high-touch, independent format.
For Aruba, the award signals growing visibility in the global luxury travel market, where MICHELIN designations increasingly influence where travelers choose to stay. For Boardwalk, it represents something rarer: a small, locally owned hotel competing at the same level as some of the most recognized names in hospitality.
It’s not a surprise, given that this is one of our all-time favorite Caribbean hotels.
You find more on our love affair with the Boardwalk here.
