They say life begins at 40, and I decided to start mine with sunshine, turquoise waters, and family in Aruba. After celebrating everyone else’s milestone birthdays (from Antigua to Tulum), I chose to mark my entrance into this new decade with the people who matter most – my husband and our two girls – in a destination that’s been on my bucket list forever.
Why Aruba Won for My Milestone Birthday Getaway
Let’s be real – planning a girls’ trip sounds amazing in theory, but the logistics? Not so much. Between coordinating schedules, budgets, and preferences, I wasn’t about to put that financial pressure on my friends or deal with potential disappointment if plans fell through.
Plus, my August birthday falls smack in the middle of hurricane season, which makes Caribbean travel tricky. Enter Aruba – one of the ABC islands conveniently situated outside the hurricane belt. When I spotted incredible flight and hotel deals through TravelZoo, it was the universe telling me to book it.
And yes, my husband was “planning something,” but as a woman who understands that PTO requests are first-come-first-serve and flight deals disappear faster than my patience when hungry, I couldn’t wait. (Why can’t men understand the urgency of travel planning?)
Related: Sint Maarten Birthday: A Caribbean Celebration for My 5-Year-Old
Radisson Blu Aruba: Perfect Home Base for Family Luxury
Our home for the celebration was the Radisson Blu Aruba, a 4-star haven perfectly positioned at the quieter end of the Palm Beach Strip. The two-bedroom suite with two bathrooms, a dining area, and a mini-kitchen gave us exactly what we needed: space for everyone to enjoy themselves without stepping on each other’s toes.
My daughters claimed their bedroom and bathroom faster than you can say “vacation mode activated,” while my husband and I appreciated having our private sanctuary. The on-site pool became my girls’ second home. They were determined to maximize every swimming minute until closing time each night.
What really sold me was the location. We were just a five-minute walk from the beach, with a free shuttle that got us there in under a minute when we were all too tired or hot from being at the beach all day.
Birthday Magic: Celebrating 40 with Island Flavor
My birthday morning started like something out of a movie – I woke up to our dining area transformed with decorations and gifts courtesy of my thoughtful husband. Unwrapping a YSL clutch and perfumes while overlooking paradise? That’s the kind of 40 I can get behind.
For my birthday dinner celebration, we hit Aqua Grill, which delivered beyond expectations. Everything deserved a standing ovation, from the velvety lobster bisque to perfectly grilled octopus and seafood pasta that transported me straight to coastal Italy. Have I been there? Not yet. But it’s on my bucket list. An Old Fashioned (my favorite) rounded out the experience beautifully.
But the culinary highlight of our trip was undoubtedly Pincho’s. Between the unmatched waterfront views and food that made me seriously consider extending our stay to eat there again, this spot captured my heart completely.
We also ventured to Flying Fishbone’s famous feet-in-the-water dining experience. Was the sunset view stunning? Absolutely. Was the 30-minute drive worth it? If I’m being candid (which is always my style), not really. Next time, I’d happily return to Pincho’s or Aqua Grill instead.
One of my favorite moments wasn’t even on my birthday. Our last night there, my husband and I slipped away for a quick dinner date at Fisherman’s Hut, just a five-minute walk from our hotel. There’s something magical about stealing an hour of grown-folks conversation over cocktails while on a family vacation – those little moments of reconnection are priceless.
What Turning 40 Really Means to Me
While some women approach 40 with trepidation, I embrace it with open arms. My 40th year and the months leading up to it have been nothing short of transformative. Everything finally makes sense – every challenge I’ve faced prepared me for this season of abundance and clarity.
I’ve learned to stop showing up for people who don’t reciprocate, to be intentional about my relationships, and to recognize when it’s time to let go. The revelation that not everyone is meant to stay in your life forever has been liberating. At 40, I’m finally becoming who I was always meant to be – unapologetically authentic and at peace with my journey.
Growing up in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and raising my own family in our New York suburb, my path hasn’t always been straight, but every turn has led me exactly where I need to be. Celebrating this milestone in Aruba with my three favorite people perfectly acknowledges how far I’ve come.
More Aruba Adventures Coming Your Way
This is just the beginning of my Aruba content series! Coming soon, I’ll be diving deeper with a full Radisson Blu hotel review (but you can catch my TikTok room tour right now if you’re curious). I’m also working on “The Best Eats in Aruba: Hits, Misses & Must-Try Restaurants” and a detailed review of the Flying Fishbone experience.
