Need bug spray for little noseeums. When I go again I would like a better setup kitchen

Very clean and Good location. Jay gave lots of great info about what to visit and places to eat

Stayed in February 2025

Breakfast was plenty to start the day. The host Jay was the best part, as he provides a wealth of information.

Stayed in January 2025

I think some new outside chair cushions and new soft towels and a couple of beach chairs would make the place even better.

The owner was very friendly, nice and helpful. Was a good location to explore San Nicholas, baby beach, Mangel Halto. The beds were comfortable, good AC, good water pressure in shower. Refrigerator. Ample storage space. Table and chairs to sit outside. Can park your car there.

Stayed in July 2024

i had to get used to the bed , but i slept well.

the host is amazing. and i felt right at home

Stayed in May 2024

N/a

The small beach is just a walk away and it is very nice to spend the day with family. Plus they is a restaurant right at the beach

Stayed in March 2024

Parking was an issue for my rental car. I had to park it on the curb. I was assured it was safe but would have preferred something a bit more secure.

The host was a wonderful and kind man with a great sense of humor and a good story to tell about his life. He was generous in offering me some water and juice when I arrived and also allowed me to borrow one of his books. He even provided an extension cord that I needed for one of my devices. I felt right at home and would recommend this spot to someone who is looking for value, safety, friendliness, and all the practical needs.

Stayed in March 2024

The room I was in kept getting hit by the trees cause it was windy and I didn’t sleep all night

The owner was amazing and the space was very private

Stayed in December 2023

There were some bugs that bit me as the day was winding down (he warned me about them, I just didn’t have bug spray with me).

Jay was incredibly welcoming - showed me around upon arrival. The location was good (I wanted something quieter to experience life away from the tourist area). He offered me recommendations on places to eat, helped me bring my luggage in, opened his home for me to use kitchen, etc. wifi was good. AC when on was comfortable!

Stayed in October 2023

The ultimate lush and cozy bohemian Aruban pad. Trees, garden, birds, just minutes from beautiful Baby Beach

Stayed in November 2023

Although the bed is very large and comfortable it was very noisy and creaked every time you turned over. We had a fridge, cups and cutlery but no kettle although we were able to use Jay’s in his kitchen which was very kind of him but our own kettle would have been easier.

Our room was a great size, nicely decorated and well thought out in terms of space and handy items such as plug adapters and hooks to hang your towels and clothes. Jay is very welcoming and friendly and gives good tips on things to do and places to eat. The beach near by is great to watch the sunset and very quiet which suited us. As others have said best to have a car but very close drive to lots of nice beaches and things to do.

Stayed in September 2023

Friendliness of staff

Stayed in June 2023

As with other inexpensive accommodation in Aruba, the Magical Garden can feel a bit isolated and it helps if you have your own transport, though Jay was more than happy to ferry us around the South for a small fee and was always available to us when we needed him. The Beach 200 metres away, whilst nice enough to watch the sun go down (& there is a bar there) is not really any good to swim at.

The Magical Garden put 'Home' into Homestay, Jay (our host) was very friendly (& a comedian), he is rightly proud of his agricultural attempts (when the chickens don't get into his crops) and made us feel very welcome. We were happy we chose to stay in the South to begin our visit to Aruba, it gave us a different outlook than if we had just stayed in the North (ie quieter, calmer and less developed). There are a couple of Supermarkets close by, Jay took us to the Zeerover restaurant, good place (fish n chips), inexpensive and a nice spot to take a beer and watch the fish (& people) in the evening (but it can be very busy there). Jay provided us with snorkelling gear and advice where to use it.

Stayed in February 2023

parking on the sidewalk.

location away from the crowds. walk to the beach. real local experience.

Stayed in February 2023

You must get use to the various bugs/flying insects especially at night. Having a net at the door would allow you to keep your door open to feel the tropical breeze. Jay allowed me to put up one but it would of been nice to have had that there initially. For the next customer I believe he may have it in place for you. Enjoy.

The bonus for me was my morning fruit. On the grounds of this location you will find plenty of fruit. Mangoes and Bananas were my go to. The host allows you to eat freely of them. Jay will also make you a smooth-- NO EXTRA COST!

Stayed in October 2022

Ok for the price

Food and price

Stayed in July 2022

N/A

It was comfortable and close to shops and public transport.

Stayed in August 2022

No tv

No breakfast .but did not main

Stayed in May 2022

Cleanliness could be improved

Very accommodating host. Great, relaxed vibe.

Stayed in April 2022

It’s far from the tourist area. The host very unappreciated and unprofessional. Asking if I could find the girls to have sex with. To be specific black girls . Making flirting comments expecting me to engage. I didn’t like when he insist of me buying a wine just because I went back to pick my staff.

Stayed in February 2025

Woke up every morning and ate mangos that Jay gave me from the tree. Then biked down for fish dinner on the water each day. Was quite nice.

Stayed in January 2025

Nothing

Lovely place helpful staff. Beautiful grounds.

Stayed in October 2024

CASH ONLY HOMESTAY It was not clear to me that the host needed to be paid in cash. They could probably do a better job of highlighting that. This was very inconvenient as of course the guest is then on the hook for ATM fees and the work of finding an ATM that can provide this much cash on a small island. It took me half a dozen tries to get the money out, and I paid over $15 in fees. Why can’t I pay through booking.com, which is way safer and more convenient? Another reason is that I felt like I constantly had to report on my trip to the host. The whole purpose of travelling by myself is so that I don’t have to answer to anyone. He always had questions and opinions about where I would go to eat, my activities, my appearance, … He called me affectionate names which is not okay with me. He made me feel very uncomfortable. Every time I was in the shared space, I had to have small talk that interrupted my reading or research. I did not want to leave my room when I was at the homestay because I just wanted to be left alone. The host told me upon arrival he is lonely, hates his life and wants to leave Aruba. That’s all good and well but I came here to have a good time, not to be your therapist nor the recipient of your attention/affection. Lastly the place was dirty. There was sand in my room, in the shower and on my bed (!) when I got there, before I myself went to the beach. There were other people’s hairs in the bathroom. The furniture was sticky and there was a dead cockroach behind the door. There were no towels or soap provided. I decided to leave as is, considering I did not want more interactions with the host. It’s a shame I have to leave such a long and negative review. The host is an old man who did not keep pace with the zeitgeist of how to treat other people. His behaviour was not acceptable to me. He might not have been aware but it is not my job to educate.

I like that it wasn’t in the touristy area up north. I liked the plants and that there was AC.

Stayed in June 2024

Just keep in mind transportation options. Jay recommends renting a car but we got around with the bus and taxis just fine.

Jay was a fantastic host. He treated us like family (we think of him as family as well). He helped plan our days in Aruba and told us all of the best spots. Magical Garden was right next to the cutest beach bar. The room with the patio was totally worth it and it was so beautiful. Jay puts a lot of work into his house and makes it feel like home.

Stayed in March 2024

N/A

Good price. Location. Clean. Friendly owner

Stayed in March 2024