Breakfast with a View.

THE Ocean-view breakfast at Eagle Beach with croissant sandwiches, açaí bowls & more, open to all, not just JOIA guests.

I’ve raved about Marea (at JOIA Aruba by Iberostar) before, but I’ve been holding back one secret: their breakfast. The food? Beyond. The terrace? A front-row seat to Eagle Beach. Look at it on Google Maps! It's literally THERE! The whole scene? Pure Chef’s Kiss.

And here’s the thing: you don’t need to be a guest of JOIA to indulge. You don’t even need to wrangle with the hotel parking lot. Marea sits right on the boulevard, steps from the sand, perfectly positioned for a morning dip followed by a proper breakfast. Then? Back to your palapa, bliss intact.

Marea nails that sweet spot between elevated and effortless. The space is sprawling, with both indoor and outdoor seating that never feels crowded, so the energy stays relaxed and breezy. The design leans polished but unfussy, lots of textures and accents, comfortable furniture you actually want to sink into, tables set with nice plates and glassware, and yes, cloth napkins every time. It’s the kind of setting that makes breakfast feel like an occasion, without ever tipping into stuffy.

Now, the menu. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure situation: Criollo? Mexican? American? Sweet or savory? Hot or cold? For me, breakfast begins with coffee. Non-negotiable. Marea’s cappuccinos come with a chocolate chip cookie on the side. A tiny, thoughtful detail that sets the tone. (And yes, I ate mine before I even touched the cup.)

From there, things get fun. I always order a spread; part indecision, part duty to report back, part excuse to taste-test my way through the lineup. Here’s what stands out:

Sandwiches. 

A good breakfast sandwich can be the only thing you need if it’s done right. At Marea, you choose your vessel: bagel, English muffin, or the buttery T2 Pan croissant. Yes, you read that right.

• Eggs & Avocado. Scrambled eggs, hefty chunks of avocado, and American cheese on a bagel. Generous, satisfying, and balanced. A classic done right. $14

• Bacon & Nutella. The wild card. Don’t roll your eyes, just trust me. It belongs on a croissant, and once you try it, you’ll never go back. My skeptical friend took one bite and immediately converted.

(P.S. Marea, if you’re reading this: add a hefty, proper, smoked salmon, capers, onion, and cream cheese bagel, New York–style, and you’ll have me for life.)

Bowls.

What’s a modern breakfast without an açaí bowl? Marea’s is part chia pudding, part sorbet, layered with berries and coconut. It eats more like a hybrid parfait. Fresh, light, and very Instagram-friendly. $22

The Main Event.

• Breakfast Nachos. Nachos are a perfect food. Full stop. Marea levels them up with scrambled eggs, black beans, guacamole, sour cream, and bacon bits over molten cheddar-cream cheese sauce. It’s decadent, shareable, and the kind of plate that makes you rethink “morning food.” $16

• Bacon, Eggs & Plantain Stack. Crispy plantains with fried eggs (soft yolks, obviously), bacon, and hashbrowns. It’s a plate of textures: crunchy, runny, salty-sweet. The bite you’ll remember. $24

Mocktails.

Ordering one feels festive, like you’re sneaking vacation into your morning without the mid-day crash. If you’re in the mood to elevate your breakfast ritual, don’t skip it.

The Verdict.

Life is too short for bad breakfasts. Marea is one of the best spots on the island right now: a view that stuns, food that comforts, and a menu that balances classics with playful wild cards. Service is polished, as you’d expect from an Iberostar property, but never stiff.

Go. Order too much. Start your day the way it was meant to be started.