Divi Aruba Beach Resort

June 23 - 30, 2000 - By Donna

We're just back from our third trip to the island - can't seem to go anywhere else anymore! This time we stayed at the Divi and were absolutely satisfied with the property. Many folks describe the Divi as "casual" and "laid back", words which left me a bit uneasy as to what we might find. We learned that these words are very accurate descriptors of the property - in the best sense!! The property is very appealing to the eye (and all of the other senses, as well!). The grounds are beautifully landscaped and naturally blend in to the total picture. The beach is irresistible; white soft sand bordering the aquamarine water. Beach shoes were a help in crossing over the small border of shells and coral pieces that collect at the natural slope after you enter the water. Work that we saw going on was what was to be expected in regular maintenance of such a property. There's always work to do on your own home, isn't there?

The staff was friendly without being overwhelming. We ate most often at the Pelican Terrace, where the food was mostly "good", with an occasional "great". Some of the better choices were grilled tuna and swordfish, steaks, filet, shish-ke-bobs of different meats and fishes. The collosal shrimps were yummy. We thought they did a great job of feeding a large number of people with a wide variety of tastes and expectations. We ate at Papparazzi at the Tam one night and thought it was just ok. It was a nice break from the buffet style, though. The drinks were always good. We had the pizzas from the brick oven, too, and thought they were enjoyable.

We were upgraded to a Casita from a Gardenview after I e-mailed Lisa Cusson asking for as large a room as possible since we were sharing space with our two teenage (and over-sized) boys. We were in room 344 and thought it to be perfect. As it was in the middle of the Casita row, it was not in a line of traffic and was exactly in the middle between the ocean and the garden area pool. The room was spacious and easily accommodated the two double beds.

The boys put the mattress on the floor during the night for separate sleeping spaces and the room was plenty large enough that it did not make it difficult to navigate about the room. We could not justify the cost of $700 for the boys to have their own room for the week, and this worked out better than we had hoped. We always had plenty of towels, and the chambermaid frequently left us extras.

The boys loved the freedom of traveling between the two properties. They felt they had a lot of freedom and we felt they were always close by. They used the pool table at the Tam daily and met other teens around their small game room. They stayed entertained for the week and rarely wanted to leave the property. This arrangement allowed both them and us the opportunity to have our "own" vacations within the vacation. My husband and I had privacy and romance and the good feeling of knowing the boys were with us, too. We will definitely do this again.

We rented a Vitara from Economy upon our arrival but swapped it the next day for a similar vehicle we felt was in better shape both mechanically and suspension-wise. They were understanding in this. The paperwork was ready upon our arrival at their airport office and again when we returned the vehicle. We got an additional 10% off with the Visit Aruba card. We paid $299 for the week.

My husband and I love the cunucu and were out exploring every day for a bit. We prefer to visit the unadvertised places where no one else usually is. We're quite happy climbing around the rocks, getting our feet wet and just admiring the landscape. We brought frozen peas with us snorkeling at Baby Beach and had a ball watching the fish follow them. We all did the ATV tour through Rancho Daimari. Angelo was very good. He was patient and understanding with those who were nervous and unsure about the vehicles and the terrain. The views were so wonderful. What is it about that terrain that has us so captivated? We highly recommend Rancho Daimari for the ATV tour. The ranch is something else, too!

Of course we contributed to the Aruban economy shopping in Oranjestad. We are not gamblers so trips to the casinos are not part of our visit. This was our first time on an all-inclusive plan and we loved it!! It was so nice not to make a choice between additional rounds of drinks or going to a nice restaurant! I think the Divi lost money on us, since kids 18 and under stay and eat free. Boys at that age are eating and drinking machines, as you know, and they did just that. They loved the smoothie machine, especially. It was nice to have 24 hour access to juice and soda, too. At the Tam they could have fries and other favorites whenever they got the urge.

We're trying to get ourselves to visit Bonaire next year. I've begun researching the properties and packages, but only half-heartedly. We feel the island must be as Aruba was before the tourism became their primary industry, and so are intrigued by that idea. But there's something so special and familiar about Aruba. And we did like the Divi so much...maybe we'll just make our reservations there again! If anyone has thoughts to share on Bonaire we'd love to hear them. Thanks.

Donna