Stay & Play
Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort Aruba
A Deluxe Delight for All Types of Travelers
by Susan Campbell
I’ve had an ongoing love affair with the Divi Resorts throughout the Caribbean for the past 15 years. And, I’ve had the good fortune to stay at almost all of them, often multiple times, on Aruba (there are five distinct Divi resorts on that island,) and on Bonaire, St. Maarten, and Barbados. (I have yet to visit their St. Croix resort, but it’s on my bucket list for 2024.)
It’s been a pleasure to watch the Divi brand progress over the years. Their signature tasteful tropical décor always evolving, ongoing property refreshments and amenity refinements, consistency of quality and service, and their unwavering welcoming vibe from friendly staff has never failed to impress. But the real beauty of this brand is their commitment to offer such an eclectic choice of holiday styles to suit so many different types of travelers. And my most recent stay at Aruba’s Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort exemplified that commitment- all in the same location!
The Divi Dutch complex is a collection of three-storey apartment style buildings located directly behind the low-rise Tamarijn all-inclusive resort (also part of Divi,) that snakes along a stellar stretch of gorgeous Druif Beach. Though the village accommodations are not directly on the beach, every room is a very short walk to the sea. Guests also have easy access to the entire half-mile stretch of stellar sand that connects the Divi Aruba all-inclusive complex to sister resort Tamarijn, and the community is backed by the Divi Golf Course.
Accommodations at the Dutch Complex were designed with time-share and extended stays in mind with full kitchens, large well-appointed rooms, often with multiple bedrooms and fold-out couch options, and everything one would need to entertain including access to community BBQs, laundry facilities, and more. But in the past few years, they’ve also added an all-inclusive option that gives you unlimited access to food and drink at 11 restaurants and nine bars between the three properties Divi Aruba, Tamarijn, and their own dedicated Tiki Pool Bar. If that sounds like a lot of choices, it is, but no worries about getting around as you are connected by one of my favourite things about the entire Divi Aruba community – complimentary chauffeured shuttles! I adore bouncing around in them from property to property, and better yet, they also take you to the shops and alfresco live music at the Alhambra Mall and its glitzy casino! They also transport you to Windows on Aruba, Divi’s glamorous stand alone gourmet dining spot that’s also open to the public.
I adored my most recent accommodation there, a cool split-level abode on the ground floor steps from the hot tub, the poolside Tiki Café and the lively swim-up bar and a few more steps to the sea. And there’s plenty to do beyond the beach like tennis, pickleball, motorized water sports, coaster bikes, plus a glassed-in beachfront fitness centre and the island’s only rock-climbing tower. There are also two excellent spas, and families will love the Sea Turtles Club for kids, too. There really is something for every type of traveler at Divi Aruba’s Dutch Village.
