Canadian World Traveller Winter 2019-20 Issue

61
Boho-Chic Beach House Style Stay
Boardwalk Boutique Hotel
by Susan Canpbell
Elevated Family-Friendly Escape
Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort
by Susan Canpbell
When twin sisters Kimberley and Stephanie Rooijakkers
decided to convert a bare basics windsurfer’s hangout
near Palm Beach into a chic little beach house style resort,
they had no idea it would become the darling of alternative style
off-radar stays on island and a Trip Advisor favourite for five years
running. Located in a historic coconut plantation, with an inviting
little pool surrounded by lush greenery, the entire property is dotted
with colorful and creative extras personally envisioned by the owners
themselves like their signature “Treasure Chest” ─ a box full of
helpful tips in each room on how and where to enjoy the island’s
best local pleasures.
The original complex had
only 14 rooms, but
they’ve since added an
entirely new wing now
bringing the casita count
to 46. The new wing has
its own multi-experience
pool with an over-water
hammock. and they now
offer daily poolside bar
service for Happy Hour,
too. Each cottage style room or suite has its own cool and quirky
character, some with personal dipping pools or outdoor showers,
and every room has a full kitchen and BBQ. Their new Lobby Bar
café will offer some food and beverage service, and though the
hotel is not on the sea, it’s a
short stroll across the street
to their Boardwalk Beach
palapa paradise strip in the
sand right beside the Ritz-
Carlton Aruba. You can
also order food and drink at
discounted costs from the
Ritz, and have it delivered by
those fun servers riding
Segways.
www.boardwalkaruba.com
This towering phoenix rising above Palm Beach is part of
Aruba Divi family, but unlike its sister resorts around Eagle
Beach, it doesn’t offer an all-inclusive option. (Though you
can include buffet breakfast.) It was designed to provide an elevated
home-away-from-home style of cosmopolitan accommodation
for folks who prefer to cook some of their own meals. All 240
rooms and suites have gorgeous, well-equipped modern kitchens
with everything one could
need to entertain (except the
food,) and there are also
community barbecues. Onsite
laundry facilities is another
convenient extra.
Choose from spacious studios
and one-two-bedroom suites
or go more upscale with a split-level penthouse, and all accommodations
boast modern amenities and are decorated with cheery
splashes of Caribbean colours. It’s great for families since they
have a dedicated children’s pool, lots of activities, and the calm,
kid-friendly surf is due to manmade breakwaters on their beach. In
low season, children under 12 stay free (one per paying adult).
“Pure” is the theme for all the
on-site food and beverage
options ─ trendy purebeach has
creative tapas and small bites,
pureocean is their signature
alfresco dining room, and puredeli
offers great fare to-go
including an ice cream bar. But
as fabulous as this spot is for
families, it’s not without its sultry
side for couples. Many of the superior suites have with luxe
whirlpool tubs with built-in neon lights, their special romance package
includes private palapa seaside dining by torchlight, and the
pureindulgence spa offers couple’s massage either inside or surfside.
www.diviresorts.com
Aruba - Four Stylish Ways to Stay
Canadian World Traveller Winter 2019-20