Divi Phoenix Aruba (not Divi All inclusive)

jmrupprecht · January 2012

Hi girls!

I tried searching for this on the boards, but didnt find anything, so if it's already out there, I apologize.

Fiance and I have decided on Aruba for our honeymoon. After some deliberation, we decided against an all-inclusive resort because we think it will be a lot of fun going out exploring on our own. We don't want to feel like we are chained to the resort just because that's where all our money is tied up.

After extensive tripadvisor.com research, I think we have decided on the Divi Pheonix Beach Resort. Has anyone stayed there or know anything about it?

If you haven't, any advice/recommendations on things to do, restaurants, bars, etc, would be great.

Also, how much money do you estimate spending in Aruba for things like food and booze? We are really laid back people, and we plan on buying some beer and liquor to have in our rooms for the beach, etc, but we do like to have a few drinks at dinner/in the evenings. We would plan on having a few really nice dinners with everything else being pretty casual. We would also possibly be interested in an excursion type thing like a catamaran or sailboat ride.

Sorry this is so long! Thanks for all your input!

LADY324 · January 2012

We are going to Aruba as well. We are staying at the Tara Beach Suites for 3 nights and the Renaissance 6 nights. We also chose not to do all inclusive.

We also like to drink and plan on buying some beer and wine for the room but I have allotted $300 per day for spending cash. So we have saved up about $3,000 for spending cash for 10 days. We don't plan on holding back at all for the HM since we rarely travel so it might end up being more than that with the excursions. We plan on doing the jeep tour, snorkeling and the drunk bus.

http://www.kukookunuku.com/

The restaurant recs I have gotten from other knotties are.

Wacky Wahoo-great seafood make reservations ahead of time
El Gaucho-great steaks
Madame Jeanettes
Flying Fishone right on the beach

amymaysa · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_divi-phoenix-aruba-not-divi-inclusive?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:6f269482-4b13-4559-b079-4ed72c50e8b6Post:8b82d555-af18-468d-aff0-cc78b693e00f">Re: Divi Phoenix Aruba (not Divi All inclusive)</a>:
[QUOTE]We are going to Aruba as well. We are staying at the Tara Beach Suites for 3 nights and the Renaissance 3 nights. We also chose not to do all inclusive. We also like to drink and plan on buying some beer and wine for the room but I have allotted $300 per day for spending cash. So we have saved up about $3,000 for spending cash for 10 days. We don't plan on holding back at all for the HM since we rarely travel so it might end up being more than that with the excursions. We plan on doing the jeep tour, snorkeling and the drunk bus. <a href="http://www.kukookunuku.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kukookunuku.com/</a> The restaurant recs I have gotten from other knotties are. Wacky Wahoo-great seafood make reservations ahead of time El Gaucho-great steaks Madame Jeanettes <strong>Flying Fishone right on the beach</strong>
Posted by LADY324[/QUOTE]

LOVE the fishbone...so pretty and such a unique spot

jmrupprecht · January 2012

Thanks so much for your input! It is really helpful! I'm thinking we will plan on spending about the same even though some days we will spend more than others.

Also, thanks for the website! It looks so fun!

LADY324 · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_divi-phoenix-aruba-not-divi-inclusive?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:6f269482-4b13-4559-b079-4ed72c50e8b6Post:32977c27-8a10-410a-ace4-84b273f1db81">Re: Divi Phoenix Aruba (not Divi All inclusive)</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks so much for your input! It is really helpful! I'm thinking we will plan on spending about the same even though some days we will spend more than others. Also, thanks for the website! It looks so fun!
Posted by jmrupprecht[/QUOTE]

Same here I think it is better to over estimate then under estimate.

Blueyed228 · January 2012

I have been to Aruba a few times. We have a time share so I havent stayed at the Divi, but have heard great things.

The prices are a bit higher than average there. Dinners are $25-$50 a plate.

Rest suggestions are:
Madame Jeanettes
Matthews
Suisse Chalet
Papiamento
Smokey Joes (very casual)

El Gaucho is a place to go just to say you went. The food isnt that great.

Also- most restaraunts there add a "service charge" to your bill. Most people think it goes to the waiters but it doesnt, it goes to the house. Keep that in mind when leaving a tip. Waiters have to share tips with all front of the house staff.

jmrupprecht · January 2012

Thanks Blueyed! Wherhans your timeshare? We are open to looking elsewhere. After some research on our own, it seemed like Divi Phoenix had everything we want. Price is right, rooms look nice, walking distance to some things but in a little bit of a quieter area.

smartlypretty · January 2012

I went to Aruba last year! I thought it was amazing. We stayed at the Hyatt. Consider it, it was probably the most beautiful hotel I have ever stayed at.

Book the Jolly Pirates for an exucrsion! They really are the best- we did a snorkeling trip and they took us to three places and fed us lunch and drinks.

We probably spent around $1200 for the two of us on food/booze and that was with ton of booze and nice meals. I didn't find their prices to be that outragous. We also went to this asian grocery store (they have a few of these giant ones) and bought a case of beer, liquor, and some bottles of wine. That really helped us keep our costs down. The hyatt was fine with opening up our bottles for us- they even gave us some glasses. I brought a collapsable cooler with me so I could load up before the beach. No one at the Hyatt ever said anythign to us.

Go to the downtown area and go shopping! (where the cruise ships come in) Also, if you want, you can go to Curacao for the day. They run little island hoppers for about 100 dollars a person. You can go in the morning, shop and eat and look around, and then come back that night.

Blueyed228 · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_divi-phoenix-aruba-not-divi-inclusive?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:6f269482-4b13-4559-b079-4ed72c50e8b6Post:ac750fa7-e888-4b8f-9c2b-10d69eb25641">Re: Divi Phoenix Aruba (not Divi All inclusive)</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks Blueyed! Wherhans your timeshare? We are open to looking elsewhere. After some research on our own, it seemed like Divi Phoenix had everything we want. Price is right, rooms look nice, walking distance to some things but in a little bit of a quieter area.
Posted by jmrupprecht[/QUOTE]

La Cabana. We love Eagle Beach. I think its the best on the island :)

dmasnjak · January 2012

Don't go all inclusive, the food on the island is amazing!! We spend about 1,500 - 2000 each year (7 days) on food and beer, he is a big beer drinker and we eat out each night!!! The beer is quite expensive and if you buy in the store or at the hotel gift shop it will be only 10 oz cans. Most of the local bars you can get the 12 oz bottles. We always fill a soft side cooler with wheels with as much canned beer as will fit so that we don't have to buy much for the 1st couple of days. We always check it as luggage and have never had a problem. Have them wrap it in the plastic at the airport too. Def do Flying fish bone, you can reserve online and ask for a table by the water. Madamme Janettes is always our last meal on the island. We are going again March 31st for our 8th trip, won't be going there for our honeymoon as I want to start our married life by changing it up a bit, I figured after 9 years together might as well!! LOL Pm me if you have any other questions, I know the island inside and out.

Divi Phoenix Aruba (not Divi All inclusive)

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