I’ve been a Philadelphian all my life and am steadfast in my desire to keep my domicile in the City of Brotherly Love. But, as I was packing to leave my honeymoon last month, I truly was convinced that I could — and should — become an Aruban. That’s how at home my new wife and I felt at Divi Phoenix Aruba.
Right before check-out, our housekeeper knocked on our door to give us her final parting words of marriage wisdom, ending with a group hug. We bid our new British friends adieu and pledged to find them on Facebook. We visited our favorite beach spot one last time and mournfully boarded our taxi to the airport.
For 10 splendid days, we took in the sun and surf at this beachside oasis to celebrate our marriage — a honeymoon spot that was simultaneously relaxing yet exciting, private yet social and, above all else, welcoming.
Hospitality above and beyond
As a same-sex couple honeymooning in a different country, we were somewhat apprehensive about how we would be received.
That notion vanished as soon as we set foot in Divi Phoenix’s open-air lobby — with the warm Aruba breeze lazily blowing through that emanates the easygoing feel of the property — and were greeted by congratulations as we checked in. When we opened the door to our suite, we found a bottle of chilled champagne, a Jacuzzi already drawn and a fruit and chocolate tray. Color us impressed!
Every day, new rose-petal arrangements were set up on our bed and throughout the suite; several times, the housekeeper stopped us in the hallway to ask if we liked the hearts she had made, and to quip about young love. Our worries about LGBT sentiments melted away quickly.
That attitude wasn’t just limited to the maidstaff.
When the bartender at the poolside Pure Beach asked what brought us to Aruba, the word “honeymoon” didn’t throw him for any loops, but instead elicited a congrats and cheers. While sitting among a sea of heterosexual couples at the Friday Couples Night at the beachside Pure Ocean, the waitstaff inquired if we were honeymooners, then offered to take our picture as the sun set and even selected us as the lucky couple to be presented with a complimentary dessert, complete with “Happy Honeymoon” written in chocolate, which we indulged in as a violin player serenaded us with “What a Wonderful World.” It was one of the highlights of our trip — and a moment that we joked we’ll likely never again be able to match in romance.
Apart from the LGBT-welcoming feel of the resort, the staff was, from morning to night, eager to assist and embodied the laidback, joyful nature that we found to permeate the entire island. And which was infectious.
Relaxation, recreation without leaving the resort
Divi Phoenix is one of several Divi properties on the island, situated at the start of the high-rise strip, on Palm Beach.
Divi Phoenix offers more than 240 suites among its villas, Beach Tower and newest eight-story complex of luxury accommodations, which are connected by breezy, open-air walkways. All suites come with a private deck or balcony — all with ocean views — and fully equipped kitchens.
We stayed in a one-bedroom suite in the high-rise, which boasted two expansive bathrooms, a kitchen with breakfast bar, spacious bedroom with closet and drawer space aplenty and cozy living room with a sliding-glass door that opened on to a balcony that provides a picture-perfect view of the sunset over the Caribbean Sea.
Having a kitchen was an excellent addition to our vacation. While there are wonderful restaurants on site (see below!) and a sea of eateries throughout the island, being able to cook your first meal together as a married couple before you’re even back in your own kitchen adds a fun dimension to a honeymoon. And, if you prefer to cook with a view, Divi Phoenix offers two grill areas overlooking the pools and beach — the aroma from which makes dinnertime throughout the resort a mouthwatering occasion.
With a supermarket just a quick car or bus ride (or, in our case, a not-so-quick walk) away, you can easily stock your kitchen with snacks and meals.
As Divi Phoenix is not an all-inclusive property, it’s free from the overindulgence and rowdiness that often accompany such locales (we’re all for overindulgence and rowdiness but that can get cumbersome if you’re looking for a romantic getaway!). The clientele at Divi Phoenix runs the full gamut of vacationers — couples, families, solo travelers — some of whom return each year with a time share. The diversity in visitors makes for a diverse experience.
Visitors of all stripes will surely enjoy the resort’s close proximity to the beach; unlike some other resorts on the island, where you have to cross the main drag to get your toes into the sand, Divi Phoenix opens up right onto the white sands.
The beaches at some neighboring high-rise spots are expansive — some to the point where you feel like you need to reapply sunscreen before you even hit the water — but the beach at Divi Phoenix is just large enough for sunbathers to all have their own space and just small enough for that space to feel exclusive. Beachgoers should be advised to get out early to claim a lounge chair and palm-tree hut (which all come with their own built-in drink holders!), as competition can be fierce! But late risers can still find a great spot, as the beach and pool crowds tend to evolve throughout the day.
Just steps from the beach are two hot tubs and three luxurious pools. One of each is centered in the midst of the villas, offering a quiet space for relaxation, while two larger pools, plus a children’s pool, anchor the other buildings. Pristinely clean and uniquely curvaceous, the pools are surrounded by palm trees and lounge chairs, where iguanas skitter to and from. (Tip: The friendly critters love lettuce.) One pool wraps around Pure Beach Lounge, with stools set around a swim-up bar. Piña coladas are ubiquitous, especially so at happy hour where, from 4-6 p.m. each day, a selection of drinks are two for one. With drink prices already reasonable, and bartenders overwhelmingly generous in their pours, Pure Beach happy hour is not to be missed; the “Where are you from?” question floats around the congenial crowds who gather for pre-dinner drinks and late-afternoon sun, making for a fun and festive atmosphere.
If the snacking and drinking starts to weigh you down, you can hit Divi Phoenix’s fitness center, home to an array of cardio and weight equipment. Opening this spring is a new state-of-the-art spa, and the resort is also home to a tennis court; we’re not tennis-inclined but tried our hand at it for a fun, and funny, afternoon of exercise. You can book water sports on the property, and the resort offers a daily roster of activities, from water aerobics to dance lessons, movie screenings, family-friendly games and more.
Divi Phoenix is centrally located on the island, making for easy-to-access trips off the resort.
The resort begins the high-rise section, so within a few minutes’ walk on the main street, or on a beach boardwalk, is a strip of restaurants, shops and bars. In the other direction, you can find Oranjestad, a small town that at once is home to high-end shops and a slice of real-life Aruban culture. The town is walkable from Divi Phoenix but, with temps (in April) hovering at 90 degrees each day, save yourself some sweat and hop the city bus. The $2.25 ride cruises right down the main boulevard, with a stop right outside Divi Phoenix.
Beachside, poolside dining
When it comes to meals, if you prefer that someone else does the cooking, Divi Phoenix is home to several restaurants, each with its own unique vibe.
Pure Deli is set just steps from the pool, and offers a wide array of artisanal, made-on-the-spot sandwiches, as well as soups, snacks and more. It’s a great spot for a quick breakfast on the go, lunch break from the sun or nighttime ice-cream trip.
Sandwiched between the pool and beach is Pure Beach Lounge, a low-key setting — replete with cushy couches and frequent live music — and food selections that are anything but low-key. From apps like coconut shrimp to sandwiches like the Portobello veggie burger and entrees like the rasta chicken pasta, the all-day menu offers options for diners of all tastes.
A short trip down a beachside walkway is Pure Ocean, the more formal of the Divi Phoenix eateries. The open-air restaurant offers an extensive breakfast buffet, where you can dive into omelets, waffles, fresh fruit and much more surrounded by palm trees swaying in the morning breeze.
At night, Pure Ocean, situated right on the beach, drips with romance; with individually lit tables clustered in the sand, diners have a bird’s eye view of the sunset while they dive into the menu. On the appetizer side, the Pure Potato Stacker is a seemingly endless vat of potato-chip nachos, smothered in garlic, cheese, grilled chicken and jalapeños (you’re on vacation, who cares about dieting?), and the calamari is crisped to perfection.
Although not a seafood fan, I was feeling adventurous and ordered the Caribbean Mac & Cheese, and am mighty glad I did. The dish is chock full of lump crab and shrimp and has a plump lobster sitting atop the cheesy pasta. The filet mignon was so tender the knife was barely needed.
Needless to say, our plates were cleaned.
A honeymoon is an amazing opportunity for a couple to take time away to recharge and refresh before diving into the next phase of their relationship and, at Divi Phoenix Aruba, we were able to do just that. From the diversity of activities and dining options to the beautiful-beyond-words location, each day was a new adventure. And, owing to the stellar — and genuine — hospitality, it was an adventure where we felt welcomed and equal — a phenomenal way to start off our life as a married couple.