Hotel Divi Aruba (Oranjestad, Aruba)

The resort has great restaurants, which are shared with other hotels in the compound. There are a great number of dishes to choose from and you have the freedom to go from one resort to another to enjoy the many meals they offer. There's good entertainment during the evening as well.

The staff is helpful and pleasant, from housekeeping to the bar staff, to reception, and even the person handling the pool area. Seeing that it's a heavy beach area, you can use as many towels as you wish with no complaints. However, it must be mentioned here that some feel that the staff are standoffish and cold. Some use the words "rude and dismissive." Rumor has it that a nice tip will bring them to life.

The personnel respects your privacy. There aren't a lot of signs up saying don't do this and don't do that. You aren't continuously reprimanded. It's like you have the run of the place. With the beautiful surroundings to bask in, you have a sense of freedom and tranquility.

There's a per-day charge for using the safe in the room. You are given a key, which you have to keep with you all the time. It's time to update to digital, key code safes.

If you think you are going to have a relaxed time around the pool, you are in for a surprise. The music is loud as full volume from the morning till night.

There are birds and flies everywhere. If you happen to leave your food unattended you could return with some of it missing, or your food could be covered in flies. Another thing, this may or may not be the case, but it seems that the drinks are watered down. You can drink from dusk till dawn and probably yawn and just go read a book.