[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by GHM

Thank you very much for the comprehensive and informative reply, and the photos really help to get a good idea of the features too.

You are welcome.

One further question, and this concerns the photo from 1300 - are the loungers and thatched parasol part of the room's "patio area", or are these general facilities for anyone at the hotel?

They are spread out all over. There are three paraol/palapas in front of 1300. Further down near the high numbered buildings they are more of theme, but you are also sharing them with the Divi Dutch Village guests.

It may be the perspective of the photo, but they look pretty close to the room, and I was wondering if you could get up in the morning to find hordes of people right outside your patio doors!

In this particular area from 1100 - 1300 they are right off of the patios.

And yes, you can find people right outside your room or between you and the ocean. Palapas are on a first come, first served basis. We have seen people on the second floor come down and secure their spot at 6 am.

At Christmas, there was a large family occupying the four rooms above us. They did not care about the shade, but this was their spot each day in front of our rooms. Luck of the draw, one of those things, nothing you can do about it.

On the second floor you would have a private balcony. I was just wondering how private the patio area of the first floor rooms were.

Neither are totally private, as you can see through to the next door neighbor on the second floor and there is only a half wall separating the patios.