Archive for August, 2008

Vacationers who want to get the most for their money need look no further than the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusives. Offering a wealth of dining options, activities, services and amenities at two adjacent beachfront properties, there’s no better value around!

Both indoors and out, there are plenty of ways to have fun around the clock at Divi & Tamarijn Aruba. All guests are welcome to simply relax on the sandy beach or at one of three large freshwater pools. More active types can use the well-equipped Divi Winds Sports Center, which features an air-conditioned oceanfront fitness center with the latest equipment as well as a 30-foot outdoor rock climbing wall on the beach. Non-motorized water sports including snorkeling equipment, snorkel clinic and tour, sunfish sailing, floats, kayaks, beginner’s windsurfing equipment and “Learn to Windsurf” beach clinic are all available for guests to enjoy. Out of the water, guests can choose to get active with tennis, beach volleyball, beach olympics, bikes and bike tours, tennis clinics, casino table games, arts & crafts, dance lessons, beach soccer, billiards, board games, darts, basketball, Papiamento lessons and much more. The Links at Divi Aruba golf course is an optional amenity just steps away. The properties feature nightly entertainment and also provide guests with a ticket each to the Bon Bini Festival (seasonal) and a Funbook! with coupons for the adjacent Alhambra Casino.

Unlike many all inclusive properties, dining options at the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba abound. A total of ten different dining outlets* from stylish beachfront restaurants to casual poolside grills serve everything from fine quality steaks or hearty Italian fare to chic Asian-fusion cuisine or simple pizza and snacks, making it easy for guests to find something to suit their tastes. Indulge in something to eat or drink anytime, since all stays at the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba include all means, snacks and beverages.

To stretch the savings even further, guests have the option to book one of the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba’s packages. Honeymooners, families with kids and those simply seeking a good deal can find seasonal and year round specials that offer such bonuses as the option to bring up to two kids under age 18 completely free when sharing a room with two paying adults. Taxes and service charges are also included with every guests’ stay at the properties, whether booking a package or not. Further, whether a guest stays at the Divi Aruba All Inclusive or the Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive located just a stretch of sandy beach away, the facilities, amenities and services of both properties are at the guest’s disposal.

The landmark Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa and brand new Radisson St Martin Resort, Marina & Spa (slated to open in October) are enticing vacationers to plan their 2009 getaway well in advance by launching an Early Winter Sale. The sale, offering up to 25 percent off high-season rates on select room categories, is valid on bookings made by September 30, 2008, for stays between January 4 and April 18, 2009. Both Caribbean beach resorts are serviced by direct flights from major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Miami, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Charlotte. Planning early can help secure a coveted direct flight at the best rate available.

Guests staying five nights or longer at Radisson Aruba will receive an additional $150 restaurant or Larimar Spa credit per room that can be used at either the resort’s 13,000-square-foot Larimar Spa or any of their three restaurants including the award-winning Sunset Grille. Rates start from $359 per night.

Rates at the new Radisson St Martin Resort, Marina & Spa begin at 247 € ($384*) per night for a Superior Room during high-season. As a bonus, those travelers among the first to stay in a new spacious Marina Suite at Radisson St Martin will receive a 100 € restaurant and spa credit (approximately $155*) when staying five nights or more. Marina Suite rates begin at 423 € ($659*) per night and are among the most chic on St Martin. These suite accommodations provide a separate living area set apart from the bedroom and are ideal for guests seeking additional space and families. The new resort will also offer a comprehensive enrichment program that includes Champagne tastings, cooking classes and weekly French classes.

For information and reservations, see a travel agent, call Radisson Hotels & Resorts toll-free at (800) 333-33333 or visit www.radissoncaribbean.com

The official flagging of The Westin Aruba Resort some 18 months ago has brought about an extraordinary transformation to synchronize the property to bring guests a refreshing and energizing vacation experience. Every touch works together—from the Sensory Welcome of soothing scents, signature music, calming botanicals, and atmospheric lighting to the signature Heavenly Bed experience where guests can rejuvenate in plush serenity. The special touches offered by Westin to help guests restore the body, expand the mind, and elevate the spirit are now also translated into associates’ experiences with an amazing behind-the-scenes transformation that is taking place to energize and inspire associates of The Westin Aruba Resort.

From the moment they arrive in their new line of impeccably tailored uniforms, an inspirational environment has been put into place. The associates’ entrance has been recreated with tropical foliage, calming tones of color, and motivational quotes and stimulating insight. The former human resources department is now the Talent Resources & Development Center, where associates enjoy a culture that promotes learning, growing, and succeeding, with exceptional benefits, training, and perks to provide the basis for a renewing work experience. A training and development center, with an uplifting atmosphere and the opportunity to enhance skills in the hospitality arena with two executives dedicated to orientating and ‘renewing’ and ‘refreshing’ associates on an ongoing basis, is under development.

“Cushina di Maria,” named after the much-loved attendant that has worked for many years in the employee cafeteria, was enhanced to give associates a delightful and relaxing environment, complete with a massage chair and computers with internet access during their breaks. Healthy menu choices are now a part of the daily offerings in the associates’ cafeteria as well promoting low salt, low fat options.

“Swap Talk,” is a new initiative conducted by General Manager Matt Balcik, where periodic meetings are held to include a combination of 15 longtime and new associates. These associates offer feedback from their daily work environment to help improve both guest and associate experiences at the resort.

A variety of associate incentive and award’s programs are also in place. The Service Legend of the Month is an exciting approach to the old employee of the month awards. Nominated associates exemplify the core values recognized by Westin, including providing personal touches and personalized services to ‘surprise and delight’ every guest, proactively anticipating guests’ needs and making them feel special, and recognizing the special touches offered by Westin to help guests restore the body, expand the mind, and elevate the spirit so they leave not only rested, but also renewed and enriched. During a ballroom luncheon reception, all associates are invited for a gourmet lunch and the opportunity to share in the accomplishments of their nominated peers and cheer for the winners. The ballroom luncheon is also the venue for the new “Starfish Program,” where associates and managers are rewarded with a Starfish certificate by management and colleagues for exhibiting Westin’s core values, as well as through guests’ comments. A spin on the prize wheel is given for each certificate earned, with associates winning anything from gift certificates and gas vouchers to cash and exciting trips.

There are still many exhilarating initiatives underway, including a gym dedicated to associates and their fitness, as well as lifestyle improvement programs and opportunities to become involved in community and charitable projects like the beach clean-up held in June, and the animal welfare initiative that saw many Westin associates volunteering to paint the Aruba Animal Shelter last week. An upcoming “Jungle Dinner Dance” benefit that will be held at The Westin Aruba Resort’s Grand Palm Beach Ballroom is scheduled for October 24th in support of Animal Rights Aruba.

All of these exciting changes and additions harmonize together to positively impact the overall Westin experience for guests, as well as associates and the community.

Nine candidates to the Miss Aruba pageant met at Blue, Renaissance Aruba Resorts over cocktail last night. They have been rehearsing for the show at the Renaissance Convention Center on Saturday night and stopped in at the famous bar for a breather.

The local beauties mingled with guests and members of the jury in charge of selecting Miss Aruba 2008.

Renaissance Director of Food & Beverage John Grigg, the reigning Miss Aruba Tracey Nicholas and Miss World Boyura Martijn, as well as a former Miss Aruba Linda Scnog enjoyed the cocktails and the sunset before dinner at Aquarius Restaurant courtesy of Renaissance one of this year’s major sponsor and host hotel reports Rebecca Verschoor – Marval, Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, PR & Marketing Communications Manager.

The elegant Crystal Theater sparkles with all the excitement of Las Vegas as the magnificent “Havana Dance” explodes on stage with a thrilling mix of Latin & Cuban music, colorful costumes and high energy, contemporary Cuban dance.

“Havana Dance” is the biggest stage production in the Caribbean, featuring Cuban dancers and entertainers directly from Havana.

The show delivers a purely Cuban spectacle, with a cast of 12 female ballerinas, 4 male dancers, 2 singers and 3 acrobats, performing a fresh program accompanied by live Cuban music performed on stage by a genuine Cuban orchestra, consisting of 5 professional Cuban musicians.

This live dance AND live music combination as seen in our pictures, is ‘first of its kind’ on the island.

While the greater part of the “Havana Dance” review enjoys predominantly Cuban flavor, the show is graced with a truly unique Caribbean choreography, and many tropical touches.

“Havana Dance” unfolds on a two-tiered stage, with entrances and exits to and off the arena at different heights, which presents a new visual concept. The custom-designed costumes are sensual, daring, colorful, and luxurious and set “Havana Dance” apart from any other cabaret.

Producer Steve Hudson who enjoyed an unprecedentedly-successful seven-year run with his previous “Let’s Go Latin” review, conceived and created an exciting and much-evolved new must-see spectacle.

Tickets for “Havana Dance” are US$ 49.- Children under 12 pay US$25

Tickets are available at the theater box office, Renaissance Aruba Resort, and can also be purchased at the concierge’s desk at the Renaissance Aruba Resort.

Other ticket vendors include the De Palm Tours and Pelican Adventure Activity Centers at the resorts. A special dinner & show package is also available in conjunction with the L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chop House for US$89.- per person.

For additional information and reservations call the Crystal Theatre at Tel.: 583 6000, ext. 6115, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., call tel.: 583 6000 ext. 6357.

Don’t miss an opportunity to be greatly entertained by the sizzle of “Havana Dance.”

Mirto Granadillo, the former Director of the Aruba Tourism Authority in Latin American joined Tiara Air as company representative in Venezuela.

He is pictured here with Manager Commercial, Sales and Marketing Camilo Muyale, at the Tiara Air Service Center at Sun Plaza with company sales representatives Zarina Faarup and Darsy Kelly.

Tiara Air is extremely satisfied to have been able to recruit an experienced, well-respected and very qualified executive to spearhead Tiara Air’s expansion in Venezuela and later South American, Muyale declared.

Granadillo was at the helm of Aruba’s sales and marketing promotions in Latin America from 1976 to 2006, and has excellent contacts in aviation and in the travel community of the southern hemisphere.

Fluent in English, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Brasilero and French, he is perfectly suited to take on the Americas on behalf of Tiara Air.

Educated in Mexico, Santo Domingo and at Cornell University, USA, Granadillo is bringing a wealth of talents to add to Tiara Air’s already spectacular business intelligence and professional expertise.

The Asociación de Líneas Aéreas de Venezuela had recently asked Tiara Air to join its ranks and become a member of the prestigious association.

The regional Antillean carrier based in Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao responded with great enthusiasm and this week a delegation of Tiara Air met with the ALAV officials in Venezuela to ink the agreement.

Managing Director Alejandro Muyale and affiliated executives Raymond Maduro and Mark Hoveling flew over to meet with ALAV Executive President Humberto Figuera and Board Member Jorge Andrade, and conducted fruitful and informative talks.

ALAV, an international organization, has been serving Venezuela and its skyways since 1959. “With thirty-one international member airlines including Lufthansa, Alitalia and American Airlines, Tiara Air is certainly in good company,” remarks Maduro.

“We are excited about the promising partnership with ALAV,” states Muyale, “it opens great possibilities for Tiara Air to get even further into the Venezuelan market and into South America in general.”

A group of certified event planners from the US, all top decision-makers in the MICE market, visited Aruba over the weekend and was dined and wined elegantly and extravagantly by the members of Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association, AHATA.

Their intense program included site inspections, cocktail parties, and dinner affairs, all designed to introduce the island and its superbly diverse tourist product, in consideration of future group business.

Over the past few years Aruba has been making considerable efforts to attract Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions, in large and small groups first via “Meet Aruba,” the AHATA marketing arm and recently by means by its evolution, the ACB, the Aruba Convention Bureau of North American, an exciting joint initiative between the public sector, the Aruba Tourism Authority and the private sector, the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association.

“The Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association is happy to represent Aruba as the contracted entity for the MICE market in North America, and in working to attract greater group business to the island,” comments AHATA President and CEO Rob Smith on the recently-signed agreement with the Aruba Tourism Authority.

“We already have 35-plus shows which we will be participating, together with AHATA-member resorts, and we are on track with reaching targeted goals this year. With the new additions to our Convention Bureau staff, with Carol Daughtery as the Regional Director of Sales in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic and Hal Davis heading up sales efforts in the Mid-West, we expect to foster continued growth of the MICE market through the promotion of Aruba’s world-class resorts, state-of-the-art convention facilities and diverse offerings, as well as our convenient air connections and TIEA status.”

“We are very excited about the future,” reports ACB’s Heather Linton, “Under the name Meet Aruba the industry assumed we were a destination management company and that our services cost money. Now as we changed names to the Aruba Convention Bureau of North America, we get instant recognition. Industry professional know they can come to us with their business, and expect no charge since we are working for the destination, and our service to them is free of charge.”

Pictured here top decision makers from the US, getting to know the island, as hosted by the Aruba Convention Bureau of North America.

Windows on Aruba located on the top floor of the golf clubhouse at The Links at Divi Aruba, entertained members of a Destination Review from the US just recently, all professional Meetings and Events planners.

The fully glass-enclosed elegant restaurant, built in the round, offers diners a panoramic view over the signature ninth hole at The Links with the azure Caribbean visible immediately beyond.

The menu for the special luncheon party featured a fine selection of international specialties with a French accent, made of the freshest old and new world ingredients, starting with Salad and Mushrooms, garnished with prosciutto, marinated tomatoes, cashew nuts and asparagus, followed by Poultry and Sherry, a consommé with duck, mushrooms and sherry. The tempting main courses offered Snapper and Ravioli with crispy fried red snapper fillet, laced with vanilla carrot sauce, escorted by spinach ravioli, baby fennel and basil mash, or Sirloin and Mushrooms, grilled beef entrecote with garlic butter sauce, forest mushrooms, tomato pepper relish and Creole potatoes.

Coffee and Brownies for dessert concluded the outstanding culinary experience, prepared by the restaurant chefs in an open exhibition kitchen.

Lunch was hosted by Tabita Fecunda of Divi resort and attended by the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association President and CEP Rob Smith and his staff.

The warmhearted people of the island of Hawaii and their colorful Hula skirts and floral lei offered a taste of the far-away, exotic land to the associates of La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club, during the monthly special themed lunch at the Sit & Chat Café.

“Aloha, we offer you just a taste of Hawaii, no passport needed, just bring your smile,” said the invitations dispatched by the Front Office, PBX-CDS and Bell Staff.

Associates enjoyed a special luau BBQ luncheon finished with pineapple upside cake and virgin piña-coladas.

Pictured here General Manager Joe Najjar in his favorite Hawaiian shirt, flanked by his in-house Hula dancers.