Paradise Beach Villas Celebrates Silver Anniversary

Paradise Beach Villas celebrated its 25th anniversary on July 4th 2019, commemorating its opening day with Bougainville Development, under the leadership of Lee di Giovanni, in 1994.

The Resort actually opened its doors in 1988, but as the original Management Company ran into difficulties, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Lee di Giovanni who at the time was just a concerned owner, took it upon herself to put the pieces together again, and make the Resort her life’s work.

The party commemorating the anniversary was nicely attended by guests, owners, and dignitaries, and unfolded in the Resort’s lobby over cocktails, on Monday July 1st.

Emcee Bianca v/d Biezen greeted guests warmly and invited Managing Director Freddy Albertus to deliver the opening address the festive gathering.

Albertus thanked di Giovanni for her courage and foresight and thanked both her sons, Alfred and Michael di Giovanni, in attendance with their family members, for making the trip to Aruba.

“While Lee is no longer with us,” he said,” her legacy far superseded anyone’s imagination, and we can all be proud of what she started at Bougainville Development, in her role as a very passionate hotelier.”

On a personal note Albertus added that he started under di Giovanni’s guidance 18 years ago with no knowledge about timesharing but di Giovanni was his mentor and she taught him well.

Paradise Beach Villas’ success, Albertus shared, continues to grow thanks to the commitment of stakeholders, board members and Managing Directors, timeshare owners, department heads and staffers, and as the second smallest timeshare Resort in Aruba, he was proud of the property’s upgraded status as a Select Resort with Interval International. Paradise Beach Villas also became the second Resort on the island to receive the service-oriented Aruba Certification plaque last year.

Albertus was also pleased to report that the average number of working-years among resort staffers was eighteen and that many of the renovations projects at the Resort were executed without any bank loans, attesting to the financial health of the operation, resulting in a top rating among resorts on Eagle Beach.

A unique achievement, according to Albertus, is the annual BBQ where the families, as `owners shop, cook, and serve staffers, a three-year tradition so far, and a much-enjoyed and always-appreciated gesture of gratitude, by guests towards their local hosts.

In conclusion of his address, Albertus thanked his concessioners, Asi Es Mi Peru and La Terrazza Italiana restaurant for their culinary contributions to the resort and wished for the next successful twenty-five years. inviting guests to watch the screens for several lifelong memories, projected as a THANK YOU note. “We couldn’t have done it without you,” he concluded.

In the talk which followed, the CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority Ronella Tjin Asjoe Croes stated that the island of Aruba has greatly benefitted from its relationship with the timeshare industry. She then took her time to express her gratitude, thanking each and every guest for his/her loyalty to the island and its people, and remarked she was humbled and astounded by at the profound love and knowledge of the island she found among Paradise Beach Villas owners.

Service awards were presented to employees celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years and three retiring staffers were also recognized for 21, 21 and 17 years of loyal service.

Dennis Hullmann, current Chairman of the Board expressed his delight at the progress of the resort over the years and congratulated owners, management and staff.

Jim Pritsiolas, Secretary / Treasurer of the Board then presented a surprise award to Fred Noemer, one of the longest serving board members.

A picture opportunity, closing notes by Managing Director Andy Osborne, and congratulatory comments by the president of the Aruba Timeshare Association Luigi Heredia wrapped up the memorable occasion, a quarter century of hospitality excellence.