Hello. My husband and I will be staying at the Divi May 3-10 in a deluxe room.

From a previous post, someone mentioned that the deluxe rooms include hair dryers? That would sure free up some weight in my suitcase.

What are the fridges like, something the size of a dorm fridge?

Is there anywhere within the resort that offers microwaves, like a common area?

Also, does the Divi supply beach towels for free?

Thanks in advance for all answers.

Most rooms have hair dryers. In the time share units there are full apartment size fridges and they also have microwaves but I am not sure of the other rooms. They do supply free beach towels to all guests. Enjoy your trip!

There was no microwave iin the deluxe room we had, but I bet they will loan or rent one for you. the frig was not the smallest I'd ever seen, but it was not a full sized one, either. I'd say about 3' tall and 2' wide.

we also asked for a coffee pot...ask for an upstairs room..also when we were there last, they were adding new furniture...scott

I emailed Divi corporate last week and was told (in writing) that deluxe rooms do include a microwave, but somehow I have a bad feeling there won't be one in our room and I'll have to ask for one.

April, copy their reply and take it with you... Ron

(Message edited by ronindiana on January 28, 2008)

Ron, I will definitely do that. When it comes to accomodations and promises such as having a microwave, I like to get everything in writing. I sent them a list last week with a bunch of questions. The only one she would not give me a straight answer on is the electricity situation. I know the electric is different than that in the US and I run the risk of burning out anything I plug in that I bring down with me. How can I safeguard my sensitive equipment such as cameras and hair appliances? Do I have to buy a $50 converter in town there?

April

April, you will not have any problem with electricity. Their electricity is 50 cycles instead of our 60 cycles. You do not need an adapter. The only issue is clocks which always run fast so you will have to reset them every 2-3 days. I have charged my video camera and batteries for my digital camera without problem. My wife's hair dryer works just fine.

I have noticed the clocks run fast. We use our hair dryer with out problem.
In the past, I have left my laptop connected to AC, it charges the battery fine.

I used my laptop this past week. I found that it had gotten very hot to touch the cord after but other than that it worked fine. The Wifi is in the lobby and not available in the rooms.
Timeshare has no hairdryers but deluxe rooms do. Beach towels are supplied for free with a card they give you.

I was told today by Divi, no microwaves in the deluxe rooms ... even though they previously said yes there were. Oh well. As long as the mini-fridge is actually there, I'll be happy ... I'm hoping they don't take that back, too.

I also was previously told that the room safe was free to use, but today was told there is a charge.

So far, beach towels are still free.

Tomorrow will be just 87 days until we arrive!! Bonaire is all we can think about. This is our first visit and we're very excited.

There is also a reperate charge for electricity.(Power)

Ron, do you mean the energy surcharge or paying for what you use? I've never paid for my useage, per se' but there might be the surcharge (flat rate) on the final bill tally. Thanks. cb

i don't know about the divi but some places will add a fee if you want the airco on all day long. if not, the maids will shut it off when they clean the room.

energy surcharge is what I ment...

I think maybe you could not get a micro for a delux room is because of the set up of the room and funiture and the electric outlets, also because if you would like to have a room that you can cook and have the refrig and micro and everything else, they have the studio rooms available, maybe that's why they said no. Sometimes Divi corprate has no sense of the hotel unless you are fortunate enough to speak with someone who actually has been there. I find communicating with the front desk for request after speaking with the corporate people with a copy of written request helpful.
You'll love Divi, have fun!

We're considering a time share at Divi, any input?

Sharon, I am sure you will get a lot of input. We were sure we would never ever buy a timeshare but we did in 1992 and have been very pleased. Divi is a pretty good operation and its home office is in Chapel Hill, NC. I have found them to be responsive to my requests over the years and they have always tried to accommodate us at the various resorts.

We have stayed in Aruba, Barbados, St. Maarten, and Bonaire. All have good points but overall we like Bonaire the best. The Island is more laid back and the underwater is the best of all the Islands. In addition, there seems to be more good restaurants. However, if you want action, then either Aruba or St. Maarten may be better choices. A neat thing is the ability to exchange your weeks between Islands with minimal difficulty and at a reasonable cost.

Thanks George for sharing that info! I find it hard to consider trying another island, we love Bonaire so much. And, we're not partiers at all. We're for the diving for sure.

Hi, Sharon! We owned Divi Aruba Village before it was built...only a cinder block in the sand, literally. We used that timeshare for many years but as Aruba kept building we were more turned off.

Our first trip to Bonaire was in 2000...as the plane approached Bonaire to land we "knew" at that point we would never return to ARuba or any other Caribbean island...we bought another unit at the Divi the first morning their office opened up. We have never regretted it. We now use our Aruba week back to back with our owned Bonaire week...both weeks in Bonaire, of course.

We have seen the many, many major improvements Divi has made to the Bonaire properties. All of them good. The staff is wonderful and as George has stated, very, very accommodating. All of the Divi staff (including corporate in NC) are a joy to deal with.

I don't think you would regret your purchase if you did buy at the Divi. You can't beat the location and it is nice to be there...intimate and a great reef, restaurants, etc. etc. I could go on and on.

Good luck with your decision and let us know what your final decision is! Ayo. Carole

Thanks Carol, that helps alot. I'm pretty sure we are going to go ahead with it. Even with Bonaire, change marches on. I first came in 86 and so much growth since then.

Forget the hair dryer! But yes, they supply it. The ocean air will bring out the "natural" of your hair. :-)

We love the Divi. Enjoy! We'll be there in June.

Absolutely forget the hair dryer! At the end of your time, your hair will be gold-kissed and beautifully wind-blown by the lovely Bonaire breezes!

Hi April, I will be back at the Divi for my third year the week after you depart. I find the resort quite and relaxing, VERY close to town. The beach is small and can get crowded, usually later in the afternoons after lunch and the return of morning boat divers. Lounge chairs on the sun pier tend to get taken up quickly as well so plan accordingly. There are two pools, both of which have always been clean. Unfortunately they are not heated so they can be chilly at times. The fitness center is not large but has everything you will need for a good workout. If you plan on using the fitness center be sure to ask for the door code at the front desk. Not much of a convenience store at the resort, but there are plenty of small stores in town, and the local supermarket (CultaMara) is within walking distance and the perfect place to pick up water and other food items to stock your fridge with. If you decide to go to Culta Mara, recommend bringing a good canvas bag or two to carry your goods in. There is a casino at the resort, it opens around 8 or 9 pm and is relatively small, but can be fun. Yes, there is a small daily fee for the in-room safe...in my opinion it's worth the $$. Be sure to ask for the key to your safe when you check in. Also, when you check in be sure to ask for a "Gate Key". This key operates the gate at the north end of the resort near the dive shop on the road that leads into town. If you don't ask for it you will find yourself walking all the way around to the main front entrance..Not terrible but using the gate is much more convenient. Town is about a 5- 10 minute walk from the resort along the waters edge. Beach towels are free with the card you will get upon check-in. If you dive, bring your own lock for your dive locker. The locks they sell you at the dive shop are small, luggage style locks, not very secure and because the locks and keys are so small, if you drop it on the dive dock it will fall between the floor slats and into the water. I learned this from experience...the attempted recovery dive was not successful.

2 for 1 happy hour at the Balashi Beach Bar is a good time but it does get crowded and unfortunately the service is usually slow...so be prepared. Food at Chibi Chibi is very good for both lunch and dinner. A couple other good spots for food are Casablanca Argentinean Grill, Richards, City Lights Cafe, and a small little Italian joint I forget the name of (Donna & something).

I don't know about hair dryers or microwaves in Deluxe rooms... I guess depending on how important those items are to you, if the Divi provided you with something stating both would be included, print it out and bring it with you. Last year I had an issue where the Divi reservations center in NC booked me with one thing and the resort wanted to give me something else. Even with something in writing, from Divi headquarters in NC, showing exactly what I was supposed to get it took a 30 minute debate with the resort manager. Decide how important those items are to you and if it's a battle really worth fighting for. If so, have everything in writing.

If you dive, it does not get much easier than at the Divi. My experience with the dive staff has been very friendly, and knowledgeable. Enjoy your trip.

Hi Christopher. Thank you so very much for the very informative post about Divi. You have been very helpful. Too bad you are there the week after we leave. I'll be sure to post a report upon my return. Enjoy your vacation, too.

April

Hey Christopher. I am doing the singledivers.com that week as well (May 10-17th). It will be my first trip down there as well. Based upon everything I am hearing, it should be a great time.