Aruba Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort

Divi Resorts is making a name for itself on the island of Aruba, where it has five properties already and luxury villas on the way. Among the major developments, the Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort on Druif Beach is turning into a mega-complex.

Last year, Divi spent $42 million on Divi Village, and at the beginning of this year it opened Mulligan's, a casual bar overlooking the 9th hole on the golf course, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also opened Windows on Aruba, a restaurant, located on the top floor of the bar. Both have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the golf course and can serve as venues for business meetings and wedding receptions. In addition, flat-screen TVs will air golf tournaments.

The outskirts of the golf course look like a village under construction, as dozens of luxury golf villas and timeshare suites are in various stages of development. At least 82 of the 240 suites have been completed and another 52 are slated for completion by early 2008.

The buildings, which house studios and one and two bedroom suites, surround a freshwater pool. The suites offer fully equipped kitchens and private balconies with either ocean or garden views. The suites have king-size beds with queen sleeper sofas.

There also are some premium golf-view suites along the course in studio or one bedroom configurations. They are either located in an intimate hotel setting or in freestanding villas, each housing four suites. Some have rooftop whirlpool tubs.