We just got news that they are finally going to expand the Phoenix! They said it was suppose to start this month and be done by 2007. Supposedly, they are adding four 8 story buildings and a large free form pool with a swim up bar. I hope they decide to add a nice water slide, too. I've owned there since the beginning and have been waiting patiently for that to happen. I love the Phoenix and the people who run it and I truly believe that the Divi resorts are the best! 45 more days to heaven!!

Hey MZMAC, that was great news for us. I've only owned at the Phoenix for five years now but have been to the Island more than that. We have the best staff on the Island and they continue to get better every year. Weeks 10 and 11 here and may even try to grab those weeks in the new part and unload the old. Have a great vacation.

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What goes on the Island, Stays on the Island

I hear you, Sully. I'm sure that when you go this year, they'll be all about getting you to buy the new ones. That's how we ended up with week 5. It was the only week left in our room to buy and if we didn't buy it then we couldn't ever have the two weeks together in the same room. Actually, we've owned there since before the Divi took over the place. Our room was the one that they showed as a model in the tower when they were building the place! We've been going since 1991. I can't wait to see the new buildings going up! I'm sure our maintenence fees will follow, though.

What was the name of the Phonix prior to the Divi buying it? Was it a timeshare then also?

Does anyone know why the Phoenix does not trade through II when all the other Divi's do?

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I don't know what II means but I do know that the Divi Phoenix trades through RCI. When it was originally being built in 1991, the name was the Aruba Royal Beach Resort. It was to have 4 towers with villas in front by the beach and next door was to be a Ramada Renaissance Hotel that would have a two story casino and be attached to the 1st tower with a covered walkway. Owners would get all the ammenities of the Hotel such as room service and so on. They only had the 1st tower up and the villas when we bought into it. From the time we bought, nothing else was done and the company went bankrupt. When it was sold off, the government said that any timeshare that bought it had to honor all qualified owners so they wouldn't lose their money. Since it was the 1st time we had taken a chance and spent alot of money on something frivolous, we were soooo thankful to the Aruban government!

II is Interval International, the other timeshare company. Just weird that the Dutch and Village trade through either RCI or II, but the Phoenix only through RCI.

Thanks for the info on the original name.

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Since they had to honor your contract, do you own it for life or for 40 years like most of the Divi resorts.

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The original place was for life into perpituity but Divi only goes 40 years. Since we are 50 and 51, it doesn't matter to us. I don't see myself flying from Buffalo, NY to Aruba in my 80's! We've only got one son in his late 20's so it works out well for us!

Oh, I forgot. We also have the choice of accelerating the last 10 years worth of weeks.

I'm confused. Did the Divi honor the contract? Lifetime ownership or change it to 40 years?

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The Divi changed it to 40 years and the last 10 years of that you can accelerate. Meaning, you can bring as those 10 weeks forward to any year you want. So, you'd end up with actually 30 years if you accelerated all of the last ten years.

The Phoenix is a terrific place because it affords all the opportunity to enjoy their own style of vacation. You can vacation far from the madding crowd if you wish or party with the rest if you prefer. With the long anticipated expansion, I believe the Phoenix will become an even better resort. We have owned there since buying pre-construction in 1995 and have enjoyed every stay immensely. See you all in Aruba in February!

Pete and Diane

Please let us know what is going on with the new construction at the Phoenix when you return. They are now clearing the land next to the Phoenix on the Wyndham side.

We were original owners too. All Divi contracts are now 40 yr. No more life time.

Hey Flora, I would be happy to let you know upon our return. We leave on Feb 25th

Pete

Check out the prices if available. You can also find me in the chat room on Monday & Thursday evenings starting at 9:00pm est. Have a great time.

Flora, if you or anyone you know might be interested, we are currently selling our week 21 at the Phoenix. we own a week in a one bedroom unit in the villas (not the tower!) and we have 31 years remaining and have paid the maintenance fee for the upcoming stay (May 27 to June 3, 2006) we are asking $9,995.00. i will ask about prices during our upcoming stay.

Pete

I just got back on Feb. 11th. The land is cleared and they tore down the old towel hut next to the villas and so far put the cement pad down for what is going to be the temporary sales office. The studios are selling for $17,500 pre-construction with a discount for owners. If you want to upgrade to a new place, you have to pay the difference and also buy another week for every week you upgrade. They've posted layouts of what it will look like when it is done. It should turn out nice. I especially like the new pool area with slide and pool bar and grill type poolside food place.