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Monthly Archives: April 2019

Barbados, divi, Divi Southwinds, Resorts

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Charles Maynard

A Barbados native with plenty of experience on the island and in the hospitality industry, Divi Southwind Beach Resort’s new General Manager, Charles Maynard is the resort’s freshest face, having joined the team this May to take over the position formerly held by Alvin Jemmott for 12 years. We sat down with Maynard to welcome him to the team and see what he has in store for Divi Southwinds.

What brought you to Divi Southwinds?
I’ve worked on the island for many years, and in the hotel industry for over 30 years, so when I was presented with an opportunity to return to my native Barbados to be with my family, I welcomed the position with open arms. What drew me to Divi Resorts, and Divi Southwinds in particular, is its diversity and casual yet elegant offerings.

What are your duties as General Manager?
I oversee all aspects of the resort’s daily operations from managing staff to achieving targets, revenue management, cost control, human resources, training, public relations, maintenance and more. My favorite part of the job, besides achieving results, is to develop strong managers and most importantly to deliver outstanding customer service to our owners, members and guests.

What are your plans for the future of Divi Southwinds?
My immediate plan is to develop a strategy with clear objectives and tactics to ensure Divi Southwinds has the best customer service on the island. My work motto is, ‘We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit,’ and I want to make sure we work toward that goal every day.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my free time, I like to engage in physical activities that promote fitness, like going to the gym and practicing Shotokan Karate, when time permits. I also enjoy getting together with friends and family to indulge in traditional pudding and souse!

Could you tell us a little about your family?
I have a wife who works in finance and two daughters. My eldest daughter will be graduating later this year as a doctor and my younger daughter wants to be a chef.

Activities, Aruba, Caribbean, divi, Divi Village, Resorts

Divi Resorts’ Windows on Aruba Restaurant to Host the Caribbean’s Largest Michelin Pop-Up Dinner

Windows on Aruba’s Pop-Up Michelin Dinners on June 7 and June 8 will feature top chefs with Eight Michelin stars combined.

Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort’s Windows on Aruba restaurant will play host to the Caribbean’s largest Michelin pop-up dinners on June 7 and June 8, 2019. The evening events include cocktails, 4 amuses and an extravagant 5-course dinner with wine pairings from Pepia-Est Aruba.

“It’s a unique culinary experience that we’re excited to offer our guests,” said Marco Galaverna, Divi Resorts President & COO. “It’s not every day you have top chefs with eight Michelin stars combined all in one place.”

All participating chefs hail from the Netherlands and include François Geurds of FG Restaurant and FG Food Labs, Erik Van Loo of Parkheuvel, Edwin Vinke of De Kromme Watergang and Jermain de Rozario of De Rozario.

“Each chef is bringing along their unique set of skills and innovative culinary knowledge for an evening of bold flavors and mouthwatering creations, sure to satisfy the taste buds,” said Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort’s Director of Food & Beverage, Dominique Bauduin. “It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime event you don’t want to miss!”

Tickets for the event are currently on sale for $185 per person, which includes taxes and service fees, and Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort is offering special discounted room rates for June 1-15. Rates are as low as $155 per night (room only) and $199 per person, per night (all-inclusive). For more information, or to book your reservations, visit www.diviresorts.com/aruba-culinary-event.htm.

Sale Terms & Conditions:
This offer applies to reservations made for travel from June 1 to June 15, 2019. Discount based on rack pricing. All-inclusive rates based on double occupancy. Taxes & services charges NOT included, except for All-Inclusive packages. 3-night minimum stay required for All-Inclusive packages. No maximum night stay is required. Restrictions apply. Full payment is required at time of reservation. Cancellations must be received at least 7 days prior to arrival for refund. Flight cancellations are subject to airline cancellation policies. Divi Resorts is not responsible for changes in airfare pricing. Offer is subject to availability and may be discontinued at any time. Offer valid on new reservations booked at a nightly rate only. Offer not valid on timeshare reservations. Cannot be combined with any other Divi special offer or discounted rate.

Aruba, divi, Divi Aruba Phoenix, Resorts

Beloved Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort General Manager Gerrit Griffith Retiring

“Mr. G” will retire in September after a 43-year career with Divi Resorts.

After more than 7 years as the General Manager of Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort and 43 years working for Divi Resorts, Gerrit Griffith announced his intention to retire this September to spend quality time with his family.

“Griffith, or Mr. G, as he’s fondly known by everyone, has been a respected leader in the Caribbean hospitality industry and a driving force behind the success of Divi Aruba Phoenix,” said Marco Galaverna, Divi Resorts President & COO. “We’re very sad to see him retire and we will dearly miss his beaming smile, positive attitude and daily interaction with both guests and staff.”

A Curacao native, Griffith graduated with a degree from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Management in 1974. In 1976, after working as a management trainee for Intercontinental Hotels in Aruba, Griffith was hired by Divi Resorts as the Assistant General Manager of the Tamarijn Beach Resort, now called the Tamarijn All-Inclusive Beach Resort, which at the time had around 75 rooms and was under further expansion.

“At the Tamarijn, I worked my way up to the General Manager’s position and then transferred next door to what’s now known as the Divi Aruba All-Inclusive Resort. After that, I was involved in the early construction phase and was the General Manager of Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort and then Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort, which later added The Links at Divi Aruba golf course and the Golf Villas.”

Griffith also worked with Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino on Bonaire, Divi Little Bay Beach Resort on St. Maarten and Divi Southwinds Beach Resort on Barbados before accepting the position of General Manager at Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort.

“I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to create an atmosphere where management and associates can bond with our Divi Vacation Club members, Divi Timeshare owners and guests while ensuring the highest level of personal service. It’s a unique trademark of Divi Resorts,” said Griffith. “I’m very proud of the strong and dedicated team we’ve built and the improvements we’ve made to take Phoenix to the next level, all done with the aim to enhance customer satisfaction.”

Griffith says what he’ll miss most is the personal relationships he’s developed with employees, guests and timeshare members and owners over the years. As for the future, he says he looks forward to spending more quality time with his family and precious granddaughter and having the time to travel with his youngest son.

Aruba, Caribbean, divi, Divi Aruba Phoenix, Divi Dutch, Divi Little Bay, Divi Village, Resorts, St. Maarten

TASTE OF DIVI: Aruba & St. Maarten

pureocean at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort on St. Maarten

ARUBA

BEACH BAR
It’s five o’clock somewhere! Spend your happy hour at Divi’s brand new Beach Bar, a lively new restaurant and bar located right across the street from Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort. Serving up delightful snacks and thirst-quenching cocktails with a side of entertainment, it’s the perfect place to unwind, hang out with a drink and watch an amazing Aruban sunset.

ST. MAARTEN

PUREOCEAN
A culinary staple on St. Maarten, this signature restaurant led by new Executive Chef Octavio Verhelst features a refreshed modern look with sleek furniture and décor, expanded indoor seating and completely revamped menus full of delicious classics and tasty island favorites. Dine in air-conditioned comfort or experience fabulous al fresco seating on the pureocean outdoor terrace.

THE SHACK
If you’re looking for authentic Caribbean jerk flavors you’ve found the spot! The Shack’s grab and go menu can be enjoyed on the pureocean terrace, by the pureocean pool, on the beach, or just about anywhere. Featuring traditionally prepared BBQ, Jerk and Roti dishes with a little kick, your taste buds will thank you after every meal.

PUREROC
For a uniquely “hot” dining experience like no other, stop by pureroc to sample a mouthwatering selection of fresh meat and seafood served on a sizzling hot lava rock. Paired with creative “roctails” and accompanied by satisfying sides, guests become chefs, cooking their meat and seafood to taste, so it’s always done to perfection! This new eatery, with a romantic nighttime ambiance, is located on the pureocean terrace.

divi

DIVI CARES – Summer 2019

ALL ISLANDS

DIVI RESORTS ‘GOES GREEN’ FOR EARTH DAY
Divi Resorts honored Earth Day with a variety of activities, including planting trees on Barbados, shutting off lights to save energy, hosting a beach clean-up and selling t-shirts to donate the proceeds to the Aruba Beach Clean Up and the Lionfish Foundation on Aruba, and a clean-up walk from the beach to Fort Amsterdam on St. Maarten.

DIVI RESORTS CELEBRATES EASTER HOLIDAY
Our staff had a hopping good time sharing Easter with our owners, members and guests at all of our Divi Resorts destinations throughout the Caribbean. There were visits from the Easter Bunny, underwater egg hunts, family-style breakfast, brunch and dinner menus at many of our restaurants, plenty of fun games and arts & crafts.

ARUBA

ARUBA STAFF HELPS RENOVATE LOCAL PLAYGROUND
For the fourth year in a row, Divi Resorts’ staff on Aruba volunteered their time to renovate the local Mafiki playground in need of repair. Twenty-nine participants, including employees from landscaping, maintenance, front office, housekeeping and activities were all smiles as they banded together with Aruba Doet, a local volunteer organization, to help level sand, paint recreation sets and make new signs.

DIVI RESORTS SUPPORTS WHITE SHARKS 8U BASEBALL
Divi Resorts was proud to offer the local White Sharks 8U baseball team a donation of a weekend stay at Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort on Aruba for the first place winner of their annual fundraiser, which helped send the team to an international competition. In all, the team raised $3,000.

DIVI ARUBA PHOENIX CELEBRATES FLAG DAY
Aruban pride was at an all-time high during Divi Aruba Phoenix’s Flag Day celebration, which featured local performers, Aruban food and more.

BARBADOS

CHEF’S COOKING DEMO A TASTY TREAT
In addition to Divi Southwinds Beach Resort’s staff planting trees on Earth Day, resort guests were treated to a wonderful Bajan cooking demonstration and tasting by award-winning pureocean Executive Chef, Henderson Butcher, who served up tasty local favorites for everyone to sample and enjoy.

DIVI SOUTHWINDS CHARITY FUNDS DONATION
Divi Southwinds Beach Resort’s Front Office Supervisor, Janice Mason was pleased to present funds to the Alice Laurent Charity, an organization formed in 2017 to assist persons with medical needs. One of the beneficiaries, 20-year-old Hasani Rowe, is the son of a past employee who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2010.

RESORT SUPPORTS BARBADOS HIKING ASSOCIATION
Mason was also thrilled to present Ms. Sandra Archer, President of the Barbados Hiking Association, with funds to help the non-profit organization preserve fast disappearing hiking trails and show Barbadians and visitors alike the beauty of the flora and fauna of Barbados.

BONAIRE

SENIORS CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS AT DIVI FLAMINGO
Each year, a group of more than 200 senior citizens is treated to a merry evening of delicious food and friendly faces. This year, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino once again hosted the annual event, providing the evening’s event space and food and beverage assistance.

STAFF HELPS BEAUTIFY LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER
A group of Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino employees spent the day assisting Bon Doet, a local volunteer organization, with the revitalization of a nearby animal shelter. Volunteers donning their Divi Cares t-shirts, painted all of the dog and cat houses and outdoor furniture. They even matched the colors they were using to paint the shelter!

ST. MAARTEN

ANNUAL UNDERWATER EGG HUNT A HUGE SUCCESS
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort’s Underwater Easter Egg Hunt is an island favorite for locals and guests, and all money raised during the event were donated to the St. Maarten Nature Foundation. This year was extra special, as Divi Little Bay once again works towards its Blue Flag certification status, which is how this worldwide organization monitors the waters of St. Maarten and all around the Caribbean.

RESORT HOSTS FAMILY DAY FOR EMPLOYEES
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort’s management team organized a successful family fun day for the children of Divi staff members as part of their employee recognition and appreciation program. Kids were full of joy as they played games, jumped in a bouncy house, tie-dyed t-shirts and indulged in food and refreshments.

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