Divi Resorts Hires Ferry Zievinger For General Manager Position at Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort and Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort

An Aruba native, Ferry Zievinger takes over the General Manager position at Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort and Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort on September 1, 2019.

Divi Resorts is welcoming another fresh face to its management team on Aruba. Aruba native Ferry Zievinger will take over as General Manager of Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort and Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort, effective September 1, 2019.

“I’m looking forward to aligning my 35 years of experience with the company’s vision and pushing this vision to its boundaries,” said Zievinger. “I want to make sure that when someone plans a trip to Aruba, our resorts are always considered first, and that we excel as a hospitality company that’s trusted to create flawless vacation experiences.”

The big move comes just weeks after the company announced that Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort’s Pearl Lake will be promoted to General Manager, taking over the position formerly held by Gerrit Griffith who is retiring after 43 years with Divi Resorts.

Zievinger’s previous experience includes Director of Food & Beverage at Marriott in Curaçao, General Manager, Hotel Manager and Food & Beverage Director for Sandals Resorts throughout the Caribbean and Regional General Manager for the Sandals Corporate Team.

“We’re excited to welcome Mr. Zievinger to the Divi family,” said Marco Galaverna, Divi Resorts President & COO. “As a local with an extensive background in the hospitality business, we feel he is the perfect fit for the job and will help propel our Aruba resorts to the next level.”

ISLAND ADVENTURES: St. Maarten “The Friendly Island”

Lush mountains, blue waters, impeccable beaches and top-notch cuisine – life in the Caribbean doesn’t get any better than beautiful St. Maarten. It’s one half of the smallest country in the world, and with more than 140 different cultures living harmoniously on the half-French, half-Dutch island’s 34 square miles, it’s no wonder this tropical oasis has been dubbed “The Friendly Island.”

Whether you’re an adventure-seeker on the hunt for the next big thrill, or a laid-back beach bum searching for the perfect shore, St. Maarten has something for everyone. We’ve rounded up the top activities and sights to see on and around the island:

RAINFOREST ADVENTURES
Ideal for adrenaline junkies, Rainforest Adventures offers the world’s steepest zip line, The Flying Dutchman, plus breathtaking 360° views of the island. You can also take a leisurely ride on the Sky Explorer chairlift, a thrilling tube ride down the mountain on The Schooner, or a quick zip over the mountains on the Sentry Hill Zip Line. This is one island experience you don’t want to miss! For more details, visit www.rainforestadventure.com.

Photo by @guiamundoafora

DOWNTOWN PHILIPSBURG Just minutes from Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, Downtown Philipsburg boasts plenty of history and beauty. Take a guided tour of Front Street, shop till you drop at the many duty-free stores, or snap a picture at the iconic courthouse, which is adorned with a wooden pineapple, the international symbol for welcome.

AQUA MANIA ADVENTURES
Offering boat tours, sunset sails, scuba diving and snorkeling adventures, jet ski experiences, day trips to surrounding islands and so much more, Aqua Mania Adventures is your one-stop-shop for water-related activities. Soar over waves on a high-speed jet ski, discover uninhabited islands and British territories with a trip to Prickly Pear and Anguilla, or visit the lush island of Saba, known as the “Unspoiled Queen” of the Caribbean for a hike to the top of Mount Scenery, the highest point in the Netherlands! For a romantic evening, book a sunset sail, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the famous green flash as the sun sets. For more information, visit www.stmaarten-activities.com.

Photos by @jilldeconti

LOTERIE FARM
This hidden gem, where you can wine, dine and relax in blissful peace, is nestled in the hillside of Pic Paradis on the French side of the island. The private nature reserve features plenty of pools, secluded cabanas, fabulous food from their on-site restaurant and bar, and a picturesque setting ideal for soaking up the sun. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s also zip lines, ropes courses, and hiking trails, and if you seek a lively party atmosphere, be sure to visit on Saturdays! For more details, visit loteriefarm.com.

FORT ST. LOUIS & FORT AMSTERDAM
Travel back in time with a visit to historic Fort St. Louis and Fort Amsterdam. Located on the French and Dutch sides of the islands respectively, both of these forts have been restored over the years and feature incredible views of St. Maarten and surrounding islands. Fort Amsterdam is on Divi Little Bay Beach Resort’s property, so guests can easily access this notable landmark.

Photo by @luxe.tourista

TOPPER’S RHUM & GUAVABERRY EMPORIUM
You can’t visit the Caribbean without trying a bit of rum,
and Topper’s Rhum Distillery will quench your thirst with
its award-winning rum bottled right on the island. Get your
taste buds ready for this delicious experience, where you’ll learn the history of St. Maarten’s rum production and sip on several satisfying flavors of rum. You can also visit the Guavaberry Emporium in Philipsburg to enjoy St. Maarten’s national liqueur, Guavaberry Rum. For more details, visit www.toppersrhum.com or guavaberry.com.

PAROTTE VILLE BIRD PARK Birds of a feather flock together at Parotte Ville Bird Park! Stop by this one-of-a-kind attraction to feed and befriend tons of colorful birds. A sanctuary for several species of parrots, this popular spot also features a playground and a small museum full of the owner’s ancient family heirlooms and household items.

PINEL & TINTAMARRE ISLANDS
Located off the coast of Orient Beach, Pinel and Tintamarre Islands are two spectacular snorkeling sites. There are a few ways to reach Pinel Island, but we recommend renting a kayak from Caribbean Paddling for a leisurely 20-minute paddle to white sand beaches, two lively restaurants and bars and hiking trails. If you’re hungry for seafood, you can even choose your own lobster right from the day’s catches. Plus, keep an eye out for the many iguanas that call this island home. To reach Tintamarre Island, you’ll need to book a guided tour, but it’s worth the trip, as the waters surrounding the area are teeming with sea turtles. For more information, visit www.caribbeanpaddling.com and www.stmaarten-activities.com.

TIJON PARFUMERIE
Treat yourself to a world of delightful smells and grab a lab coat and create your own custom perfume or cologne at Tijon Parfumerie, on the French side of the island. You’ll get a custom bottle with your own unique label and fragrance name. Plus, should you run out of your exclusive concoction, Tijon keeps a record of your formula so you can always reorder your perfect scent. For more information, visit www.tijon.com.

MAHO BEACH
One of the most photographed spots on the island, this beach sits directly next to the airport, which has one of the world’s shortest runways. Tourists and locals alike flock here to snap an Instagram-worthy shot of incoming planes flying just a short distance above the ground. While waiting for arrivals and departures, plane spotters can enjoy a refreshing beer and snacks at nearby restaurants and bars.

Photo by @luxe.tourista

CULINARY CAPITAL OF THE CARIBBEAN
St. Maarten is a foodie’s paradise with a strong culinary community, top-notch chefs and award-winning dining options. When you’re not savoring delicious dishes at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort’s on-site restaurants, stop by Taloula Mango’s for mouthwatering ribs and fantastic views, Emilio’s for award-winning cuisine or Barranco for a taste of fine French food in a Caribbean chic, beachside setting.

Divi Resorts Celebrates Milestone 50th Anniversary!

Happy Birthday to us! 50 years ago, on July 20, 1969, we opened our first location on Aruba, and now just half a century later, we have nine successful resorts on five stunning Caribbean islands.

To celebrate this special occasion, we asked bartenders from each of our resorts to create the perfect Caribbean cocktail for our big day, and we loved sharing the winning drinks with our guests!

If you didn’t get a chance to try our delicious, limited-time 50th Anniversary cocktails, don’t worry! You can make all of our winning drinks at home by visiting bit.ly/2GREVnO. And don’t forget to share a picture of your creation with us on social media for a chance to be featured!

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Pearl Lake

If you’ve visited Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort, chances are you already know Pearl Lake! An Aruban local, Pearl has over 20 years of hospitality experience with nearly 19 of those years spent at Divi Resorts. She’s been the driving force behind the scenes as the Rooms Division Manager, but now she’s the resort’s newest General Manager, taking over the position formerly held by Gerrit Griffith for 11 years. We caught up with Pearl to find out how she feels about her new starring role at Divi Aruba Phoenix.

How do you feel about being promoted to General Manager?
I am ecstatic and honored to take over the leadership role at Divi Aruba Phoenix and continue my efforts to expand on our great tradition of top-notch service and customer care. For many years I have greeted our owners, members and guests at the front desk and around the resort and I look forward to continuing to do so as the resort’s newest leader. One of my goals in life is to make a positive impact on someone’s life, helping them realize their full potential and assisting in developing their skills. This was always my focus as the Rooms Division Manager. Now as the General Manager, I have the opportunity to broaden this reach.

You’re one of only a handful of female Arubans to hold this position. How does that feel?
It is a great accomplishment to be promoted to General Manager. It’s a male-dominated position, that’s no secret, and the fact that it’s happening tells us that the dynamics are changing – in fact, Divi Resorts now has three female General Managers! Being a female General Manager shows us that we can achieve anything we set our minds to! I’m excited to lead the way here and let the female staff know that if they just keep working hard, they can get there – it’s not impossible. And for the young ladies out there, I have a young daughter who’s 16, and it means the world to me that she gets to see her mother achieving this huge goal.

What are your plans for the future of Divi Aruba Phoenix?
I’ve got big shoes to fill with Mr. Griffith retiring after 43 years with Divi Resorts, but I love a good challenge and I am excited to make a positive impact here for years to come. I plan on moving the resort forward in the direction Mr. Griffith set, leading with my heart, just like he did in his many years here, and making sure my staff and guests know that I care about them and that I am always here for them. I’ll also be adding my own little feminine touches here and there!

Divi Resorts Promotes Pearl Lake to General Manager of Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort

Pearl Lake takes over the position currently held by retiring General Manager Gerrit Griffith.

Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort is proud to announce that Rooms Division Manager Pearl Lake will be the resort’s next General Manager, effective August 1, 2019, taking over the position formerly held by Gerrit Griffith for 11 years.

“I am ecstatic to become the General Manager of the Divi Phoenix,” said Lake. “My goal in life has always been to make an impact in someone’s life by bringing out the best in them, helping them realize their full potential and assisting in developing their skills. This was always my focus as the Rooms Division Manager, but becoming the General Manager allows me to broaden this reach.”

An Aruban local with a husband of 23 years, five children, and two grandchildren, Lake has over 20 years of hospitality experience with 12 of those years spent at Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort.

“Pearl started as the Front Desk Supervisor back in 1999 and over the past 10 years has worked her way up the ranks, proving herself as a valuable member of the team,” said Marco Galaverna, Divi Resorts President & COO. “As a local and one of our owners, members and guest’s favorite managers, Pearl is the perfect fit for the position.”

Lake is one of only a handful of female Arubans to hold the position of General Manager on the island and the second female General Manager at Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort, after Astrid Muller.

“We are very proud that nearly half of our current General Managers are women,” continues Galaverna, “She joins our two other female General Managers, on St. Maarten and Bonaire.”

“As sad as I am to end my 43-year career with Divi Resorts, I leave knowing that Pearl will be taking over,” said Gerrit Griffith, Divi Aruba Phoenix’s retiring General Manager. “She’s a strong leader with an upbeat personality and an eye for creating the best vacation experience for guests, so I know she will take great care of this beautiful resort.”