News from Aruba

The Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino began the first phase of its $40 million refurbishment program today. The scheme includes a total makeover of all 411 rooms, a new restaurant, and a makeover of the lobby and reception areas.

Rooms will feature new furnishings, LCD televisions, new bedding, and marble tiled bathrooms. The Ristorante Tuscany will be replaced by a Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The first phase is expected to be complete by January 2008.

The second phase includes upgrades to La Vista restaurant and renovation of the North Tower rooms. It is expected to get underway in April 2008 and take approximately 4 months to complete.

The Aruba Government has declared the sea between the Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort and the Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort a restricted area. Jet-skis and other motorised vessels are permitted in the area but must reduce their speed and avoid making waves. Anchorage in this restricted zone is forbidden.

The Sunrise Rock Development Group has received planning permission from the government to build 3 five-star hotels in Aruba. The Aruba Rock Hotel and Spa will offer 200 rooms and will be situated approximately half a mile from Baby Beach and will also feature a golf course, while the Boca Grande Beach hotel will offer 450 rooms and a casino and will be specifically targeted at high stakes gamblers. The group are also planning a 500-room hotel at Baby Beach itself.

Tiara Air has resumed flights to Curacao and Punto Figo after the Aruba Aviation Administration lifted the restrictions it imposed on the airline last month. The ban was imposed after an audit of the company revealed administrative irregularities at the Aruba-based airline.

Aruba has become the first Caribbean island to recognise gay marriages. Last week the Dutch Supreme Court ordered the island to recognise same sex-marriages that have been registered in the Netherlands or other countries where they are legal. Aruba is an independent member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and has been in a dispute with the Dutch authorities over the issue for the last three years. It arose after a Dutch lesbian couple moved to Aruba in 2004 and tried to register their marriage.