A studio suite at Divi Village in Aruba for Thanksgiving week at about $986
Nov 22 to Nov 29 (Sun–Sun, Thanksgiving week) in a studio suite (king bed plus sofa bed, sleeps 4, partial kitchen) at Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort, across the road from Druif Beach in Aruba, rented from a timeshare owner through RedWeek: $700 rent plus a $77 service fee ($777), plus the resort fee of $28.48 a night and a $10 environmental levy paid at the resort ($209), so about $986 for the week ($141 a night). For the same dates, five similar room-only 4-star Aruba resorts on Google Hotels cost $1,334 to $6,118 with taxes, a median of $2,891.
- Studio suite with partial kitchen, sleeps 4
- Patio or balcony, air-conditioning
- Resort pools, golf course and beach across the road
- RedWeek booking protection when you pay by card
The catches
What you pay
| Item | Basis | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (7 nights at $100)Required | per stay | $700 |
| RedWeek service feeRequired | per booking | $77 |
| Resort fee ($28.48 a night, paid at the resort)Required | posting: '$28.48/night resort fee', 7 nights (subject to change) | $199 |
| Environmental levy (studio units, per stay)Required | posting: 'environmental levy of $10/stay for studio units' (subject to change) | $10 |
| Total | Whole studio suite for up to 4 guests, 7 nights: RedWeek's $777 plus the resort fee and environmental levy paid at the resort (per the posting) | $986 |
| Flights to Aruba (AUA) and airport transfersNot included | not included |
How to book it
- Open RedWeek posting R1347042 (Divi Village, Nov 22–29, studio suite) and click Request to Book. If it's gone, the owner's identical posting R1347043 is the same week and price.
- Pay $777 by credit card through RedWeek to get its booking protection.
- RedWeek confirms with the owner, usually within 5 business days; wait for it before buying flights.
- Budget about $209 for the resort fee and environmental levy, paid at the resort.
Why it's this cheap
A timeshare owner who can't use Thanksgiving week is renting it on RedWeek for $100 a night, while hotel rates on the island are at holiday levels.
Why it's a steal
TYPICAL-PRICE COMPARISONMedian 7-night total with taxes of 5 room-only 4-star Aruba resorts rated 4.1–4.7 on Google Hotels for Nov 22–29 (2 adults): Pearl Aruba Condos $1,334, Courtyard by Marriott Aruba $2,466, Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort $2,891, La Cabana Beach Resort $3,214, Hyatt Regency Aruba $6,118. Other resorts of the same star class and similar Google rating (Divi Village: 4-star, 4.4), same dates, with their own booking terms; Divi Aruba All Inclusive ($4,940) was left out because it includes meals. Divi Village itself and 9 other 4-star resorts showed no price for these dates. The RedWeek rental is request-to-book with a Moderate cancellation policy, and Divi Village sits across the road from the beach.
Evidence trail
| Source | What we checked | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Source re-checked | RedWeek R1347042 still listed: Nov 22-29, 7 nights @ $100 = $700 + $77 service fee = $777. | Nov 11, 7:57 AM ET |
| Google Hotels search, same dates (4-star Aruba) | SerpApi google_hotels '4-star resorts Eagle Beach Aruba', hotel_class=4, Nov 22–29, 2 adults, 7-night totals with taxes: La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino (4.6) $3,214; Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort (4.6) $2,891; Courtyard by Marriott Aruba (4.1) $2,466; Pearl Aruba Condos (4.7) $1,334; Hyatt Regency Aruba (4.5) $6,118; Divi Aruba All Inclusive (4.4) $4,940 (all-inclusive, excluded). No price: Divi Village, Costa Linda, Bucuti & Tara, Manchebo, Hilton Aruba, Paradise Beach Villas, Aruba Beach Club, Casa del Mar, Tamarijn, Divi Phoenix. | Oct 30, 8:10 AM ET |
