Page 14 - ARUBA TODAY

A14 LOCAL
Monday 30 July 2018

PLAYA LINDA 35 years of Excellency

PALM BEACH — In the fifties financed by government three years for this project cess Beatrix stayed there
the importance of the con- funds. This plan was initially to be completed. during her visit to Aruba. Construction of Playa Linda
struction of a beach front rejected as ‘not feasible’ Playa Linda Beach Resort
tourist hotel was recog- but revived at the end of In February 1957 the first Basi-Ruti operated for ap- was constructed in three
nized. In early 1953, a con- 1953, when it was endorsed tourist hotel on Palm Beach, proximately 25 years after phases. The first phase
test was held for the best by businessman Neme, called Basi-Ruti Hotel, offi- it was handed over to a started in March, 1981 (the
design of a tourist hotel on who was also the owner cially opened its doors. The restaurant called Alfredo’s south wing). All three of its
Palm Beach. The winning of the Coral Strand Hotel. Basi-Ruti hotel was a hotel Restaurant. After being construction phases were
concept was the `Basi-Ruti’ Construction started a year with bungalows, spread abandon for many years, realized through the efforts
project, submitted by Ernst later, in December 1954. It over the white sand of Palm it would later be the home of a team of local, vision-
Bartels and meant to be would take approximately Beach. In 1958, Dutch Prin- of a new timeshare resort, ary industry leaders, includ-
Playa Linda Beach Resort. ing developer Raymond
Almost two decades after Maduro of Sun Develop-
the construction of Basi-Ruti ment, architect Dan Odu-
the Aruban developer Ray- ber, contractor Henk Bijen
mond Maduro, considered of Albo Aruba and René
a pioneer in Aruba’s time- Nieuwkerk, who was Playa
share industry, succeeded Linda’s first general man-
in convincing financial in- ager. Each played their
stitutions that timeshare part in contributing to the
would sell in Aruba. Conse- Playa Linda as it is today,
quently the Aruba Beach distinctive for its design and
Club opened its doors to remarkable for its upscale,
the public on February 14, yet still homey atmosphere.
1977 as the first timeshare
resort in Aruba with 133 Opening of Playa Linda
units. Aruba Beach Club Since the opening, Playa
was only the eight time- Linda has led the way in
share resort within the larg- defining island comfort and
est timeshare exchange ambiance as well as dem-
company, RCI, which to- onstrating a dedication to
day boast more than 6,000 sustainable development.
timeshare resorts around Playa Linda was the first to
the world and is only one of put chickees on the beach,
various exchange compa- bringing in Seminole Indi-
nies. ans from Florida for their
construction, and was the
It took only four years be- first resort on Aruba to offer
fore the second timeshare a free-form pool as well as
resort was opened, namely a lush, mature garden.
Playa Linda Beach Resort. Continued on Page 15