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Where to Stay

Hotels in Curaçao offer a respite from the ordinary

By Joan Gonzalez

Curaçao is the most "Dutch" of the Caribbean's Netherlands Antilles — and the most colorful, with its restored mansions and tiny houses painted in a burst of pastel and bright colors. However, there is nothing "old world" about its hotels and beach resorts, even though some have incorporated all or parts of 18th and 19th century mansions, folk houses and museums into their architecture.

Accommodations here come in all styles and sizes. Several hotels are all-inclusive and many have casinos and spas. There are all-suite hotels and small cottages with complete kitchens that appeal to families. All hotels cater to divers, as diving is a top activity all along the southwest coast, as is wind surfing. One all-inclusive hotel even has a private section reserved for lovers of "au naturel" sun bathing. Learn more in Sights, Activities and Maps.

There are also accommodations on a private island just 10 minutes from Willemstad where there is an aquarium where guests can feed turtles, enjoy a sea lion show or take a submarine ride. Accommodations include luxury villas with kitchens; some villas offer shared ownership.

While Curaçao is the largest of the islands in the Netherlands Antilles, it is just 38 miles long and from 2 miles to 7.5 miles wide. Beaches, activities and attractions are never far from whatever hotel, resort, guesthouse, timeshare or apartment you choose as your vacation home — and many attractions are within walking distance.

Curaçao has two sides: a windward shoreline facing northeast, which is affected by the trade winds, and a leeward shore facing southwest. Most accommodations are on the southeast (calmer) side of the island and clustered around the capital of Willemstad on either the Punda (point side) or Otrobanda (the other side) of Santa Anna Bay. Connecting the two sides is the Queen Emma pontoon pedestrian bridge, said to be the last in the world. Punda is called the commercial side, as it has the largest number of hotels, restaurants, shops, museums, an International Trade Center and the famous Floating Market, where boats laden with produce from Venezuela dock.

When calling Curaçao from the USA, first dial 011 5999 then the 7 digit phone number.

Most Curaçao hotels and resorts are members of CHATA (Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association). Formed in 1967 to represent the island's hotels, the association is a source of information, education and business services. It's key to the development of Curaçao's entire hospitality and tourism industry.

Don Werdekker, the Executive Vice President of the CHATA received the prestigious 2006 Executive of the Year award from the Caribbean Hotel Association. Werdekker has been Executive Vice President of CHATA since 1991 and is also a board member of the Curaçao Trade Industry Association, which is the representative body of the Curaçao business community.

Ben Rosheuvel, head owner of the Trupial Inn Hotel & Casino, was the recipient of CHATA's 2005 Achievement Award for his lifetime contribution to Curaçao's tourism development.

Read more about CHATA.

View ALL Curacao hotels here.

Breezes Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. # 78 Curaçao, N.A. Tel: 736-7888 Fax: 461-4003 E-mail: sales@breezescuracao.net Website: www.breezescuracao.net; www.Superclubs.com A super-inclusive experience where you can enjoy land and water sports, dining options ranging from Japanese to the never-ending Jimmy's Buffet, and premium brand drinks at all bars and the dance club. Day and Night passes available. Get pampered at the SeaBreeze Spa, offering treatments at reasonable charges. Sauna and steam room included (spa@breezescuracao.net). Hilton Curaçao J.F. Kennedy Blvd. Piscadera Bay Tel: 462-5000 Fax: 462-5846 E-mail: sales.curacao@hilton.com Website: www.hiltoncaribbean.com/curacao This elegant beachfront hotel located at Piscadera Bay will indulge you with two white-sand beaches, a dive center, extensive watersports, a freeform infinity pool, a health club and spa, a children's pool, Kidz Paradise Club, two restaurants, two bars, a weekly manager's cocktail party and a casino. Holiday Beach Hotel and Casino Pater Euwensweg 31 P.O. Box 2178 Curaçao, N.A. Tel: 462-5400 Fax: 462-4397 E-mail: reservations@holiday-beach.com Website: www.holiday-beach.com Hotel & Casino is the only beachfront hotel on the island within walking distance of the world famous shops of historic Willemstad. Featuring 200 rooms, we boast one of the Caribbean's largest casinos and an on-site 24 hour Denny's restaurant. Hotel Kurá Hulanda Spa and Casino Langestraat 8 Otrabanda and Willemstad Tel: 434-7700 Fax: 434-7701 E-mail: reservations@kurahulanda.com Website: www.kurahulanda.com This is a member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World and alive with art, culture and history. You'll find yourself strolling through a village of cobblestone walkways admiring many sculpture gardens, the spa and casino. Visit the award-winning Astrolab Restaurant, Jaipur International Restaurant or the Museum Restaurant. Lodge Kurá Hulanda and Beach Club Playa Kalki # 1, Westpunt Curaçao, N.A. Tel: 839-3616 Fax: 839-3601 E-mail: >vacationclub@kurahulanda.com Website: www.kurahulanda.com Located on the western tip of Curaçao at one of the most unique settings in the Caribbean, our vacation club offers superb accommodations, flexibility of usage by its members and the ability to exchange with other resorts throughout the world.