We experienced discrimination and disaster.Visited: June 2008
Posted by bobye
We stayed at Breezes Curacao. They took in bus loads of locals who seemed to have gotten the best rooms. Those guests told me how discounted their stay was. We paid twice as much, and we stayed in a room with no beach view.
We asked to be upgraded, but they said they had no rooms. However, the locals continued to come through late Friday getting the best beachfront rooms. Our complaints did nothing.
When we got in line to be served, the locals were always waited on first. I stood in line for 15 minutes, and I was the only one who was not a local, and I was not waited on at all. Finally, I asked to be waited on, and I was told that I had to get behind the ones who just walked up. I left in tears - and was never waited on. I went to the manager. He apologized, but it continued to happen until they left on Sunday.
The package indicated that there was six days of scuba diving included. On the second day of scuba, they went to the exact same place, and we saw the exact same things. When we questioned them about it, they said the six days included the same dive every day. No divers want to dive the same exact place six days in a row. We asked if we could go to another place, and they said no.
Diving was available with the Marriot Hotel, and another dive shop was down the street. So we wasted our money on non-diving at Breezes because we forfeited the other four dives that we paid for with the package.
The food was good. However, we never got utensils, water or drinks in the main restaurant because they were too busy waiting on all the locals and ignoring everyone else.
3 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
We just got back, again, from Acosta Villa. This was our third trip.
We love the island, the people, and the place we call home while we are here. Thanks to every one who made our 25th wedding anniversary something we can never forget. We are already planning another trip next year.
Also, the diving is more than you can imagine. The view from the villa is one in a million.
2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
Holiday Beach is warm and friendly.Visited: January 2008
Posted by tinamay
I recently stayed here for eight days.
The people were very friendly. There were no problems with rooms. It was very clean, and there were housekeeping services every day.
All the staff talked to the guests, and were very polite. The wait staff at the outside Tanga bar was so much fun to be around. They really made me feel welcome.
Also, I loved the beach at the hotel. It was very nice and had a beautiful view. The snorkeling was great, too! I've heard the reef life is better here than at other hotels.
There seemed to be a lot of US military on site during my stay. It was a nice crowd.
The swimming pool and courtyard were very nice. It was relaxing. The food was really good, too. It was close to downtown.
Some parts of the hotel might need updating, but they were working on that - all cosmetic stuff.
I had a lot of fun in the casino, and highly recommend learning Caribbean Stud Poker. It was a lot of fun, and was easy to learn.
Overall, I had a great experience! would stay here again for sure!
8 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
Beware of Sunset Waters- it is awful!Visited: November 2007
Posted by katherin
What a disappointment the hotel was to me. I travel a lot for dive trips to various Caribbean islands and Asia. The diving in Curacao was great, but the hotel at Sunset Waters was just gross.
There were stained towels, stained sheets and bedspread, and no phone in the rooms. It was a cinderblock one-story building far away from the dive shop (not pictured in marketing materials). Also, the room flooded when it rained, and the glass sliding doors didn't meet at the top so roaches and mosquitos got in at night.
There was no hot water my entire four-night stay, so I could never get clean. There was also no extra toilet paper, so when you ran out you were in trouble! There was no deadbolt lock or safe in the room, either.
Beach towels were available at the front desk, but it was inconvenient to the pool and beach.
I was not impressed with the general manager, Jim Hunter, whom bragged to me about being married to girl 20 years younger than him, and made disparaging comments about his former place of employment.
Also, the room was dirty, they served bad food (even the fish they served daily was frozen). Drinks were of low quality. Light beer was an extra dollar per drink. I can't believe they get away charging what they do for nightly rate.
Another girl in our group's toilet exploded, and they wanted to charge her $100 more per night to move.
As for amenities, the gym was a joke with a treadmill from 1970.
Stay away! I wish I had been warned!
10 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful.
I decided to book the Limestone Resort, after I checked out other properties. (Jan Thiel, Royal Resort Seaquarium, Habitat, Lions Dive, Kura Hulanda Lodge). I was looking for a suitable hotel for our family (a three-and-a-half-year-old boy and a six-month old baby boy).
I wanted an apartment, not a hotel room (how can parents share a room with kids for 14 nights?). I also wanted something by the water, ideally beachfront. At the Limestone Resort, we got just that!
I am so glad we ended up here, instead of in an all-inclusive resort where, really, your time is set by the "three buffet meals a day" treadmill and other routines, which is the last thing you should look for in a holiday!
Also, instead of being at a boutique type property with a focus on design, spas and whatever else the current trend in travel may be, the Limestone Resort is entirely unprententious. It allowed my wife, the kids and me to enjoy each other's presence, rather than superficial, material, comfort seeking.
Roel and Silvia, the managing couple, have over the years created a place where, as a visitor, you can simply step into their lifestyle for a couple of days.
It allows you to appreciate the weather (a permanent cool breeze); the water (so much to see in the water, while snorkeling, even right in front of the resort); the beach (a man-made beach, how Dutch is that!); the food (there were a couple of nice restaurants nearby Sarifundy's, BoatHouse, plus a great supermarket called Vreugdenhill for home cooking); and of course, to enjoy your family!
Also, the fact that a car was included in the rental price made it well priced. It also made us explore the rest of the island. Doing so is a must, since driving is safe and there's pleny to explore.
In terms of location: in all of Curacao, really, Spanish Water is where it's at. Here, you can enjoy water sports, beaches, yet be close to Willemstad, the shops, and the supermarket.
When you decide to choose your hotel, just remember the important things for your holiday (and in life) - no routine set by others, and no superficiality, design, etc. Instead, look for the basic comforts and emotional richness.
There's plenty more I could describe, but really the best thing is just to see for yourself. I hope this helps.
10 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
It's good if you dive or snorkel, but the resort is mediocre.Visited: October 2006
Posted by scoobagrl
There were good and bad things I experienced during my stay here. First the good:
The snorkeling in the enclosed bay. You can just wade right out into the ocean, and see incredible colorful fish out by the man-made reef. Two giant rays of some kind swam right under me! Also, others have noted the need for water shoes. That is true, the beach is not fine sand, and can be ouchy on bare feet.
The pools were fun. Maybe I'm easy to please, but this was my first tropical resort, so I got a kick out of all the channels and fountains; right off the ocean.
I liked the free shore dives. It was cool, since there was an onsite dive shop, and if you swim 50 feet or so offshore, you can drop down and be on the reef. Besides uncounted beautiful clownfish, etc., I saw eels, barracuda, and a dolphin. Take your fish ID chart and your underwater camera.
The rooms were okay - except for my bathroom. There was mold on the shower curtain. I personally didn't care that much, since I mostly used the tub to rinse off my scuba gear. I was in the water 85% of the time, so showering was quick. Others would mind, though.
I thought the buffet food was okay. It was repetitive, but there was a variety. I always found something to eat; and certainly no one I heard of got sick. Also, the Japanese restaurant was quite good.
The bad things I encountered were as follows:
There was a sewage smell in some areas around outside of some buildings. However, I didn’t notice any inside.
Also, security was a little less than alert--there was an obviously drunk guy in the pool one evening harassing an obviously drunk woman to the point I thought I was going to have to leave or watch public NC-17 action.
Someone had to complain to get a staff member over to talk to the guy; and then he only wandered off and came back. I think part of the problem is the all-inclusive, unlimited free booze. This was by the swim-up bar, right in the middle of the main pool.
The dive shop folk were friendly, but not the most together. It was not good for professionals who could hurt someone by being sloppy at their jobs. I didn't see or hear of any incidents, but a fellow diver said that a piece of their rented equipment didn't work. Luckily, I guess he noticed before diving.
It's not an American hotel. Don't expect six big fluffy towels changed every day whether you used them or not. The staff mostly don't get tipped because it's all-inclusive (and I'm sure are paid badly), so they are definitely on island time; and it’s a European island.
I haven't stayed anywhere else on Curacao, so I can't compare Breezes to another Curacao resort. It's basic, needs some cleaning and policing, but I was there to dive. My room was someplace to sleep, and it was fine for that.
12 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
It was a nightmare for us at Breezes Curacao.Visited: October 2006
Posted by ruthann
My husband and I recently traveled to Curacao and spent a week at the Breezes Resort. We went to attend a wedding with a large group (of 26 guests) in which I was a bridesmaid. We were extremely disappointed with our experience.
We found the accommodations and conditions to be unsanitary here. Rats were visible around the resort – including food, bar and beach areas. Several areas of the resort smelled of poor drainage and sewage.
We also witnessed guests urinating in the pools from the deck and security refused to stop them. There was extensive mold in our room. We stayed in the Royal wing which was being painted to cover up the obvious signs and smells of mold and mildew in the entire building.
In addition, our bathroom was a constant issue. Water did not drain properly in either the sink or the tub. This resulted in standing water on the sink top and floor attracting mosquitoes and other insects.
There was no hot water for showers at anytime during the day. The maid service was obnoxious to us. They were extremely aggressive in getting into our room to clean. One day, a maid decided to clean around me while I was napping. I attempted to tell the maid that I was not interested in a room clean, but she would not take “no” for an answer. She proceeded to turn on all of the lights and clean around me for 30 minutes.
As for the security here: One evening several guests stood at the edge of the pools to urinate in plain view of other guests. Calls for security went unheeded.
Guest services were freely handing out room keys without proper identification. I was able to obtain a spare room key on two separate occasions by just giving them my room number. They never asked for ID or my name.
We were appalled at competing with the local birds for bread and other items in Jimmy’s Buffet. The bread area should be covered to keep out the wild life.
Rats were also clearly visible around the resort. I saw several rats roaming the bar area and beaches. The wait staff seemed indifferent to the English-speaking guests at all times, opting to serve the local and Dutch guests foremost.
The pre-wedding salon time was a disaster. The hairdresser seemed to have no obvious credentials or skills as a stylist. She was unable to manage the appointments and understand exactly what the bridal party wanted.
The wedding planner and manager seemed to have no experience at managing a wedding. The wedding manager had no plan to execute dinner seating, announcements, cake cutting, etc.
5 users found this review helpful. 8 found this review unhelpful.
I received super service in a cozy environment.Visited: July 2006
Posted by lisali23
After reading many many reviews on Curacao, we decided to give a small apartment complex a shot, since we did not want to stay in a noisy environment with hundreds of tourists. On the net we found this little place, De Plantage, and we just took a chance.
What a great holiday we had! We rented a car, drove there, and found this little place (only eight apartments) about ten minutes from the downtown area. The apartments were spacious, with air, pretty furniture, full kitchen, cable TV, and Internet access.
The hostess was just a darling who gave us lots of tips on local customs and hot spots.
It was not beach front, but that was okay because within three minutes we were at the beach and we felt right at home. We swam in the small but beautiful pool and even had our own barbeque in the backyard.
We woke up to the sound of hundreds of different birds, went horseback riding with the friendly Gaucho across the street. We also went diving and got our Padi, got home and made our own pasta meals or went to quaint restaurants nearby.
This is it - no more busy high rise hotels for us. Next Spring we will go to De Plantage again!
7 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
This was a wonderful place to stay. The staff was excellent. The food and service (overall) were good. They seemed to be at a more relaxed pace than we are use to, but once you realize that, you will be okay.
I hope to come here again.
4 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful.
This was an excellent resort I can recommend to everyone!Visited: July 2006
Posted by laura_na
We came here for a two-week stay, and it was outstanding!
The location of Lions Dive was ideal. It only took five minutes with the free shuttle bus of the hotel to go to the centre of Willemstad. This shuttle bus also picked guests up and brought them back to the hotel.
The Sea Aquarium was next to the hotel, which was free for hotel guests. The private beach of the hotel was magnificent. The towel service was ideal, this way you don’t have to bring your own towels with you.
Lions Dive and Beach Resort had new rooms at the beach. We stayed in a new apartment. This apartment was really fantastic! The view from the balcony was outstanding. Every morning, we could see the peaceful sea and the beautiful beach. Everything we would want to have, we had in this apartment!
The staff was so friendly! When we came here, the staff of the front office welcomed us. The housekeeping ladies were also so nice to us. They always said hello to us.
Restaurant Nemo was an excellent fine dining restaurant. The price and quality of the food were very good!
We went diving for three days at the Lions Dive and Beach Resort dive school Ocean Encounters. The dive staff was very skilled and friendly. It was so nice that this dive school was located at Lions Dive. This way we didn’t have to travel before we could go diving!
All with all, my experience at Lions Dive was really fantastic! This hotel had a very relaxing atmosphere, and it was really "the natural place to stay” when you visit ‘Dushi Korsow’!
6 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
Trupial Inn is good, but not one of the best.Visited: August 2006
Posted by tasha_au
My family and I stayed at Trupial Inn for four nights and five days. We were given a bungalow at the back of the inn.
The two rooms were lovely, and came equipped with a working television and air conditioning in each. The bathroom was clean, and the beds were spacious and comfortable.
However, on the fourth day of our stay, the receptionist told us that we were required to move to another room immediately, and that she would send someone over to help us with our luggage.
We asked the reason for the move many times, but were never given an answer. It was very tiring to pack all our belongings after spending an entire day in town. We waited for over half hour, and had to call the front desk twice for the 'luggage helper' to arrive. We ended up holding half of our bags in our hands, as the trolley was small. To make matters worse, the room was on the other side of the inn, making the trek excruciating.
I must say, though, the staff was very helpful and aided in getting us taxis to travel around the island. They were also generous when giving information on tours and things.
The restaurant was neat, and the food was delicious, although the prices were a bit high. However, at certain palces in the restaurant, your meal can be affected by the high winds and my drink was knocked over and the dust was high.
Also at night, during dinner, live entertainment was sometimes provided which could prove to be a distraction to some guests whose bungalows were located near to the restaurant.
The waiters were very friendly, and were patient with customers not familiar with the meals listed on the menu, as they willingly explained what each meal consisted of.
The environment around the inn was clean, and there were several beautiful flowers and trees to add to the vibrant atmosphere.
Curacao, on the whole, was one of the best places I have ever visited, as the locals were friendly, and the activities were never ending.
11 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful.
This was a wonderfully quaint village!Visited: July 2005
Posted by senoritajohnson
My mother and I decided to vacation this past summer in Curacao. This island was virtually unknown to us, save for several family friends mentioning it as a port-of-call on a cruise.
After stressing over whether to stay at the Kura Hulanda or Floris on the island, my mother and I selected Kura Hulanda. We were so glad we did! It was wonderfully quaint-- every room in the village was uniquely furnished and decorated.
We stayed in a loft-style room with a spiral staircase. It got a bit warm up there, but it was bearable. We enjoyed the Aveda products in the bathrooms and the footed tub.
The main resort pool was phenomenal - several days we stayed at the pool for much of the day. I do believe that there was another smaller pool at the other end of the village, but the main pool was more convenient to our room. The pictures of the pool as seen on the web site were accurate.
The beach was not the greatest. We've been to much more pristine beaches. The hotel beach was shared with the Marriott, and shuttle service was provided from Kura Hulanda, and there was a phone for you to call when you would like to be picked up.
Overall, if you are going to KH, don't expect much from the beach. You'll probably have a much better experience just staying at the pool.
The food at the restaurants overall was very good-- the Observatory was a bit pricy, but enjoyable. Mom and I really liked the restaurant adjacent to the pool better, serving Indian-inspired cuisine. It was very tasty!
There was a convenient business center, which was helpful in being able to stay connected. There were two computers-- not once did I have to wait for a computer.
At the edge of the hotel, there was a museum that was open to the general public. This museum was comprised of several buildings and outdoor displays, and was phenomenal. The owner and developer of the resort designed this museum to illustrate and inform guests about the slave experience in the Caribbean. I commend the owner-- exhibits were thorough, emotionally provoking, and presented information consistent with historical accounts.
Hotel Kura Hulanda is recognized as one of the Leading Small Hotels of the World. Rightfully so. This was a great retreat - with attentive staff, beautiful decor, and amazing cultural influence.
5 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
It was fine, but not luxurious.Visited: September 2005
Posted by aubergeg
I stayed here with two friends and their two-year-old daughter in 2005. We were mostly interested in the diving, which was very convenient. The dive shop right at the club was convenient and friendly (if somewhat disorganized).
Also, they can hook you up with most boat excursions you'd want, plus you get free shore dives. And the snorkeling in the enclosed bay was great!
Note: Don't expect expert divemasters. They can be slipshod; some people almost got left behind on a drift dive. Also, one of my rented regulators failed on me. Luckily, the spare worked.
The kiddy loved the waterfront pools, and the adults did, too.
The rooms were fine. However, they were not cleaned up to very high standards - especially the bathrooms, which had mold growing on the curtains. But the AC worked, and the view from the balcony was great.
The all-inclusive food was okay, nothing to complain or write home about. The Japanese restaurant was good and fun.
One big problem--there was a strong smell of sewage coming from somewhere on the grounds. You got a bad whiff of it on certain walkways. They may have fixed that by now, though.
It's not the Hyatt, but it was kid-friendly and we enjoyed it. The island is your basic tropical paradise, after all.
2 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
Hee luitjes ,
te gek hotel alles wat je nodig hebt is er aanwezig super fitness ruimte te gekke pool heel vriendelijk personeel
De duikshop met Anton als instructor toppie echt een aanrader mooi strand
see you in 2006
2 users found this review helpful. 5 found this review unhelpful.
It was absolutely wonderful.Visited: December 2005
Posted by mxnhoward
De Plantage is brand new. They provide great hospitality, with friendly service and excellent value. It is the best spot on the island. It is not a resort, but very nice bungalows, which make it great for longer stays.
We loved it, and will go back again.
7 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.
This was a true Paradise on earth!Visited: August 2005
Posted by oostbaan
Celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary with our five sons and one young lady, we had a very enjoyable seven-day stay at this resort.
We had fabulous food and drinks at the poolside cafe at sunset, enjoyed a great BBQ party, and met warm and friendly local staff. We also loved the fabulous sea view from our suite. It made this a never-to-forget holiday for all of us.
And, as a bonus, our son Rogier met a very nice (Dutch) girl friend, a nicer memento is not possible. We all hope to come back for another holiday!
4 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful.
This SuperClubs Breezes needs a lot of work.Visited: November 2005
Posted by linda9014
We stayed Nov. 13th – 20th, 2005. Apparently this was the “rainy season” . Five out of seven days we had heavy rains - so much so that our room flooded.
The room we stayed in was horrible. It was old and extremely musty. I would say the building (Plover building) was beyond renovating – it should be bulldozed! The bed was rock hard, there was no vanity or no 110 plug in the bathroom. Also, there were ants all over the balcony and we were on the second floor! It was comparable to staying in a cheap motel – seriously.
The food was okay, nothing spectacular. Get to Jimmy's Buffet early, as they also hold the evening entertainment in the buffet and seats are difficult to get. The beach grill had great grilled chicken and fish, probably our best meal.
Weekends were very hectic. Apparently, they sell day passes to the locals. They had full run of the resort and seemed to get preferential treatment.
Snorkeling and diving were definitely the highlight on the island. The water was incredibly warm – a bit rocky, but not too bad.
The staff was hit and miss for us. Some were exceptional and others were just plain miserable – particularly the reception staff.
I rated this resort a 2 ½ star – that’s all you’ll get out of this place.
2 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.
This is a wonderful place. 
We experienced discrimination and disaster. 
Holiday Beach is warm and friendly. 
This was the perfect place. 
It's good if you dive or snorkel, but the resort is mediocre. 
