Curacao?

Travel, Wine Tourism, and Restaurants Forum
1

We’ve got enough Hilton points for a week at the Curacao Hilton. Anyone know the hotel? Also interested in general comments about the island itself.

2

no one?

3

I was there as a kid. That beach at the Hilton is teeny tiny. The main city might be good for shopping. It was in the 80’s. Can’t help with restaurants as it was a long time ago. We mainly stayed at the hotel pool (we stayed in town, not at the Hilton). One of the oldest Synagogues in the Caribbean is in town, and there is a Heineken brewery that you can tour. Not much beach area on the island, the coast is quite rocky. You’re probably better off in Aruba.

4

Jay,

I’m in Curacao twice a year and have stayed at the Hilton, Marriott, Kura Hulanda, Kura Hulanda Beach hotel, and the Marriott Reniassance near downtown. Of all of these, the Hilton is the most dated. However the last time I stayed (2 years ago), they were just starting to upgrade the rooms. With all that said, I like the property and location and we stayed there multiple times, but it is no longer our primary choice. Beach area is small, but you have decent snorkeling right off the beach and if you are adventurous you can swim just a ways out for some great snorkeling. The restaurants there leave a lot to be desired and I would venture off property for you meals.

The island is all about the beaches, diving and snorkeling. All the south facing beaches are stunning and each is unique. You could spend the week just exploring the beaches out on the west side of the island. The north side of the island is also fun to explore for a day, very rugged.

As for food there are a few fun places, but nothing I would call exceptional.

If you want anymore details, ask away.

Jeff

5

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147278-d150663-Reviews-Hilton_Curacao-Willemstad_Curacao.html #8 of 25 hotels. 80% of reviewers like the hotel.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilton-hhonors/739076-hilton-curacao-5.html Read pages 5 and 6 (last 2 pages) for current reports from frequent flyers. [wink.gif]

6

It’s been about 5 or 6 years since I was there, but here are my $.02. I liked Curacao, but didn’t love it. Restaurants are mediocre in general, but there are a few interesting things to eat, particularly the local cuisine. My favorite meal was probably at a shack on the south side that was on the water. Lunch was a freshly caught red snapper that was pan fried whole- good stuff. For a great view and decent although not stellar food, try Gouverneur de Rouville. Get a table out on the covered patio that overlooks the harbor inlet- best view in town. We also tried a rice tafel place one night that was really interesting (my first experience with such) and quite good. I think it was Rijsttafel Indonesia. The hotel I stayed at was the Lion’s Dive and I would definitely recommend particularly if you a diver, great beach area and really good snorkeling right in front of the hotel. Haven’t a clue about the HIlton.

Overall, the people, a mixture of natives and Dutch were fun to meet and drink with and I did enjoy myself, but there is nothing there that really wowed me particularly. Some decent beaches, but they are a bit scattered and I am not sure how easy access is to all of them, but the rest of the island outside of Willemstead isn’t very visually appealing. It is also hot as hell quite often. If I were to go back, I would probably try to do Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao all at once- 2-3 days each and then take a puddle jumper. There was a decent wine shop or distributor near the harbor on the northeast side(of the harbor) that had some recognizable wines, but for the most part inexpensive South American wine is what is readily found on the island. As hot as it is, I found myself drinking a lot of Presidente.

7

thanks everyone. We’ve been to Aruba and really didn’t like it enough to return so maybe Curacao isn’t for us either.

8

Even after renovations, the Hilton is pretty beat and I would strongly recommend against it. The Marriott right next store is much nicer.

What didn’t you like about Aruba, because Curacao is very different. They are both desert islands and have the Dutch influence, but the similarity ends there. Aruba has tied its fortunes to American tourism and it shows. Chain restaurants, casinos, cruise ships galore, etc. Curacao, on the other hand, is a business island unknown to many Americans, even those who travel to the islands. The beaches aren’t great but there are some that are very nice. I actually like it, but that’s particularly because it’s not overwhelmed by American tourists.

A couple of notes on earlier comments. The Amstel plant is closed. Rijstaffel is a great thing to try for dinner, but Rijstaffel Indonesia has gone way downhill. Try the new place just up the hill from the Marriott and Hilton.

9

Your description of Aruba reflects exactly what we didn’t like. I think we’re headed for Barbados instead. Thanks again everyone for the comments.

10

Jay,

Be sure to let us know how Barbados is. It’s one of the islands I haven’t been to yet but want to.

Cheers,

Jeff

11

Good choice. We’re headed back to Barbados in February (using Hilton points).

12

Well, we ended up in Curacao in 2012 and liked it well enough to return in a couple of weeks. This time we’ll overlap with the end of their Carnival which will be a huge party. At the Hilton again which supposedly has been renovated. Anyone been lately?