If you haven’t noticed, the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao has been among the fastest-growing destinations in the Caribbean in the last year, with record-breaking arrivals, a surging hotel pipeline, major new flights (including a big expansion from Delta) and a palpable sense of tourism energy.
It’s a renaissance that largely began with the entry to the market of the stunning Sandals Royal Curacao a few years ago, and it hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. But the island’s hotel product is far more than one large resort: it’s a diverse, eclectic, fascinating collection of resorts, large and small, all-inclusive and boutique, historic and cutting-edge. Are you planning a vacation to Curacao? Here are some of our favorites on the island right now. As always, our editors put together a comprehensive selection that includes options for every different kind of vacation, whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly affordable hotel or a classic beach resort or the best of all worlds.
Baoase Luxury Resort This isn’t just the best resort in Curacao — it’s among the best anywhere in the Caribbean. Chef Rene Klop’s breathtakingly good food, the private beach, the private island, the magnificent service, we could go on and on. That’s of course without mentioning the spectacular Bali-style rooms, many of which have their own pools or hot tubs, creating your own private oasis for the duration of your stay. It’s just that good — and it’s better than ever.
Blue Bay Curacao It just might be the buzziest place to stay on the island, and that’s in no small part due to the debut of the world-renowned Brass Boer restaurant, the three-Michelin-star-pedigree eatery out of Bonaire. But the food is just the beginning of the story at Blue Bay, which has a private beach, an excellent 18-hole golf course and spacious rooms.
Van Der Valk Kontiki Beach Resort It’s an all-day party: Mambo Beach, Curacao’s capital of cool, an enclave of beach bars, eateries, pools and non-stop entertainment. Our favorite Mambo spot is the Kontiki, one of the island’s most complete resorts. There’s something for everyone, from a trio of beach clubs and restaurants to a cleverly-designed poolscape that winds its way through a lush garden.
Papagayo Beach Resort Jan Thiel Beach is one of the hippest spots on the island, focused around an almost impossibly turquoise, sparkling beach that almost feels like a pool. And it’s anchored by the Papagayo, an ultra-modern, luxe retreat with a mix of traditional rooms and large villas perfect for families or groups.
Brion City Hotel BW Signature Collection There’s no better way to enjoy the heart of the cultural gem that is Willemstad than this well-run, 100-room boutique-style hotel with sleek rooms and a rooftop pool. It’s also arguably the best-value hotel on the island.
Sandals Royal Curacao As we already mentioned, the stunning Sandals Royal Curacao helped usher in Curacao’s recent tourism boom, with its sparkling design (including those lovely Awa Seaside Butler Bungalows, which come with their own private plunge pools). The dining program is also a standout, with eight eateries, including a new addition for the brand: three food trucks set right on the sand.
Kura Botanica Curacao’s newest adults-only is an 82-room historic hotel that’s a destination in its own right, with a full-fledged village on offer with everything from eateries and shops to a museum, all within a short stroll. It’s as charming a place to stay as there is on the island.
LionsDive Beach Resort With Curacao’s depth as a destination it’s sometimes easy to forget that the island is actually one of the region’s premier diving hotspots, with more than 70 different dive sites scattered around its coastline. And if that’s the kind of vacation you’re seeking, look no further than the LionsDive, the venerable dive resort with an on-site PADI Dive center and a great reef right at the property’s edge. (It’s also a top option for snorkelers, too).
Avila Beach Curacao A pair of private beaches; a lovely spa called Cloud Nine; a broad mix of rooms and suites; and the best live music anywhere on the island. Avila is a Caribbean signature, with a cult following of frequent Caribbean travelers and a warm, always-friendly ambience. And while it’s not an all-inclusive, it does offer a full-board option.
Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Resort A Curacao institution, the Renaissance continues to be a well-rounded hotel with a strong location in the heart of downtown, a terrific casino and, in what we love the most, the Renaissance Mall: a bustling district of cafes, shops and eateries built around the historic 19th century Rif Fort.
Rif at Mangrove Beach Corendon Curacao The newest resort in Curacao is this all-inclusive that’s part of Hilton’s Curio by Hilton portfolio. The Rif, which welcomed its first guests at the end of last year, has 385 rooms (including a number of swim-ups), seven eateries and complimentary access to the adjacent Mangrove Beach Corendon resort.