The Caribbean’s Newest Adults-Only Hotel Is a Curacao Boutique With an Ocean-View Pool, Bali Beds and Custom Art in Every Room 

An oceanfront infinity pool. Bali beds. A world-renowned design studio. Art all over the place. It’s the newest adults-only hotel in the Caribbean, and it just opened its doors in one of the buzziest destinations in the hemisphere right now: the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao. 

This is the Art Hotel Curacao, designed by legendary architect Piet Boon, and it’s one of the coolest debuts in the region this year. 

Each room comes with its own art, unique to every unit; several rooms right now, for example, have ceramic works by artist Ellen Spijkstra. 

That’s the level of thought you find at the island’s new hotel, which comes at a time when demand for Curacao travel is higher than it has ever been. 

Everything is thoughtful, detailed. The Bali beds at the edge of the infinity pool in view of the ocean. 

The food is also bespoke, whether you go for the standard fare at the Lemon Tree eatery or immerse yourself in the chef’s tasting menu. 

And then there are the Piet Boon Studio looks (with help from designer Cat Aalbers), a sleek, modern take on Dutch Caribbean luxury. The lines are clean, earthy and modern. The bath amenities are made by Rituals. There’s a gym, too, and direct beach access. 

In all, Art Hotel has just 32 rooms, meaning you get an intimate, boutique hotel experience with an adults-only feel. 

If you haven’t been to Curacao, you may not know just how sophisticated, cosmopolitan and innovative a place this is; it’s something I’ve savored so many times on previous trips to the island and that’s embodied in the design of the Art Hotel. 

Curacao is vibrant, it’s dynamic and it’s, well, artful — whether you’re surveying the stunning landscapes on the west coast or making your way by foot through the historic streets of Willemstad. It’s just a cool place. 

As for the Art Hotel, it’s set in the Pietermaai district, a charming netibhorheod some have called the “Soho of Curacao,” and it’s got a bit of everything: small hotels, cafes, endless energy. 

And now it’s got a very cool new boutique hotel, too. 

So what about prices? The Art Hotel is, like many hotels on the island, a good value: you can book a rooms for just $157 right now. 

Flying to the island has never been easier, whether you’re taking Azul’s new service from Fort Lauderdale ($478 roundtrip, according to Google Flights) or Delta’s Atlanta service ($546). 

So if you haven’t been to the island, it’s time to put it on your list. It’s high on mine.