Curacao is one of the most fascinating — and misunderstood — destinations in the Caribbean. While its spectacular capital of Willemstad is a culturally rich, cosmopolitan place, its prime position in the island’s marketing over the years has helped create a perception that the island is chiefly an urban getaway, not the sort of place where you’d find world-class luxury beach resorts.

Of course, frequent travelers to the island know that it’s filled with stunning natural beauty, sparkling beaches and a laid-back, sophisticated-cool vibe, the place where a luxury beach resort is right at home.

That brings us to the latest Small Caribbean Hotel of the Week: a luxury boutique hotel that just so happens to be the best hotel on the island — period. 

This is the Baoase Luxury Resort, a 23-room beachfront boutique that has long been one of our favorite hotels anywhere in the Caribbean. 

Where is it? The Baoase is just over 20 minutes from the airport in a very convenient setting that makes it easy to get to the wonders of nearby Mambo Beach and Jan Thiel Beach but is also a short trip from Willemstad (about 10 minutes). 

What to know? The resort, which has its own private beach, is a mix of rooms, suites and villas, all designed in a Bali-meets-the-Caribbean aesthetic. They range from traditional rooms to private pool villas to the hotel’s private-island retreat on Isla Kiniw. The wellness program is impressive, with a range of spa treatments you can get right in your room and an on-site health club. 

Which room to choose? This is not an easy one — Baoase has some spectacular, capacious rooms, all unique and all with lovely little touches. We’d recommend going for the Beachfront Pool Suites, which combine the best of both worlds: the space you might find in a larger room like a villa with the intimacy of a suite. These units have their own tropical gardens, private infinity pools outdoor bathrooms and sweeping ceilings inside. They’re one of the Caribbean’s ultimate romantic retreats. 

What do we like best? Yes, the rooms are some of the best you’ll find anywhere in the Caribbean. But what most impresses here is the food and beverage program: Chef Rene Klop’s Baoase Culinary Beach Restaurant is one of the region’s great destination eateries (make sure you get the tableside steak tartare), with Michelin-level food in a prime toes-in-the-sand setting. The cocktails and spirits are diverse and thoughtful, making this a culinary destination in its own right. But isn’t that what a luxury resort should be about anyway? 

For more, visit the Baoase Luxury Resort.