The Caribbean - Anyone been to Curacao lately?

It appears I need to head there soon for a few days of meetings (hey, I've done some time in Lagos, so this is payback).

I found one quite old trip report, but looking for more recent recommendations of hotels and such.

Anyone?

Avoid the Marriott like the plague. Bad service, terrible food, way too expensive.

Check the tripadvisor curacao forum - full of tips. I was there in March - stayed at the Hilton. The service is good and the location nice. had a good room too. It's a dated property but for the price it's excellent value. The Marriott next door is a step up. One of the nicest places to stay would be the Kura Hullanda in town - a walk to bars and restaurants and a beautful property - also has very good restaurants. But not on the beach. Though beaches are never far away. I like Curacao because it is not very touristy and there's a lot of (Dutch) expats which translates into a good social scene. Scuba/snorkling is fantastic but beaches aren't the nicest in the caribbean. The island itself is very dry and not much to look at - and the oil refinery is also not pretty. All in all, I suspect you'll like it (a lot).

Please continue to follow this thread in the FT Caribbean Forum
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Erik123
I just booked Curacao for March 2008. My family loves snorkeling (kids age 9 and 13) and exploring. I am wavering between Hilton and Marriott. Think I'll end at Hilton because of the good pointvalue. Can you comment more and did you use the executive lounge at the Hilton? Thanks.

As a HH-G, I was not offered use of a lounge when I stayed at the CUR Hilton twice in the past year. Maybe there's no lounge?

I found the hotel to be a bit worn aound the edges. The small beach is pleasant. The restaurant was fine.
--
13F

Did they give you breakfast coupons? That's odd. There certainly is a lounge-brand new.

On my most recent trip I left the hotel before breakfast. I don't remember if I had a coupon. The other time was Dec '06 and my old brain doesn't remember that far back.
--
13F