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Hotels in Curacao

Wednesday, 07 July 2004 11:54 Gavin
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Summary: A guide on where you will experience the best in hotels in Curacao.

One of the most crucial items in your trip preparation is finding the right hotel. A visit to Curacao is no exception. The place offers a wide range of scenic spots. Picking out the best accommodation among all the hotels in Curacao can be very confusing. Did you ever have the experience where hotel accommodations spoiled your trip? One where even the spectacular sights failed to lift your spirits because the hotel service was terrible? In order to help you avoid that catastrophic event, we have compiled a listing of some of the best hotels in Curacao.

Some of the most famous, and best, hotels in Curacao are right in the heart of Willemstad, Curacao's capital city. A few of the choices would be the Hotel Kura Hulanda, the Hilton Curacao, the Floris Suite Hotel, the Avila Beach Hotel, the Plaza Hotel Curacao, and the Curacao Marriot Beach Resort & Emerald Casino.

These are only a few of the many hotels in Curacao. Generally, whether you're traveling to a tropical place like the Caribbean or to somewhere with snowcapped mountains, choosing the best place to stay is the biggest hassle. What's with budget concerns, some things to consider are, its accessibility to the airport, the food, and of course, its customer service.

Hotel Kura Hulanda, is undeniably one of the best hotels in Curacao, and can boast about its magnificent architecture and impressive customer service. A perfect getaway for tourists, this premier Willemstad hotel is a definite place to consider for honeymooners as well.

Located along Piscadera Bay four miles off Willemstad, the Hilton Curacao is another hotel worth checking out. With its 197 luxurious rooms, two white sand beaches and immaculate landscapes, the Hilton Curacao is truly a paradise like no other.

Floris Suite Hotel's 72 all-suite units were lavishly created by Holland's premier designer Jan des Bouvrie. Its breathtaking interior design makes for a nice and relaxing stay.

One of the hotels in Curacao with a historic value is the Avila Beach Hotel. Its significant structure dates back to the end of the 17th century and is a famous tourist attraction.

Possibly not the best, but definitely a place to consider, is the Plaza Hotel Curacao. A three-star hotel with over two hundred rooms, this hotel is surely a must addition to the list of good hotels in Curacao.

Curacao Marriot Beach Resort & Emerald Casino is considered one of the top hotels in Willemstad. It has 247 guest rooms, several water activities such as diving, and a casino to top it off. This well-known hotel indeed deserves your serious consideration.

Now that you have seen our short list of some of the best hotels in Curacao, the hardest part is up to you. Going through the reviews of former hotel guests would be a good start to getting to know the hotels in Curacao. Some websites conduct popularity surveys as a guide. Brochures would give you an idea of the amenities that would interest you. But of course you, and only you, can trust an assessment of a hotel, and really only after your actual stay. Enjoy your stay in whatever hotels in Curacao you choose to honor.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 02 August 2006 15:00
 

Excursions in Curacao

Wednesday, 07 July 2004 11:54 Gavin
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World class diving and snorkeling locations aren't all that Curacao has to offer the natives and visitors; it also has great excursions to enjoy. Excursions in Curacao are a wonderful experience. There are lots of adventures to take advantage of ranging from water sports to visiting 17th century structures; from playing tennis to a trying your luck at a high class casino, there are lots of excursions in Curacao to fit everyone's desires.

These are the top excursions in Curacao. They are not the be-all to end-all, just a sampling of what is available. If you don't see anything that suits your particular tastes or desires, then ask at the place where you are staying or contact any organization offering these excursions. Whatever your desire, there are excursions in Curacao just for you, or perhaps you can be accommodated with one tailored just for you. Take your pick and enjoy:

" Baya Beach Club - This resort has a naturally designed park that can be explored on foot, by bike or car. It offers several ways of enjoying the beauty of Caracas Bay Island. So whatever your choice of mode of transportation, there is one to suit your desires in search of beauty and relaxation.

" Christoffel Park - The first and biggest park of Carmabi. It has lots of domestic flora and fauna. Located on Mt. Christoffel, the tallest peak of Curacao.

" Curacao Liqueur Distillery - This is an old plantation house that is open for tours and tasting. Why waste money? Take this tour and do a little sampling to help you relieve the stress of the every-day world.

" Curaloe Ecocity (Aloe Plantation) - Located in Santa Catalina, this Aloe Vera plantation has gift shops. I'm sure that by now you have heard of the wonderful medicinal and skin healing properties of the Aloe Vera plant, so why not stock up on some for you and send some to your friends?

" Den Dunki National Park - This park, established in the 17th century by the Dutch slave traders, was originally a slave camp. It was later rebuilt as a recreational swan park by the Gorsira Family. This park has lots of ornamental water fountains, a large well and an impressive entrance bridge.

" Fortresses - These panoramic fortresses that surround the harbor were built in the 17th and 18th century to ward off pirates, and the naval ships of the English and French. At present most of these structures have been converted into restaurants and cocktail terraces.

" Floating Market - Schooners from Venezuela gather on the docks of downtown Willemstad to set up their market. Fresh fish, spices and fruit are the main showcase in this particular market. A very nice place for taking pictures to take home to remember the island beauty and adventure.

" Hato Caves - Having been formed below sea level a million years ago, the Hato cave has an area of 4900m². Spectacular limestone formations, waterfalls, romantic pools and the famed Madonna statue can be found inside. This is one of the most frequented excursions in Curacao. A definite "don't miss" location.

" Ostrich and Game Farm - This farm is considered one of the biggest farms outside Africa. You can get a tour around the farm and get up close and personal with the ostriches. This farm is located in Sta. Cathalina. But be careful, ostriches can be ornery too. So hold on tightly to your things and enjoy your visit.

" Underwater Park - This government protected national park is a popular site for divers. You can ride the semi-submersible submarine if you want to conserve energy and have a dry view of the beautiful underwater marine life of the site. Also recommended to those who are what we would call "mobility challenged".

If you are tired of diving and snorkeling, there are lots of excursions in Curacao that you can take and enjoy. While any one on its own would be nice, visiting a selection of as many as you can would surely be a different experience. So if you've had enough of the sand, surf, snorkeling and such for a while, why not try some excursions in Curacao?

Last Updated on Wednesday, 02 August 2006 15:00
 

The Island of Curacao

Monday, 12 April 2004 11:54 Gavin
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The island of Curacao is a tropical paradise. No wonder many tourists visit the island regularly. Curacao is regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, a tropical paradise. Located at the southern part of the Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela, the island of Curacao is the largest island in the Netherland Antillies. The island of Curacao is also part of the "Dutch Leeward Island" also known as the "Dutch Caribbean". The island of Curacao is oval shaped and is approximately 171 square miles in area with an arid and savanna like climate. It has an estimated population of 133,644 inhabitants.

The island's first inhabitants were the Caiquetios, an Arawa Indian group who first set foot on the island in 600 A.D. The island of Curacao was later discovered by Alonso de Ojeda of Spain in 1499. It was later reclaimed by the Dutch in 1642.

The capital city, which is Willemstad, is one of the largest ports in the world and played an important role in the trading enclaves of America. The island's capital was declared a "World Heritage Site" by the UNESCO in 1997 because of its colorful architecture.

Though it is located within the hurricane belt, the island of Curacao seldom experiences rain (rainfall does not exceed 21".). The island of Curacao is flat; its highest elevation is only 1,239 feet (Mount Cristoffel). Visitors to the island could get a glimpse of the local flora and fauna at the Cristoffel National Park which is located in the northern part of the island.

The northern coastline of the island of Curacao has no beaches. The place is mostly rocks and cliffs. But the southern coastline is just the opposite. There, you will see beaches with crystal clear and calm waters. The island of Curacao has plenty of undeveloped beaches just waiting to be discovered.

Shore diving is very popular on the island of Curacao because of its unique coastline. The island of Curacao's seafloor drops very steeply within a few hundred feet of the shore. The island of Curacao has no rivers. With the lack of rivers, and very little rain, the visibility in the island of Curacao's waters is very excellent. With more than 37 beaches visitors have a wide array of beaches to choose from.

Even though the island's climate is arid, there are lots of resorts and facilities there. Hotels are located near the beaches. But if you come to get away from the maddening crowd and the hustle and bustle and all the noise, the island of Curacao has lots of secluded beaches where you can enjoy swimming and sunbathing in peace and quiet, and maybe even in privacy, if the word doesn't get out before you get here. So come to the island of Curacao and leave all your cares behind while you relax, unwind, and enjoy our little slice of paradise.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 02 August 2006 14:58
 

The Curacao History

Saturday, 12 June 2004 11:54 Gavin
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Summary: A quick look at Curacao's past, a most colorful history.

Some people might have wondered where Curacao originated and how it is named as such. Curacao history can be traced as far back as 6,000 years ago, during the Native American Arawak days. The Arawaks were a group of Native South American people who lived in Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana . They traveled and settled on islands. The group Caiquetios was the ones who found the island, thus giving it its name.

More famous stories of Curacao history are those of Christopher Columbus' famous voyages. It was believed that Alonso de Ojeda, one of his lieutenants, discovered Curacao around 1499. Some people say though that Curacao's original name which was Curazon, was given by Spaniards to mean "heart". However changes have converted it to the Portuguese form which is Curacao.

It was also said that Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian, was with Ojeda when he found Curacao. Some stories have it that during the voyage, Vespucci's men suffered from scurvy. Vespucci was said to have left these men on the island, only to find out on his return that they were all well. It was presumed that the fruits on the island were rich in Vitamin C, thus curing the sailors. He was said to have named it Curacao which means "cure" in Portuguese. Being Italian, and Ojeda being a Spaniard, this version is quite absurd but is more famous and more interesting than the others.


Anyway, more than a hundred years later, the Spanish government was thrown out when the Dutch conquered Curacao. The Dutch put up plantations all over the island. The landhuizen structures are still very visible today, some of which are converted into restaurants and other establishments. The most common Dutch activity was the slave-trade, which is responsible for the start of the Papiamentu language. This became the primary form of communication, being a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and African dialects.

The 18th century is significant in Curacao history. The British tried to overthrow the Dutch numerous times until everything was settled by the Treaty of Paris. Under the terms of this treaty, Curacao was returned to the Dutch, which resulted in slavery being totally abolished, but the economy was slow to recover.

The early 19th century opened new doors in Curacao history with the discovery of oil. Soon Curacao and Aruba were distilling crude oil for a Venezuelan oil company. During the period of World War II, Curacao was made a part of the Netherland Antilles, along with Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten.


These stories of Curacao history, and others not listed or mention here, may just be bits of a number of stories that have been pasted together, or may have no basis in fact but simply are figments of some very strong imagination. The one thing they have in common is that all are colorful stories of Curacao history, just as colorful as Curacao itself is colorful today. The best way you can find out more about Curacao history is to visit this exotic and colorful place.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 02 August 2006 14:59
 


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