Curacao Lodging?

[Roger Leslie]

We have decided to take a 2 week vacation on Curacao in October. Now, I'm looking for info on where to stay.

- my wife is a non-diver and we would like to be 1 - 1.5 mile walk or an easy drive from activities & some good restaurants for her while I do morning dives (we run 3-4 miles daily, so walking is not an issue)
- not a large resort, small and quiet with a nice beach would be great
- dive op on site would be nice but not a must
- we are not on a strict budget but we're not wealthy either
- I'm thinking that a condo would be nice but can be persuaded otherwise

Thanks!!

 

[Saturated and satisfied]

Ahhh, Hi Roger, plenty stunning Airbnb's/VRBO properties out there that would suit your needs. Check out the Sea aquarium area. You will probably need a rental car whilst you're here. Just a heads up!

 

[diversteve]

Some to consider - rehashing and adding to our e-mails:

Royal Seaquarium condos
A condo option at Lions Dive Resort but it may not meet your definition of "small resort"
both share Ocean Encounters main shop within walking distance. Both pushing the 1 1/2 mile walk to downtown limit. It's also kind of a busier tourist area - in addition to the Aquarium, there's Mambo Blvd. nearby - shop/restaurants your wife could easily walk to.

Scubalodge is in Peterbaai closer to downtown but they don't have a beach. They have their own dive operation afaik. Really close to Punda for your wife to walk - under a mile. Punda is the old downtown.

See what you think of the Avila Hotel - it's beachfront but behind a breakwater. I think you'd have to meet diveboats at one of the Ocean Encounters locations nearby.

Sunscape is the AI resort where the SB Invasions are held. Another Ocean Encounters location. about 1/4 mile closer to Punda than the SeaAqarium options. Kind of amid-range to big property though - used to be a Breezes.

Any of the resorts/condos around Piscadera Bay - maybe Royal Palms but their beach is a walk down the hill. I'm not sure they have a website - I mostly see them on vrbo.com. They're distinctive looking properties.

PBay is just your range - probably 2 miles from the farthest west part to the Otrabunda side of downtown. And a walk across the swinging bridge to the Punda side. Even though the cruise megaport is there - the traffic all goes south so shouldn't be a factor. It was really dead quiet most nights.

I already described the pro's/cons of Piscadera Bay Resort in our Conversation. Floris Suites nearby is gay friendly.

Caribbean Sea Sports at the Hilton would be close but not walking distance to board a boat.

All of these are also within pickup range of the Dive Bus if you are interested in escorted shore diving with them. Price it though, they're pretty close to boat dive prices. And dive the same site twice afaik. Really good people though - Mark/Suzie get a lot of good press here.

 

[ScubaMarc]

Try blue bay resorts, if you look around you can find good deals.

 

[diversteve]

Try blue bay resorts, if you look around you can find good deals.

I was going to include them but where would you walk to from there? Otrabunda seems like it would be 4-5 miles from there. Boca Sami might be good for an hour or two if you like fishing villages. If they wanted to walk/drive back to Piscadera to eat - other than the Grille at Blue Bay what else is local? - might as well just stay in PBay.

 

[ScubaMarc]

There is a nice beach/bar/restaurant/dive shop at the bottom of the hill. That is is for walking. You need a car for everything else. Live space is very nice for what it is.

There are 2 resorts next the blue bay(left side when at the beach), but when i walked over it was nothing special.

 

[Roger Leslie]

Thanks again for all the help. After discussing it with my wife, we are now looking in the Sabana-Westpunt area. From what I have read, it seems that the best diving and snorkeling (which she loves) is on that end and there are some good restaurants. We will rent a car and won't mind the drive into the old section. Several interesting properties on airbnb.

Thanks!

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

Hi Roger, We live in Westpunt. I claim that the tourists who stay out here know what kind of travellers they are; laid back yet still adventurous. If they are into nightlife, shopping or casinos, they know the West end is not for them. We talk to a lot of divers. Those who stay "out West" and are happy to drive into "the big city" once or twice, and those who are staying elsewhere and then find they are driving to the west end dive sites almost every day. Wherever you stay, you'll find yourself exploring the entire island, or we might hope you would. It is over a half hour drive to Punda or Otrabanda.
We are partial to our backyard dives There are many topside activities in the area like the National Parks - Shete Boca and Christoffel. David has miles of hiking trails just outside Westpunt along with a 9 basket disc golf course. Stop by Sol Food for a map and/or discs. The snorkelling is superb in Westpunt Bay. The Dive Bus also will meet you where they are diving. This way, you both could go, you dive and your wife snorkel and relax for that hour. You would get to other shore dives and be apart for less time than 2 tank boat dives. Although there are a couple of special dives only accessible by boat with Go West Diving- Watamula, Redhio.... Heck, first time visitor? They all are great, you'll have to plan other vacations!
Of course, most dive shops have buddy lists or guided shore dives. If you either stay or visit Coral Estates/St. Willibrordus, there is the fantastic 8 Experience Spa above the beach and dive shop. If you are not that into sightseeing, contact a private tour guide who will come out and design a tour from the West for your wife. Many like Gabby from Sand and Stilettos (or perhaps the name!) and some like a photo walk with Gail's Gallery.

 

[hilljo88]

Lion's Dive has a lot of top side activity for you wife. Nice beach, many restaurants along the waterfront. Plus on stie dive op, house reef with excellent snorketling.

 

[morecowbells]

Since you are vacationing for 2 weeks, how about splitting your time between the east and west ends of the island?