Best Places to Stay in Curacao (by Visit Length & Region)
Even though Curacao is a small island, it has diverse scenery scattered throughout the island so you want to plan your hotel stays near where your daily activities are.
While we understand vacation accommodation is a very personal choice by travel style, interest, budget, and more, we try to narrow down the research with our recommendations for you.
Where to Stay in Curacao by Region
Even though Curacao is a small island, it has diverse geographic characters on different parts of the island. We break down the best locations to stay in Curacao into three regions: Willemstad and nearby, Jan Thiel, and St. Willibrodus to Westpunt.
Willemstad & Nearby (The Capital)
Willemstad offers many lodging options from international hotel chains to boutique hotels and apartments. If you have a car to explore the island, keep in mind that you may have to park in the streets for boutique hotels in Willemstad.
In Willemstad, we recommend heading southeast to the Punda district where you will find many fantastic restaurants and boutique hotels in. Hotels in Punda are in walking distance to the heart of Willemstad, Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge, while offering more relaxing surroundings than the Otrobanda commercial district.
For couples and families seeking relaxation, we highly recommend Avila Beach Hotel. The hotel offers comfortable rooms, friendly services, plenty of on-site parking, two protected ocean pools, and two great restaurants on property, and the best Curacao restaurants in short walking distances. Book early as this hotel sells out quickly.
For the young and energetic travelers who want exciting nightlife, we recommend Saint Tropez Boutique Hotel. Book an oceanfront room to get as close as possible to the ocean. The Happy Hour every Friday night at Saint Tropez Ocean Club and Boutique Hotel is THE party spot on the island. The Friday Night Happy Hour music lasts until 1AM. If you want a quiet stay, avoid this hotel on Friday night.
You cannot go wrong with The Scuba Lodge & Ocean Suites if you can get an ocean view room. It is right next to Saint Tropez Boutique Hotel, but it offers a completely different vibe. Their oceanfront restaurants also serve the best food we had in the neighborhood. If you are a diver, definitely consider staying here.
Right in the commercial district of Willemstad, the Otrobanda district sits on the northern side of the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. If you are a loyal Marriott member and want to stay in an American-style hotel, Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Resort is a good choice locating in the heart of Willemstad at a reasonable price. Take note that hotel is right next to the cruise ship port.
To move further away from the cruise ship docking area but stay at a Marriott property, the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort is probably a better but more pricey option.
Jan Thiel (A “Staycation” Alternative to Willemstad)
Jan Thiel is an upscale and developed neighborhood southeast to Willemstad. In our opinion, it offers more “staycation” type of resorts comparing to Willemstad.
The Papagayo Beach Hotel is a popular option on the beach.
The Royal Sea Aquarium Resort is great for families. It is right at the Curacao Aquarium and at Mambo Beach.
St. Willibrodus to Westpunt (Northwestern Coast of Curacao)
The most beautiful beaches and best snorkeling spots in Curacao are along the northwestern coast of the island between St. Willibrodus and Westpunt. Besides convenient beach hopping, this area also provides easy access to Mount Christoffel National Park and Shete Boka National Park. However, lodging options are limited so you want to book ahead.
The Coral Estate Luxury Resort offers a convenient location to explore northern Curacao with a short distance to the airport. The property has clean ocean view rooms, a private beach, infinity pools, and two ocean view restaurants. The hotel sits on the oceanfront part of the large, gated Coral Estate villa property. This property is great for runners and walkers with safe roads, breathtaking views, and a good balance between flat and hilly grounds.
For divers and snorkeling enthusiasts, you may want to check out the Lagoon Ocean Resort in Lagun toward Westpunt. The guests to this property has free access to one of the best snorkeling beach and dive site on Curacao, Playa Lagun. Unlike Coral Estate, Lagoon Ocean Resort is more of an apartment and a bit more rustic. You will have your own kitchen to cook in which is a plus.
Where to Stay in Curacao by Visit Length
1 to 3 Days in Curacao
If you are spending 3 days or less in Curacao, stay in Willemstad as a base. You can take day trips to explore surrounding areas or even rent a car for a day to get out of Willemstad.
Willemstad has many lodging choices, BUT, to have the most enjoyable experience, you would want to book ahead.
If you want to stay a little out of the downtown commercial district, head southeast to the Punda district into a quint neighborhood where you will find many fantastic restaurants and boutique hotels in. You cannot go wrong with The Scuba Lodge & Ocean Suites if you can get an ocean-view room. Their oceanfront restaurants also serve the best food we had in the neighborhood.
If you are into nightlife, stay at Saint Tropez. It is a boutique hotel has a modern vibe and a beautiful pool. It hosts a happy hour every Friday night lasting until 1PM. If you are not up for a late evening partying, stay away form Saint Tropez because the music may keep you up late.
Willemstad offers many lodging options from international hotel chains to boutique hotels and apartments. If you have a car to explore the island, keep in mind that you may have to park in the streets for boutique hotels in Willemstad.
4 to 6 Days in Curacao
If you have more than 3 days in Curacao, we recommend spending the first 3 nights on the northwestern coastline between St. Willibrodus and Westpunt as a base to explore northern island.
Coral Estate Luxury Resort is just a short drive from the airport. Lagoon Ocean Resort even offers airport transport if you don’t want to rent a car from the airport.
End your trip and spend the last 2 nights in Willemstad and get ready for departure.
7 to 10 Days in Curacao
If you have 7 to 10 days in Curacao, you can stay in 2 to 3 hotels to create a diverse experience and efficient itinerary near your lodging.
We recommend first 2 days in Willemstad to get to know Willemstad. Then, move north to spend Day 3 to Day 5 or 6 on the northwest coast of Curacao. Finally, spend the last 1 to 2 nights in Willemstad to get ready for departure.
If you are returning to the United States and must obtain a negative Covid-19 test a day before departure, Willemstad has many testing sites. Some hotels (including Avila Beach Hotel) offer daily schedules and quick results.
After all, don’t stress over where to stay in Curacao. It’s a small island so you can get to places easily. However, the best hotels and apartments (especially with an ocean view) get booked quickly so early booking is highly recommended.
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