Marine life is the big draw at this luxury hotel, which is a member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World. Perched on low, rugged cliffs overlooking a white coral-and-sand beach on the island's secluded west side, the 74-suite property officially opened April 2006. It's the second resort on the island by Dutch entrepreneur Jacob Dekker, who also built the boutique Hotel Kura Hulanda in Curacao's sophisticated colonial capital of Willemstad.
Brick pathways thread through gorgeous landscaping of colorful flowering plants and native cacti to create an unpretentious tropical paradise. Dining facilities include a beach bar and grill and the upscale open-air, thatched-roof Watamula Restaurant. Christoffel Sunset Lounge serves a more casual lunch and dinner, with great views at the end of the day.
Although the lodge appeals to beach-loving honeymooners, families and gay couples seeking a casual retreat, guests who love snorkeling and scuba diving will be particularly happy. Ocean Encounters West, the on-site PADI dive shop, offers several daily dive and snorkel boat trips, as well as four-day "learn to dive" certification programs. The reef fronting the hotel's beach is also popular for snorkeling. Guests can sign up for a boat dive to the Mushroom Forest. Considered a "World's Best Dive" by Sport Diver magazine, the site is named for the star coral that have grown into tall mushroom-shaped domes. In between these giant coral clumps, guests can swim with squid, rainbow-colored parrotfish, schools of silvery barracuda and even "hairy crabs" that hide in crevices. The beach offers sun beds for guests, and although it is typically a quiet hangout, public holidays can crowd the place with locals.
Other options include a pool with shade cabanas, a lighted tennis court, a children's playground and a large fitness room. At one end of the property, wooden stairs descend to a prehistoric collection of grottos known as the "Indian Cave." Shuttles make the 45-minute run to the sister property in Willemstad twice a day, where guests have signing privileges at the excellent restaurants.
Meeting space is small, and a business center is on hand. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the property.
Chic, well-appointed accommodations units are nestled along the oceanfront cliffs and in the desert garden. The oceanfront units are two-story duplexes painted the mint green, baby blue and peach colors characteristic of Curacao's gingerbread architecture. Serene ground-floor studios have French doors opening onto covered porches with cushioned rattan furniture and, beyond those, patios with lounge chairs set amid yellow hibiscus. Tucked away behind Euro-style cabinets are compact kitchenettes complete with microwave ovens, refrigerators, two-burner hot plates and everything else needed to make a light meal. Flat-screen TVs come with DVD/CD players with sound systems. Two double beds with Egyptian linens, sofa beds, dining tables and four chairs, spacious baths and showpiece Asian art complete the stylish places. Also impressive are the outdoor kitchens and living/dining rooms of the one-bedroom suites in the 10-sided eco-desert huts spread out among the cacti and thorn bushes. For guests truly inclined to the exotic (and expensive), Dekker's massive African-themed tree house is available for about $1,500 per night.
The opening of this hotel follows in the wake of the island's recent interest in attracting tourists, and a big development push includes a huge expansion at the airport and the construction of new Hyatt and Renaissance hotels. The Lodge and its sibling hotel offer guests new options in deluxe digs on a classy Caribbean island with a Dutch influence. Now, before Curacao is really discovered, is a good time to visit.
