This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Liz R.
19 Aug 2012
Special
A beautiful, special place with great climate, spectacular ocean views, a constant breeze and fabulous snorkelling including daily visits by grazing sea turtles. View from 2nd floor balcony allowed me to direct kids towards turtles and they say "it was like being in an aquarium". We (family from England with 4 kids age 10, 13, 16,16) just spent 2 weeks in condo 16. Our stay coincided with London Olympics and we were shocked to find no television reception. Luckily high speed free WIFI meant we didn't miss much - IPads a must if you want to stay in touch and for downloading newspapers!
North of the "airport roundabout" is totally untouristy, so be prepared. Our advice is drive directly from airport towards Barber (road better than via Soto) and drop in at California Supermarket (clean, well stocked, quality meat and reasonable prices) before arriving at Condo. Thereafter, Barber minimarket only 10min drive and ok fruit, milk, bread etc. Barber has 2 ATM's and a doctor. Once stocked up be prepared to relax. We mostly self catered but Bahia bar above beach does "dutch" snacks/meals ('til 6.30pm) and Landhuis Doctortuin just south of Barber (open 'til 4pm most days) did typical Curacao meals. Tried Jaanchies at Westpunt but food not great and service extremely slow.
Knip beach lovely but little shelter from sun. Kas Abao beach beautiful with friendly owner of beach bar (good lunches) and plently of shade and beach loungers.Then back to Playa Lagun beach for afternoon sun.
Roads south of airport roundabout pretty tricky as few signposts, many roadworks/diversions and erratic driving...our advice buy a road map before you arrive in Curacao and drive slowly to watch for holes - if possible use a GPS. Willemstad (Punda) certainly worth a visit and Sea Aquarium (snorkelling with dolfins) was very good - dolfins well cared for (kids upset to look at turtles and other fish having seen them living free at Playa Lagun).Carracasbaai is the place to do any watersport like banana boats - we used company called "Adrenalin" - safe and good value.
Condo slept 6 no problem with 3 bathrooms. Only 2 minute walk to beach and swimming pool just by front door. Ivy on hand for any problems and laundered our beach towels. Other Condo owners friendly and very helpful.
Would we return? This is still so underdeveloped and special. Sunrise/sunsets are spectacular -watching tuna hunt fish at 8am from bedroom window....swimming with turtles....Yes we'ld love to return some day.