Curacao Lodging?

[Roger Leslie]

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.

Your first paragraph describes us perfectly!! We live in the Smokey Mountains of NC and it is a 30 minute drive for us to get to the nearest restaurant, grocery store, gas, etc. So driving 30 min. into town a few times is not an issue. From what I have read there are some good restaurants around Westpunt and Lagun. Great diving & snorkeling, peaceful/laid back atmosphere, good food, hiking close by.....sounds like paradise to us!!!

Now we need to decide which specific property. Most of the ones that my wife prefers (looking online and reading reviews) are in Lagun. Are we correct in thinking that the two towns are close and easily accessible to each other by car? Also, we are avid trail runners. Are there safe places to run in the immediate area?

We hope to find a property that is clean, comfortable, ocean view, easy access to beach and snorkeling. Would like to stay around $125 per night but will pay more for a great one.
Thanks for everyone's help???

 

[gopbroek]

My wife and I recently spent a week in WestPunt and stayed at the Nos Krusero apartments and were very happy with them. The apartments are directly in front of Playa Kalki beach across from the parking lot. We were very happy with the apartments and stayed on the top floor which had a large deck with great ocean views. They also had a very nice pool and barbeque area and rinse tanks and a gear storage area. The Go West dive shop is across the street and down the stairs.

PS, the price was below your target

 

[diversteve]

Lagun is15min or less from Westpunt. Most of the properties there are cliffside over the ocean - the beach is a few blocks away (easy walk) at Playa Lagun. If it's still there there's a tiny store near there - just staples etc. When we stayed there - our apt. mgr's suggested we stop at Centrum market in Willemstad b4 driving out.

There's 2 nicer condo complexes to consider (among others) - on either side of Playa Lagun - which is the beach. Both are on the cliffs above it so have amazing views of the bay and west to the ocean. The first is Lagoon Ocean Resort - right next to it is Bahia Aots/Diving which is an older property. On the other side of the bay is Lagoon Blou condos. maybe nicer than L.O.R. but I have only seen both properties from the outside and water.

Like many sites it's a break in the cliffs and the reef starts just outside the break. You'll often see turtles there - the local fisherman attract them while cleaning fish. At the entrance to Playa Lagun is Discover Diving - good place to rent tanks since they have a loading dock. They recently started promoting their restaurant more so I'd guess they've made some improvements. Also Bahia has a nice cliffside bar/grille - it's featured near the end of the video.

IDK about hiking trails in the area but Christoffel Park is due east from there - it could be less than a mile to the park boundary. I believe the entrance to the park is on the east side though - off Weg near Westpunt (<- name of the road) I think you can head inland south toward Santa Cruz and cut over past there - Jan Donker looks like it goes thru.

I also think I mentioned Playa Jeremi for snorkeling earlier (one of Frommers 10 best Caribbean) - it's at the north end of Lagun just past the houses, Look for a big red painted rock by the road. No facilities there and we chose to lock the vehicle - there was some thefts mentioned there. It's because you can't see the parking lot from the beach.

If you go boat dive with Go West - there's a decent beach in front of the Lodge Kura Hulanda for ypur wife - even a small grille. I chased flounder in the shallows along the cliffs there snorkeling. Lots of really shallow coral - some breaks the surface. Watch for kayakers from the Lodge.

Akso there's Varsenbaai - now called Kokomo beach. It's maybe 10mins drive south. It's a decent beach, there should be turtles eating grass just off the south end in 6' of water, we saw squid under the dive dock plus head out with a buddy to the south and there's a pontoon boat wreck in 80' and it's also one of the Carpile wreck sites deeper - close to 120' IIRC. Also ask at the onsite shop -Trunk Divers - they told us where to find seahorses at 40' near one of the mooring balls. Supposed to be a nicer restaurant there also now.

I use east/south interchangeably - I know it's east but it seems like it's south.

Last but not least I'll plug Sunshine's place since she never does - Sol Food in Westpunt. Fri-Sun only.

 

[Roger Leslie]

Great info diversteve///thanks!

 

[morecowbells]

My husband and I have stayed at The Kura Hulanda, All West and Marazul Dive Resort; all in Westpunt. While the Kura Hulanda was the most 'resortish' and the most manicured of all three, it was pricey and it seems to occasionally change ownership which makes me nervous about future bookings. You simply cannot beat the views from the decks/balconies of All West. I cannot think of any other resort that I have ever stayed in which offers such a close up of the ocean. Units are quiet, comfortable and simple. As a diver, you cannot beat the convenience of the lower level storage room. The diving in front of the All West is one of my favorites. There is great snorkeling too. In the afternoon turtle sightings by the pier are the rule versus the exception. Next to the All West is the Marazul Dive Resort. Units have TV, are typically 2 stories and there is a pool. The views are good but there is no beach. There are two sets of steps down a small cliff which lead to a platform with a ladder. While this may come across as a disadvantage, it provided wonderful diving and snorkeling with the best clarity without requiring a lengthy swim out. Hopefully we will return to Curacao soon. I will definitely be booking at All West or Marazul.

 

[Roger Leslie]

My husband and I have stayed at The Kura Hulanda, All West and Marazul Dive Resort; all in Westpunt. While the Kura Hulanda was the most 'resortish' and the most manicured of all three, it was pricey and it seems to occasionally change ownership which makes me nervous about future bookings. You simply cannot beat the views from the decks/balconies of All West. I cannot think of any other resort that I have ever stayed in which offers such a close up of the ocean. Units are quiet, comfortable and simple. As a diver, you cannot beat the convenience of the lower level storage room. The diving in front of the All West is one of my favorites. There is great snorkeling too. In the afternoon turtle sightings by the pier are the rule versus the exception. Next to the All West is the Marazul Dive Resort. Units have TV, are typically 2 stories and there is a pool. The views are good but there is no beach. There are two sets of steps down a small cliff which lead to a platform with a ladder. While this may come across as a disadvantage, it provided wonderful diving and snorkeling with the best clarity without requiring a lengthy swim out. Hopefully we will return to Curacao soon. I will definitely be booking at All West or Marazul.

Thanks for the info. We have narrowed it down to either Marazul Dive Resort and 2 properties in Lagun....Lagoon Ocean Resort & Lagun Blou Dive and Beach Resort

thanks again