curacao resorts - anyone been to these?

[snorkelgeek]

:dazzler1:

Yes, as the name implies, I'm a snorkeler not a diver, but find these forums a wealth of info and hope you guys can help.

We are looking at possibly going to Curacao in May. We have read all the forums and know that it's expensive, sand can be rough, etc. We are looking for a decent beach, good snorkeling off shore at resort, and preferrably all-inclusive, but realize there aren't many of those.

The resorts we are considering are:
Sunset Waters, Papagayo, Marriott and Hilton.

Anyone been to these and can tell me where the best snorkeling is?

Thanks a bunch in advance.

Brenda

 

[zuzanne]

Welcome to the forums. I can't answer your questions on Curacao, but hopefully someone else can, as I too would like info on the best places to beach dive & snorkel and stay on Curacao. Don't be concerned about being a snorkeler instead of a diver. I dive & snorkel as do many of the folks and their family members here on the forums. After all we can't unfortunately stay under for ever.

Zuzanne

 

[snorkelgeek]

Right now, we're leaning towards Sunset Waters. Smaller resort, not as fancy, but the snorkeling looks good there. The Hilton and Marriott are quite a bit more expensive and there doesn't seem to be a lot of info regarding the snorkeling there. Papagayo I know is actually across the road from Seaquarium. That may be good, may be bad. Don't want to rely on commercial beach, whereas Sunset Waters has their own beach. And they seem to be getting good reviews on the forums. Just never hurts to ask around.....

Brenda

 

[louisianadiver]

:dazzler1:

Yes, as the name implies, I'm a snorkeler not a diver, but find these forums a wealth of info and hope you guys can help.

We are looking at possibly going to Curacao in May. We have read all the forums and know that it's expensive, sand can be rough, etc. We are looking for a decent beach, good snorkeling off shore at resort, and preferrably all-inclusive, but realize there aren't many of those.

The resorts we are considering are:
Sunset Waters, Papagayo, Marriott and Hilton.

Anyone been to these and can tell me where the best snorkeling is?

Thanks a bunch in advance.

Brenda

Hi Brenda. I think you should take a look at Habitat Curacao. It's a bit far from town, but the water is protected and always calm. Their shore diving/snorkeling pier puts you only a very short swim from the reef. -Clay

 

[smokey braden]

snorklegeek
i took my family to sunset waters this past july.
my son got certified. now he and i can dive together.
they have a nice house reef which is good for snorkling.
the dive shop folks are very nice.
ask them where the spots are that you are looking for.
the resort staff will take very good care of you.
tell the resort gm that smokey says hey.
give us a trip report upon y'alls return

 

[Damselfish]

You're certainly picking between some places that are very different, I guess the common thing is that they have beaches. There's also Breezes (just down from Seaquarium), a more typical all-inclusive with a good beach. Lots of activities there and close nearby if you want that. From what I remember Seaquarium beach has pretty good snorkeling, but not sure about directly off Breezes (the dive pier is pretty long so that tells me it's shallow for a ways out, anyway.)

Habitat is a pretty good place to snorkel, but not much of a beach, just a manmade area at the base of the cliff. It's sufficient to lay out and toast yourself, and there's a shady deck that is a nice place to relax out of the sun. There's an illusion type pool at the top of the cliff which is also a nice place to hang out. I wouldn't do a meal package there other than breakfasts though, the restaurant isn't the greatest and gets old pretty quick. IMHO you want a car here.

Sunset Waters is much further out of town than even Habitat, if that matters to you one way or another. You won't casually run downtown for something! But if you plan to have a car, there are lots of nice little beaches down towards that end of the island that are worth exploring, some of them have very nice snorkeling. If a beach has some kind of facilities like bathrooms it will have a small charge. They'll typically be crowded on weekends but pretty empty on weekdays.

If I were choosing between the Marriott and the Hilton I'd choose the Marriott, just based on the hotel and restaurants. I'm not sure about snorkeling at either though, I've heard there is a decent shore dive from the Marriott but I don't know if the area is also good for snorkeling.


smokey - what is Sunset Waters physically like nowadays? I've stopped there many times on a boat (Habitat's boats refuel there, or at least used to) Last time I wandered around there was 4 years ago, but the place looked rather neglected.

 

[smokey braden]

damselfish,
as you read we were there the first week of july this summer.
the areas that are open and used have a coat of fresh paint.
the suite we stayed in was very clean and fresh.
the casino was closed as was a secound restaurant closer to the beach.

if you were sunning on the beach a staf member would get drinks at the main bar and bring them down to you in a speedy time.

the food was good and varied when they had a buffet.
when going with a menu you could order anything as many times as you wanted.
my wife is allergic to gluten and she always was able to get a good meal from the kitchen every time.

jim, the gen mgr, would several times everyday come up to each guest during the week and asked if anything was needed.

during the week there were a small number of guest.
then starting on friday the resort would be full for the weekend.
it seems the local folks use the resort to do something special for their families short of leaving the island.

with so many locals patronizing the facilities it showed me that we were getting a fair deal.
plus alot of times when staying at an ai you sacrifice enjoying the local "flavour",
not so at sunset waters on weekends.
regards

 

[Kat]

It is a long walk to the beach at Sunset Waters. It is also very, very secluded. I did not see their pool.
Habitat is also secluded, but you might find the snorkeling a little easier there. Very nice pool. For both of these properties, a car is a must, IMHO.
Breezes is an excellent AI choice. Lots of activities & a very large pool. Snorkeling is ok there.

Out of these three, I'd choose Habitat, for snorkeling.
I have not been to any other hotels on the island.

 

[flyingcopdiver]

:dazzler1:

Yes, as the name implies, I'm a snorkeler not a diver, but find these forums a wealth of info and hope you guys can help.

We are looking at possibly going to Curacao in May. We have read all the forums and know that it's expensive, sand can be rough, etc. We are looking for a decent beach, good snorkeling off shore at resort, and preferrably all-inclusive, but realize there aren't many of those.

The resorts we are considering are:
Sunset Waters, Papagayo, Marriott and Hilton.

Anyone been to these and can tell me where the best snorkeling is?

Thanks a bunch in advance.

Brenda

hi brenda,

my wife and i just got back from sunset waters. we had a great time. the snorkeling at the house reef is real nice. it had many different fish and corals. the service was great as well. jim the manager walks the resort and inquires if your needs are being met. my wife does not dive and enjoyed the uncrowed beach. i dove and did a lot of snorkeling. we stayed at breezes last year and enjoyed sunset waters more. it is not a fancy resort but we liked it better. you are far from town but they have a shuttle which will take you to town. we wanted something from a grocery store and one of the staff went and got it for us. that's service. hope you enjoy you vacation.

 

[sharon]

Hello. Curacao is a pretty small island. Town is not very far from anywhere in my opinion as long as you have a car. We always stay out on the westend and town is 40-45 minutes drive. The best snorkeling I have found there is along the westend beaches. My favorite is the little bay in front of Allwest Apts in Westpunt. There are many little fishing boats tied up there and the fisherman clean their catch there and so many things, eagle rays, turtles and eels and of course fish cruise thru for an easy meal. I also enjoyed Playa Lagoon, Cas Abo, Playa Kalki, and Porta Maire for snorkeling and also diving. A friend of mine stayed at the Mariott there and says it is now her most favorite Mariott in the world and that she enjoyed the snorkeling there. If you aren't planning to rent a car for your entire stay, I would recommend at least do it for a day or two and see the westend beaches. Big Knip is very beautiful. Have a great trip.