BijBlauw

Many hotels today throw out the designation “boutique” to indicate a cozy, intimate setting with a unique personality, but the BijBlauw really deserves this label. With just nine rooms, and a lot of character and style, a more intimate setting would be hard to find. The name “Bij Blauw” means “By Blue” in Dutch, referring to the vibrant aqua and sky-blue hues of the Caribbean ocean and sky, both easily appreciated from the hotel's waterfront perch.

Opened December 2013, this upper-middle-range property is at once urban, hip, and charming – like something you might expect in a trendy neighborhood of a European city. The buildings of the hotel are made of old, renovated Dutch mansions from the late 1800s. The buildings were beautifully restored in the colonial style, consistent with the historic areas of Willemstad. Because this area is a historical district, the hotel owners were not permitted to knock down walls or change certain aspects of the building, meaning that some of the rooms are small and hallways seem cramped -- but this adds to the overall charm.

Two buildings of BijBlauw that face out onto Pietermaai Street are painted in vivid shades of green and yellow. The small, warm lobby has colorful art and a large, interesting unfinished wood table. The decor of the hotel includes some industrial touches, like the recycled wood pallet tables and the stark lighting fixtures. The guests are largely international, with a big Dutch contingent, and tend to be young and hip. The hotel has live entertainment a few nights a week.

BijBlauw is located in a part of Willemstad, the colorful capital of Curacao, known as the Pietermaai District. The Pietermaai area used to be run-down and vacant, but in recent years many of the old historic buildings have been restored. The neighborhood is now known for chic boutiques and an artsy vibe -- some locals even liken it to the Soho of Willemstad. It feels at once authentic, rustic, and hip.

The hotel is situated on the south edge of town, a 10-minute walk from the popular Queen Emma bridge that marks the center of Punda, a UNESCO World Heritage-designated historic area. The property is not located near a beach, though guests could walk to the nearby Avila Hotel and access the beach there (day passes and towels are offered for a small fee) or take a bus or taxi to another beach in the area. The hotel offers a free shuttle service for guests at the Avila Hotel to get to and from the BijBlauw restaurant, as even though it is less than a 10-minute walk away, parts of the neighborhood can be dodgy late at night. It’s about a 20-minute drive to the airport.

Each of the nine rooms at BijBlauw is decorated with a unique look, but all of them share a posh, urban style and rustic, beachy details. For example, one room features elegant dark red walls while another includes a heart made of driftwood branches and natural woven fabrics in neutral tones. The hotel is rather forthcoming about the size of the rooms, the smallest of which they title the Cozy Small Rooms.

There is one apartment, featuring two bedrooms, a spacious, open kitchen-living room area, and a private deck with ocean views. The Seaside Rendevous is the largest of the individual rooms, and includes an excellent outdoor dining area on a large terrace perched over the sea.  All of the nine rooms have Nespresso coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs. The bathrooms are tiny, but all are updated with modern fixtures and rainfall showerheads.

The BijBlauw Restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serves fresh, modern dishes that they describe as “urban fusion” cuisine. The open-air restaurant has tables that line up down to the edge of the sea. Reservations are recommended for dinner, while breakfast is a more casual affair.

The tiny pool that runs along one side of the restaurant that seems like it’s more there for show, akin to a fountain or water feature, than for actual swimming -- though on a hot day one could go for a quick dip.  One special feature of the hotel is the boutique store next to the lobby filled with trendy items imported from Holland. The designer clothes, accessories, and home decor items match the very earthy, natural style of the hotel itself. There is free Wi-Fi throughout.