E M City Hotel

There’s no denying that E M City Hotel has a great location -- in fact, it’s the only hotel in the city with straight-on views of the Queen Emma Bridge and the scenic Punda district. Formerly a Howard Johnson property, E M City Hotel has been under independent management since March 2016, and it's slated to undergo a full-scale renovation through 2017 and 2018. Some rooms had already been renovated with brighter decor during our visit, but the rest of the hotel was showing clear signs of age. 

A run-down parking lot and bland entrance give way to a run-of-the-mill lobby. Guest rooms are accessed via dark hallways and a clunky, old elevator. Not surprisingly considering the sparse amenities found on-site, guests don’t tend to hang around during the day, with interactions generally limited to passing one another in the hallway. 

E M City Hotel has an outstanding location within walking distance of most of the city’s top attractions. The hotel opens directly onto Brionplein, a picturesque waterfront square that’s frequently the site of public celebrations, including Carnival. While there’s no restaurant on-site, chains like KFC and Pizza Hut are found directly out front, as well as numerous local dining options. Renaissance Mall and the Renaissance Rif Fort, a popular shopping and dining destination, is also less than a five-minute walk away. The nearest beach is Mambo (Seaquarium) Beach, which is around a 15-minute drive away. Curacao International Airport can be reached in about a 20-minute drive.  

Guest rooms at E M City Hotel are spartan and generally tidy, but not immaculately clean. The decor is dated in most rooms -- think lifeless brown color palettes, generic artwork, and old-fashioned furniture. Some rooms have faded carpeting, while others have tile floors. Renovated suites are more cheerful and feature colorful fabrics, but the decor still has a low-cost look. 

Most rooms feature flat-screen TVs, but some still have tube TVs, and the Wi-Fi signal doesn’t reach all rooms. Work desks are standard, while mini-fridges can be rented for a fee. Irons and kettles are also available, but guests need to pay a deposit for them. Bathrooms are standard size but equally plain, with shower/tub combos and older fixtures. Most have wall-mounted hairdryers, as well as magnifying mirrors, and some include bidets. Pump bottles of shower gel and off-brand bars of soap are provided. 

Almost all rooms offer wonderful views of the Santa Anna Bay, or partial views of the bay along with the Queen Juliana Bridge -- the remainder overlook the parking lot. Some rooms have unfurnished balconies. Suites add sofa beds, while Presidential Suites include large separate living areas and some also feature additional half bathrooms. 

E M City Hotel’s modest array of on-site features includes a medium-sized outdoor pool. Set in a courtyard surrounded by colorful building facades and greenery, it’s one of the more attractive areas of the property. There’s also a 1,500-square-foot casino adjacent to the hotel, and a rental car desk located in the lobby. A parking lot in front of the hotel offers a limited number of free spots. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby, pool area, and hallways. There are also a handful of vending machines located near the pool and in the lobby. The property provides coupons for several nearby restaurants, including a Subway and La Bahia Seafood and Steakhouse at the nearby Otrobanda Hotel and Casino.