Holiday Beach Hotel and Casino

The Holiday Beach Resort and Casino is a large 200-room hotel on a lovely man-made beach cove just north of town. The property has been around for about 30 years and is one of the older hotels on Curacao. From the parking lot, the buildings are brightly painted and look relatively new, but inside the paint is faded in many places and the musty hallways look like they haven’t been updated in years.

The large, dim lobby offers classic hospitality-style furniture and many seating areas, as well as a nice convenience store. Beyond the lobby, the two wings of the hotel containing the guest rooms are where the property’s age and lack of updates become quite apparent. The scene outside, however, is pleasant with nice green grass and foliage, and the grounds are well-maintained, especially around the big, lovely pool. The beachfront is another highlight -- a long strip of golden sand curves around a calm, man-made cove. There are great views from the beach and jetty, though a nearby desalination plant can be seen in the distance.

The overall atmosphere is casual and relaxed. The family-friendly resort offers a variety of sports and games, such as tennis, basketball, billiards and a small outdoor playground for kids. For a budget option, the Holiday Beach Resort and Casino does offer potential value, especially for those planning to spend more time at the nice pool and spacious beach, and less time in the dated rooms.

The Holiday Beach Resort and Casino is located on the southwest coast of the small island of Curacao, just north of the capital Willemstad. It's situated on a small protected cove, created to ensure calm water for swimming along the hotel's serene man-made beach. 

It's about a 15-minute walk from the hotel to Otrobanda, which is half of the historic district of town. There, travelers will find dining and shopping at the Rif Fort, an old fort that's been converted to a modern outdoor mall. A few blocks farther is the picturesque Queen Emma bridge, which connects to Punda, the other half of the touristy downtown area. From the resort, it's only about a 15-minute car or taxi ride to the airport.

The 200 guest rooms are bright and spacious, with big windows that allow plenty of sunlight to pour in -- but the furnishings are dated and showing some wear and tear. Look closely, for example, and you may notice rusted lamp shades and stained tile. The decor is sparse, featuring a mix of light woods and wicker pieces, with lots of white and soft colors such as pastel blue. There are a few new touches here and there, such as the comfortable bedding. There are just four Superior Rooms at the hotel, which have slightly updated bathrooms and furnishings.

All rooms have flat-screen TVs, clock radios, and mini-fridges, but there are no coffee and tea facilities. The bathrooms are clean but basic, and like most of the hotel, could use an update -- especially the mirrors and hardware. All of the rooms have sliding glass doors that open to a nice deck or balcony, some with great ocean views. Wi-Fi is available for an extra daily fee.

The resort centers around a nice, large pool with several plastic lounge chairs around the perimeter, and shade provided by large umbrellas. Beyond the pool there is a seldom-used dance floor area with a tiki-style roof. Peer through it and you will glimpse the ocean and the beach -- another highlight of the property. The long, spacious beach is generally peaceful and serene, though games and activities are available close by. There are plenty of plastic lounge chairs, though they are a bit worn, and the shady spots fill up quickly. Games around the beach include a pool table, darts, tennis, a basketball court, and volleyball. There’s a small outdoor playground for kids and a dive shop on-site.

In the middle of the beach sits a small, open-air hut for massages and spa treatments. There is a small, dark fitness center, though many of the machines are old and could use an update. A few different sized meeting rooms can be used and a ballroom is available for bigger events. A big well-equipped gift shop in the lobby sells snacks, sunscreen, toiletries (offerings in the rooms are scant), and souvenirs.

There is a large casino with several rooms containing video poker and slot machines, a variety of table games, sports betting and a small snack bar. The casino is very popular with locals and the parking lot fills up most days with patrons. Connected to the Casino is a bar and lounge called the V Bar, which is used for parties and has a large stage and dance floor.

Next to the casino, there’s a Denny's which is operated by the hotel. It’s open 24 hours and is a popular spot with locals, even into the wee hours of the night. The other dining option at the hotel is the Lucky Beach Bar and Grill, located steps from the water. The tables and chairs here are due for updates. The bar and grill serves a typical buffet-style breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner from a limited international menu.