Kura Hulanda Lodge & Beach Club (All Inclusive)

The Kura Hulanda Lodge & Beach Club shares its name with its sister property in the town of Willemstad, the Kura Hulanda Village, though the two hotels are like night and day in terms of style. The Village is known for it’s rich history and culture, featuring restored 18th-century buildings in the Dutch colonial architectural style and a popular history museum. But over at the Lodge, the atmosphere is all about the island life, with a beach-centric atmosphere -- breezy, laid-back, eco-friendly, and Caribbean. There are thatched roofs for many of the buildings, and Bob Marley tunes drift through the air on the ocean breezes.One place where you might see a connection between the two properties is in the lobby, an airy space with soaring ceilings that has a large collection of anthropological artifacts and seashells on display. You might also notice that there are many hand-carved sculptures made by local artists peppered around the grounds of the Lodge -- similar to those in the sculpture gardens at the Village. The thing that stands out most about the Lodge is the natural setting -- the resort begins in a jungle-like, forested setting with many tropical trees and continues down over a rocky cliff, down a set of steep stairs to reach a serene natural beach, surrounded by calm, shallow waters. This upper-mid-range resort offers a range of activities for kids and families, though it’s well suited for guests of all ages. The evenings are quiet here, as it's far removed from the action of Willemstad and Mambo Beach. Those seeking nightlife should look for places near town.

The Kura Hulanda Lodge is located in Sabana Westpunt (known as Westpoint), a small town on the very northwestern tip of Curacao. This part of the island is known for its natural beauty and great scuba diving spots. The hotel is situated on a small beach in a calm bay with shallow crystal-clear waters that stretch out to the open sea.The Westpunt area is very quiet and secluded, and there are only a handful of restaurants and accommodations here. It is about a 45-minute drive from the bustling, historic town of Willemstad, and it feels miles away -- not much nightlife can be found in Westpunt. The hotel offers a free shuttle back and forth to its other property, the Kura Hulanda Village, which is in the middle of town. It’s about a 35-minute drive from the Lodge to the airport.

The hotel’s 98 rooms and suites are divided into three sections: the oceanfront rooms along the coast, the eco-lodge area set in a natural forest, and the poolside suites. Each area has a slightly different personality. The oceanfront suites take advantage of the hotel’s location with great views of the water. The rooms on the eco-lodge side of the resort are tiny but efficient, with doors that open to create an airy indoor-outdoor living space. Nature-lovers will enjoy the many local birds, iguanas, and other wildlife that are your neighbors here.The one-bedroom poolside suites are in the newest section of the hotel, a collection of hexagonal buildings set around a large pool. The suites include spacious living rooms, updated bathrooms, and contemporary decor in breezy yellow and green tones.In general, all rooms have contemporary wicker furniture, but the furnishings look dated and due for refurbishment. For example, some rooms have tube TVs and old clock radios. All rooms include a deck or patio with outdoor seating, and the oceanfront rooms have a private garden area with lounge chairs. Many of the suites include a small kitchenette, hidden in a large cabinet, that includes a toaster, microwave, mini-fridge and a two-burner stovetop. Bathrooms are bright and clean, and some rooms also have an outdoor shower.Like its sister property in town, the historic Kura Hulanda Village, the rooms are decorated with antique accessories, such as delicate Chinese pottery and artwork. Free Wi-Fi is available in the common areas of the hotel, and some oceanfront suites have access, but not all of the rooms receive a Wi-Fi signal.

The highlight of the resort is the small, peaceful beach. There are steep, concrete steps leading down the coral cliffs to the gorgeous golden sand. While most of the resorts on Curacao have man-made beaches, this slightly windswept natural beach feels like a real tropical hideaway. Several lounge chairs and umbrellas are provided, as well as palm trees for shade. The water is calm, crystal, and blue.One of the hotel’s three restaurants, the Kalki Beach Bar & Grill, sits on the beach and serves casual lunchtime fare. Next to the colorful beachfront cafe, there is a dive shop, and water sports are available. The other two restaurants are in the main resort area just beyond the lobby, next to the poolside bar. The main dining option is the Watamula Restaurant, which serves international dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Christoffel Terrace serves dinner and has romantic views.There are two large pools at the resort. The free-form main pool has a small waterfall, loungers, and plenty of shade; it’s very kid-friendly. The second pool is on the quiet side of the property, next to a cluster of buildings known as the poolside suites. There is a large fitness center with Cybex equipment, as well as tennis and an outdoor playground for kids. There is no spa on the property, but there’s a small outdoor massage pavilion. The resort has meeting rooms and banquet facilities. There is also a free shuttle to town that runs twice a day.