Affordable hotel with a quiet, laid-back ambiance
Unusual setting on a 17th-century plantation
Quality restaurant incorporates ingredients grown on-site
Tidy rooms -- some set in the historic plantation house
Large outdoor pool with wooden sundeck
Free Wi-Fi in restaurant
Free self-parking
Far from attractions, shops, and restaurants
Dated decor throughout
No TVs in rooms (pro for some)
Wi-Fi doesn’t reach all rooms
Landhuis Daniel is a quirky, two-pearl property located in the countryside outside Willemstad. The guesthouse’s seven rooms are old-fashioned and simple, with some set in the centuries-old plantation house found on the grounds. There’s a nice outdoor pool and a great restaurant, plus an interesting herb garden. On-site amenities are otherwise minimal and there’s nothing of interest within walking distance, making this property best suited to easy-going travelers with cars. Travelers interested in affordable accommodations closer to the action of Willemstad might want to compare rates with Hotel 't Klooster.
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Scene
Distinctive, older guesthouse where the rooms are secondary to the excellent restaurant
Landhuis Daniel is one of the oldest plantations on the island, dating back to around 1650. After being abandoned in the mid-20th century, it was converted into a guesthouse and restaurant by a Dutch expat in the early 1990s. Today, the property is comprised of a modest plantation house and a few side buildings that once served as slave quarters, most of which have been painted a bright yellow to complement their terra-cotta tiled roofs.
The grounds and interiors have a homey, cluttered look, with potted plants, books, and knickknacks covering every surface. The owners live on site and the boundaries between their space and the guest space is relaxed. Rooms are the epitome of no-frills, offering little more than a bed and a bathroom.
Popular with both locals and visitors, the on-site restaurant attracts plenty of non-guests and tends to overshadow the guesthouse -- it’s more common for people to stop here for a meal than to stop here for the night.
Location
Remote location on the road leading to Sabana Westpunt
Landhuis Daniel is set in an isolated area, midway between Willemstad and Sabana Westpunt (Westpoint). Aside from a few rural homes, there’s nothing within walking distance. The serene, countryside setting is ideal for guests looking for a tranquil, out-of-the-way escape away from the crowds, but it also means a car is essential. It’s a 30-minute drive south to the shops and nightlife of Willemstad and 30 minutes north to the little town of Westpoint, which is known for its fine snorkeling and diving. Curaçao International Airport can be reached in 10 minutes by car.
Rooms
Basic rooms with little apart from air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms
Guest rooms at Landhuis Daniel are simply decorated with older wooden and wicker furniture. Fabrics and artwork have an old-fashioned aesthetic and beds are made up with thin sheets. Rooms set in the plantation house have more character, featuring a few original details like vaulted ceilings. All rooms have air-conditioning, and the Wi-Fi signal reaches some rooms, but not others. Roomy wardrobes offer storage. Small bathrooms include shower stalls and round sinks with no counterspace. Towels and off-brand bars of soap are provided.
There are two apartments, which are located in a separate building adjacent to the main house. Each includes a large terrace with a dining table and a sofa. The outdoor kitchen at the center of the terrace is shared between the two apartments. It features a four-burner stovetop, a microwave, and a toaster, along with a few other appliances and an assortment of cutlery and dishes.
Features
Pleasant outdoor pool and top-notch restaurant
Landhuis Daniel’s lineup of on-site features is adequate for a budget property. There’s a big, rectangular pool surrounded by a hodgepodge of different chairs and loungers for seating. The pool is attractively framed by greenery, in addition to the crumbling remains of an old stone building. The wooden deck set to the side of the pool has a long, communal picnic bench.
The front terrace of the plantation house is home to an open-air restaurant. Like the rest of the property the restaurant’s decor is bare-bones, with mismatched tables and chairs, but its international menu is above-average. It has a lengthy wine list, and some dishes use herbs and veggies from the extensive gardens found on the property. There’s a casual lounge area in one corner of the restaurant, offering wicker sofas with soft, lumpy cushions.
The property also has an unvarnished playground with two wooden swings and a trampoline. Free Wi-Fi is available in the restaurant, with the signal also reaching some guest rooms. Free self-parking is offered on-site.
