Otrobanda Hotel and Casino

Otrobanda Hotel and Casino makes a promising first impression, with its unmissable blue façade mirroring the pastel-colored buildings lined along the opposite side of the harbor. Inside, however, the facilities are modest. The main entrance doors bring you into an empty alcove, from where you need to take the stairs or the elevator up to reach the actual lobby. Most of the hotel is neat and modern (although some of the hallways have dated carpeting), but the decor doesn’t gel together and manages to look kind of spartan.The restaurant attracts a fair number of non-guests thanks to its beautiful harbor views, and the ambiance here can get buzzing -- particularly when there’s an event taking place in the square below. Otherwise the vibe is quiet and guests tend to keep to themselves. The hotel is a popular choice for business travelers and cruise ship staff on break.

Otrobanda Hotel is set in the heart of Willemstad, overlooking Santa Anna Bay and the historic Punda district. It’s right across from Brionplein, a scenic square where public celebrations and events like Carnival often take place. Dining options found within walking distance range from chains like Pizza Hut and Subway to local fare. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the many shops and restaurants found at Renaissance Mall and the Renaissance Rif Fort. Beaches are more far-flung, with Avila Beach and Mambo (Seaquarium) Beach both found around a 15-minute drive away. Curaçao International Airport can be reached in about 20 minutes by car. 

Guest rooms at Otrobanda Hotel are relatively modern, but the decor isn’t well coordinated -- older navy blue bed runners and curtains are paired with pink, orange, or teal furniture. Walls are white and unadorned except for vivid, patterned accent walls that, again, don’t match anything else in the room. Beds are fitted with thin white sheets and there are no duvets. Standard room categories are quite small, and most have single or double beds and work desks. These rooms also tend to have dated, noisy air-conditioning units. Suites raise the bar with king-size beds and small sitting areas with sofa beds. Upper-category rooms also have quieter central-air systems and Junior Suites and Suites have full-size fridges. All rooms include wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Basic Rooms face toward walls, offering literally no views. City View Rooms have nice views of Otrobanda’s main square, and all upper-level room categories feature full or partial views of Santa Anna Bay. Connecting rooms and rollaway beds are available upon request.Practical bathrooms have round sinks, wall-mounted hairdryers, and showers with plastic sliding doors. Off-brand bath products are provided, along with a pump bottle of combined shampoo and body wash in the shower. 

Otrobanda Hotel’s small lineup of on-site features includes a lovely pool. Surrounded by a tiled deck and a handful of loungers, the pool area is framed by the hotel’s bold blue façade, enhancing its attractiveness. The harbor is partially visible over the low wall that borders the pool. The pool is overlooked by the hotel’s restaurant, La Bahia Seafood and Steakhouse, which is set on an airy sheltered terrace. While the restaurant’s no-frills decor doesn’t exactly wow, the views over Santa Anna Bay are gorgeous. It’s a great spot for people-watching, admiring the historic buildings lining the harbor front, and seeing the Queen Emma Bridge swing open to allow ships to pass. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant gets mixed reviews from diners for its food (and guests should expect to pay for breakfast). Room service is available during the restaurant’s opening hours. The hotel is home to a massive casino with 200 slot machines and a few table games that include roulette and black jack. Free parking is available in a lot in front of the property and free Wi-Fi is offered throughout.