My boyfriend and I spent the second week in January at the Marriott Curacao and loved it! The resort is beautiful (just like the pictures), the staff was very friendly and helpful, and the island itself is very cool. We did the all-inclusive option and were very glad we did, even though we only ate dinner there three of the seven nights. Breakfast alone was almost $40 for two, (and you want to get the buffet because it takes forever to order off the menu), lunch with a couple of beers was also close to $40, and if you get any drinks it adds up to quite a bit. Also, the inclusive package pays for room taxes, which can add up to $40 a day. So when it all shakes out, we felt it was definitly the way to go. We had no complaints about the food there, breakfast was always great, lunch at the beach bar was good, but without a lot of variety. You could have lunch at the deli, which was good, but you weren't supposed to go up there with swim wear. Dinner at Portofino was tasty and okay for one or two nights, and the theme night buffets were fun.

Our room was on the west side of the resort, which was great; away from the public beach and close to the great snorkeling (also included in the package). We had a small fridge in the room, but it wasn't very cold. I would be afraid to put anything perishable in it, but it was good for soft drinks. We only had trouble getting a tiki hut on the beach one day, and we often didn't get out there until after 11. There were plenty of lounge chairs, and with the partly cloudy skies it wasn't a problem. They do not let the locals on the beach like at Breezes. We never had any problems with mosquitos at the resort because it had dried out from the rainy months, but when we went to town and visited the Kura Hulanda(very nice) we were eaten alive.

We had great meals while we were there, the best being at Astrolab at the Kura Hulanda (not the fastest, but the best). We also tried Sjalotte(sp?) which is right across the street from the resort. The food and service were good, but I had lobster, and I bet it was no more than 1-2 oz. of meat, no lie. I didn't have to worry about gaining weight there! We also ate at Hook's Hut, which had good food in a fun atmosphere (make reservations for a beach table), and at Gouveneur and Jaanchie's. Jaanchie's is in Westpunt, so you'll need a car to get there, but it's a great place to get a little local flavor for the adventurous. Try the iguana- it's pretty good! Go for lunch and watch the birds, but I hear they have a problem with bats at night.

The island itself is pretty neat, rent a car and explore the beaches, and go to town for shopping. We didn't have a single person beg us for any money, or hound us to buy something. I liked the fact that Curacao is not overly "touristy", there is still a lot of local flavor without endless resorts and high rises. Overall, I would highly recommend the Marriott and Curacao!

My wife and I stayed 10 days over Christmas and New Years 1999-2000 with our two children, boy aged 16 and girl aged 14 at the time.

We have traveled throughout the world and have stayed at some of the world's finest hotels ... and I can tell you that there are not many that match the comfort, food, level of service and relaxation that we experienced at the Marriott Curacao Beach Resort and Emerald Casino!

We have been away nearly each Christmas since ... 10 day cruise, Key West, Naples, Orlando, et cetera ... but there has been no match! Next Christmas I plan on booking for my extended family.

See you there!

Weston, MA

We are just back from 10 days and have decided Curacao will be our annual holiday retreat. The service at the Marriott was far superior to other big name resorts we've stayed at over the years. If you just need a place to "decompress" as we did, this is a great spot to do it.
Nice beach (though man-made) with good snorkeling and a well designed pool where you can carve out your own little space.
Dining on site is somewhat limited at the Marriott but the food was all good and there were several theme nights (pasta, mexican, Sunday brunch) and the Voila Deli was very handy for snacks, drinks, coffee but expensive. Next time we will stop at a super market for things like water and snacks. There are empty mini-fridges in the room so you can keep stuff cold.
Definetly take bug spray. The mosquitos are killer when the sun goes down and are even worse right after they spray, which they do almost daily, as it stirs them up.
The spa is very nice - had 2 good massages. Casino is small but seemed lively. Various types of live music at night by the Seebreeze Bar at the pool. Martis is THE MAN at the Seebreeze!
Room service is fairly quick and good and resasonable. Kids meal was $10US for 3 courses that would feed 2 adults (and did).
There is also car rentals on site if you want to explore the island.
We went to the Aquarium, Ostrich Farm and downtown but mostly hung out at the pool and beach.
Overall, if you want a place to relax with great service I would highly recommend the Marriott.

My husband and I and another couple from Maryland stayed at the Marriott - Curacao - from December 2 til December 10 - let me tell you I could have stayed much longer!! It was our second trip and our friends first - they loved it! It is a quiet - secluded resort with fantastic on site amenities and the employees went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable. We went on an all inclusive plan (all breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks/drinks and tips included - order ala carte or buffet). You didn't have to wear any arm bands or identity markers - just sign your name and room number. The pool is as warm as the ocean - which is just like bath water - and the snorkeling superb. We took a day and went to Porto Mari beach and enjoyed the white sands and snorkeling there also. It is only about 30-40 minutes from the hotel and has beach chairs - snorkel and dive gear - restaurant and bar. Snorkeling was different - you were able to go under the rocks and it gave you the sensation you were entering a cave. The hotel restaurants were all delicious and never had a bad meal - varied menus and theme nights with quite a variety of choices. Hook's Hut - just a 5 minute walk from the hotel - is also a great beach restaurant. We also went to the Dolphin Academy and swam with the dolphins - what a thrilling sensation - they were spectacular! The employees - especially Martis at the Seabreeze Pool Bar - were very polite and accommodating. The spa at the hotel has the best message therapist I have ever been to - I highly recommed her - Migdalia!! - very experienced and knowledgeable. The mosquitos were bad some nights but they came through and sprayed every evening and morning. December is the rainy season - usually 10-15 minutes of rain and the sun is back out - reminds me of Hawaii where it rains everyday. Avoid Miami airport if possible - what a zoo! Had a wonderful time with great memories and friends to cherish it with. Would go again in a heartbeat.