We just returned from our vacation at Lodge Kura Hulanda. We had a wonderful time, as always for us. The weather was perfect; most days there was a breeze at the beach or pool so we did not get too hot, although the sun was strong. The lodge itself was beautiful. It had more of a Caribbean feel than some larger AI resorts...less "touristy". There were many round, thatched roof areas, and nice plants around the pool and restaurant areas that were very well attended to.

During the 45 minute drive from the airport, we saw a lot of open dry land and very few houses all alone amongst the cactus, a few markets, and many many goats. This part of the island was not attractive, and we were beginning to doubt our choice. We passed Christoffel park, and another place where there are turtles....perhaps good for families to visit.
Once we arrived, we were immediately greeted, given a glass of punch, and shown to our room. For this trip we chose the garden view room because we are never in our room, which was true this time too. However, for the first time, we regretted that choice. Located away from the main complex, the garden area was new, but it will take some time to grow into really being called a garden. This "eco area" as it was called, consisted of little houses with 3 rooms...2 down and 1 upstairs. The upper level appeared nicer. Our room was very small. One king bed, 1 chair, a small table, ....not much space to put our suitcases. The bathroom was very tiny but efficient, and, since it was new, the fixtures were nice.

The beach was quite small with 6 palapas and we had no trouble getting one especially mid week. Wednesday and Thursday there were no more than 10 people on the beach, and no one at all in the pool in the afternoon. It was very peaceful, a little too peaceful for us, not even music playing during the day. The beach was 42 steps down...2 flights, and being that my husband has a bad knee, this was not ideal, and there was no railing. Also, reports of a lot of coral in the water, is an understatement...here at home, we would call it rocks or even boulders in some areas. I tripped and have a nasty cut which I need to have checked out. We had water shoes, but the ground was not level. But I truly loved the water anyway. Clear and warm....and the view was so peaceful and relaxing. On the weekend there were a few children playing, with difficulty, in the water.
Water shoes were available in adult sizes for $25 in the gift shop, and we were glad we had our $5 Wal-Mart version! This is not a beach for flip flops or Tevas in the water. Snorkeling was good right off the beach. I saw lots of bright blue fish and yellow and black striped, and others...none more than 12 inches, which is fine for me! Others said farther out,there were more to be seen. There were dive excursions leaving from the pier at this beach too....fun to watch them suit up and take off.

Although not my Caribbean activity of choice, the pool was very nice, and enjoyable in the late afternoons after baking on the beach all day.....we had it completely to ourselves for 3 of the days.

At night it was always breezy...I gave up combing my hair.
There was absolutely nothing to do at the resort in the evening except eat and drink. (I gained 4 pounds)...An island CD was played in the Christoffel bar in the evening for which we were glad, and twice we ordered our dinner to be served there...no one else was in there even though it was the weekend. We got up spontaneously to dance and the bartender cheered....We did not want to travel into town, but probably should have, to do some local bar hopping and night life.

We chose the AI option, (mainly because we wanted to lounge all day and eat and drink to our heart's content. )But even with the wrist band, you still have to sign a tab because there are those who are not AI, and also visitors from other hotels. The resort has 3 restaurants. Our favorite was the Kalki Beach Grill right on the beach open from 11 to 6. There were about 15 offerings, all reasonably priced. (Crab salad...$8.50, Guacamole and Chips...$5, Seafood Ceviche...$7.25, Fish fingers...$5.50, and a few other things including hamburgers, which were a little dry. ) We sat on the terrace there part of the time, and ate under the palapa in our "spot" as well. Food/drink was often delivered to us.
When we left the beach and went up to the pool, we enjoyed other food choices. Poolside, we ordered from the Christoffel Sunset Restaurant. Before 6PM there were sandwiches and other things. Our bill there (around 4 pm) would have been about $50 to $80 which included 4 to 6 drinks and sandwiches. Hamburgers were $9 and a sandwich was $6 to $7.50. The bill always had a 12% service charge and tax added.
For dinner we enjoyed the Christoffel Sunset Restaurant more than the Watamula Restaurant....but several nights we sat in an enclosed round building near the Christoffel Bar and actually ordered off both menus. The Tempura shrimp listed as an appetizer was excellent and I ordered a double round of that. The "Simply Made" (ham and pineapple) pizza was also delicious, and there were 5 or 6 other pizza choices. Once night we ordered steak and fries but we thought it was dry as was the snapper.
The breakfast buffet was $15 if you did not have AI, and included made to order eggs, pancakes, fruit, muffins, etc.
There was also an evening outdoor Island Buffet one night ($25 for non AI)....with great jerk chicken and lots of other things, roasted veggies, pumpkin soup, etc. and a Calypso buffet one afternoon. Both times, you could still order a la carte from the restaurants instead.
All in all, I would say there were enough food choices to satisfy us, but nothing to rave about.
We did venture to Jaanchies which was nearby, but we were not overly impressed, but tried a local dish. Although you might be able to walk there, we did not...it was a good distance.
One thing that was interesting, unless you asked for alcohol, the daiquiris, margaritas, etc. were virgin...it took us a day to figure that out and get all the bartenders on board with us. Also, if you do not specify which brand of liquor, they might put a premium brand in your drink, and then, unbeknownst to you, charge extra. The bartenders did not know which drinks were included, so a visit to the front desk was needed to straighten that out. For me, I cannot tell if I am drinking Grey Goose vodka or Smirnoff, in my Bloody Mary, and certainly not which brand of rum in my daiquiris. Drink prices were very reasonable for non AI guests.... $7.25 for margaritas, pina coladas, and $5 without liquor in them, and a coke was $1.75. The bartenders were all really really great and the service was quite good in the restaurants. The girls working there were very friendly and nice to talk to.


So, this vacation was all about us being together and enjoying good conversation with each other. It was a great vacation, but not what we are used to....we are not dead yet! Admittedly, we could have done more, but since we had only 5 days, we did not explore the island, choosing instead to devote all our time to the beach.....and the trip to town was 45 minutes, so,....... perhaps regretfully, we did not go....to bring back any great treasures! And, while admitting things, I confess I'm a total beach bum when on vacation and don't often plan my days more than what book I'm putting in my beach bag and what island drink I'll sample that day.

We had a great time, but will probably only return for maybe a 3 day escape. After 5 days we were ready to leave. We loved the feel of the resort, and there are beautiful spots where I can picture lovely wedding settings, and great spots for a band or DJ to set up, areas where there could be games, but the resort is advertising itself as a peace and quiet type of place....and that it truly is.

Back home now, it is pouring rain. The dog wants me to hold an umbrella for her, and I am truly missing the perfect Curacao weather.