curacao: marriott vs. kura hulanda

Old Feb 13th, 2005, 04:32 PM
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curacao: marriott vs. kura hulanda

My husband and I are visiting Curacao this May for just a week. We have narrowed our accomodations down to the Marriott or the Kura Hulanda. But they seem to be apples and oranges. Any recent recommendations as to where is the better of the two places to stay? We are interested in snorkeling, but also the history/culture of the area. And good food. We are from New Orleans, so we do not want a stereotypical big resort, American experience. Any suggestions?
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Old Feb 14th, 2005, 04:01 AM
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I was in Curacao in Nov 2003 and we split our time between the Kura and the Marriott. It was nice staying in town for a few nights, but if we had to do it again we would stay only at the Marriott. We prefer the beach location and the Marriott had just as good of service as the Kura. The Marriott also provides free shuttle service into town.

Hope this helps.

Nancy
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Old Feb 16th, 2005, 01:52 AM
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As you say, they're very different. I've never stayed in either, since we usually stay in an apartment, but I have visited both. The Kura Hulanda is a very interesting place, with excellent restaurants (Jaipur is our favorite), right in the middle of town. The Marriott is more a classic Caribbean resort hotel; excellent service and food there as well.

Kura Hulanda is in Otrabanda; the pretty seafront of Willemstad, that you always see in pictures, is on the other side of the water; there's a pontoon bridge or ferry, when the pontoon is open to let ships through.
In the Kura Hulanda, you are quite close to the oil refinery.

I noticed while driving around the island in January that Kura Hulanda have a beachclub on Westpunt; very pretty, but quite a drive along not so good roads (45 minutes I think).

Only you can decide which you prefer! Kura Hulanda is definitely not a stereotypical resort.
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Old Mar 1st, 2005, 06:31 PM
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i'm aching over the same decision for june, my coworked has been down twice and said he loved the marriot. he also said that kura hulanda looks gorgeous. he recommended me staying their if i wanted a more romantic feeling. but he loves the marriot.

how are you looking for accomidations packages? finding any good deals?

i'm using applevacations.com and other sites like orbitz and expedia.

also, tulips, what is it like getting an apartment there?
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Old Mar 1st, 2005, 11:17 PM
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bradykp; we had an apartment at Beau Rivage, right next to the Avila Beach hotel. There are no hotel facilities there, but Avila is right next door. It's a residential building, where some residents let their apartments. There is a pool, and it's right on the beach. The apartments are beautiful, modern, nicely furnished. We rented through friends who live there, but if you search for Beau Rivage, Penstraat, Curacao, I'm sure you'll find something. For us, with three children, this is a far better option than a hotel.
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Old Mar 2nd, 2005, 01:24 PM
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bradykp,
We decided to go with the Marriott because we found what I think is a fabulous deal. We are going the last week in May and the qouted rate at lowestfare.com was $129 per night for a resort view room. The rate on the Marriott webpage was $135 per night. However, Marriott will match any lower published rate, plus an additional 25% off. So the final rate for a resort view room booked through www.marriott.com was $95/night. That rate made the decision between the Marriott and the Kura much easier. Plus, I too have a coworker who has stayed at the Marriott many times and strongly recommends it.
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Old Mar 3rd, 2005, 06:40 AM
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bradykp,
I booked our flight with Travelocity. American had a Caribbean sale recently. Travelocity had the best rate (even after calling American).
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Old Mar 3rd, 2005, 06:57 AM
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Have seen both - Marriot is a very nice beach resort location - Room were typical - needed updating in my opinion. But they were clean. Kura Hulanda is a boutique hotel - rooms were nice - romantic feeling - but a bit on the dark side - Nice bathrooms. Kura Hulanda is an interesting place to walk around - it is more an adult-couple place. Marriot is a resort.If you can split your time between both - at Kura you will be closer to town. I thought Curacao was charming.
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Old Mar 3rd, 2005, 12:28 PM
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Personally, we loved the Kura Hulanda. It was like nothing we have ever experienced in a hotel. It is very romantic, definitely more geared to adults and low key. The rooms are dark, as the furniture is all hand carved mahogany, dark wood floors, etc., but the atmosphere wonderful and very private. The bathrooms are very luxurious and done in marble. Although you are located in the town once you walk through the gates and hear the classical music piped in through the grounds you feel like you are in another world. We did not stay at the Marriott, but visited the beach at the Hilton (You get use of their beach) which is next to the Marriott. It looked like a nice resort but it is a resort like any other. It all depends on what type of vacation you are looking for. Check out Trip Advisor for reviews on both hotels.

Good Luck
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