desertbound

There is a promotional offer for a TWO BR suite for family of four for seven nights with admission to the aquarium for 1399. USD, I've never been to this island or stayed with Royal...Any information, insights would be helpful, considering going this october.....kids are six and four. we love the beach and to snorkel..

Jen

doug_stallings

Royal Resorts is a good timeshare company, but expect a hard-sell when you arrive, but you can always just say no. Sea Aquarium beach is good, though it's not a natural beach, but it's white sand. But this is a good location for you since you have kids, and the Royal resort is pretty good.

StanKase

While it is primarily a timeshare it operates as a resort. We stayed there 3 times as resort guests and paid between $200-$275 for the 2 bedroom beach front suite. We were approached once and asked if we were interested in a timeshare and we said no and that was that. Their attitude did not change from the pleasant one we received upon arrival and after our turn down 3 days later.
It is quite small. About 35 units kept in very good condition. With kids it is hit or miss. Of our 3 visits only on 1 did we see 4-5 children and 2 kids on one other visit. The furniture was in very good condition as late as Jan. 2006 and the kitchen we used for breakfast and several lunches and 1 dinner It was quite well equipped and roomy as was the dining room.
There are about 6-7 very good restaurants on the island but most are $30-$100, most are $50/person in the better ones but they have McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut within 3 miles of the resort and a lousy Chinese restaurant. The little dining room at the resort is not very good for breakfast or dinner I was told but lunch was pretty good.
The beach is quite nice but the GREAT snorkeling is 50 minutes away off the beach on the WEST END. i.e. Klien Knip, and Santa Cruz #1. There are 7-8 bays over 3-5 miles each with quiet nice natural beaches that are not crowded during the week and very good snorkeling for the adults along the boulders that form the bays. In our opinion it is now better than Bonaire, Virgin Gorda and many other islands in the Caribbean because the global warming has not bleached the coral and pollution from big ship letting out their discharge has not bleached the coral so there are still a lot of fish, sea anenomes in many colors but not a large variety of corals.It is a laid back island with a few sights to see. The aquarium is a teaching institute and while they offer shows several times a day it is NOT Sea World. It is a 1 hour visit. The other sights on the island can be done in 4-5 hours. Therefore, a rental car is a good idea for at least several days or longer (expensive, &300-$350/wk for mid-size) but it gives you ultimate flexibility. It is not a lush island like St. Lucia, St. John or Jamaica but it is more like Aruba or Cancun in terms of natural beauty but just the opposite in terms of honky tonk. Lastly, the Marriott about twice the price or more is much more up-scale with kids mostly in June-Sept. and holidays. If the children enjoy each others company then it is a good choice. You should know Sept and Oct. are their windy and rainy season.
It's worth going. search the Curacao thread for restaurant suggestions.

owa

desertbound, We are going end of October/early November. I just rented a car from National for $150/week. They are running a special. Pick-up is at the airport.

This will be our first time to Curacao, but that sounds like a more than decent price for a week. Especially now that Stan has chimed in with good comments. I purchased a Hilton stay on Hotwire, but have since read many negative reviews. I have already decided that if it is awful, awful, we will go elsewhere. Good luck, owa

desertbound

StanKase et al....thank you so very much......I will think about this one...

StanKase

owa; A sub ompact or compact with 30,0000 rental miles on it is risky that is why a go for a mid-sized for they usually have 1/2 that mileage. Also, the the locals drive a bit eratically. I got bumped at an intersection (damage about $800) and the driver just took off. I found out that is not unusual there and on a few other islands for insurance can get doubled.So, if you take out the full insurance at $15-$20/day that adds $80 -$125 on tothe $150. Most credit cards cover first $1000 if the driver stays until police arrive, but over the years this was the second time I had bump and run in the Caribbean.
The Hilton is right next to the Marriott but it is a bit tacky though I hear the rooms I hear are reasonably o'k. Desertbound or owa don't eat at the Portofino at the marriott. It is not good and well over-priced. in my opinion.

owa

Thanks for the tip, Stan. Sounds like the insurance would be a good investment!! Owa