2 Best Hotels in Curaçao

The colorful four gabled buildings of this downtown Willemstad resort—in the historic Rif Fort amid an entertainment complex of high-end shops, restaurants, cinemas, and the large modern Carnival Casino—are painted in colors that mirror those of Punda across the harbor. Many rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows affording great harbor and oceans views, and some boast gorgeous bathrooms with whirlpool tubs. Lots of hotels have infinity pools, but the Renaissance has gone one step further: its second-floor, saltwater, manmade "infinity beach," complete with a bar, palm trees, and white-sand, allowing the whole pool area to blend visually with the real ocean beyond.

The grand old colonial-style estate of the historic Santa Barbara Plantation on Spanish Waters has been transformed into an incarnation of an adults-only, couples-focused Sandals resort. Though little is recognizable of the old property---save for the backdrop of the towering Table Mountain (Tafelberg) and the famous Old Quarry Golf Course right next door---it’s a whole new world with 8 restaurants, 13 bars, and a cute alfresco food truck court. There are 24 room categories to choose from, but two of them are firsts here: the super luxe Kurason Island Suites and the Awa Seaside Bungalows, both of which come with complimentary Mini Coopers to explore the island and their own butlers. Another first is the impressive split-level infinity pool spilling on to the sea. Round-trip transfers from the airport are complimentary. There is a seven-night minimum stay.