Travel: 6 Curaçao hotels for every taste and budget

I'm back with another installment in my Curaçao series - today I'll be telling you about the coolest hotels and resorts we came across on the island, the ones that would be first on my list of recommendations. The island boasts a wide range of hotels, bed&breakfasts, Airbnb's and resorts in basically every price range. I'll discuss a number  of different options, describing what needs every location might suit! Since these options are so diverse, I'm listing them in no particular order.

First, if you're looking for authenticity and a central (city) location: Kura Hulanda Village and Spa.

Kura Hulanda is a colorful little vilage of guest lodgings in Otrobanda, a short walk from the bridge to Willemstad center, including a lovely museum on the (slavery related) history of Curaçao. This place is teeming with murals and public art, and also has a gorgeous little pool surrounded by tropical plants, and its own beach.

A downside here is that the property is currently between owners, which means that its maintenance is a bit dodgy at the moment, which explains the mixed reviews you can find online. However, this also means that there are absolute deals to be had if you don't mind taking a bit of an informed risk. The location and the cultural history here still strongly drew me to this hotel. Kura Hulanda also has lodgings in another location, right on the stunning Playa Kalki beaches at the island's West point - also a lovely option, but much quieter and all-in resort style.

Second on my list, if you want beaches, bars and more of a party vibe, try the Lion's Dive.

This hotel is just outside of Willemstad, but only a short drive. It's right next to Curaçao's Seaquarium which lets you swim with dolphins, and more importantly, its rooms are right along Mambo beach, which is basically a beach with a number of super fun beach bars, beach beds and restaurants. I loved the vibe here, and this is a perfect place to watch the sunset while enjoying a cocktail.

Third on my list, a place I didn't have the chance to actually photograph but still want to mention: the Bed and Bike in Pietermaai. 

This is the place to check out if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option that is still super trendy. The Bed and Bike hostel does not have a pool, but its set in what is without a doubt the most funky, cool neighborhood of Willemstad: Pietermaai. And the place offers bikes so you can get around Willemstad without needing a rental car. When we passed here, we saw a lot of cool young people hanging around, so this also seems like the perfect spot to meet people and make new friends.

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Next up, the place we actually stayed at: the Curaçao Renaissance resort and casino. 

In all honesty, this is not a hotel that I would be drawn to at first glance, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself here. The hotel is well maintained, the staff is so friendly, the artificial beach/infinity pool area is absolutely stunning and offers gorgeous views on the enormous cruise ships that pass by frequently, you're about 5 minutes on foot from Willemstad center, and the area is super safe. Also, great water pressure in the bathrooms.

Next, for all of you who love golf, nature and luxury: the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf resort.

If you make your way to the South-East of Curaçao, you pass the Spaanse Water (Spanish Waters): a gorgeous bay lined with ridiculously expensive villas, near the island's very own Tafelberg (Table Mountain). This creates a stunning natural landscape, which happens to be the home to the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf resort.

This is by no means a cheap destination, but when you come here you get amazing bang for your buck: natural beauty, quiet, the most scenic golf courses, gorgeous pools with very few kids around (always a plus for me), and a long stretch of white sandy beaches that offer plenty of shade, and the prettiest views. When you're having a bite at the Splash café you can see pelicans diving for fish in the bay nearby. Doesn't get much better than that. So if you don't have your mind set on staying in the city, and have cash to spare, do spend it here!

Finally, Oasis Coral Estate Beach, Dive and Wellness resort.

This is where we spent our last evening, watching the most gorgeous sunset we experienced on the island. More towards the North-West side of the island, meaning its quieter, more undeveloped region, and set in a large gated community of rolling hills lined with state of the art modern architectural villas reminiscent of the California coastline. Apparently, Oprah rents property from time to time. The Coral Estate resort offers the choice of either rooms or private little villas, everything immaculately new and modern.

Apparently the place is still looking to find its commercial stride, meaning there's deals to be had when they don't succeed in booking enough rooms. Despite not having reached its full popularity potential, this place has everything to offer: a hip restaurant/bar with live music in the evenings, a beach, a beautiful pool area, culinary theme nights featuring the green egg BBQ or freshly caught fish turned into sushi... I was immediately convinced to add this place to my list of must-stay-here-one-day.

And there you go! Despite there being literally hundreds of hotel formulas to choose from, these are 6 options that stood out to me and were recommended by our very knowledgeable guide. Which of these has stolen your heart?