Dutch colonial village or Caribbean island - Curaçao is an enticing combination.

A brief 15-minute ride from the airport, Hotel Kurá Hulanda Spa and Casino is nestled above the glorious St. Anna Bay in central Willemstad (the capital city of Curacao) near the Queen Emma Bridge floating bridge. The 65 buildings that comprise Hotel Kurá Hulanda Spa and Casino are the Museum Kurá Hulanda's largest exhibit -- a superb collection of 18th and 19th century architecture. This Dutch Colonial historic district is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

 Hotel Kurá Hulanda Spa and Casino is a 80-room luxury boutique resort located within a village complex known as Project Kurá Hulanda an initiative of Jacob Gelt Dekker. This historic and environmental preservation project is funded by the Jade Foundation, which was established by Jacob Gelt Dekker and John Padget. Within this village complex are several outstanding properties in addition to the hotel, which comprise the project that spans 8-blocks. These properties include a 21st century conference center, the Museum Kurá Hulanda (a world-acclaimed anthropological museum), Spa Kurá Hulanda - member of Leading Spas of the World, and the new Casino Kurá Hulanda.

 Meticulously restored 18th and 19th century Dutch Colonial Caribbean buildings around several glorious courtyards (Kurá Hulanda is Papiamentu --Curacao's native tongue -- for Dutch courtyard) comprise the village of Hotel Kurá Hulanda.

80 outstanding guestrooms marry historic luxury with 21st century necessities. Furnishings are extraordinarily unique hand-carved mahogany and teak, antiques and superb replicas and hand-woven linens from India. Delicately woven mosquito netting drapes four-poster beds providing comfort and romance. Each room features one-of-a-kind hand-painted walls by local artisans.

Beautifully carved and specifically designed standing mirrors, hand-carved bars, hanging mirrors and beds from Indonesia make a visual design connection between the guest rooms but varying patterns, colors and fabrics ensure that no two are identical.

Standard Rooms: 1 Queen Bed or 1 King Bed. Rooms feature antique furniture, remote controlled air conditioning, 27 inch remote controlled cable TV, CD Player, 2 telephones (one portable) and data port, desk and chair, tiled or wood floors, marbled bathrooms with hairdryers, bathrobes and upscale amenities. Accommodates up to 2 persons.

Customer Review: This hotel is about 20 minutes from the airport, and a short walk of 5 minutes into the shopping area of the town.

The hotel is very picturesque, with brightly painted buildings in keeping with the rest of the architecture in the town. The room that I stayed in was huge, and very well furnished and had a balcony.  There is no beach at the hotel, but a free shuttle takes you to Blue Bay (15 mins) or the sister hotel (45 mins). Both beaches were beautiful, clean and had excellent snorkelling. The sister hotel also looked like a very nice place to stay.

Breakfast is of a good standard, and the restaurants in the hotel are also highly recommended. There are also some shops, a casino and a museum on site as well.