Curacao Marriott Beach Resort

The property itself is lovely, with a great beach location and excellent snorkeling, especially outside the reef. There are comfortable loungers by both pools, including an adults-only pool, and on the beach under big umbrellas. Some cabana-style spots are included, and you don't have to rent them like at some Marriotts. The pool is open 24 hours, and maybe the fitness center is too. Guests also get an hour of snorkel gear each day at no charge, and Bonvoy members had a free welcome gathering with drinks and hors d'oeuvres. The food and service made the trip a mixed bag. The JFK breakfast buffet was very nice, but dinner there was far too expensive: a small ribeye cost $95 US, though we got a good one for $48 US at the pool cafe. Drinks were good. At Zala's, our salad was delicious and the spring rolls were okay, but two of our four friends called their overcooked teriyaki and fish sandwich horrible, while the other two thought the sushi and noodles were just okay. At those prices, it was a big letdown. There were some generous gestures. Our flight was delayed two days, and the hotel extended our stay, which was incredibly kind. But our room wasn't ready until after dinner, and nobody notified us as promised. We were told our status allowed late checkout, then got locked out just a few minutes after the regular checkout time. We waited half an hour at the desk before we could get in to shower and collect our bags. A few times, drinks we ordered at dinner never arrived, and once an appetizer was skipped. We had to get those charges removed. The biggest disappointment was that our friends had no hot water for nearly three days. Repeated calls didn't fix it, and at checkout the hotel offered no compensation or discount for their being unable to shower. With better food and more reliable service, this could easily be a five-star-plus stay.

The beach and snorkeling were great, and we enjoyed a couple of days staying in because there was no need to go anywhere else. Beach and pool staff were excellent, with plenty of towels and fresh, cool water always available. The two-hour unattended beach lounger setup meant nobody had to get up early to claim a spot. Everything, from the facilities to the hallways, was meticulously clean. I still wonder how they keep the floors free of sand! We had a wonderful time. At JFK, host Aura and servers Mary Ann and Charlene were friendly and checked in often, so our cups were always full and breakfast was a great start to the day. Jayden at the front desk gave us a great welcome. Jun at Koi Kora was a wonderful server whose meal suggestions were right on target, so we went back the next day. Thanks to Mil, the sushi chef, for a great meal too.

The culinary experience was a failure for us. At JFK, we ordered two $80 USD filet mignons with no sides, plus garlic butter. After waiting 45 minutes, the steaks arrived lukewarm. We had to remind them about the butter, which came as a small frozen block. We put it on the now tepid steaks and waited for it to melt. The lamb shank and salmon were also lukewarm and unimpressive. The bill was $480 USD. At Salty Iquana, we waited over an hour for fried red snapper. The fish tasted good, but hadn't been filleted, so we had to pick through bones for a $42 USD meal. That's not acceptable for a place aiming to be considered four or five star. The pizza and burgers were good, not great, and the food overall was much too expensive for what we got. The property was modern, clean, and well appointed, with a nice layout, furniture, and look. Most of the service staff were professional and friendly, and focused on solving problems. There was a small issue at the omelet station when a young woman had a moment, but she caught herself and corrected course. The request had been reasonable. Food is a big part of a vacation for me, and Marriott fell far short. Do better.

I loved the white-sand beach, though the frozen cappuccino we ordered every day quickly became a habit! Don't miss the snorkeling, it was amazing. The hotel has two pools, one for families and one for adults, but the beach was still my favorite place to spend time. Our balcony looked out over the beach and crystal-blue ocean. Waking up to that view each morning felt like a dream. Breakfast at Çspice was huge, and I mean huge. I had to ask the lovely omelet chef for a quarter-size portion, and even that was big for me. You can choose buffet or à la carte, and both were delicious. A romantic dinner at Salty at the Beach was one of the best parts of our holiday. The sunset was breathtaking. I recommend the surf and turf and crispy pork belly. Oswaldo, Juliette, Nethan, and Shereka gave us such warm, wonderful service. It was an unforgettable stay, and we can't wait to come back.