Avila Beach Hotel

The private beaches were good for snorkeling, with plenty of fish and coral just past the barrier. We enjoyed the restaurants, too. Both had good service and plenty of choice. The fish of the day was our favorite, and the burgers were huge and cooked to order. Breakfast had everything we wanted, and the bars were good, though the West bar was more consistently attentive. Mr. Sheldon made sure we always had a drink. Our spacious Room 287 was well looked after each day, and its west-facing view looked out over the ocean toward Williamsburg. We were told the Thursday live band is a regular feature and not to miss, and there’s also a Saturday BBQ night. One thing to know: a wedding was scheduled during our visit, and half of the west beach was closed for all of Saturday. It was on our side of the room, so we had to walk around the setup and wedding. You may want to ask about this ahead of time if you don’t want an interruption.

The setting has potential, but I wouldn’t return or recommend this hotel to anyone expecting even average service. Basic hospitality was missing throughout our stay, which made the vacation miserable for me, my husband, my sister, and her husband. On the beach, nobody once asked whether we wanted a drink. At the restaurant, it often took an unreasonable time for anyone to notice us, and more than once I had to get up and fetch menus myself. If you’re not Dutch, you might as well forget about getting service. At the bar, the bartender saw me waiting but served several people ahead of me. Breakfast was another disappointment: decaf coffee with the buffet came with an extra charge, which felt petty and unwelcoming. Dessert was handled badly, too. My wife and her sister ordered separate sorbets but got one bowl to share. When we asked for two portions, the staff took it away and brought it back melted into soup. After breakfast one day, we returned to our beach chairs to find cruise ship visitors had moved our belongings and taken the chairs. Staff didn’t help or intervene. The repeated problems made what should have been a relaxing vacation unenjoyable.

We were surprised by how good the snorkeling was in the hotel’s protected lagoon-style beach area. It was much better than we expected from such an easy-to-reach spot. One evening, dinner at The Pen Restaurant was a lovely sunset meal and a memorable end to the day. We stayed in the Blue Wing at Avila Beach Hotel. From our balcony it felt as if we were almost out over the water, which made for a peaceful, immersive ocean setting without being directly above the sea. The mix of resort comfort and location worked especially well. The beach, amenities, and atmosphere were so pleasant that we often didn’t feel like leaving, while Willemstad’s culture, history, and restaurants were still close by. We’d happily stay again.

The house reef was one of our favorite parts, fantastic for snorkeling. The food and drinks were great too, and Sheldon makes delicious, creative cocktails that are always mixed just right. Avila Beach Hotel felt calm, peaceful, and beautiful. We had a wonderful time relaxing there and felt right at home. We’ll definitely return and recommend it wholeheartedly.