The Ritz Hostel

We left on the fourth night after a hissing noise beside the bed woke us. It stopped when my husband turned over, but the whole thing felt unsettling. We were already uncomfortable, and after seeing recent negative reviews that matched our experience, leaving seemed right. We didn't tell reception because we just wanted to get out of there. The room felt damp and unhealthy. Cleaning staff changed the foul-smelling towels daily and sprayed air freshener, but once the scent wore off, a musty, moldy odor came back. The ceiling looked grubby, and the room itself was very basic. We later heard the building had been an ice factory, which might explain the dampness. We booked The Ritz Village through Corendon. The location also felt somewhat remote. We wouldn't stay at The Ritz Village again and can't recommend it.

A clean, pleasant room and a handy base for visiting Curaçao. We could leave the car there and explore the nearby center without worrying. I'd happily come back.

The breakfast was the big letdown. It wasn't part of our booking, so we paid separately, and even though we arrived first there was almost no variety: about three kinds of bread, espresso only, and very little fruit. The location also felt deserted and dark at night, with abandoned houses and a few homeless people around. They never bothered us, though. Punda and the center of Curacao are about 700 meters away. Still, I'd return without hesitation. We came in February with my son, and the room was spectacular: spacious, with a balcony, large fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, and lovely decor. The facilities were a strong point, and parking was ample. Reception was friendly and sorted out a problem with our reservation without any trouble. I had read reviews before booking, but the place exceeded my expectations. For the price and quality, I highly recommend it.

The pool has a lovely sandy beach, and the staff were friendly. From the resort, it's about a 10-minute walk to the pontoon bridge, Emma Bridge, or the charming town center. I also loved the beautiful buildings on Scarlooweg and the views over Scarloo and Pietermaai with the sea behind them.