Curacao Suites Hotel

“This is NOT Sandals”

I see many recent reviews criticizing the rooms, location, included breakfast and so on. Thing is, they are right in their own regard, but what I think is missing is context. If you expect the "Sandals experience" then this hotel is NOT for you. I think it's unreasonable to ask for luxury, or somet… more

I see many recent reviews criticizing the rooms, location, included breakfast and so on. Thing is, they are right in their own regard, but what I think is missing is context. If you expect the "Sandals experience" then this hotel is NOT for you. I think it's unreasonable to ask for luxury, or something approximating that, without paying the luxury premium. For the price, this place is a pretty great. I should mention, my wife and I were out for most of the day and only really spent the late evenings, nights and early mornings at the hotel. The staff were quite friendly, especially the receptionist (I forgot her name) and kitchen personnel at breakfast. The receptionist would always greet us with a smile and asked about our trips around the city. She was always happy to provide sightseeing recommendations and directions. The hotel is close to an overpass, I could see this being a problem for light sleepers, especially with music and chatter in the distance coming from the rooftop restaurant, but once I shut the balcony door and windows, the sounds were but a whisper and I had no trouble falling asleep or maintaining sleep. The location is within walking distance from the popular restaurants, tourist spots of the city and bus stations. I usually enjoy exploring an unfamiliar city by way of walking so "walking distance" may be relative. I'd say five minutes or less away from the island's famous mobile bridge. The room I stayed in had the "necessities" in my opinion, hot water, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a kitchenette (sink, mini fridge, microwave etc.). The room was clean, had ample storage for clothes, a safe, TV (who watches TV anymore?) and the relevant bathroom amenities. One glaring problem, the appliance's plugs didn't always match the available electrical socket but there are adapters at the front desk that are loaned for a $3 USD holding fee, your money is returned when you return the adapters. The receptionist explained to me that it is very costly to change over all the electrical sockets, so they use the adapters in the short term. Problem is, the guests don't always return the adapters, so they implemented a holding fee to ensure guests don't forget. They room's view is depends on your perspective, if you're the look forward and up type, you'll see Spanish influenced artwork on buildings and architecture. If you look down, you'll be met with city debris and wandering trash, circumstances of the location, I guess. The latter didn't bother me, if I wanted an ocean view, I would have paid the extra and stayed at a premium hotel. I should mention, there is no pool or gym facilities for those who require it. The breakfast was pretty great. The usual continental layout so pancakes, scrambled eggs, sliced sausage, cheese, toast with spreads (butter, jams, Nutella etc.), yogurt, granola, mini desert cakes, fruits, orange juice, iced coffee and a ready make coffee machine (mochaccino, black, expresso etc.). They also include a daily exclusive breakfast item, I got a meat wrap one day, bacon the next and chicken salad paste on my last day. There is only a single kitchen personnel (very pleasant and hardworking) preparing all the items, putting them out, managing inventory and doing dished so you may have to wait a few minutes for items running low or that have run out depending on the amount of breakfast attendees. Maybe the hotel should hire more staff or maybe breakfast attendance is low on most days so having extra staff might be an unnecessary cost, it's hard to say. I can say I didn't wait long for anything but then again, I was usually at the rooftop restaurant for breakfast by 7:30am. In conclusion, you get what you pay for. A budget friendly experience or as I see it, value for money. I'm not saying this place can't be better, it definitely can but Rome was not built in a day and considering the local economy, better takes time and hopefully will come if the hotel wishes to remain competitive. Besides, like I keep saying, you have other options if you don't like what is being offered or expect better. I'd ask you to consider your place in the grand scheme and remember the world does not revolve around you, don't be one of those guests who expects luxury and pampering but doesn't have the asking price for entry. Don't be one of those guests with a bad attitude who's mean to hotel staff, they're just working to make ends meet. Everyone is an entire person with an entire life just like you. Be nice and respectful to the staff, or anyone really, and you'd be surprised of how far they're willing to go to accommodate you. With that in mind, I can't see any reason to deduct from the rating, I know what I paid for and adjusted my expectations accordingly.

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