Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort Review: My Honest Experience

My sister and I took a long weekend getaway to Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort, and it was one of the best decisions I've made all year. We had an amazing time, and I believe this would be a great vacation for a girls' getaway, for couples, or for a multi-generational family vacation. Below, I recap this vacation, why and when we took it, and what I think of Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort.

Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort at a Glance

A Vacation Instead of a Holiday

Thanksgiving was a big holiday for my family. My mom hosted Thanksgiving every year, inviting family, friends, neighbors, and anyone we found didn't have anywhere to go that holiday. When she passed away unexpectedly in September, I couldn't fathom hosting Thanksgiving that November without her. And associating the holiday with her, neither my sister nor I wanted to celebrate it at another's home.

We decided to do a hard reset on the holiday and go on a vacation where Thanksgiving isn't a thing, and we could get some R&R before heading back to taking care of her estate and the rest of the winter holidays.

Living in the suburbs outside Washington, D.C., we wanted a flight under six hours to spend the long weekend on vacation, not on airplanes. And we wanted to go somewhere warm where the focus is on relaxation, not excursions and sightseeing. With Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and South American countries relatively close by, it was hard to narrow down where to go and then where to stay.

Why We Chose to Visit Curaçao

My sister asked, if there is one place you've always wanted to go, plane fare not a factor, where would it be. And I said Curaçao. In the late '90s, I managed a clothing store in D.C. One of my employees was a student at American University from Curaçao. She often spoke of its beauty, the people, and the vibe, and I was intrigued. At the time, I didn't even know Curaçaco was anything other than a blue-colored liquor. But within a few weeks of working with her, Curaçao was on my travel bucket list.

Curaçao is one of the “ABC” islands along with Aruba and Bonaire, the three westernmost islands of the Leeward Antilles, also known as the Dutch Caribbean. The Country of Curaçao is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. From Reagan National Airport (DCA), we could take a flight to Miami, have a short layover, and be in Curaçao just a couple of hours later. Now that we had our location, we needed to find where to stay.

Why We Chose Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort

As a Marriott Bonvoy member, I immediately looked at Marriott properties on Curaçao and found the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort. Only 15 minutes from the airport, this all-inclusive-optional resort received high reviews on Trip Advisor, Google, the Marriott website, and other travel sites.

After researching resorts in Curaçao, we felt that the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort was the sort of resort we were looking for. We didn't need a disco or a casino, we weren't traveling with children, and neither of us is a big drinker, so we were looking for a different vibe than several other resorts we checked out that are located in the Caribbean. The Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort wasn't ginormous, wasn't family-focused nor party-focused, and looked like a clean, well-designed smaller resort for true R&R.

We booked our getaway just a couple of weeks ahead of time and were happy to find the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort still had a double queen garden view room available. We weren't looking for a romantic room, didn't need an ocean view, and weren't planning on spending our entire savings on this getaway, so this lowest-tier room with two separate queen-sized beds sounded perfect. And spoiler alert, it was.

Interested in the resort? You can check current room rates, packages, and availability directly with Marriott Bonvoy:

Getting to Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort

My sister and I flew out of Reagan Airport (I personally still call it National) around 6 am on Thanksgiving day. Our flight left on time as the sun rose, flying over the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument.

Our layover in Miami was the perfect length for a bio break and to get to our gate without freaking out. Before we knew it, we were in Curaçao. There was a QR code on a table at Curaçao customs; those of us who used it filled out a document, which sped up the process, and we were out of the airport in less than an hour. The Curaçao airport staff were friendly; a good percentage spoke English, so we found plenty of folks to guide us through the process.

Taxis are the preferred mode of transportation in Curaçao, and several were waiting outside the airport. Most were minivans or vans to hold a group of people and their luggage comfortably. We asked the taxi driver the rate to take us to our resort and if they took credit cards. It was $30, and credit cards were accepted with a small processing fee. USD/cash was also accepted.

Note: Transportation prices above are what we paid during our 2023 stay and may have changed.

Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort Review

Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort Pros and Cons

Checking in at the Resort

We arrived at the resort just a bit before the 4 pm check-in time. The lobby is open-air with check-in to the right, a lounge in the center, and a bar and sushi restaurant to the left. There were stands for excursions and car rental, a gift shop, a coffee shop and market, and bellhops ready to take your luggage to your room and provide you with info on the resort and surrounding area.

Review of Our Double Queen Garden Room at Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort

As previously mentioned, we chose a garden room, double queen. At the time, it was the lowest-priced room available that had two separate beds. We found it to be perfect for two friends or relatives.

The bellhop led us to our room on the ground floor. We had a garden room, and our room faced the adult pool, but between our patio and the pool was a few feet of tall lush greenery and a curtained cabana. I saw many other garden rooms with far less privacy, opening up to busy sidewalks or parts of courtyards that didn't have greenery or cabanas. We really lucked out.

The bellhop informed us that, unlike some tropical destinations, the water in Curaçao was safe to drink straight from the tap and not to spend money on bottled water. We found this to be true; we didn't buy water and refilled our reusable bottles from home from the bathroom sink and the water machine in the resort gym. We also drank still/tap water at meals and had all sorts of beverages with ice and no issues. Speaking of the bellhop, staff welcomed USD cash for tips, too.

Custom lighting: With a range of lighting options, you could customize the room's ambiance. Lighting built into the walls, lamps, overhead lighting, and more. At the beds there were bedside sconces plus direct lights so you could read in bed without waking others. Even the bathroom had two different types of lights so you could have just the vanity lit or brighter light throughout the room.

Room setup: There was a desk with chair, an armchair with lamp and side table, and a bench below the TV that had two deep drawers for storage. The wall between the room and bathroom was blonde wood and had storage for suitcases, a drawer-style refrigerator, a drawer for the safe, shelving for storage, and a counter for the Nespresso machine and ice bucket. Sheer privacy and well-designed blackout curtains let you sleep in as long as you wished.

Bathroom: The bathroom was very large with a barn door separating it from the room. Inside the bathroom is the closet (huge, with plenty of hangers, shelving, and a deep drawer), the sink with a large vanity with fantastic lighting, a large shower, and a toilet. I would have liked the toilet area to have a door so we could use the space better, but the bathroom was better laid out than many modern hotels I've visited in recent years.

Private patio: Sliding glass doors (with two locks) led to a small concrete patio with two chairs and a small side table. Considering how well-designed this resort is for lounge and outdoor space, we hardly went on the patio beyond using it to dry towels and store our water shoes. Outdoor hallways connect the rooms with tiled floors that face courtyards of greenery.

Electrical outlets: We ended up primarily using the USB ports in our room rather than plugging our own appliances into the wall. There were USB charging ports between the beds and beside the desk, and we used the resort-provided hair dryer. Because outlet type and voltage can vary in Curaçao, check your device and current hotel information before traveling if you're bringing anything beyond standard USB-charged electronics.

What I Didn't Like About Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort

No hotel is perfect, and there were a few things I would want to know before booking again.

The rooms weren't especially soundproof. We could hear neighboring guests moving luggage or furniture, opening patio doors, and entering and leaving their rooms. It wasn't constant or enough to ruin our stay, but light sleepers should pack earplugs.

Some guests ignored the nonsmoking rules. The resort designated specific areas for smoking, but during our stay we occasionally encountered people smoking on patios, balconies, and even in a beach cabana.

The beach is rocky in places. The water itself was wonderful for floating and swimming, but I was glad I packed water shoes.

Dining could feel repetitive during a longer stay. We enjoyed the food and had plenty of variety for four nights. If I were staying for a week or more, though, I would probably plan some meals away from the resort.

Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort did not feel busy or at full capacity while we were there over Thanksgiving weekend. However, it may be because this isn't a huge resort. With 336 rooms, it doesn't feel as full as when I have stayed at larger resorts in the Caribbean. The experience was relaxed, comfortable, and overall positive.

Is Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort All-Inclusive?

Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort is not strictly an all-inclusive resort, but an all-inclusive option was available during our stay. We originally booked a standard room and decided to upgrade after checking in and looking over the restaurant menus.

During our November 2023 visit, our upgrade cost $150 per person, per day and included meals at the resort restaurants along with most beverages. That was the price and package available during our stay; current pricing and inclusions may be different, so check Marriott when booking.

For a four-night getaway where our goal was essentially to stop making decisions, I was very happy we upgraded. We could order breakfast, lunch, dinner, poolside food, and drinks without mentally calculating what everything was costing. Because neither of us is a particularly heavy drinker, alcohol wasn't the reason the package worked for us; convenience was.

Would I choose all-inclusive for a longer Curaçao trip? Maybe not. If I were staying a week and planned to explore the island and dine in Willemstad frequently, I would do the math first. But for our short resort-focused getaway, it made sense.

Check Marriott's current room and package options:

Restaurants and Food at Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort

We thought the food at Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort was good; not destination dining, but better and more varied than I expected from resort restaurants. For a four-night stay, we never became bored with the options.

When you eat at the resort, you are asked your room number as soon as you sit down or place an order. While you can pay with your credit card, everything can also be charged to your room and that is what most folks do. The bills will show USD and local currency (local currency will look far more expensive if you don't notice the currency acronyms). There is a service fee, and a line for tips. Staff confirmed that tips are not expected and American level of tipping is seen as extravagant. However, this is up to you. Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort has three restaurants:

• ÇSpice: This is the restaurant on the ground floor of the resort that overlooks the family pool. In the morning, this restaurant offers breakfast (buffet and menu). At 6 pm it reopens as the “fancy” restaurant with a Mediterranean-inspired menu. There is indoor and outdoor dining available. We found the outdoor seating more elegant and quiet.
• Salty Iguana Ocean Grill: This is the only restaurant offering lunch. It is open until 9 pm. It has a nice mix of salads, sandwiches, and light entrees. This is also the beachside bar with a small lounge area angled perfectly to capture the sunset. You can sit on the beach or at the pools and order food and cocktails; the menu is the same as the Salty Iguana.
• Izakaya Sushi Bar/Zala Gastro Lounge: The resort website will make you think these are two separate entities. It's all one space with one single menu of sushi as well as small plates and some entrees. While the website says it's open at noon, I was up there around that time and it was a ghost town. But in the evening, this is the happening spot, with live music (bands, DJs) and almost all seating filled up.

Room service is available until 11pm and offers a range of food also available at the above restaurants. As mentioned above, staff will wander around the pools and the beach in front of the pools taking orders for drinks and food.

Staff and Service

Speaking of the staff… they were extremely friendly and helpful. Some spoke English very well, and some spoke simpler English, so I simplified my language, and they understood. There seemed to be respect and good communication amongst staff.

• Housekeeping usually did not speak English, but I found a few who knew Spanish. They were very friendly, and we were impressed by how clean the room was, how it was cleaned and updated daily, and how, while they didn't always supply the same number of towels we used, it was easy to get more.
• Waitstaff was on “Island Time,” and while sometimes food orders and checks would come quickly, other times they could take forever and require a follow-up request. I read many reviews that folks were frustrated by this, but it helped me relax even further. But keep this in mind if you are on a schedule for an excursion.
• Front desk staff was very professional. When we checked in, the individual working with us was so new they had a pad of notes they referred to. But when they had a question, a manager showed up almost instantly to assist, hovering to ensure we had a pleasant experience, but the new employee gained independence. When we checked out, there was a check discrepancy (the all-inclusive upgrade wasn't added, likely because the person was new); it was handled quickly and pleasantly.
• Bellhops were charming, friendly, and helpful. They would reach out if you looked lost, would secure taxis, and offer tips for venturing beyond the resort.

How Clean Was the Resort?

The Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort is incredibly clean. The resort was renovated 2019, but most of the furniture and decor still looks quite new. The bathrooms, both ours and the public ones, were pristine. Silverware was without spots, beaches free of trash and leftover cups were quickly cleaned up. Even being a beachfront resort, there was little sand anywhere beyond the beach. One day I took a walk all over the resort and ended up behind the scenes in places and even those were clean.

Beaches and Pools at Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort

Does Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort Have a Private Beach?

Yes. Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort has a private beach, and during our stay it genuinely felt private rather than simply like a strip of sand in front of the hotel.

The private beach is separated from its neighbors by fencing and greenery (it is next door to the Dreams resort). It felt private; I didn't see anyone on the beach whom I didn't end up seeing elsewhere at the resort during our stay. The beach is sort of split in two, with the larger portion to front and right side of the resort and a smaller beach to the left.

But by separating the beach, there was a quiet side and a more popular side. The small beach was popular with families because the waves were smaller. The smaller beach didn't have umbrellas and didn't appear to have food and drink service, but did have a couple of cabanas just beyond the beach on the resort property.

I would recommend bringing water shoes as the beach is rocky. Coves control the waves, and you can easily lounge and float on a raft or swim in the water in front of the beach. You can also walk out a good distance before it gets deeper.

The larger beach had lounge chairs, tables, umbrellas, and waitstaff. The larger beach still had small enough of waves to easily wander out and float or stand for long periods of time.

It was lovely to float with a pool noodle, sipping a piña colada, with no plans, and my laptop hundreds of miles away. Fins and snorkel gear are available, and with coral reefs, fish, and cool rocks, there is plenty to admire right off the resort's beach.

Is Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort Adults-Only?

No. Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort is family-friendly, but it has both a family pool and an adults-only infinity pool. For our sisters' getaway, that was one of my favorite features: we could enjoy a quiet adults-only pool without having to book an adults-only resort.

• The family pool is in the center of the resort, surrounded by cabanas, chairs with umbrellas, and side tables, and is close to a public restroom, towel rental, and the Salty Iguana bar and restaurant. It is a beautifully landscaped area that makes parts of the pool feel private.
• The adults-only pool is in one of the courtyards. It has designated 25-meter lap lanes with ropes and starting blocks. But around the lap lanes is a pool shallow enough to stand in with two nooks with benches, an infinity edge facing the ocean, with benches built in to lounge in the pool, enjoy a drink, or read a book. The courtyard is circled by cabanas and lounge chairs were placed closer to the pool, shaded by palm trees.

Both pools are open 24 hours a day. We never struggled to acquire beach chairs and if we got up early enough, we were able to get our pick of cabanas.

Other Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort Amenities

24-Hour Gym

The hotel gym is spacious and just as clean as the rest of the resort. Available 24 hours a day, the resort gym has treadmills, fitness bikes, and elliptical machines. Enough free weights and benches for multiple folks to work out, a Smith machine, workout mats, bands, kettlebells, fitness and weight balls, and more. The gym has a mirrored wall to check your form and a wall of windows overlooking the family pool.

Towels, Snorkel Gear and Pool Floats

The resort provides free beach towels, sunscreen, snorkeling gear, and pool noodles to all guests. When your towel gets damp, you can easily switch it out and they were happy to provide more than one towel per guest. This was all available at the stand near the family pool. Sunscreen is in large pump bottles with paper cups; I used it and while I have no idea the SPF it did keep me from getting burned or tanned. Pool noodles aren't advertised but also available.

Shops and Market

There is a gift shop that carries sun hats, swimsuits, coverups, toiletries, and some souvenirs as well as reading material and sand toys for the kids. It isn't large but it has the essentials if you may have forgotten something or desire an upgrade or gift.

The Papiamentu Market Place is where you can order a coffee or smoothie, get a warm sandwich or pastry, and purchase bottled and canned beverages and prepackaged snacks. This opens at 6 am so it's a great option for early risers, but know around 8am until 10 am this place is PACKED with coffee connoisseurs and groups stocking up for a day of excursions away from the resort.

Excursions and Car Rentals

Right in the lobby is an Avis car rental booth, as well as an individual who will help coordinate excursions like diving, golf, ATV tours, diving, boat rides, and much more.

The Reef Club

The Reef Club is a private space at the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort where for a daily upcharge, you can enter and have access to an air-conditioned lounge, workspace, a cocktail bar, and private patio overlooking the pool and beach. I did not use the Reef Club during my stay, so I can't review the experience firsthand.

What to Wear to Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort

You do not need a special “resort wardrobe” for this hotel. Dress code is pretty relaxed at Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort. During the day, folks were in swimsuits, with or without coverups, all over the resort. Come evening, most folks put on a collared shirt with their shorts or a sundress for dinner and visiting bars. This was not a resort to see and be seen; it was far more relaxed, and those who did dress up stood out in the crowd (IMO in a good way).

No need to buy a resort wardrobe; what you already own for summer will be perfect. Men wore shorts to dinner, and women wore dresses, two-piece sets, and white bottoms (Bermudas, capris, or pants) with breezy tops. Shoes were focused on function, not fashion. Bring more than one swimsuit so one can dry as you enjoy the pool or beach the following day or evening (the pools are open 24/7).

A pair of flip-flops or slide shoes that can get wet will be the only shoes you need while at the resort. I took my Teva Hurricane Drift sandals and wore them with my swimsuit by day and my caftans by night. Since they offer cushioning and arch support, I also wore them when sightseeing in Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao. I only wore my sneakers when visiting the gym or exercising, and my dressy sandals collected dust.

For additional inspiration on what to wear to Curaçao or a similar getaway, check out my Caribbean vacation capsule wardrobe for women over 40.

Who Is Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort Best For?

I think Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort is best for couples, friend groups, adult getaways, and multigenerational families who want a relaxed resort rather than a party scene. Families are welcome and there are children's amenities, but the resort never felt kid-centric during our visit.

Speaking to other guests, it was clear that many were there because they were Marriott Bonvoy members. They traveled a lot and accrued points for the stay or trusted Marriott for the quality and service they desired. As my sister said, the other guests at the resort felt comfortable with us even if they didn't speak English. We didn't feel like the resort was above or below us.

I'd say most of the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort guests were over 35. A lot of couples (and by looking at tagged photos on the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort Instagram, they were celebrating anniversaries), many groups of friends, some families with younger children (very few tweens and teens), and multigenerational families in groups up to around 20.

Accessibility and Mobility Considerations

This isn't an accessibility audit; it's what I personally observed during our stay. I saw guests with walkers, wheelchairs, and other mobility devices enjoy the pool, beach, and restaurants. The resort has an elevator and ramp/slope options to access different tiers of the outdoor areas.

For families with smaller children, the family pool is genius. Designed with little nooks, a family can have their own corner where kids can play in not-too-deep water, and with three walls, the adult can stand in the open area to keep kids contained but have enough room for fun. The whole pool is a kid-safe depth, though there is no lifeguard at either pool. The “Green Turtle” day camp for kids was near the gym, but I didn't investigate it.

People of every size, shape, age, and ability were there, and the resort itself felt designed to make it enjoyable for a range of people. This isn't a resort for spring break or folks who want to party hearty, but if you want a lovely, quiet getaway at a resort that has all you need and a gorgeous private beach, this may be the resort for you.

Getting From Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort to Willemstad

Speaking of Willemstad, that is the only activity we did off the resort during our Thanksgiving weekend getaway. We spoke to a bellhop in the lobby. Stating our plans, he called a taxi service for us. He shared it would be $20 and about a ten-minute drive. It was the same type of taxi we took from the airport. The driver offered their card to call to get a ride back. We went to the taxi stand in Willemstad and found a taxi driver who drove us back for the same exact rate. Again, these taxi drivers were happy to receive cash for payment and tips.

When we visited Willemstad late on a Sunday, many shops and attractions around the area we explored were closed. If shopping and sightseeing are priorities, I'd check current Sunday hours before planning your visit.

Where a taxi drops you off is a major tourist location, not far from where the cruise ships dock. If we were staying longer, we would have considered a guided TukTuk ride, which many at the resort and in online reviews of visiting Curaçao said was a great way to see the capital.

Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort FAQ

Is Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort Worth It?

For us, yes. Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort delivered exactly what we wanted from this trip: a quiet place to reset, beautiful water, comfortable beds, good food, great pools, friendly service, and very few decisions to make.

I don't know that I personally would return… not because anything was wrong, but because Curaçao is small and I feel like I had the experience I came for. There are too many other places I still want to see.

But if you're considering Curaçao and want a clean, relaxed, well-run resort that feels upscale without feeling precious, I would absolutely put this Marriott on your shortlist.

Check current rates and availability at Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort: