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Hotel & Resort Reviews:
Curaçao
Breezes Curacao 09/20/02
Reviewers Rating:  Great
When my wife and I arrived at Breezes on the 10th of September 2002, we were apprehensive after reading some of the negative reviews from people who had visited the resort after it had just opened. A Breezes agent met us at the airport, he gathered up the other incoming guests and off to the van we went. The drive to the resort is about 40 minutes. When we arrived at the resort we were greeted with smiles and welcomes (champagne and fruit punch, too). We had the Run of the House package, but prior to our arrival, I sent an e-mail to the resort asking if an upgrade was possible. They gave us an ocean view room on the 5th floor of the towers. The desk clerks were very busy with the bus full of people, but they smiled and joked with all of us. While I was getting the room, my wife went and made dinner reservations at Pastafari and Munahana. The resort does allow multiple reservations (only one reservation at a time, to allow for everyone to get a chance to eat there). Our room was outstanding, large enough to dance in and the view was exceptional! The bathroom was clean and we had fresh towels and linens whenever we needed them (we are ecology minded). Later in the afternoon, there was a “meet the managers social” for all the guests at the beach grill. I had a chance to speak with General Manager Richard Bourke and Hotel Manager Cleveland Hoo, I was impressed by these two gentlemen. During the entire week, they made an effort to meet everyone and were willing to help with any problems.The food at beach grill is burgers/fries, and chicken, etc. You can take your plate to the grass umbrella tables set in the water right next to the beach grill, very nice to grab a snack and watch the sun set. Pastafari and Munahana were both very good, the service staff at Pastafari is first class, especially Albert. At Jimmy’s Buffet there was plenty of variety and quantity, and the best Ice Cream we ever had (locally produced!) The beach is a mix of ground coral and sand, so bring beach shoes. There are plenty of beach chairs and towels. The water was always a temp of 83F (28C) and the natural rock breakwater keeps the waves hitting the shore to a minimum. If natural, clear turquoise water isn’t for you, there are 4 fresh water swimming pools around the resort. In the main pool area, next to Jimmy’s Buffet, is the swim up bar. This pool isn’t made for lap swimming, it’s for relaxing with built in tables and chairs throughout the entire pool. There is a volleyball pool and a hot tub in this area also. If you want to swim laps, the adult pool in the 7000 blocks is for you. The night life is what you make of it, the entertainment staff works very hard to get the crowd involved in the nightly outside entertainment (provided from 6pm to 12am) (Calypso music, Games, A Circus, Local bands, Karaoke, Talent Contest, Dance lessons, and a beach party night) Hurricanes Disco opens later in the night, so does the piano bar (Everett is good!). As a scuba diver, I was a little disappointed with only one shore dive a day. The guys at the dive shop are great, and the house reef “Oswaldo’s Drop off” and The Car Pile are very nice, but they can get old after a few dives. It gets costly ($24 gear plus $40-60 boat) if you want to do more than your one free dive. Bring your own gear, rent tanks/weights at any of the shops near the shore dive sites ($9). The dive shop crew will help get you pointed in the right direction. They recommended we rent a car and traveling around the Island, it's really a nice ride and the shore diving is fantastic. Don’t miss scuba diving or snorkeling at Playa Lagun and Playa Porto Marie and horseback riding at Christoffel Park. Go see the town of Willemstad, you won’t be disappointed, there is so much to do in town that I can’t list them all (Museums, floating market, floating bridge, etc). A taxi ride is $10, but the free hotel shuttle is convenient. Approach your Breezes vacation with an open mind and smile at the help you won't be disappointed!
Mark Carbo
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