Back to All Resorts
Avila Beach Hotel 1
1 / 5

Avila Beach Hotel

Willemstad, Curaçao
4.5(2,549 reviews)
Family

Check availability at Avila Beach Hotel

Your dates carry over to every other resort you look at.

Check Availability

We may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you. This never affects which resorts we list or how we rank them.

Avila Beach Hotel is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort in Willemstad, Curaçao with 150 rooms. Amenities include Beach, Buffet Dining, Diving, Free Wi-Fi and Gym. Travelers rate it 4.5/5 across 2,549 Google reviews.

Price Range
$$$
Rooms
150

Things to Know

Not All Inclusive

Atmosphere

BusinessGreen

Amenities

Beach
Buffet Dining
Diving
Free Wi-Fi
Gym
Room Service
Snorkeling
Spa
Water Sports Rentals
Yoga Classes

Quick answers

Is Avila Beach Hotel adults only?
No — Avila Beach Hotel is a family-friendly resort that accepts children of all ages.
Where is Avila Beach Hotel?
Avila Beach Hotel is in Willemstad, Curaçao. Its address is 130 Penstraat, Willemstad, Curaçao.
How many rooms does Avila Beach Hotel have?
Avila Beach Hotel has 150 rooms.
Is Avila Beach Hotel all-inclusive?
Yes — Avila Beach Hotel is an all-inclusive resort, so meals, drinks and most on-site activities are covered by the rate.

Traveler Insights(2,549 discussions)

Avila Beach Hotel is Curaçao's most storied property, operating out of a Dutch Colonial mansion that served as the island's original governor's residence in the late 1700s. It is the kind of place that travelers who want context for where they are — not just a beach with a swim-up bar — tend to love immediately. The combination of two private beaches with a working coral nursery, house reef snorkeling directly from shore, and a location that lets you walk to Willemstad's UNESCO waterfront makes it uniquely positioned against the big all-inclusive properties outside the city. The family ownership shows in how staff interact with guests: genuinely warm, remembered across visits, and clearly invested in the property in a way that corporate managed resorts rarely achieve.

The practical experience is more boutique hotel than all-inclusive resort. Food and drinks are not bundled, which means costs scale with what you eat and drink — something to factor in when comparing apparent nightly rates. The restaurants on-site get praise for quality and value relative to local Willemstad prices, and the waterfront breakfast is specifically highlighted as a good start to any morning. The diving setup is legitimately excellent: the partnership with Ocean Encounters and access to more than 50 named Curaçao sites makes this one of the better dive-focused accommodations on the island. Yoga classes, the spa, and a well-equipped gym round out the wellness side.


Avila Beach Hotel is best for travelers who want to actually experience Curaçao rather than isolate themselves from it. The Pietermaai District is lively, walkable during the day, and full of good local restaurants and bars. It suits divers, culture-oriented couples, solo travelers comfortable in an urban-adjacent environment, and anyone who finds the giant all-inclusive model soulless. Those wanting a classic beach-all-inclusive bubble with chairs to the water's edge and unlimited drinks will likely be happier at properties further along the coast.

Pros

  • +Built around a late-1700s Dutch Colonial mansion — the original governor's residence — giving it genuine historic character that no newly built resort can replicate
  • +Walking distance to downtown Willemstad's UNESCO World Heritage historic district, so guests get both resort relaxation and easy access to real Curaçao culture
  • +Two private beaches, including the Avila Beach with its own coral nursery and house reef directly accessible from shore — excellent for spontaneous snorkeling
  • +Family-owned and operated with staff who genuinely care: guests consistently describe front desk, restaurant, and maintenance staff as warm, attentive, and professional
  • +Dive packages with Ocean Encounters give access to 50+ named dive sites off Curaçao with a PADI/SSI-certified operator — excellent for serious divers
  • +The Pietermaai District location puts great local restaurants, bars, and nightlife within walking distance — ideal for guests who want a resort as a base rather than a bubble
  • +Three distinct wings (La Belle Alliance colonial, Ocean Front Blues Caribbean feel, Octagon modern) let guests pick an aesthetic and room type that suits them
  • +The yoga classes, spa, and gym give the property a wellness dimension that larger factory-style all-inclusives often lack

Cons

  • Not an all-inclusive property — food and most drinks are paid separately, which adds up quickly and makes budget planning less predictable than comparable Caribbean stays
  • The beach has been overtaken by daytrippers in recent years, destroying the private-beach exclusivity that was once a selling point, and staff do not enforce the 'hotel guests only' sunbed rule
  • The Pietermaai District neighborhood feels grim and unsafe at night for solo travelers walking back from dinner, requiring taxis even for short distances after dark
  • No smart TVs in rooms — only cable channels, which is a minor but noticeable dated element compared to modern hotels at similar price points
  • The breakfast buffet, while praised for variety, can taste bland to some guests and doesn't fully justify its cost relative to eating at local Pietermaai cafes
  • Some spa experiences have been reported as poor — inconsistent therapist quality means treatment results vary significantly
  • The hotel is popular enough that it now competes with itself: peak season availability is limited and rooms can feel cramped relative to the crowds on the beach
  • Rooms in the older La Belle Alliance wing, while charming in character, can feel worn in ways that affect comfort for guests who prioritize modern amenities

Common Questions

Is the Avila Beach Hotel a good base for diving in Curaçao?
Yes, it is one of the better dive-focused hotels on the island. The hotel partners with Ocean Encounters, a PADI and SSI certified dive operator, offering Sleep and Dive packages that include one or two-tank morning dive excursions. Curaçao has over 50 named dive sites with excellent visibility, healthy reefs, and diverse marine life including sea turtles, octopus, and sponge-covered walls. The house reef directly off the Avila beach also gives guests easy shore dives without needing a boat.
What is the neighborhood like — is it safe?
During the day, the Pietermaai District is lively, colorful, and full of good restaurants and bars — it is an enjoyable and walkable area and one of the reasons to stay at Avila. At night, the neighborhood gets quieter and the streets between the district and the hotel are described by some travelers as feeling unsafe for solo pedestrians. Taking a taxi for short distances after dark is the consistent advice, even though the distances involved are small. Couples and groups generally feel more comfortable than solo travelers.
How does the beach work — is it truly private?
The hotel has two beaches that are technically private to hotel guests, but in practice the exclusivity has eroded due to large numbers of daytrippers. Travelers note that sunbeds are taken by non-guests, signs prohibiting this exist but are not enforced by staff, and peak season beach crowding has worsened significantly compared to even a few years ago. If you arrive early you can generally find a good spot. The coral nursery and house reef access remain excellent despite the crowds.
Is the Avila Beach Hotel all-inclusive?
No. The Avila Beach Hotel operates on a room-only or bed-and-breakfast basis, not all-inclusive. Food and drinks are charged separately at the hotel's five restaurants and bars. This is meaningfully different from most Caribbean resort competition and worth factoring into total trip cost — though travelers who enjoy eating at local Pietermaai restaurants often find the non-all-inclusive structure frees them up to explore, rather than feeling locked into resort dining.
Which wing or room type should I book?
It depends on what you value. La Belle Alliance is the historic colonial wing with the most character and charm but older finishes. Ocean Front Blues has a more casual Caribbean feel and is popular with divers and beach-focused guests. The Octagon wing is the most modern in design and amenities. The beachfront apartments in the newer addition are praised as spacious, clean, and well-appointed with excellent ocean views. Most travelers who have stayed in multiple wings say the difference is significant enough to look at photos carefully before booking.
How close is Willemstad and what can you do there?
The hotel is a 5-10 minute walk from the heart of Willemstad's Pietermaai District and a short taxi or water taxi ride from the iconic Handelskade waterfront and the Punda and Otrobanda historic quarters. Willemstad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with genuinely colorful architecture, a floating market, local restaurants, rum distillery tours, and museums. Most guests visit at least twice during a stay — once for the waterfront and once to explore local restaurants or markets. Curaçao's island compactness means you can also easily reach beaches, caves, and dive sites around the island.

Google Rating

4.5(2,549 Google reviews)

Google Reviews

Brian M.
a week ago

We have travelled a lot in our lives, and love this place. Just finished (Jan '26) our second trip to the Avila. It was just as fulfilling an experience for us as last years, and, probably next year as we will be returning. Great setting with it's tw...

Maggie E.
a month ago

I had an amazing experience at the Avila Beach Hotel and would recommend anyone stay here! On arrival, I was helped with my bags, the check in process was so smooth. Someone helped show you the property and walk you to your room which was so helpful...

Marie B.
a month ago

Absolutely amazing! Our stay at the Avila Beach Hotel was simply perfect. The atmosphere is calm, peaceful and stunning. The house reef is fantastic for snorkeling and was one of the highlights. The food is incredible and so are the drinks. Sheldon t...