Avila Beach Hotel

With roots in Curacao as early as the 18th century, the Avila Beach Hotel is the oldest operational hotel on the island, with the kind of authenticity not found in your average luxury hotel. The property’s signature Pen restaurant got its name from the English and Dutch governors who used the property as a country residence and enjoyed the enclosed garden of the original Dutch colonial building, and the classic Schooner Bar has been a beach fixture since the 1950s. A variety of room types all have a bright and modern decor, and private balcony or patio; families can book a room with kitchenette or fully outfitted apartment. For a distinctly Caribbean experience, book one of the Ocean Front Blues rooms built in an all-wood building on the pier, with unbeatable water views. Two private beaches (one exclusive to guests staying in suites) and an infinity pool are available to guests, as well as a fitness center with sauna, steam room, and outdoor Jacuzzi. About a 20-minute walk from Willemstad, the hotel offers a shuttle to town, a very welcome amenity on hot days. Check the resort schedule for weekly happy hours and live music, as well as classical concerts and arts events, and look for the vintage Rolls Royce inside the gift shop.