Renaissance Mall. On weekends, the inner courtyard offers vibrant nightlife with live music, and it’s also steps from the famous Queen Emma floating pontoon foot bridge that leads to Punda’s colorful ‘handelskade’ typically seen on Curacao postcards. And the rainbow-lit arches of that bridge over the water at night is a fabulous sight.
Reimagining The Cornerstone of Curaçao’s
by Susan Campbell
To Infinity and Beyond…
I marveled the first time I set foot on their “infinity beach” and swam in the saltwater pond perched above a rocky cliff that cascades down to the sea right in the heart of downtown Willemstad. That was in 2010. And this unique signature element of the Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort is just as awe-inspiring today as it was back then. But much has changed since, and I was delighted to discover all the improvements during a recent stay. First, there is now a freshwater infinity pool beside the infinity beach, and you can also have spa services and dinners on the sand. The beach club bar has been upgraded, but now you can walk a few steps down below
to enjoy the gala revelry at the newly constructed Margaritaville’s 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill. It’s open to the public, and popular with cruise passengers making their way into town from the terminal right beside it. And when a cruise ship arrives to dock, you’ll witness an optical illusion where it appears as if the vessel is about to sail right onto the sand! Very cool.
Another unique element of this resort is that it’s literally connected to the historic Rif Fort built in 1828. The old bastion of defence remains mostly intact and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites encompassing the capital. But now the stone walls and cannon-strewn cobblestone paths wind through a vast array of shops, restaurants, bars, and even cinemas as part of the
Wind Creek Hospitality acquired the property in 2017, (though it still operates under the Renaissance brand,) and set out to reimagine the resort top-to-bottom. The $12 million renovation is complete, and it’s spectacular. All 223 guestrooms were redesigned with refreshing pops of vibrant color and high-tech modern amenities, but for me, the biggest surprise was the bathroom in my executive suite. It had a marble whirlpool bath! Frequently, when resorts renovate they replace the bathtub with a rain shower affair these days. But here, they chose a few deluxe suites to go in the opposite direction and create a luxurious spa vibe escape. I loved it. Other stand-out improvements were the complete refresh of the lobby, the addition of a modern video arcade, the complete upgrade of their glitzy Wind Creek Casino, an overhaul of their signature Nautilus Restaurant (wonderful breakfast buffets there), enhancement of the fitness centre, and the addition of a Starbucks within. All the improvements add a fresh new vitality to the historic old quarter.
You can’t beat this location as an ideal base to explore the vibrant downtown full of stunning outdoor art districts, colonial architecture, museums, trendy restaurants and bars, and historic sites, on foot. But there’s so much more to this enchanting island than Willemstad. All Renaissance resorts have complimentary “Navigator Programs” where you can receive expert help from their staff ‘navigators’ to curate personal islandwide exploring itineraries to best suit your interests. Use them.
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