Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort

Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort is the biggest name on the Willemstad waterfront, and it earns its place by sitting exactly where first-time visitors want to be. It stands on the Otrobanda side of the Sint Anna Bay, facing the pastel gables of Punda across the water, with the Queen Emma pontoon bridge a short stroll along the quay. Behind the hotel lie the lanes of Otrobanda and the museum district, and the neighboring Rif Fort waterfront adds shops, bars and restaurants within a few steps. It is a Marriott-brand resort operated with a casino and a resort pool area, and it is the option for travelers who want a big, comfortable, full-service base in the middle of the historic town rather than a beach resort an hour from anything.

Location and getting around: this is the most central of the five hotels here. From the front door you can walk to the Queen Emma Bridge, the Handelskade quay, the Kurá Hulanda Museum and most of Punda within about ten to fifteen minutes, and the cruise terminal is also close, which means busy periods when ships are in port. Taxis wait outside for trips to the Sea Aquarium, the beaches and the airport, which is about a twenty-minute drive away. If you plan to explore the west coast, Christoffel Park and Hato Caves, you will want a rental car or to book day tours, and the hotel can arrange pickups.

Rooms and who it suits: expect a modern resort room with the usual comforts, and ask for a harbour or city view when booking because views vary by category. Families, couples and groups all fit here, and the property has a pool area, restaurants and a casino, so it works for a long weekend with little planning. It is less intimate than the boutique stays in Pietermaai and Scharloo, and the scale means a busier atmosphere, particularly at check-in times and when cruise passengers are on the quay. Light sleepers should ask about quieter floors away from the waterfront entertainment.

Good to know: as with any large resort, check the current resort fee, the breakfast package, parking and the opening hours of the restaurants and casino when you book. The waterfront walk at dusk is one of the best things about staying here, with the Punda facades lighting up across the bay. Rates are the highest of our five hotels, rising in the dry months from December to April and falling in the quieter autumn, so it can be a bargain outside peak weeks. Check the latest rates and room types on Expedia.