I recently visited the newly opened Hyatt Regency Curacao Golf Resort, Spa and Marina and I was pleasantly surprised. I was so surprised that I decided to stay a night with my husband to celebrate his birthday. The hotel itself is like no other in Curacao although it takes some traits from the Renaissance Hotel, with its high end shops, and a touch of character from the Marriott Hotel, which has a similar outdoor feel. The 18-hole Old Quarry Golf Course is absolutely amazing and its breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea and Spanish Water Marina steal some of the spotlight from the Blue Bay Golf Resort. The Hyatt is really something special, hidden in the depths of Curacao’s southeastern landscape.

As you enter through the gates of the Hyatt you are taken on a journey along an impressively paved road which twists and turns over Curacao’s hilly terrain. The only sites are of Curacao’s bushy green forests surrounding curiously shaped mountains and glimpses of yachts parked in the cool blue waters of the Marina, coupled with the sounds of Curacao’s steady breeze. Finally, at the end of the road a round-a-bout directs you into view of the hotel and golf pro-shop where you will find a uniquely designed landscape full of tall palms and lush green grass.

We first made our way into the pro-shop to meet our tee-off reservation and then hit the green in our stylish golf cart with its very own ice cooler. The tee-off point at the first hole is in view of Shor, a restaurant next to the Pro-shop, and is literally 2 meters away from the coastline. What a perfect way to start a round of golf! Along the way we stopped at a couple of rest spots, equipped with restrooms and even a cold water cooler. The best part was the way in which the course was laid out. At almost every hole there was some sort of breathtaking view, if not of the sea or marina, than of the mountainous landscape. I have pictures to prove it! In addition, it was quite difficult to lose a golf ball even after a poor stoke. There are low-lying rock and sand barriers along the perimeters of the fairways to reduce the impact of the drop or to stop the ball from rolling over a hill. The course is a par 72 and, although I didn’t quite make it close to that score, I managed to hit a personal best. I think it was all of the glamour of being in an absolutely pristine and peaceful environment for a few hours that helped me to focus on the game at hand. I think I will have to make this a regular thing.

After having a relaxing lunch at Shor with its stunning views we headed over to the hotel to acquire our room. The entrance and lobby area are drenched with luxury and class and the view of the sea is incredible, similar to the Marriott but with more of a modern feel. Currently, the Hyatt is offering a Grand Opening Special for locals and tourists. All types of rooms can be booked with a continental breakfast included at a discounted rate. We booked a premium view king room for one night and we were allowed an early check-in. While booking the room we were welcomed by very polite staff and greeted with a welcome drink. The room was especially luxurious and had a view of the sea and pool area. Barbara Beach is beautifully and effectively designed and while swimming there I almost felt like I was in a lake which brought me back to cottage days in Canada. The swimming area, which is situated in the marina, is lined by a dock where boats can park and the snorkeling is quite good beyond this point. For dinner, we checked out Medi Restaurant where the pizzas and tapas are particularly delicious. And the service was yet again optimal.

The next day we checked out of our room and were offered to use all of the hotel facilities for the whole day. So naturally we proceeded to the pool area and relaxed on one of the cabana beds, which was directly next to the seashore. Amazingly enough we could see and hear the waves crashing while we were in the pool. I thought the main pool was very carefully planned as it had a bench along one wall and a platform that was partially submerged in the water and lined with lounge chairs on the opposite wall. Our Swim waitress, a girl from South Korea who studied in tourism, made our acquaintance and was very sweet and professional. All of the staff wear name tags so the service was always personable. The drinks are definitely on the pricey side so it might be worth your while to bring a bottle of something or other to have in your room and keep in the room’s mini-fridge.

Overall, the experience was captivating and I would definitely recommend a stay at the Hyatt as well as a round of golf at the Old Quarry. If you live in the area, there is also the option of using the hotel facilities for the day but the daily rate is $50 US. I inquired about this rate regarding a rate reduction for locals and it seems that the hotel management is still working on it but has not come to a solution. Perhaps if people keep pressuring them or leaving comments about this, the management will be encouraged to offer an attractive rate for locals. Check out the Grand Opening Special if you are planning a stay. It’s the best time to visit since it’s not so busy and the hotel staff are particularly eager to provide you with excellent service.

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