Stay & Play

Curacao’s New Comprehensive Family-Friendly All-Inclusive

by Susan Campbell

It’s called Mangrove Beach Corendon Curaçao All-Inclusive Resort, Curio by Hilton. Yes, that’s a lot to say, but it has a lot to offer. It’s a seriously comprehensive complex of family-friendly and adult-focused indulgent fun of 399 rooms and suites, and a welcome addition to the island’s accommodation scene.

Opened in 2020 as a Corendon Hotel, then joining the Hilton Curio Collection in 2021, it provides an ideal escape for many different types of travelers beyond families. Kids and parents will love it however for the massive water park and playground/arcade, four pools, kid’s activities, and their signature King Cobra slide- the only of its kind in the Caribbean. (And no, I didn’t try it.) But I did try just about everything else there, which was no easy feat in a two-day stay.

Yet, I did my best to diligently work my way through the maze of 11 different food and drink outlets, including one massive buffet, and I personally enjoyed the escape from the children at their cigar and high-end spirits deck bar that affords spectacular sea views and overlooks their lush signature mangroves. But my real Achilles heel was the Perla Lobby Bar & Patisserie. Their pastry chef is a true master. And this alfresco lounge also proved ideal for tropical cocktails. However, the real danger there is that it’s open 24/7! (Don’t even ask me about their mile-high Dutch apple pie!) Putting on the pounds there is unavoidable. Fortunately, there’s a lot of ways to work off those calories, even if you don’t have children to run around after.

They have a modern fitness centre and offer plenty of organized activities around the grounds like water aerobics, beach volleyball, and even hip hop, dance courses. And you’ll have a hard time staying seated when their nightly entertainment like the mini carnival I witnessed swirls in like a steel band storm. But I am a sea, sand, and snorkel baby, so I got most of my exercise off their beach. They have a stand-alone on-site dive operator that also rents snorkel equipment. The fish finding was fruitful as their beach is surrounded by a rocky man-made breakwater where lots of colorful marine life hang out. There is also a cool over-sea swing contraption (great for Instagram), and if you’re feeling creative, there’s a colorful little kiosk on the beach with a resident artist that helps you make your own unique painted driftwood souvenirs.

I was alone on this trip, so I stayed in one of their new spacious King Bed Deluxe rooms- it was bright, fresh, and modern with a partial sea view and a great view of the Royal Oasis cruise ship docked right beside the resort. I did, however, also have a chance to tour some of the snazzier split-level presidential suites, and I loved the heavenly private plunge pools on their balconies, they are magical when lit up in neon at night. I would’ve liked to indulge in a beach cabana spa treatment, but I ran out of time. But I still left feeling very well-sated and relaxed, and vowing to return another time for a much longer stay. Another plus for this spot is that they are an easy ten-minute walk to downtown and only a five-mile drive to the airport.

www.hilton.com