Nearby Attractions
Spanish Water
The Spanish Water has always been an inviting harbor, ever since the Arawak indians reached the island with their small rowing boats. Excavations have taught us that these first inhabitants of Curacao settled at, among other places, the mouth of the bay, the current location of the Hyatt Regency Hotel golf resort. The area was also of critical importance to Spanish and Dutch conquerors, which is why the latter built the historical Fort Beekenburg.
Today the Spanish Water is more popular than ever. Amidst the hilly green landscape, you can admire the stunning villas of celebrities, professional athletes and even the Dutch royal family. The bay is a true paradise for yacht owners, water sports aficionados and pleasure seekers. As our guest, the Spanish Water is your home as well, which is why we will be happy to show you around its restaurants and things to do.
Jan Thiel
Jan Thiel is hot and happening. With its numerous resorts, beach clubs, (under)water sports opportunities, events and, of course, amazing beaches, Jan Thiel is heaven for holidaymakers from all over the world. Under the name ‘Culinary Beach Jan Thiel’, it is the home of many leading restaurants. One of the major advantages of Spanish Water Resort is that you are very close to all the fun of Jan Thiel, yet just far enough away to be able to enjoy a pleasant tranquility.
Punda and Otrobanda
None of Curacao’s other attractions are far, like the picturesque historic downtown area of Punda and Otrobanda, which is included on UNESCO‘s World Heritage List in its entirety.
Gazing across Sint Annabaai at the colorful townhouses lined up on the shore, you might think that you're in the Old Country. Until you remember that the sun is shining, it's 28°C (82°F), and you're on your way to the beach. Despite the flawless weather, Willemstad feels like a Dutch city, complete with waterways and street cafes.
The crowded streets of Punda are packed with galleries and shops, while nearby Pietermaai is coming alive with restaurants, bars and clubs. Throughout the old town, the architecture is rich, with stunning examples of 17th- and 18th-century fortifications, Dutch colonial planning and diverse building styles, all of which earned this city its Unesco-protected status.
Kura Hulanda
Located in a 19th-century merchant's house and slave quarters, this excellent museum documents the brutal history of slavery in the New World, including the slave trade, slave culture and abolition. There is also a fantastic collection of art and artifacts from West Africa – including a cool sculpture garden – showcasing the significant African influences on Caribbean culture.
Those who know a little about the history of slave trade have probably come across Curacao in their studies. The Dutch West India Company made Curacao a major hub for human trafficking in 1662 and it remained as such for the next 200 years. By the time the Dutch abolished slavery (1863), the economy had become entirely reliant on slave trade. Abolition crushed the prosperity of the island for many years, that is, until oil was discovered there in 1914.
Jewish History
The history of the Jews in Curaçao can be traced back to the mid-17th century, when the first Jewish immigrants began to arrive. The first Jews in Curaçao were Sephardi Jewish immigrants from Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.
These immigrants founded Congregation Mikvé Israel-Emanuel, the oldest continuously used synagogue in the Americas. The first Jew to settle in Curaçao was a Dutch-Jewish interpreter named Samuel Cohen, who arrived on board a Dutch fleet in 1634. By the mid-1700s, the community was the most prosperous in the Americas and many of the Jewish communities in Latin America, primarily in Colombia and Venezuela, resulted from the influx of Curaçaoan Jews.
In the 20th century Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe immigrated to Curaçao, establishing their own traditions and a school. As of 2013, the Jewish population is around 350.
