PRIVATE ISLAND PARADIS
Set high on a 40-foot cliff with 360-degree vistas of the surf and sand, Cliff Villa offers all the conveniences of a five-star resort with the seclusion of a private island. The 8,333-square-foot mega-bungalow is a private residence that can be booked for organized retreats, large-scale family gatherings, or just for one. It’s stacked with amenities; clad from head to toe in pink marble, the four-bedroom estate boasts a large wraparound infinity pool (with two underwater windows in the master suite!) and a retractable wall that reveals a sprawling indoor-outdoor living space for soaking up the Caribbean sun. Jump into the sea from the floating dock, or use the property’s inflatable boats or paddleboards. Villa staff is on hand to take care of everything, from arranging excursions or picking up groceries to airport transfers. cliffvilla.com
BLISS ON THE BEACH
Sensi Spa isn’t a sprawling wellness destination; patrons won’t find a vast range of facilities like steam showers, Jacuzzis, or infrared saunas. It consists of a simple thatched-roof hut on the shores of the stunning Cas Abou beach, where trained therapists get to work on wearied shoulders and backs amid the crashing tide. Patrons can choose from a range of massages, including Swedish, sports, deep tissue, pressure point, or scrub, abetted by all-natural essential oils. It’s the perfect couple’s escape, romantic and immersive, soothing you into a state of total relaxation as the waves break on the sugary sand. With such low overhead, prices are surprisingly thrifty, and you can add a fresh aloe vera face mask for only $10. sensi-spa.com
MEALS AT THE MANSION
Set in a restored Dutch mansion with sweeping views over the Handelskade waterfront, Gouverneur de Rouville slings colorful plates of Caribbean dishes for lunch, dinner, and brunch. The crimson facade features crisp white columns and window casings, and diners can opt to feast inside or on the second-floor veranda. Begin with a tasting platter of chef-selected appetizers from local shrimp with watermelon and mango to goat cheese-stuffed mushrooms before diving into mains like beef tenderloin steak smothered in a creamy pepper sauce, a grilled salmon filet, or piska fresku, the fresh catch of the day. There’s also a selection of hyper-local delicacies, including keshi yena, made with spiced chicken, melted cheese, prunes, olives, and pickled onions. de-gouverneur.com
FEAST AND FORAGE
Caribbean chef Helmi Smeulders is a local legend, a lawyer-turned chef credited with reinventing Curacao’s booming culinary scene. She offers visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with the vibrant flavors of the island, hosting cooking classes, chef’s tables, and a Dinner in the Field series each month that spotlights a different farm or plantation. For the latter, the experience begins with a welcome drink and tour of the featured plantation before diners sit down at an outdoor table to break bread family-style over a four-course meal. Smeulders’ cooking classes are also a hit, where the chef divulges her secrets behind mastering Caribbean cuisine, from fried plantains to scratch papaya ketchup. helmismeulders.com
TIDES & TRANQUILITY
In the early aughts, Dutch entrepreneur Ad van der Valk and his partner, Bibi, stumbled upon a sublime stretch of beach along the western shore of the island, just a ten-minute drive from buzzing Willemstad (Curacao’s capital). They fell in love with the site soft sand cradling a calm turquoise lagoon like a baby and began building an ultra-luxury boutique, rock by rock. Baoase officially opened its doors in 2009, featuring Balinese inspired villas rising from the lush tropical foliage. Today, the five-star resort offers 23 accommodations, all with private open-air terraces and many with plunge pools, Jacuzzis, and outdoor showers. Throughout the week, Baoase hosts themed nights at its signature Culinary Beach Restaurant, including a rocking seafood feast on Thursdays. baoase.com