Boutique Hotel 't Klooster

Hotel ‘t Klooster takes its name from its unusual location in a one-time monastery (“klooster” means “cloister” in Dutch). The property was home to a Dutch congregation called the Fraters van Zwijsen, beginning from its construction in the 1930s and continuing until the late '80s. The hotel makes a striking first impression, with guests greeted by a church-like façade that has been painted bright yellow with white trim. This entrance gives way to a long, narrow lobby with eye-catching tiled floors, beyond which lies the property’s breezy courtyard. Most guest rooms are lined around the courtyard, which is accented with leafy greenery and painted yellow to match the front façade. Older European couples and families relax by the small pool and lounge in the courtyard’s cozy seating areas during the afternoon. While the courtyard is a popular and sociable spot, the atmosphere is generally quiet and low-key -- fortunate given that noise travels easily from here to the guest rooms. 

Hotel t’Klooster is found in the Pietermaai District, nicknamed the “Soho of Curaçao” for its charming shops, quality restaurants, and artsy atmosphere. Defined by stately old buildings -- an increasing number of which are being restored to their past grandeur -- it’s a walkable neighborhood, with hip shopping and dining options accessible on foot. The hotel is about a 15-minute walk from the Queen Emma Bridge, one of Curaçao’s most iconic landmarks, and Otrobanda, a UNESCO World Heritage-designated historic area. The nearest beach is a 10-minute walk away at Avila Beach Hotel, where day passes and towels are available for a fee. Buzzing Mambo Beach (also known as Seaquarium Beach), can be reached in five minutes by car, while Curaçao International Airport is about a 20-minute drive away. 

Guest rooms at Hotel 't Klooster are small and basic, with some preserved features from the property's monastery days, including original tiled floors, adding touches of character. The deep gold and red colors of the vivid floor tiles are picked up by details such as curtains and lamps. All rooms offer double beds, fitted with plain white sheets. Standard rooms, which are called Comfort rooms, include wall-mounted flat-screen TVs and work desks (although in our room the chair was too low to work comfortably). Free Wi-Fi is standard in all rooms. In-room wet bars feature kettles, mini-fridges, and packets of instant coffee along with a few mugs and glasses. Tiny bathrooms offer wet-room-style showers with white shower curtains and round sinks with no counterspace. Magnifying magnifying mirrors and pump bottles of off-brand soap are provided, while hairdryers are available upon request. Many Comfort Rooms have an additional outdoor shower. Most rooms open onto the property’s central courtyard, but some awkwardly face into the lobby. All rooms have front-facing windows, and some also have back-facing windows with bland street views.  Deluxe Rooms are bigger and include capsule coffee machines, while Deluxe Patio rooms add a private, furnished patio. Long Term Apartments feature a separate living area with sofa and dining table, along with a kitchenette with an electric stovetop. 

Hotel 't Klooster’s modest line-up of on-site features is adequate for a lower-middle-range hotel. The hotel’s cute courtyard includes a little five-and-a-half-foot-long plunge pool surrounded by comfy loungers and hammocks. The courtyard also features plenty of rattan armchairs and plastic patio tables shaded by beach umbrellas. A shelf in one corner offers books and board games for guests to borrow. A European-style breakfast buffet of cold cuts, cheese, and pastries is set up in this space each morning. It also includes hot items like eggs and bacon, but they weren’t regularly being replenished during our visit. Breakfast comes at a surcharge. For other meals, an independently owned restaurant, called Blessing Curaçao, is set just off the lobby, in the monastery’s one-time chapel. The restaurant’s interior features elements of the old chapel, including clerestory windows and stained glasswork. Most of the seating is out on a minimalist patio, which has uninspiring views of the street. The restaurant’s international menu is well-executed but pricey. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout. There’s no parking, but free street parking is generally available.