Van Der Valk Kontiki Beach Resort

The Kontiki Beach Resort is an 80-room upper mid-range hotel with a unique concept: All four of its lagoon-style pools flow throughout the hotel and are connected by rivers and waterfalls. Each pool is surrounded by blocks of rooms, so that every room faces onto a pool. In the stylish, modern lobby, bright orange and pink accents brighten up the wood and dark gray decor. But the most prominent color on the property is green: The green of the lush, well-maintained gardens that fill every corner of the resort. “We are trying to create a tropical paradise experience for our guests,” the hotel’s management noted.

The materials that the buildings are made from help contribute to that vision; the dark woods and tiki-hut style roofs, called palapas, are imported from Brazil. And if you hear a rustling in the bushes as you stroll through the groves of palm trees and flowering plants, don’t be alarmed -- its probably just one of the many lizards or iguanas that hang out in the shade of the foliage.

The general atmosphere is young, vibrant, hip and trendy. While the set-up is geared toward young groups and couples, kids are also allowed at the hotel. The Kontiki is part of the Van der Valk chain, a well-known brand in Europe with over 80 hotels in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. As such, a majority of the guests at the Kontiki Beach Resort are European. Guests not familiar with the name should note that when approaching the hotel, the sign reads Van der Valk in big letters, and “The Kontiki Resort" is in a much smaller font underneath.

The Kontiki Beach Resort is located in the popular Mambo Beach area of the island, where a lot of the nightlife and action is happening within a few minutes' walk. It is next door to the BLVD shopping mall, which has several dining options and bars. While the hotel is not located directly on the beach, guests can access a lovely (though man-made) beach directly through the Cabana Beach club, which is connected to the hotel's grounds. The resort is situated on the southwest coast of the small, colorful island of Curacao. The historic downtown area of the capital Willemstad, known for its quaint Dutch colonial architecture, is just a 10-minute drive up the coast, by car or taxi. It's about a 20-minute drive from the airport.

There are 80 rooms at Kontiki Beach Resort, laid out over 20 smaller buildings that are arranged around the hotel’s four pools. The rooms are framed entirely in dark wood -- walls, floors and vaulted ceilings -- creating the feeling of being in a handmade hut in the jungle. The furnishings are at once rustic and upscale. Pops of orange and pink add a tropical accent to the dark wood finishes, though lighting in the rooms is rather dim. The rooms have contemporary amenities including flat-screen TVs, coffee and tea facilities, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and iPod docks.

All of the rooms at Kontiki have the same size and layout. Rooms underwent a renovation in 2015, receiving new floors, soaking tubs in the bathroom, and new fixtures and furnishings. All of the bathrooms have glass walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. Every room also has a small porch or a deck with seating, some with garden views and some facing the pool.

The most notable aspect of the hotel are the lush, tropical grounds, which include four beautiful lagoon-style pools that are connected by a network of streams and waterfalls. In different nooks around the pools, nice padded lounge chairs can be found in secluded corners surrounded by trees and flowers for privacy. There are several outdoor showers in different spots around the pools. The stone pathways and coral-lined bridges that wind their way around the grounds are constructed from local, eco-friendly materials. There is free Wi-Fi in the rooms and on the beach. There is no fitness center at the resort.

Most of the amenities for Kontiki guests, including the buffet-style breakfast room, are located at Cabana Beach, a connected property that's affiliated with the hotel. Cabana Beach is a popular beach club that is open to the public, but Kontiki guests can access it via a private entrance at the resort that is accessed with their room key. Cabana Beach consists of a large restaurant, several bars, and a huge beachfront area. Other features include a large outdoor playground for kids, snack bars, and gift shops. While the hotel is frequented by guests of all ages, Cabana Beach is decidedly geared toward the young and hip – there are even weekly beach parties with DJs that spin late into the warm, starry nights. (Some guests complain of loud music late at night, so be forewarned.)

Beach chairs are available for a fee, and there are options at different price points: standard lounge chairs ($3 when we visited), deluxe padded loungers ($6), and extra-large day beds ($15). There is also a VIP area for an additional fee, with extra fancy beds and personal waiter service. There is no formal spa at the hotel, but there is a beachfront wellness center -- which is basically an open-air massage gazebo. The beach is often crowded with tourists and filled with lounge chairs stacked close together. It is located on a protected cove with beautiful blue waters, great for swimming.