Papagayo Beach Hotel

Papagayo Beach Hotel is an attractive property with a lot of potential, but it feels distinctly rough around the edges. The lobby is accessed via a grand staircase, which instantly becomes less impressive once you realize that there’s no bellhop to haul your luggage. But decor is sleek, and the lobby is decked out in glamorous white and silver tones with flourishes of plant life -- a common motif throughout the property. A long, well-manicured path winds from the back of the lobby down to the boardwalk, which runs along the coast and provides access to the hotel’s private pool, and to beach club facilities. The hotel markets itself as “adult-oriented” but it’s not strictly adult-only. Guests are mainly couples and some business travelers. While the vibe at the hotel is laid-back, the beach club attracts a lot of families, and is more high-energy. 

Papagayo Beach Hotel is situated in Jan Thiel Village, an upmarket residential neighborhood that has a handful of other resorts. The hotel is on Jan Thiel Beach, and it's within walking distance of several restaurants and a grocery store. To explore dining and nightlife outside the Papagayo bubble, guests will need to head to Willemstad, a 13-minute drive away; however, most of what's there is part of the chain's development. Curaçao International Airport can be reached in 30 minutes by car. 

Guest rooms at Papagayo Beach Hotel are polished and contemporary, but they're on the small side. Smart wall units separate bedrooms and living areas, which have white loveseats, round ottomans, and tiny, glass-topped tables. There's artwork of stylized sea animals on walls, and mood lighting that changes color with the touch of a keypad, although most of the buttons on ours weren’t working. Beds made up with soft, white linens are backed by dark wood headboards, with built-in cabinets on either side. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms that are a step up add Illy espresso machines with free capsules, although some guests have reported that they're missing and aren't restocked. Narrow, open-concept bathrooms offer chic vanities, with two faucets set above one long sink. Walk-in showers have glass partitions, and there are separate toilets. Hotel brand bath products are provided. All rooms also have wide balconies that are furnished with a pair of plastic loungers and a table. They’re not completely private, with frosted glass panels separating neighboring balconies. Views are the only feature that differ from room to room. The lowest-priced units overlook the open-air lobby or gardens -- you’ll need to pay extra for ocean views. 

Papagayo Beach Hotel has a solid lineup of on-site features, many of which are shared with its sister property, Papagayo Beach Resort. The hotel has an infinity pool that overlooks the coast, with some loungers set under a white pavilion, and others on a small stretch of sand at the pool's edge. There's also an independently owned fitness center on-site that guests have free access to (you’ll need to pick up a pass from the front desk). It’s a huge, modern gym, with a great range of Technogym equipment, and classes like Zumba and spinning. The hotel doesn't have an on-site restaurant, and there's no room service, but there is a small lobby bar, although it doesn’t tend to be regularly staffed. The majority of the hotel's other amenities are part of the Papagayo Beach Club, which Papagayo Beach Resort also shares. The club is open to the public for a fee -- which means that the beach can get overcrowded. There's a sizable salt water infinity pool surrounded by sand, which overlooks the ocean and offers wonderful sunset views, but loungers are crammed too close together. The Beach Club has a full-service restaurant and offers breakfast for a fee, and the eatery has an attached bar with a live DJ on weekends. Guests report service can be slow at both. The Papagayo Beach Plaza is home to a number of independently-owned shops, most of which sell clothing and souvenirs, and there's a salon and a serene spa. The plaza also has an ice-cream parlor and a car rental office. There’s a casino with more than 120 slot machines, and table games that include progressive blackjack and roulette. There's no business center, but there's a bright meeting room for up to 40 people. A European-style supermarket is attached to the hotel, and there's free on-site self-parking and Wi-Fi throughout, but the hotel doesn't have an elevator.