Updated: October 27, 2026 · By Mark from NaarCuracao, who stayed there for a week · In partnership with Avila Beach Hotel
Two private beaches, with Pietermaai right around the corner
Avila Beach Hotel is Curaçao’s oldest operating hotel (since 1949), right on the sea at the edge of the Pietermaai district in Willemstad. Picture this: you wake up to the sound of the waves, have breakfast on a terrace by the water, and an hour later you’re on a private beach you share with just a handful of other guests. In the evening you watch the sun sink into the sea with a cocktail in hand, then stroll into the lively streets of Pietermaai.
At a glance
- Two private beaches with a house reef for snorkeling.
- Right on the sea and within walking distance of Pietermaai and downtown Willemstad.
- Two restaurants (The Pen and Blues on the pier), an infinity pool, a spa and an oceanview gym.
- Curaçao’s oldest hotel, rated 9.8 by TUI guests; booking direct gets you extra perks.
Book direct with Avila: here’s what you get
Book online directly with Avila and, according to the hotel, you’ll enjoy some great extras:
- The best online rates and regular special offers.
- US$ 50 resort credit to spend at the hotel.
- A free (shared) airport shuttle.
- A flexible cancellation policy.
- Avila plants a tree for every night booked.
Avila Beach Hotel: a beach hotel with a story
Step inside Avila and you’ll feel right away that this is no ordinary resort. The heart of the hotel is the stately yellow manor house La Belle Alliance, built around 1780. During the British occupation, British governors lived here and called the house “The Pen”. The name lives on in the restaurant where you start your day with the sea at your feet.
On February 1, 1949, it opened its doors as a hotel with exactly 18 beds. Since then Avila has become an island institution, yet it has always remained a family hotel: first owned by the Danish Møller family, and since 2015 by the Dutch Vogels family. You can tell. The staff know your name and go out of their way for you.
Avila Beach Hotel at a glance
- TypeBeach hotel with rooms, suites and apartments (143 in total)
- LocationRight on the sea, at the edge of Pietermaai (Penstraat, Willemstad)
- Beaches2 private beaches with loungers and umbrellas, plus a house reef
- WingsLa Belle Alliance (classic), Octagon (modern) and Oceanfront Blues (adults only, on the pier)
- Restaurants & barsThe Pen, Blues, the Pool Bar and the Schooner Bar
- WellnessInfinity pool, Cloud Nine Spa, oceanview gym, yoga, pilates and spinning
- Meal plansRoom only, bed & breakfast, half board or full board (not all-inclusive)
- DistancesDowntown Willemstad approx. 1.2 miles · airport approx. 7.5 miles
- Rating4.5 stars (TUI) · TUI Quality hotel 2026
- FreeWi-Fi, parking and a shuttle to town (Mon–Fri)
My week at Avila Beach Hotel
I (Mark) spent a week at Avila Beach Hotel myself, and it was a week to remember. Here’s what a typical day looked like:
- EarlyA few times I got up early for the oceanview gym, before the sun really started to burn.
- MorningThen the extensive breakfast buffet at The Pen, with the sea just a few steps away.
- DaytimeHours on one of the two private beaches, and lunch in the shade at The Pen.
- EveningDinner at Blues on the pier as the sun slowly sank into the sea.
- LaterIn the mood for another restaurant or one more cocktail? I just walked into Pietermaai.
Breakfast by the sea, swimming at your own private beach and walking to Pietermaai at night: Avila has it all.
Rooms and apartments at Avila Beach Hotel
At Avila you don’t sleep in a room like a hundred others. The hotel has three wings, each with its own character, so you’re choosing not just a room but the vibe of your vacation.
La Belle Alliance
The classic wing around the historic manor house. Rooms with sea or garden views, spacious apartments with kitchens and penthouses up to 1,700 sq ft.
Oceanfront Blues (adults only)
You sleep on the pier, literally above the water, with a king bed and the best ocean view in the hotel. It doesn’t get more romantic.
Octagon
The modern, renovated wing, with rooms from compact to spacious (with bathtub) and wheelchair-accessible rooms.
Beachfront apartments
With 1 to 3 bedrooms (approx. 800 to 1,500 sq ft), a full kitchen and the beach right outside. Perfect for families and groups of up to 7.
All rooms have air conditioning, a private bathroom, a safe, coffee and tea facilities, a flat-screen TV and a balcony or terrace.
Dining at Avila: from breakfast by the sea to dinner on the pier
The Pen Restaurant & Terrace
Your day starts at The Pen, the beating heart of the hotel. On an open, covered terrace where the old governor’s house once stood, an extensive breakfast buffet awaits every morning. It’s also a lovely shady spot for lunch, and in the evening you’ll enjoy Caribbean dishes with an “Avila twist”. Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Blues Restaurant on the pier
The highlight of the day? Dinner at Blues, at the end of the pier, practically above the water. Watch the sun sink into the sea with a cocktail and a plate of Caribbean-inspired food. Inside hangs the largest mural in Curaçao, and the motto says it all: “where the food is hot, and the music is cool”. Blues is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so book ahead.
Wed: Beach Vibes
A fun evening on the beach.
Thu: Live Music Night
Live music at Blues Restaurant.
Fri: Sunset happy hour
Drinks as the sun goes down.
Sat: Caribbean Grill Night
Grilling, Caribbean style.
Last Sunday: Piano Party
A piano party on the beach, every last Sunday of the month.
In between, grab a drink at the Pool Bar or the beachside Schooner Bar. Vegetarian or vegan? There’s something tasty for you everywhere.
Private beaches, pool and wellness at Avila
Avila has two private coves with white sand, loungers and umbrellas, for hotel guests only. No vendors and no fighting over loungers, just calm, clear water and a house reef where you can snorkel among tropical fish. So bring your snorkel!
House reef
Snorkel among tropical fish, straight from the beach.
Infinity pool
Soak up the sun with a view of the Caribbean Sea.
Avila Fitness Center
TechnoGym equipment with an ocean view, plus yoga, pilates and spinning.
Cloud Nine Spa
Massages and facials, even outdoors with the sound of the sea.
Paddleboarding
Hop on a SUP board right from the beach.
Avila Beach Hotel’s location: on the sea and in the middle of it all
This may be Avila’s biggest asset. You’re right on the sea, yet Pietermaai, Willemstad’s trendiest district, starts just around the corner. In a few minutes you’re strolling past colorful merchant houses, restaurants and cocktail bars.
- Pietermaai: a few minutes’ walk.
- Punda (UNESCO World Heritage): approx. 1.2 miles, on foot or by free shuttle (Mon–Fri, twice a day).
- Mambo Beach: approx. 10 to 15-minute drive.
- Sea Aquarium Park: approx. 10 to 15-minute drive.
- Jan Thiel: a little farther.
- Curaçao International Airport (CUR): approx. 7.5 miles.
For the beautiful coves on the west side, like Cas Abou and Knip, it’s best to rent a car for a few days.
- Mark’s tip: parking at the hotel is free, and there’s a car rental desk on site. That way you only rent a car for the days you head west. Driving is on the right, just like at home.
Things to do from Avila
City walking tour
A guided walk through Punda and Otrobanda.
Klein Curaçao
A day trip to the uninhabited island.
Local Food Walk
Taste the local cuisine.
Sunset cruise
End the day out on the water.
Is Avila Beach Hotel right for you?
A perfect fit if you…
- are traveling as a couple or on your honeymoon, especially in the adults-only Blues wing
- want the beach right outside your door as a family, in a beachfront apartment
- want to combine beach, city and great food without always getting in the car
- love personal, attentive service
Less suitable if you…
- are looking for all-inclusive
- want a big resort with entertainment and water slides
- expect a long white coastline: these are cozy coves
- are looking for the cheapest option on the island
Families can also join the creative E Mucha workshops for parents and kids.
Avila Beach Hotel reviews
Guests rave about Avila (as of October 2026).
9.8 from TUI guests
Based on 158 reviews; 97% recommend the hotel.
4.5 stars on Google
Average guest rating.
TUI Quality hotel 2026
Awarded by TUI based on guest reviews.
The location, the private beaches, the breakfast and the warm, personal service come up again and again. TUI guests also give it a 9.6 for cleanliness and for staff and service.
Avila Beach Hotel in 60 seconds
Good to know
- Security deposit: US$ 100 per day by credit card (US$ 75 per day for stays over 14 nights).
- Airport transfer: book direct with Avila and you get a free shared airport shuttle. Otherwise, book your transfer in advance.
- Blues Restaurant is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; book ahead.
- Ages: Oceanfront Blues is adults only (18+); Octagon Standard rooms from age 2.
- Crib: approx. US$ 10 per night, payable on site.
- Power: 110 or 220 volts, so US plugs usually work.
Book your stay at Avila Beach Hotel
Ready to wake up with the sea right in front of you? Book directly with Avila for the best online rates and extras such as resort credit and a free airport shuttle.
Questions? The Avila team is happy to help by phone or WhatsApp at +599 9 788 1949.
Avila Beach Hotel FAQ
Where is Avila Beach Hotel located?
Avila Beach Hotel is on Penstraat in Willemstad, right on the sea at the edge of the Pietermaai district. Downtown (Punda) is about 1.2 miles away and the airport about 7.5 miles.
Does Avila Beach Hotel have its own beach?
Yes, Avila has two private beaches (coves) with loungers and umbrellas, for hotel guests only. Right offshore is a house reef where you can snorkel.
How far is Avila Beach Hotel from Pietermaai and Willemstad?
Avila is at the edge of Pietermaai: the restaurants and bars there are a few minutes’ walk away. Downtown Willemstad (Punda) is about 1.2 miles. A free shuttle runs to town twice a day, Monday through Friday.
How far is Mambo Beach from Avila Beach Hotel?
Mambo Beach is about a 10 to 15-minute drive from Avila Beach Hotel, so you’re there in no time by rental car or taxi.
What restaurants does Avila Beach Hotel have?
Avila has two restaurants: The Pen Restaurant & Terrace (breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner, daily 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) and Blues Restaurant on the pier (dinner, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, live music on Thursdays). There’s also the Pool Bar and the Schooner Bar.
Is Avila Beach Hotel all-inclusive?
No. You can choose room only, bed and breakfast, half board or full board. Many guests choose breakfast and eat the rest of the time at the hotel and in Pietermaai.
Is Avila Beach Hotel good for kids?
Yes. Families can stay in the La Belle Alliance and Octagon wings and in the beachfront apartments with kitchens. Only the Oceanfront Blues wing is adults only (18+). A crib costs about US$ 10 per night.
Does Avila Beach Hotel have a gym?
Yes, the Avila Fitness Center has TechnoGym equipment and an ocean view. There are also yoga, pilates and spinning classes, and you can paddleboard from the beach.
What are the perks of booking direct with Avila?
According to Avila’s website, booking online directly gets you the best online rates, US$ 50 resort credit, a free shared airport shuttle and a flexible cancellation policy. Avila also plants a tree for every night booked.
Is there a security deposit at Avila Beach Hotel?
Yes, Avila charges a deposit of US$ 100 per day by credit card on site. For stays over 14 days it’s US$ 75 per day.