It's not often we rather a bunch of willing and ready family members for a Caribbean vaca....but I was curious about Curaçao.
Breezes had a great promo going and I decided so were we. I read many reviews about Breezes and
more +figured we couldn't go wrong. A thirteen year old, 70 year old mother, a skeptical husband and my people pleasing prescription free self in tow we headed to resort.
Flying from EWR to Aruba and then jumping on a six seater plane where the aircraft safety instructions are hand written on index cards, we headed for Curaçao. But first we had to decide f we wanted to take my husband or my husband's luggage?
Due to weight and balance we had a decision to make. "'Mom, you have to take dad, he has the money" Good point.
"Bring the man now, and the luggage later". We arrived about a half hour later to the Curaçao Airport. Having done some research I was aware that landing on Curaçao there was an old oil refinery. Those unaware may have wonder what they may have gotten themselves into. Not to worry.
Our driver arrived from Beaches within minutes and drove us to resort. He as well as the others assured us my husbands bags would arrive within a few hours, in the morning at the latest.
Check in was uneventful, smooth, friendly.
Our rooms were side by side, my daughter stayed with her grandmother, and I with my husband. The rooms were beautifully decorated, spacious and convenient to dining, beach and activities.
In the morning breakfast is a variety of fresh fruit, eggs, breakfast meats, grits, pastry....everything and anything you could need to please guests of all ages and preferences.
Lunch and dinner were always full of choices and offered many local favorites. Dinner could be at a restaurant of our choice with simple reservation, or Jimmy's Buffet where dining was casual and fun with plenty of mighty entertainment to follow.
My husband did receive his luggage by morning, and all family members were enjoying the activities and water sports offers and included in the package.
The staff was amazing, friendly attentive and happy you were there. We have stayed at many resorts at most Caribbean islands, but it was hard to leave this group of people. We made friends, friends who seemed to feel the same way, sorry to see you go. Friends who made you promise to return.
Prior to booking this trip, the reviews were iffy. I callled the GM, explaining my concerns about my stay. Not only did this man explain to me his situation and why he felt the reviews may not have been so favorable (opened too soon, over advertised, promoted too heavily perhaps before they were ready to open) but he felt they had rectified the problems and he assured me he was confident our stay would be an enjoyable one. He could not have been more right.
One night at dinner, the GM approached me and thanked me for calling ahead. He appreciated guests giving him a chance to represent his resort first hand. Breezes Curaçao Resort was the perfect place for a family to spend time together, with plenty of options for all preferences. Snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, pools everywhere, great food, beach, nice accommodations and staff to make sure ou have whatever you need.
The one thing I had to do before I left....the one thing I didn't get around to doing at home....was the trapez. All week I watched people (kids mostly) climb up that sky high ladder and swing over the beach by a bar. First I stopped at one, then I climbed up...and swung on one. Highlight of the week.
After seven days of sun, activities and great family (we made the right choice to bring my husband over this luggage) time, we headed back to NJ. We still talk about the trip. The people and the willingness to create an experience for guests makes all the difference. The vacation may come to an end, the memories shared with your family will not.
Date of Stay: 09/01/2011
Children in Party: 1
Tots (0-2) Kids (3-6) Kids (7-9) Tweens (10-12) Tweens (13+)
I booked our trip through an auction website I've used many times. We are a family of 6 and have traveled to many AI resorts in the Caribbean. We travel with our two youngest children often since they are not yet in school.
The
more +resort was not very big. There were several 3 story buildings throughout the property and some taller ones on the other side. There were at least 2 pools, but none were very warm when we visited in November. The area was very windy and the beach had many rocks so I would recommend water shoes.
The kids camp was great. Not sure what the starting ages were, but I'm pretty sure they had infants there. My 2 and 4 years olds loved going there as they had different crafts they made, toys, movies and they did take them for pool time (neither of them swam on their own at the time). It was great for us b/c we were able to have a few hours to ourselves during the vacation. Both my kids attend day care so dropping them off was not an issue for us or them.
Buffet was open almost all of the time, but if you wanted to eat something a little different you did have to make reservations ahead of time and those were limited. Most AI resorts work this way, it's really not a terrible thing. I did take advantage of the Spa services and the massage was good.
Our room was not the best. It always felt muggy...never really 100% comfortable, even at night with the A/C on all the way, but I must say that I never complained about it to any of the staff so it was our own fault for accepting it as it was.
There's an aquarium within walking distance (use strollers with little ones). The kids enjoyed it and it gave us something different to do for a day. The weather wasn't great while we were there, but it could have been much worse.
The bars don't always have everything, but being flexible and not demanding the very best always helps. Be nice to the staff, no matter how indifferent they are...there are some great staff members there, but some are diamonds in the rough. Be flexible with your needs, they are on island time.
My husband did a shore dive and saw some neat stuff right off shore. We brought our own snorkel gear so that helped too.
For a cost reference, we paid under $200 per night for 7 nights for 2 adults and 2 children + airfare of $327 each from FL.
Date of Stay: 11/20/2009
Children in Party: 2
Accommodations Dining Kids Play Area Money Value Pool & Water Fun Staff
We traveled with the two grandchildren we are raising (ages 11 and 10) to the all-inclusive resort Breezes Curacao, which featured a "Circus School" for the kids. Little did we know how awesome this experience would be for them. The Circus School
more +instructors were absolutely amazing--within two days they had the kids hanging from their knees on the trapeze, and doing very "professional" looking trapeze stunts. After only two days of "school", our granddaughter Kayla was invited to be a part of the show that the Circus Team puts on for the whole resort. You can see her routine at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4cargy1IsA
(sorry, a little "grandparent boasting":)
By the end of the week, even our grandson Tyler, who is NOT very well coordinated, was doing the "knee hang catch" on the trapeze--an AMAZING experience. Now whenever we discuss vacation plans, our two want to know if there will be a "circus school" there! :)
Date of Stay: 12/27/2008
Children in Party: 1
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Breezes Curacao Resort, Spa & Casino
