Coral Estate Luxury Resort — Hotel in Curaçao

This was a return trip to Coral Estates Luxury Resort. I previously said I would probably not return due to issues in our group’s visit in Nov 2011. However, in response to my concerns last trip, the Dive OP manager offered us some free add-ons if we wanted to return. (Free Nitrox, one extra free afternoon boat dive, and a free “Sunset Cruise including drinks and snacks” – more on that later) We were a group of 20 people, including 4 non-divers. We were expected at the resort by about 3-4:00 PM, and on arrival, almost half our rooms were not ready yet! They said “just a few more minutes”. However, the last of our group wasn’t allowed into their room until 7:15 PM. Almost 4 hours after arrival. Totally unacceptable for a large resort that knew we were coming six months ago. The extra complication with the rooms not available is that I had 4 divers scheduled for a refresher dive (requested by the dive shop for people who hadn’t been diving for 2 years or more). People had to use lobby washrooms and dive shop area to unpack their gear and get ready for the dive without a room. Two days later the Dive OP (through whom we booked the resort) had the resort issue us $30 gift certificates per room, for use in their restaurants as a goodwill gesture. This was a nice and welcomed gesture, but we’d rather they improve their operation. This was the first of several problems with the resort. Next was our included breakfast. The front desk told me the divers could eat at 7AM in their mini breakfast buffet next to the lobby, non divers were welcome to go to their main restaurant and order a la carte for their breakfast, however the staff there refused them breakfast the first few days saying it was not included. It took three days to sort this out. The Dive Operation was a lot better than last time. Their regular boat, mysteriously or coincidently was not available again this visit (“one engine not working”). The two replacement boats they borrowed from another shop were at least better than the last substitute boat which was the core of our bad trip 2 years ago. We had really counted on all 16 divers being together for the week but being split in two smaller groups wasn’t too bad. The boats themselves were ok, but they had no rear platforms for jumping in safely, and no handles anywhere on the boat to assist getting around or getting off the ladder when exiting the water. We had to rely on the Capt. hoisting us off the top rung and steadying us down into the boat. It was not easy, not safe, and how we didn’t have any falls amazed me. While the boats weren’t the best, the Shop manager, and our dive guide for the week, Dan was fabulous. As was his assistant DM, Webb. The DM on the 2nd boat was also great. Dan greeted me on arrival and promised that this was “our week” and he’d do whatever he could to make sure it went smoothly. He was friendly and helpful all week. The shop itself is actually a satellite operation from their other main shops at other resorts. It has little or no extra parts or supplies there (we had a HP hose blow, but they wanted our diver to go to their other shop to buy a replacement). No tanks filled on site, they are all trucked in several times a day from elsewhere, but nitrox (consistent 32%) and air bottles were readily available when we...

Weunfortunately did NOT fully enjoy our stay at this property! My friend and I rented the 2 bedroom villa and the 1st thing that made us frown was upon arrival when we we escorted to our rooms; they were SWELTERING hot! I felt like I had stepped into a sauna! I would think that since the office staff was aware of my arrival time that they would have at least ad the common courtesy or common sense to know to turn the air on BUT I guess that was asking too much! The one positive thing I can say is that the office staff was nice and friendly and when I contacted them with a question or concerned I was answered promptly and courteously! One of the house keepers named Journay(I hope that I spelled it correctly) was exceptionally sweet, nice, helpful, and attentive!! She deserves a gold star for her outstanding friendliness!

My complaints were: 1) There were NO wash cloths available(at all on the property) for showering. There were only big towels fo drying off and the small hand towels. We were provided with 2 of each per each day"s stay. The front office staff kind of made a big deal when I called and asked for additional towels! Ummm...OKAY!?!? 2) The countertop in the bathroom appeared to NOT have been cleaned off. There were a few small stains on it and I was thinking if THAT was half cleaned then what else in this room was half cleaned?? The sink was also leaking a bit. 3) The safe in my room was not working so a maintenance person had to come in the following day and fix it. 4) My friends room that was next to mine(they were NOT adjoining rooms as we both had thought) did NOT even have a tv in it(and we were not made aware of this prior to our arrival)! She had to come to my room to watch TV which was a bit of an inconvenience for her. 5) On our second day there we left our rooms for half the day to partake in some excursions and when we returned around 5-6pm our rooms had NOT been cleaned at all! I had to call the front desk and let them know that our rooms hadnt been cleaned so they sent a house keeper to clean which was another inconvenience because we were ready to wind down for the day. The day after that the house keeper half cleaned our rooms. I wouldnt even say cleaned; it looked more like quick tidying up! We werent even provided with our clean set of new towels for the day; we had to call and request those as well! 6) Our rooms had NO telephone in them; we had to use our cell phones and contact the office via WhatsApp! 7) Public transportation is limited to taxis and shuttle service; there were NO buses OR personal drivers on the property available! 8) There was no complimentary bottles of water upon our arrival to our rooms. That would have been nice!

Overall I most DEF would NOT return to this property even if...

I give 1 star because I could not give zero stars!!!||||I definitely do not recommend anyone to book this place. We stayed at Villa Casa Sol i Laman 1035 in December 2023 for our family holidays at Coral Estate Rentals.||||They sell a luxury villa with 5 star service and they provide unprofessional attendants, disorganized, with lack of information.||||First of all we booked a transfer which was delayed at the Airport and we had to ask to a taxi driver to phone our transfer driver. Miserable start!||||Secondly, when we arrived at the “luxury villa”, we found an old house, not well maintained with no sea view as promised. We complained about a shelf in master bedroom was falling down, a few old stuff and mod smell coming out of all wardrobes… nothing was done to sort out. We request an upgrade which was denied, as well as a refund as this house is far away of a luxury villa! Also denied.||||Third point was another problem with our car hire, which was delivered dirty… absurd! I booked my trip directly with this resort trusting I would get a good service! Poor service!||||In the second day, someone came to the villa to cut some trees at the garden… at least we would have a sea view… a part of that nothing else was done. No bottle of water or coffee caps to welcome us. And they promised: first a coffee! Where is the coffee?||||This company doesn’t know what the word luxury means!||||We didn’t have shower gel, neither shampoo… choose any other hostel and you will get a better service.||||If things could not be worst, we had a power cut in the last night which took more than 8 hours to be solved. No lights, no lanterns, no candles, nothing at the house. We stayed in the darkness until get someone at their empty reception to help us.||||In the last day we drop the hired car with half tank fuel and they overcharged us the fuel tank fee of 80US dollars , which is more than the full tank of Creta Car… As we were in a hurry we paid the amount requested, but it seems this was a bit more priced as expected. If you consider de cost of the liter 1.14US and the fuel capacity of Creta 50 liters… they owe us at least 40US dollars… but obviously when we complained, they refused to admit how horrible they are to their customers!||||If you have a chance to take another place, do it! Terrible stay.., they ruined our holidays and stole our money!||||It was supposed to celebrate our wedding anniversary and a part of the island, we regret to stay in this place. It is such a shame of not being treated as we expected for our...