The rooms in the Blues Wing have great ocean views and many have a small deck that perches out over the ocean. Many also have small kitchenettes with sinks, tiny two-burner stovetops, and dishes provided. Bathrooms are up to date with nice sinks and fixtures, and walk-in showers, many with rainfall showerheads (but no tubs). All rooms have a large flat-screen TV, coffee/tea facilities, and mini-fridges. The European-style modern furniture has stark, clean lines and woods finishes in light colors. Room size and style are slightly different in the three areas of the hotel, but overall, rooms are light and airy, featuring contemporary decor with blue accents. The upscale meeting areas make it a great place for business. While the resort is well-equipped for families and couples, the manager noted that the hotel’s occupants are usually about 30 percent business travelers and 40 percent repeat guests. There are 150 rooms spread over three distinct parts of the hotel: the Blues Wing, with wooden plank architecture facing out over the ocean, the Belle Alliance Wing, with suites arranged around a colonial-style courtyard, and the Octagon Wing, the newest building, with sleek, modern rooms. A special octagon-shaped building, which was the home of a 19th-century Venezuelan leader in exile, can be used for weddings or events. The buildings are painted bright yellow, a color typical of the Dutch colonial style. The sleek, modern lobby features wall-sized historic photos of Curacao and Willemstad. The hotel’s boutique shop features work from a local artist that depicts historic scenes of the neighborhood - one of several details showing the emphasis on sharing the local history and culture. Today, though the modern, luxury-minded property has been expanded and updated, the owners have stayed dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the place. Over its history, the mansion served as a residence for British and Dutch Governors, a boarding school, and a private hospital, before being converted to a small hotel in 1949. The resort is built around the main building, an old Dutch colonial mansion from the late 18th century. The Avila Hotel has been in business for over six decades, making it the oldest continually operated hotel on the island.

Avila beach hotel