Hello --

We'll be staying at "Breezes" in Curacao in early August.

We've been to "Beaches" in Negril, Jamaica, one, and "Beaches" in the Turks.

What should we expect in terms of activities for high school aged kids? How is the hotel property there? The weather in early August? Any suggested day trips?
What's the best way to visit Venezuala for a day trip?

Anything else to know ahead of time?

Thanks,

TonyCee

My wife and I just returned from a one-week stay (July 8 - 16) at Breezes in Curacao.

There were some enjoyable aspects of the trip. We traveled with a group of six couples from the U.S. (safety in numbers?). We took one of the city tours and really enjoyed comments made by our guide. We had dinner at a wonderful restaurant (Fort Nassau). We also toured an African Museum which detailed the island's history. Several members of our party also took turns on the trapeze and/or got massages. However, I have mixed emotions about what we generally encountered and can not say that I would recommend the trip or make a return visit for several reasons.

We all signed up for "oceanfront room views" and expected to get at-least decent room accommodations. I am physically challenged and a senior citizen and have a great deal of trouble walking (several knee replacement operations). This was made known to the travel agency when the room arrangements were made. We were assigned a room on the ground floor. However, we requested a room change due to the very small size of the room, concerns about security, and "insect" problem. The only option given to us was a room on the "third" floor several buildings away from the main eating and entertainment area. The room had decent views of the beach and of a pool. However, there was no elevator. We later found out that there was a building right next to the buffet (at least five stories tall) with an elevator and oceanfront views. No consideration was given to me.

Regarding the room. We had adequate space and a small refrigerator (not in every room and no freezer). The air conditioner did not adequately cool the room and no one would come to fix it. There were no screens on the sliding glass doors to protect from insects and especially "mosquitoes" (Note: The mosquitoes bit my wife continuously even though she sprayed the room with Raid and/or used repellent. She ended up having to get medication from the resort nurse). The lighting in the bathroom was very poor. We also had a tub in the bathroom (most bathrooms only had showers). However, we could not use the tub because it would not hold water. The tile work/grout was in need of repair and there were several large "rust" stains. (Note: I did take a can of Lysol with me and made frequent use of it. This helped.) Several calls were made to housekeeping and maintenance and two attempts were made to correct the situation (find a stopper for the tub), but the plumber never returned to complete the repair. However, we ended up only being able to use the shower (several times per day due to the high humidity), not the tub.

Regarding the buffet-- we ate most of our meals in the buffet. The food was decent but there was little variety (e.g., not enough vegetables). One member of our party actually became ill and had to see the nurse. The hygiene is not very good as birds walk in and eat from the food containers and utensils. It was helpful to take servings from the "rear" of the containers, because this was the most protected area. (Health standards would never allow this in the U.S.). When you eat there, be careful "where" you sit, because the birds (to include several large pigeons) roost in the pavilion rafters and use the people for "target practice". One member of our group actually had to change his shirt because of this. Also, be careful if you get drinks (e.g., soda, water, tea) from the self-serve areas. My wife was most upset "after" drinking a glass of grape soda and finding several bodies of "dead ants" floating in her glass. The general reaction of the staff was that this was "humorous".
The cause was never corrected.

Regarding the security--there are security guards walking around the property, some with dogs. However, my camera was stolen either from the buffet or the gift shop. Management was not all that anxious to help. There is also a casino located on the property with one entrance next to the buffet and recreation area (e.g., gym). All of the resort guests wore security arm bands of a certain color (e.g., yellow). However many people were walking around without arm bands.

Regarding Venezuala -- we were not particularly interested in going there. However, I am sure that we would have been most appreciative of all of the vacinations that we got prior to leaving the U.S. (pneumonia, flu, Hepatitus C, tetanus) if we had visited Venezuala. We were also advised by U. S. Health officials to take malaria shots in the event that we decided to go to Venezuala.

Re Activities for Kids -- there were table games, shuffle board, pool and ping-pong tables, chess and checkers, gym, trapeze, and various water activities.

I understand the resort is being renovated. Does anyone have updates on that? We plan on visiting next spring.
Also, as far as the camera, I never put things like that down or have them out of my sight. It seems like cameras are one of the things most frequently stolen from people on vacation.
I don't think management can be faulted for your loss.