What's New in Curaçao?

WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO – JULY 2016 – Sitting on the outer fringes of the Hurricane Belt, the Southern Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao is an ideal destination for some storm-free summer fun. With new dive options available, Grammy Award-winning performers headlining the island’s largest music festival, and the unveiling of a one-of-a-kind beachside suite, Curaçao has no shortage of newsworthy events and happenings this quarter.

ISLAND NEWS

• Playa Knip Wins TripAdvisor 2016 Travelers’ Choice Award

Playa Knip, one of Curaçao’s most acclaimed beaches on the island’s west side, recently won the TripAdvisor 2016 Travelers’ Choice Award. With its pristine sands, sparkling turquoise waters, and breezy palapas, all outlined by rugged cliffs, Playa Knip is a traveler favorite. The beach is ideal for snorkelers, as the shallow reef is just a short swim from shore, and admission and parking are free. For more information, visit www.curacao.com/en/directory/do/beaches/kenepa/.

DIVING NEWS

• Goby Divers Offers New Diving Courses

Goby Divers, a boutique dive shop near downtown Willemstad, now offers PADI technical diving classes and rebreather equipment checkouts. The new classes range from introductory to advanced, allowing divers to enjoy the additional technical diving gear and practice basic skills, including primary to secondary regulator swaps and gas shutdown techniques. In addition, divers can now rent a Hollis Prism2 Rebreather (a closed circuit rebreather), which allows for quieter diving without bubbles and longer bottom time. The shop recently welcomed an experienced US Navy diver and Hollis Prism instructor who will lead the technical diving classes. Goby Divers also offers intimate boat and shore dives to some of the island’s 65 different dive sites. For more information, visitwww.goby-divers.com.

DINING NEWS

· Baoase Introduces New Menu

Baoase Luxury Resort, the island’s only five-star Caribbean hotel, has recently introduced a new menu, designed to incorporate the season’s freshest ingredients. Staying true to its French and Asian roots, Executive Chef Rene Klop has fused together design, texture and taste to feature traditional French cuisine with an Asian twist. Signature items include Wagyu, North Sea Turbot, Certified Angus Beef Prime Sirloin, Asian Boullion and Vegetarian Saffron Risotto. Guests can conclude their culinary experience with a decadent Mocha Cream Mousse, Crème Brulee, Tiramisu or traditional cheese assortment consisting of world-class French and international chesses. For more information, visitwww.baoase.com.

· New Restaurant Opens in Pietermaai

Situated in the trendy, up-and-coming area of Pietermaai, Blessing, a restaurant at the boutique Hotel ‘t Klooster, opened its doors this month. Formerly a cathedral and monastery, the new restaurant features traditional chapel-style architecture and prides itself on sourcing fresh, high-quality ingredients for its elegantly plated dishes, which include Tuna Tartare, Smoked Mackerel, Roti Chicken and Red Snapper to name a few. For more information, visit www.hotelklooster.com.

· Fort Nassau Launches New Menu

With 360° panoramic views of the Queen Juliana Bridge and Curaçao’s colorful capital city of Willemstad, Fort Nassau Restaurant recently unveiled a new menu to complement its picturesque setting. Once an 18^th century fort, the restaurant was remodeled two years ago, and now the menu is being updated to include a wider variety of ‘Fort favorites,’ including soups, salads, sandwiches and warm dishes. New highlights include a Dijon Mustard Soup with Smoked Duck Breast, a Roasted Red Beet and Goat Cheese Croquette Salad, and an Italian Club Sandwich with Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade, Prosciutto, Mozzarella, Pastrami and Basil Mayo. For more information, visitwww.fortnassau.com.

HOTEL NEWS

· Floris Suite Hotel & Spa Unveils Beachside Suite

Floris Suite Hotel & Spa in Piscadera Bay recently unveiled its exclusive beachside Spazio Suite. Located on an elevated platform on the sands of Moomba Beach, Floris’ private beach, the state-of-the-art Italian suite is the first of its kind in the world and features unobstructed views of the Caribbean Sea. With its modern linens and simple color palette of whites and touches of Curaçao blue, the chic 650 square foot Spazio suite is a perfect compliment to the rest of the adults-only property. Guests who reserve the Spazio Suite also have access to a personalized butler service, fully stocked bar and refrigerator, a smart TV, Bose sound system and customized iPad. For more information or to book, visit www.florissuitehotel.com.

· ACOYA Hotel Names New General Manager

Ronald Kooistra has been appointed as the new General Manager of ACOYA Hotel Suites & Villas, a member of the Ascend Hotel Collection. A Cornell University hospitality graduate, Kooistra previously served as the CEO of Papagayo Group in Curaçao. As the General Manager of the family friendly property, Kooistra will oversee every aspect of the hotel’s operations, guest services, food and beverage venues, and marketing and sales strategies. For more information about the hotel, visitwww.acoyacuracao.com.

EVENTS

· Michelin Star Mystery Chef at Baoase, July 28-29, 2016

A world-renowned Michelin Star mystery chef will take their talents to Baoase Culinary Beach Restaurant this month for two private culinary events July 28-29, 2016. The celebrity chef will create an exquisite, five-course menu especially for the event, seamlessly blending their signature dishes with Baoase’s French and Asian fusion. For more information, visit www.baoase.com.

· Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, September 1-3, 2016

Now in its seventh year, the popular Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival is back for another run at the World Trade Center near Piscadera Bay in the island's capital city, Willemstad. A wide range of internationally renowned artists will perform during this three-day festival, taking place on September 1 - 3, 2016. The new list of performers includes Michael Bolton, Chris Brown, Tom Jones, Anthony Hamilton, Jamie Cullum, Level 42, Snarky Puppy and Juan Luis Guerra. Past performers have included Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Enrique Iglesias, and Bruno Mars. For a full lineup and more information on the festival, visit www.curacaonorthseajazz.com/en.

· Curaçao Pride Week, September 26-October 2, 2016

With Curaçao’s widespread ‘Live and Let Live’ attitude, Pride Week returns to the island September 26-October 2, 2016. One of the most LGBT-friendly destinations in the Caribbean, Curaçao’s Pride Week is back for the fourth year in a row. The week-long spectacular includes a pride walk and kickoff event, a ‘Licious Ladies Night,’ a rainbow lounge party, a ‘Navigaytion Sea Parade,’ a white party, a beach bash at Moomba Beach Club and more. The adults-only Floris Suite Hotel & Spa in Piscadera Bay will serve as the host hotel for the entire event. For more information, visit www.curacaopride.com.