Pieter did treat both of us with a free flight to Curaçao for his 70,000 frequent flyer miles on American Airlines. That proved to be a great choice! Together with the newly build Hyatt Regency at the 1,500 acres (607 hectares) Santa Barbara Plantation it worked out perfect. Over the years we have narrowed down our airlines and hotels for the best possible bonuses. Hyatt is one of them and ever since Pieter was Vice President Training & Development for Campbell's Soup, he has kept his Platinum card valid. Since he's over 62, there are quite some benefits and special rates. So we booked our ocean view room with a king size bed in paradise. The Hyatt's botanical gardens are 27 acres or 10.9 hectares and such a joy to walk, bike, golf, swim or whatever outdoor activity one prefers. There is a great Marina and the best Golf Resort as well. Click:
Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort Curaçao for seeing more of this tropical paradise.
Pieter took this photo from the blue sky with the palm trees and the great architecture of this Hyatt.
It was a local architect who designed it and he did a marvelous job.
In April it will be only two years since it opened and the gardens are incredible.
Lots of lime stone used for building walls in the gardens.
The gardens are irrigated of course.
You get an idea about the outlay of the gardens, together with the rooms.
Adjacent grounds are also being sold as Estates for some luxury homes in this 1,500 acres (607 hectares) gated area of Santa Barbara Plantation.
The Pro Shop is to the left with adjacent the Shor, seafood restaurant.
To the right you see two old wagons on a piece of rail with the famed Curaçao marble from the old Quarry. The legendary Pete Dye designed, the par 72 Old Quarry Curaçao golf course, named after the historic quarries.
Standing at lobby level, this is the view on the pools and the bay where the Marina is. Also a beautiful white beach, where you also can go for a stroll or for sunbathing.
From the same lobby area a view on paradise...
Pieter and I had just gotten back from a walk.
Just look at the details...
Incredible architecture with great eye for detail.
Look at the details above...
View from our balcony, we were at the 2nd level and there is still one up.
Walkways everywhere...
It was such a joy to sit on the balcony with this view!
Looking straight to the south, into the ocean.
We were only some 35 miles away from Venezuela, actually my iPhone showed Caracas time.
From the room looking onto the balcony and the ocean.
The good thing is that this tropical island of Curaçao is hurricane free!
Now we get some coffee!
We also watched Dutch TV... funny for being in one of the countries within the Kingdom of The Netherlands. Dutch newspaper and Dutch language we did hear, with Spanish, English and Papiamento.
We sure had a happy time!
This was after breakfast inside, you also can sit on the patio.
That was our experience at the Hyatt Regency, Curaçao.
Meanwhile it is no longer under the Hyatt group... but no less a dream place!
Good enough for wanting to go back again!
Stay tuned for some more photos from the island...
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