LionsDive Beach Resort

Lions Dive and Beach Resort is a large, upper-mid-range property situated on a beautiful man-made beach in a lively part of Curacao. At the front entrance, marble lion statues guard the small lobby, and a few more can be found around the well-maintained grounds of the resort.

The atmosphere at this 132-room resort is fun, sporty and family-friendly -- with a variety of activities and things to do in the area. The guests here are a true assortment -- young, old, couples, families, friends. If there are different interests in your group, this is a place that everyone can agree on. The wide white sands will appeal to beach bums, shopping can be found close by, divers will be right at home, and athletic types will find plenty to keep busy. In fact, Lions Dive’s website says that it’s “the sportiest hotel” on the island -- which may be true, considering the 50-meter lap pool and the excellent fitness center, which offers classes in spinning, yoga, and more.

However, for those looking for peace and quiet, and aiming to get away from it all, this lively area may not fit the bill. Located between the bustling BLVD shopping and dining center and the Sea Aquarium (a popular stop for tour buses), this area is a hub for tourist activity. The beach and pool is often crowded and music can be heard playing into the night. Those looking to avoid the crowded should check out the Floris Suite Hotel or the isolated Kura Hulanda Lodge.

Lions Dive Resort is located in a bustling area on the southeast coast of the island, situated right between the popular Sea Aquarium and the lively Mambo Beach area. Less than a five-minute walk from the hotel, the Sea Aquarium offers live shows and a chance to swim with the dolphins. Right next door to Lions Dive is the BLVD shopping mall, which offers several dining options and a few bars. Some nights, club music can be heard blaring into the late hours. Guests will have plenty to see and do here, but there are many tourists in the area, so those looking for solitude may want to look elsewhere.

The property is situated on a large, man-made beach with rock jetties built in to create a calm area for swimming and snorkeling. The hotel is about a 10-minute drive south of the historic capital city of Willemstad. There are shuttle buses available that run to town or to a nearby supermarket. It’s roughly a 20-minute ride from the airport.

The 132 rooms at Lions Dive include apartments, suites, or hotel rooms. The rooms -- split into Run of the House (garden, pool, or street view), Ocean view, and Oceanfront categories -- have basic, streamlined furnishings, with updates in some places. There is only a liquid soap dispenser in the shower -- no shampoo or conditioner is provided, so guests should remember to bring their own. Also, loud music or noise can occasionally be heard echoing in the hallways at night.

The apartments and suites at Lions Dive are newer and nicer. The apartments have two bedrooms, two full modern bathrooms, a small kitchen, a living area, and spacious balcony with view of the infinity pool. The kitchen has nice appliances including a full stove and oven, refrigerator, coffeemaker, and dishwasher. The most updated rooms in the hotel are the One- and Two-Bedroom Luxury Lions Suites, with great ocean views from the balconies.

Across all categories the decor is a bit sparse, featuring wood accents and contemporary furniture with clean lines. They utilize neutral colors, mostly beiges and white, with highlights in bright lime green. All rooms have large flat-screen TVs, coffee and tea facilities, mini-fridges and clock radios. First-floor rooms have doors that open onto a patio with a seating area. All rooms have balconies or terraces, and even rooms that aren't advertised as having ocean views often still do offer a glimpse of the sea. Low-speed Wi-Fi is free in the rooms and around the hotel, though service is spotty, and there is an extra fee for premium Wi-Fi.

There are four restaurants around the resort, two of which include a bar. Hemingway is the main joint on the resort, with a lively bar, weekly music and dancing, barbecue parties and more. For happy hour drinks, guests often enjoy seating in the sand. Nemo, a fine-dining seafood restaurant and Piazza, offering casual Italian pizza and pastas, are open for dinner. The Chill Beach Bar and Grill can be found down on the beachfront, including hammock seating and a truly island vibe.

There are two pool areas at the resort. The central pool next to Hemingway is a small pool on a patio overlooking the sea. The 50-meter-long sport pool is meant for serious swimmers, and those looking to do some laps. It has two roped-off lanes for lap swimming. Adjacent to the lap pool is a nice, shallow kids' pool.

The hotel has a large, excellent fitness center with many machines and a variety of equipment. There is a room for fitness classes and a separate spinning studio, both free for hotel guests. Next to the fitness center, there is a large indoor-outdoor spa with showers and changing rooms, treatment rooms, a small outdoor pool, a steam room, and sauna. In addition, there’s a gazebo on the beach perched out over the water for open-air massages.

One of the best features of the resort is the large, white-sand beach. Though it is man-made, it has a very natural feel to it, with a shallow, calm swimming area protected by jetties, making it great for kids. There’s an abundance of lounge chairs across the wide beach, with many umbrellas and gently swaying palm trees providing ample shade. Most days, a quiet spot to chill on the beach can easily be found. Beach volleyball is available and there is a popular on-site dive shop with snorkel gear available for rent. Drink service is available, with servers making rounds on the beach.