Description & Facts: The island of Sint Maarten / Saint Martin in the Dutch Netherlands Antilles is the smallest island in the world divided between any two major countries, in this case Holland and France. Located on the Dutch side of the island and owned by the islands Government, the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE), handles about 1.75 million passengers annually. It is the main airport serving the eastern Caribbean island although there is a smaller airport on the northern, France (Saint Martin) side, knows as Esperance, which is served by some of the inter-island regional operators. PJIAE handles numerous daily jet aircraft flights from Europe, the United States, and South America, as well as dozens of turboprop flights from the other surrounding islands, both in the Dutch Antilles and in neighbouring groups.

Constructed in 1943 by United States marines, the airports original purpose was as a base to counter World War Two attacks on allied merchant ships by German submarines. In the 1950s and 1960s, traffic increased as the island became a tourist destination. The current terminal was built to accommodate 1.2 million passengers per year but by the early 1990s the airport had reached its saturation point. In 2001, a total of 1,753,204 passengers was handled (1,576,308 passengers in 2000), and the airport authorities predics a rise in passenger traffic to about 2.5 million by 2014.

Towards the end of the 1990s, a ten-year, three-phase, multimillion-dollar improvement plan was unveiled to meet the airports growth demands.

Hotels in the Dutch Netherlands Antilles

You can chose various hotels in this region. And you cannot make a mistake since the hotel quality is overall simply great so this is going to be your vacation of a lifetime.

Avila Hotel

Situated on the beach, in Willemstad, on the island of Curacao, this hotel offers access to a variety of activities, a full-service spa and an array of dining and beverage options.
Avila Hotel features an outdoor pool and state-of-the-art fitness center. Guests can spend the day scuba diving or swimming with dolphins, then relax with a massage in the Santai spa. After playing a game of golf at a nearby course, guests can relax on the beach.
The Blues restaurant at the Avila Hotel serves fresh seafood for dinner, in addition to live jazz music. Guests can visit the hotel's Avila Cafe for an extensive breakfast buffet, then stop by the Belle Terrace for lunch and dinner.

Golf & Beach Villas

The Golf & Beach Villas are located in the Willemstad Blue Bay Golf & Beach Resort, just 10 minutes from the airport. The Villas provide airport escort service.
The Golf & Beach Villas have a restaurant, bar and swimming pool. Each of the guest villas have air conditioning, a full kitchen and a terrace with a dining room.
The guests have free access to the beach and tennis courts. There is also the golf course, dive shop and a gift shop at the Curacao Golf & Beach Villas. The dive school is one minute from the Villas. The supermarket is 5 minutes away, and Willemstad City Centre is 8 miles from the Villas.

Hotel 't Klooster

This Willemstad, Curacao hotel is 6 miles from Hato International Airport and features Augustinus Restaurant. The hotel provides a small outdoor pool and is minutes from the United States Consulate.



The Hotel ‘t Klooster offers guest rooms with a coffee maker and a refrigerator. Guests may request a microwave oven. Select rooms feature a patio.
The Klooster is within walking distance of the harbor port. Downtown Willemstad is also a short walk from the hotel and offers local restaurants, shopping and nightlife.

Regardless of which hotel you chose (check out more hotels in the Dutch Antilles) I am more then convinced you will have the time of your life. Enjoy!