Villa Handbook
Everything you need to know for a perfect stay — from arrival to the last sunset. Please read before you arrive.
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Before You Arrive
A little preparation goes a long way. Here's how to make the most of your time from the moment you land.
What to Bring
Besides the obvious beach wear and sun protection, pack hard-bottom sandals as thorns can sometimes push through soft soles if you go off the path.
- Snorkeling gear — good quality gear is in the brown wicker box in the kitchen.
- Games — Settlers of Catan, backgammon, adult and kids dominoes, marble solitaire, giant Jenga, cards and more are in the island table near the large TV.
- Table tennis — professional table in the game room. Pickleball & bocce ball in the garden.
- Bird watching — Nikon Pro 10×42 binoculars in the main room.
- Library — world-class selection of novels, kids' poetry, art, and more. All hardback and in perfect condition. Please treat them with love.
Planning Ahead
Let Gary help you plan — message on WhatsApp to be connected. Here are ideas worth booking early:
- Small Fishing Boat Trip — Contact Luigi for a day on the high seas catching tuna and red snapper. +599 9 676 9613
- Luxury Yacht Day Trip — Contact Captain Eric. +599 9 511 5575
- Spa Day at the Villa — Contact Shannon for massage overlooking the bay. +599 9 671 1015
- ATV Adventure — Contact Michael for 4 Honda off-road ATVs and a guide. Also offers inflatable boats, paddleboards and electric bikes. +599 9 564 2425
- Gourmet Dinner — Chef Koen +599 9 523 0677 · Boris the Bartender +599 9 511 8581
- Cuban Band — Contact Danrel to arrange a small or large Cuban band for the villa. +599 9 666 5318
- Diving — GoWest Diving is 5 mins from the villa at Playa Kalki.
How to Get There
On the way from the airport, stop at Centrum Supermarket to stock up — see Groceries below. It's a small detour and you'll be thankful once you're up in Westpunt.
Groceries
Centrum Supermarket is 7 minutes from arrivals. Great fresh vegetables, wine, cheese, and meat selection. The South African Fleur du Cap Pinotage and Cabernet are delicious and affordable.
For upscale wine go to Carrefour at Sambil Mall.
The villa has all essential spices. Do not buy fresh fish — it is fresh off the boats near the villa every day. Reusable shopping bags are in the kitchen cupboard.
If you need the fridge stocked with essentials, send your shopping list and we will facilitate this. For shopping tips, visit our Foodie Page.
Arrival & First Steps
Everything you need from the security gate to your first sunset.
Arriving
When you arrive at the Punta Kalki security gate you will be met by the security team. We will introduce you via WhatsApp before you arrive. They will give you a clicker for the gate.
Tell the security you are going to "Gary's Villa" 🙂
There is a small detour due to road construction — please review the video we will share on WhatsApp before arrival.
Keys & Clicker
The keys are in the lockbox in the garage. You will find two keys:
- The notched key opens the outside side doors to the lower bedrooms.
- The other key opens the front door and all remaining rooms.
Please look after the keys and put them back in the lockbox (and spin the numbers) whenever you leave the villa. Outside doors must be latched to prevent wind damage.
Night air instructions: youtube.com/shorts/rEnD8hct_Bc
Transportation
We can introduce you to a taxi driver to pick you up at the airport — the taxi can wait while you stock up at Centrum on the way to the villa.
For security: under the driver's seat there is a small switch. Click it down when locking the car — this locks the engine. Click up again when you return.
Your Home for
the Week
Everything you need to know about the villa's systems, rooms, and appliances.
Wi-Fi
The strongest Wi-Fi on the island — 100 Mbps down, 40 up. Enjoy.
Scan to connect instantly
The Doors
By the pool there are two electronic sliding doors. They can be left open while sleeping — simply lock the bedroom doors.
- To open: hold the up button for a few seconds and the door will open automatically.
- To close: hold the down button continuously while it closes (safety sensor stops it if the path is blocked).
- The bifold facing the garden can be opened — please close when leaving.
- The bifold facing Watamula stays closed — the wind is too strong for these doors.
The wind can be very strong. The front door and all bedroom side doors must be secured when open. Unsecured doors may fly shut and break the glass.
Safes & Security
There are safes in each room. Main floor safes hold smaller objects (camera, wallet, passport). The upper-level bedroom has a large safe for laptops — opened with the key in the lock.
The resort has a security gate and the villa has five exterior Google security cameras:
- Cam 1: Above the front door facing the garden
- Cam 2: Facing the back stairs
- Cam 3: Facing the north cliff above the north pool
- Cam 4: Facing towards Watamula
- Cam 5: Facing the outside garage
Entertainment
- Google Speaker — say "Hey Google play [your tune] on Spotify" and music plays on both speakers simultaneously. Try: "Hey Google play Stan Getz on Spotify"
- 86" TV — loaded with Netflix and other channels. Click MENU on the remote, then navigate to your app.
- Kids' TV (middle room downstairs) — Google-powered with Prime Video and other channels. Use your personal login to purchase movies.
Air Con & Fans
Temperatures range between 27–32°C. It's a dry heat — wind and shade are a tonic. Commercial-grade fans are positioned throughout the home.
If using air conditioning, keep all doors and windows closed.
Please switch OFF air conditioning and fans when leaving a room or the villa. The solar panels need to recharge during the day. Thank you!
Power
Most electronics (phones, computers) work with both voltages. Do not plug a 110V-only device into a 220V outlet — it will burn out. Do not move kitchen appliances between outlets.
All this wonderful power comes from our solar panels and wind turbines. Learn about the Zero-Footprint Project.
The Kitchen
- Panini Grill — please turn OFF when finished. Do not move the plug.
- Professional blender — do not move from its plug.
- LED lamps (dining table) — tap the top to turn on; slide finger around the top to dim. Chargers are in the kitchen between the two bifold doors.
Stove (professional gas unit):
- Open the gas valve — perpendicular = OFF, parallel = ON.
- The pilot should always be ON. If it goes out, simply relight it.
- Turn on the gas and light the flame at the same time.
The Refrigerators
- Knock on the glass — the interior light turns on so you can see the contents without opening (Door-in-Door technology).
- Glass door — opens for quick access to beers and frequently grabbed items.
- Main door — open with the bottom handle for full interior access.
- Fresh water and ice in both fridges. All water is distilled; all air in the fridge is UV treated.
Water
Curaçao is a desert island — please avoid wasting water and take short showers. Hot water is solar-heated, so the tank may run low in the evening after long showers.
Do not use the hot water at the kitchen sink — this may result in colder showers in the bedrooms.
Espresso Machine
Luxury Beds
Each deluxe suite has a luxury Ghostbed cooling mattress — especially selected for a perfect Caribbean holiday. It is the coolest and most comfortable sleep you will ever have.
The pillows are Hungarian goose down.
Activities & Adventure
From the pickleball court to the pirate beach — there is no shortage of things to do.
Sports & Fun
- Professional Bocce court in the garden
- Professional Table Tennis in the game room
- The first professional Pickleball court on the island
Pickleball paddles, balls and other sports equipment are in the basket under the television. Games are in the island table. Please treat everything with love.
The Pool
The pool has a shallow end and a deep end — great for lap swimming. One lap is nearly 40 metres; 20 laps is ¾ of a kilometre.
Pool Rules
No Glass
Beautiful plastic glasses are in the kitchen. Please use them.
No Food
No food on the edge or in the pool.
Beware the Edge
Please do not sit or stand on the infinity edge.
No Diving
Walk into the pool please.
Life Jackets
All young children must wear life jackets. Stay within arm's reach of children at all times. Close patio doors when unable to supervise.
Cliff & Beach
Beware the Edge
It is 40 feet to the sea. Please do not walk on the edge of the cliff.
No Swimming from Cliff
The currents are strong. Do not attempt to swim from the cliff base.
Beware Cacti
This is a cactus sanctuary. Please do not stand on baby cacti.
Safe swimming is at Playa Kalki — white sand, calm current, 2 minutes away. Scuba and diving at GoWest Diving at the same beach.
Walk up the coast to the secret pirate beach.
Do not collect coral or shells — it is illegal to take these out of the country.
Walk to the secret pirate beach →
Fish Beach
Walk (20 min), bike (10 min), or drive (5 min) to Playa Grandi. Fishing boats come in throughout the day — 11:30 am is a good time to check the day's catch.
- Tuna — ask them to fillet the meat. Do not cut into steaks!
- Red Snapper — can be grilled or stewed whole.
- If walking, there is a shortcut through the ravine after Sol Food restaurant.
Living Lightly
The villa is powered entirely by solar and wind. Here's how to be a mindful guest.
Wildlife
We have never seen any insects or wildlife that are dangerous. A tan scorpion is not poisonous — simply remove it with a shoe. Any snakes are harmless garden species.
Nature of Curaçao GuideWaste & Water
Water from the tap is drinkable and delicious — please do not buy plastic bottles.
- Unfortunately there is no recycling on the island (we are working on it).
- Take garbage to the large bin at the bottom of the back stairs. Tie the bag and close the lid.
- Coffee grinds, wine corks, seeds and peels can go in the garden.
Gourmet Dining
We have a wonderful relationship with extraordinarily talented Chef Koen (pronounce: Kun). Chef Koen can design a wonderful evening during your stay, as well as picnic baskets and chef service to the villa.