Curaçao’s romantic plantation estates

Long ago, Curaçao was home to as many as 100 plantations that grew sugar cane, aloe and indigo. The centrepiece of each plantation was the estate: a spacious mansion that housed the plantation owner, the family and the house slaves. The house was usually set on a beautiful location such as a hilltop, with sweeping views of the plantation and the other buildings. Approximately half of these estates still stand and dozens have been beautifully restored and renovated. Today many of these mansions operate as a museum, restaurant or boutique hotel.

Delve into the dark history of slavery of the Estate Savonet which dates back to 1662, take a tour of the Estate Ascension (1672), or eat delicious grilled fish on the veranda of Estate Brakkeput (1733). You may also spend the night at an estate: Estate Daniel is an intimate boutique hotel with 8 guest rooms; Estate Santa Barbara has been transformed into a deluxe resort with a golf course; and Estate Jan Thiel can be rented for groups up to 20 people. Below you'll find a description of the 3 most interesting estates.