St. Elizabeth Hospital (SEHOS) is the old hospital located in the Kura Hulanda Village in the Otrobanda district. On Dec. 3, 1855, Monsignor Ferdinand Kieckens, with the support of the Franciscan nuns of Breda, founded this first nursing home, the St. Mary’s Hospital. Elisabeth Hostpital. In the beginning, mainly leprosy patients and people with intellectual disabilities received attention. Over time, the hospice grew into a hospital and a school for medical professionals.
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Largest hospital
SEHOS, one of Curaçao’s major employers, was the most comprehensive hospital within the Netherlands Antilles with 740 beds. Since its opening, this main hospital has undergone rapid modernization. The quality of living conditions improved, the number of available beds increased, the number of medical operations and nursing care grew, and the number of doctors and nurses expanded. The hospital grew from a small hospice to a full-fledged facility for the poor who did not have access to home care.
Consequently, the vast majority of the population was born in the SEHOS. As a result, it grew to become the largest hospital in the Netherlands Antilles. It also served as a training center for medical personnel from the Netherlands and surrounding areas, including nurses, operating room assistants and pharmacy assistants. Over the years, the hospital has played an important role in the lives of both current and past patients. Entire generations have been nursed at the hospice.
Spread over an eight-block area, this property offers a unique luxury experience in a botanical and tranquil retreat, offering complete privacy and intimacy.
Ideal for Business people, Couples or Lovers who need a break
The buildings
The earliest wings of the hospital were built sometime between 1855 and 1898. Since that time, the building has been periodically enlarged and adapted to the influx of patients and improvements in medical science and health care. The original design has been modified many times, so the complex has multiple construction eras. The earliest concept, practically none of which exists today, was a pavilion system made of a series of structures. The hospital underwent extensive expansion and partial reconstruction in the early twentieth century due to a severe lack of available space.
Before the 1990s, the hospital was divided into sections where patients of both sexes, social groups and professional backgrounds were treated separately from each other. There were rooms for the less fortunate, a wing for elderly residents and several 1st, 2nd and 3rd class rooms. The lower floors housed the island’s underprivileged. Here, then, were most of the rooms.
Above them were the quarters of the second class. The first-class rooms were huge and they were all located on the upper floors, where the wind could blow freely and the galleries could keep the space cool. CM. Baker added the chapel and west wing in the 1920s, and further additions and changes were made in the 1940s and 1950s.
Airy layout
Clustering the buildings around a patio also allowed the rooms on the leeward side of the complex to benefit from the wind. In addition, galleries, deep window niches, screens, overhanging balconies and custom colors were used to reduce glare from the sun. The building’s airflow could be controlled by tilting louvers.
The modernist east wing of the hospital was designed by Ben Smit in 1956. His focus on patient comfort was central to the design. Primarily, adequate ventilation was required. A favorable lie to the sun was also crucial to maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.
A concrete awning was installed in the ridge, complete with movable and adjustable slats on the south side and turn hatch windows in the middle. Patients could enjoy the outdoors and the benefits of nature by having easy access to gardens. The children’s area that Smit designed had extra-wide corridors so children could run in and out.
Kura Botanica Hotel Image Gallery
Wow! In a word, great... top service. You will receive a very warm welcome from Miguel. From the start you feel more than welcome. That's because of the entire team and the atmosphere there. If there is a problem, they are immediately available to help you. Super nice accommodation, perfect location. You can explore the entire island with a rental car and you can park it safely at the accommodation. In short, more than satisfied with this accommodation!
End of july we stayed for 9 nights at Kura Botanica, and to be honest it was a fantastic experience! A really calm, nice hotel near to the city center. Pleasant and enjoyable people with Miguel and Derrel in particular. Room was spacious, clean, nice and very good airco (really important). Breakfast at Bario is only 2 minutes away from the hotel, but doesn't bother at all. When you return in the afternoon or evening at the hotel then there is always Derrel at the bar who is curious about your day (we really missed him when he had his day off).Hotel is a recommendation when you want a calm nice clean hotel near to the city center (and when you want to meet the 2 nicest people in Curaçao 😁)
I had a wonderful holiday here with my adult children. Enjoy breakfast at Restaurant Bario nearby, drink delicious cocktails from friendly bartender Derrel at the pool bar or relax in the pool. An occasional chat with charming Miguel, who also gave us new beach towels for the pool. We had a lovely time. Thank you!
Very good hotel! Rooms are really 1000/10! The staff is super friendly and happy to chat with you, especially the sweet Miquel and Derrel. It is super clean and very well cared for! I would really recommend everyone to go here. Small is beautiful! A nice homely atmosphere and super nice that everyone has their own entrance to your “house”/room! The courtyard outside the hotel is also super cozy with small shops and restaurants! Hotel is in a perfect location! Only a few minutes' walk to Willemstad (you can get there within 5 minutes). Once again highly recommended!
Great and cosy hotel. Miguel, Derrel and the rest of the staff are amazing. We had so much fun with them. We danced by the pool together. We made a lot of nice memories.The room was fine also.The towelservice is great. Breakfast at Bario hotel was very good. Love to come back here one day!!
Amazing location, amazing hotel and very warm and hospitable staff. Rooms are very nice. A quiet oasis in the middle of the city. Parking is nearby the hotel at Kura Holanda parking lot. Breakfast is at another hotel 1 minute away.
Top location with friendly staff, right in the center and with nice rooms. Breakfast is a 3min walk and many restaurants at very short walking distance. Very good location for exploring Willemstad and free parking for a car.
Smelled amazing when you walked in, couldn't help but smile. location is perfect. In the middle of it all but yet, private and quiet. I can't say enough about customer service! Miguel is absolutely wonderful, put a smile on my face every time we interacted. He was helpful and even walked us around to show us what was near the hotel.Best hospitality/customer service I have ever experienced and I have traveled all over the world.
I have not experienced the rooms yet, but as an event, experiencing their service, attention and hospitality, they are doing a great job. The garden forms an amazing ambience for network meetings and private events. Definately recommended. Compliments to some of the waiters that are quite proactive and go the extra mile. Kudos to the team!
Kura Botanica is a standout, both with the beautiful, spacious and tasteful rooms with a fantastic bed and wonderful bathroom, and with the exceptionally friendly and helpful staff. The location in the heart of Otrabanda is also perfect. Kura Botanica is located in a beautiful garden, truly an oasis of peace.Highly recommended!,
Visited January/February 2024 and cannot wait to go back, great location (Otrobanda), not too far from airport, absolutely amazing staff I thoroughly enjoyed Miguel and Darrell and the sweet kitties miss that place so much and it smelt like actual heaven!!! Within walking distance to restaurants and shops, you can also easily access Punda by walking to the floating bridge, great food and music everywhere!! Kura Hulanda museum is right next door must see!!
What a wonderful surprise. This hotel has the friendliest staff (everyone) and a great location! In the midst of an art district family homes. This will be my forever choice when visiting Curucao!!
Had a very nice stay. Everything is clean and the place of the hotel is safe. Staff is very friendly & hospitable. Highly recommended!!
Very good hotel.. nice romanticthe staff is great. VeryAlways friendly and attentive. Good location. The cleaning people are very nice and everything is very clean.I would definitely return again.. thank you kura botanica and curaçao for a very good vacation.. in my heart ❤️
Beautiful, nice and service-oriented boutique hotel in the heart of Willemstad.To be clear: If you book via Corendon: certainly not a 5* hotel (a good 4 is better). Missing some critical things. But they make up for it with great service!A quick summary of plus and minus pointsPlus:-Location. The heart of Willemstad. In the middle of restored Otrabanda. 15 minutes walk from Nieuwstraat. Nevertheless, very quiet.-Service: employees are super friendly and helpful.-Rooms. Rooms are clean and beds great. Nice shower. Are cleaned every day. And I mean really cleaned.-Nice poolside bar where there is a lot of chatting in the evening.-Adult only. Really nice.Minus:-No beach access. This is not something that you can blame the hotel for, but it is stated differently on the Corendon site. If you want to go to a beach, you will have to arrange that yourself. Otherwise they would have gotten 5 stars for location.-Swimming pool is quite small for 46 rooms. There are approximately 13 beds, so on busy check-out days: do the math.-Breakfast. They have outsourced breakfast to a restaurant nearby (Bario). Not a buffet but a la carte. During our stay we suffered from long waiting times. Kura management then took steps and things improved.-No gym.Extras:-If you stay here, it is wise to arrange a car for at least a few days.-Be informed by the hotel management about where to eat/be etc etc.
I had a wonderful stay at Kura Botanica in Curacao. This boutique hotel exceeded my expectations in every way. The rooms were not only nice but also impeccably clean, which is always a priority for me when traveling. The location is fantastic, being so close to Brionplein and Punda, making it convenient to explore the vibrant surroundings.The ambiance at Kura Botanica is truly special. It radiates charm and offers a tranquil atmosphere that made my stay even more enjoyable. The staff was welcoming and attentive, adding to the overall positive experience.I would highly recommend Kura Botanica to anyone looking for a cozy and well-maintained boutique hotel in Curacao. It's a gem that ensures a delightful stay in this beautiful destination.
Amazing boutique adult only hotel. One suggestion ... full length mirrors. Excellent service. Kind staff. Free cappuccinos if you ask nicely. Very close to all of Willemstad. Many amazing restaurants near by. The retail shops had such great selections of clothing and souvenirs. Highly recommend!!
Great place for our networking event, Kolektivo Conference. Minister of Economic Development for Curacao showed up, too.Wish that the jacuzzi was warm.
Hotel with a beautiful garden, in the middle of a historic village. The service from the staff has always been friendly and multilingual. The room we stayed in was new and the bed was excellent!However, some problems were observed. They didn't replace the amenities for our last night, nor did they even collect a towel that was on the floor.The shower is also not separated from the rest of the bathroom, there is no curtain or shower stall which makes the bathroom wet. There was also a lack of support for soap and shampoo, which are on the floor.The parking lot is far away and you need to either walk with your bags or take your car close to the entrance and then return to the parking lot.But the worst thing for me was the breakfast. it is served in another hotel and there is no variety, it doesn't change between days, it is very simple and contained. You can just have a coffee and a juice and not repeat it. On the first day we were treated very poorly, even harshly, which made us not want to go back the next day.
It was wonderful, super beautiful location.The beds sleep wonderfully, we have completely relaxed.It is a piece of oasis in the middle of the city.So many beautiful things to see and do within walking distance.The staff was super friendly😀
Great place to stay. Renovated only recently and rooms are excellent. Staff is very helpful and polite. Pool is a bit small but perfect to relax at the end of day. Or whenever you start your day later.Breakfast is in collaboration with a place 1min away and is taken good care off. Choices and taste are overall just good.They did tell Kura B is planning to build their own kitchen in the near future. But the 1min (literally) walk shouldn't trouble you.
We are locals and wanted a relaxing escape from our usual routine. This place was extremely relaxing, with a beautiful pool surrounded by large trees to provide a great mix of shade and sun. The hotel is very well located with many great restaurants within a few minutes walk. The rooms are very well designed for an authentic Curacao experience. We would highly recommend a stay to both couples as to individuals visiting Curacao.
I think this is best hotel in Curaçao!It is sweet and charming, the rooms are very clean and well kept. It is comprised of several buildings within the property. Vivid colours both inside and outside of the rooms. Lots of lush foliage and very serene, literally perfect for retreating from busyness and embracing relaxation.It’s tucked in Kura Hulanda village so there’s plenty to do and eat without walking more than 10 minutes but I recommend exploring nearby neighbourhoods like Otrabanda (where the hotel is), Punda and Pietermaai which are all walking distanceWhat’s most memorable is the keen hospitality of the KB team. I felt welcomed throughout the duration of my stay, not just upon arrival. They happily answered every question I had and was consistently kind and helpful.Janette, Teresa, Disney, Darrel, Rosalita, and the young lady w the cute headscarf that complimented my crocs - you guys are amazing!My only regret is leaving such a good review bc now I risk KB not being available when I return!
What a great holiday we had here!Very new boutique hotel where nothing is too much to ask.A super service with people who do everything they can to make your holiday the best!Rooms are very nice, modern and spacious!Location is perfect to stay away from the hustle and bustle, but still be close to the center.The district is in full bloom and is very pleasant to be in. A drink, a snack in a quiet setting where most tourists have not yet found their way. A gem!Breakfast at Maira's kitchen was great!Thank you to all staff! You make the experience and trip even more beautiful.GreetingsKaren and Yannick
We had a wonderful stay at Kura Botanica! It just opened, everything is new, thought about and the service is nothing short of amazing!It is beautifully situated in the middle of Willemstad, close to the Pontjesbrug, in a neighborhood that exudes and exudes innovation. The people are fantastic, the breakfast at Maira delicious. We would like to come back soon!Amelia and Martin
The staff was verry nice and gave good advice. and the hotel was verry nice and clean. Francien HenriettaRocio Disney Derrel and Jeanette, thanks for the all the service. See your all next year....... B13.....
This fully renewed boutique hotel is truly a beauty. Completely renovated, it lies in historic Willemstad on one minute walking distance of the Anna Bay and very close to some of the nicest beaches in Curacao
After the renovation, this luxury hotel is gonna be a huge success 🙌Friendly staff and nice location.
Wow! In a word, great... top service. You will receive a very warm welcome from Miguel. From the start you feel more than welcome. That's because of the entire team and the atmosphere there. If there is a problem, they are immediately available to help you. Super nice accommodation, perfect location. You can explore the entire island with a rental car and you can park it safely at the accommodation. In short, more than satisfied with this accommodation!
End of july we stayed for 9 nights at Kura Botanica, and to be honest it was a fantastic experience! A really calm, nice hotel near to the city center. Pleasant and enjoyable people with Miguel and Derrel in particular. Room was spacious, clean, nice and very good airco (really important). Breakfast at Bario is only 2 minutes away from the hotel, but doesn't bother at all. When you return in the afternoon or evening at the hotel then there is always Derrel at the bar who is curious about your day (we really missed him when he had his day off).Hotel is a recommendation when you want a calm nice clean hotel near to the city center (and when you want to meet the 2 nicest people in Curaçao 😁)
I had a wonderful holiday here with my adult children. Enjoy breakfast at Restaurant Bario nearby, drink delicious cocktails from friendly bartender Derrel at the pool bar or relax in the pool. An occasional chat with charming Miguel, who also gave us new beach towels for the pool. We had a lovely time. Thank you!
Very good hotel! Rooms are really 1000/10! The staff is super friendly and happy to chat with you, especially the sweet Miquel and Derrel. It is super clean and very well cared for! I would really recommend everyone to go here. Small is beautiful! A nice homely atmosphere and super nice that everyone has their own entrance to your “house”/room! The courtyard outside the hotel is also super cozy with small shops and restaurants! Hotel is in a perfect location! Only a few minutes' walk to Willemstad (you can get there within 5 minutes). Once again highly recommended!
Great and cosy hotel. Miguel, Derrel and the rest of the staff are amazing. We had so much fun with them. We danced by the pool together. We made a lot of nice memories.The room was fine also.The towelservice is great. Breakfast at Bario hotel was very good. Love to come back here one day!!
Amazing location, amazing hotel and very warm and hospitable staff. Rooms are very nice. A quiet oasis in the middle of the city. Parking is nearby the hotel at Kura Holanda parking lot. Breakfast is at another hotel 1 minute away.
Top location with friendly staff, right in the center and with nice rooms. Breakfast is a 3min walk and many restaurants at very short walking distance. Very good location for exploring Willemstad and free parking for a car.
Smelled amazing when you walked in, couldn't help but smile. location is perfect. In the middle of it all but yet, private and quiet. I can't say enough about customer service! Miguel is absolutely wonderful, put a smile on my face every time we interacted. He was helpful and even walked us around to show us what was near the hotel.Best hospitality/customer service I have ever experienced and I have traveled all over the world.
I have not experienced the rooms yet, but as an event, experiencing their service, attention and hospitality, they are doing a great job. The garden forms an amazing ambience for network meetings and private events. Definately recommended. Compliments to some of the waiters that are quite proactive and go the extra mile. Kudos to the team!
Kura Botanica is a standout, both with the beautiful, spacious and tasteful rooms with a fantastic bed and wonderful bathroom, and with the exceptionally friendly and helpful staff. The location in the heart of Otrabanda is also perfect. Kura Botanica is located in a beautiful garden, truly an oasis of peace.Highly recommended!,
Visited January/February 2024 and cannot wait to go back, great location (Otrobanda), not too far from airport, absolutely amazing staff I thoroughly enjoyed Miguel and Darrell and the sweet kitties miss that place so much and it smelt like actual heaven!!! Within walking distance to restaurants and shops, you can also easily access Punda by walking to the floating bridge, great food and music everywhere!! Kura Hulanda museum is right next door must see!!
What a wonderful surprise. This hotel has the friendliest staff (everyone) and a great location! In the midst of an art district family homes. This will be my forever choice when visiting Curucao!!
Had a very nice stay. Everything is clean and the place of the hotel is safe. Staff is very friendly & hospitable. Highly recommended!!
Very good hotel.. nice romanticthe staff is great. VeryAlways friendly and attentive. Good location. The cleaning people are very nice and everything is very clean.I would definitely return again.. thank you kura botanica and curaçao for a very good vacation.. in my heart ❤️
Beautiful, nice and service-oriented boutique hotel in the heart of Willemstad.To be clear: If you book via Corendon: certainly not a 5* hotel (a good 4 is better). Missing some critical things. But they make up for it with great service!A quick summary of plus and minus pointsPlus:-Location. The heart of Willemstad. In the middle of restored Otrabanda. 15 minutes walk from Nieuwstraat. Nevertheless, very quiet.-Service: employees are super friendly and helpful.-Rooms. Rooms are clean and beds great. Nice shower. Are cleaned every day. And I mean really cleaned.-Nice poolside bar where there is a lot of chatting in the evening.-Adult only. Really nice.Minus:-No beach access. This is not something that you can blame the hotel for, but it is stated differently on the Corendon site. If you want to go to a beach, you will have to arrange that yourself. Otherwise they would have gotten 5 stars for location.-Swimming pool is quite small for 46 rooms. There are approximately 13 beds, so on busy check-out days: do the math.-Breakfast. They have outsourced breakfast to a restaurant nearby (Bario). Not a buffet but a la carte. During our stay we suffered from long waiting times. Kura management then took steps and things improved.-No gym.Extras:-If you stay here, it is wise to arrange a car for at least a few days.-Be informed by the hotel management about where to eat/be etc etc.
I had a wonderful stay at Kura Botanica in Curacao. This boutique hotel exceeded my expectations in every way. The rooms were not only nice but also impeccably clean, which is always a priority for me when traveling. The location is fantastic, being so close to Brionplein and Punda, making it convenient to explore the vibrant surroundings.The ambiance at Kura Botanica is truly special. It radiates charm and offers a tranquil atmosphere that made my stay even more enjoyable. The staff was welcoming and attentive, adding to the overall positive experience.I would highly recommend Kura Botanica to anyone looking for a cozy and well-maintained boutique hotel in Curacao. It's a gem that ensures a delightful stay in this beautiful destination.
Amazing boutique adult only hotel. One suggestion ... full length mirrors. Excellent service. Kind staff. Free cappuccinos if you ask nicely. Very close to all of Willemstad. Many amazing restaurants near by. The retail shops had such great selections of clothing and souvenirs. Highly recommend!!
Great place for our networking event, Kolektivo Conference. Minister of Economic Development for Curacao showed up, too.Wish that the jacuzzi was warm.
Hotel with a beautiful garden, in the middle of a historic village. The service from the staff has always been friendly and multilingual. The room we stayed in was new and the bed was excellent!However, some problems were observed. They didn't replace the amenities for our last night, nor did they even collect a towel that was on the floor.The shower is also not separated from the rest of the bathroom, there is no curtain or shower stall which makes the bathroom wet. There was also a lack of support for soap and shampoo, which are on the floor.The parking lot is far away and you need to either walk with your bags or take your car close to the entrance and then return to the parking lot.But the worst thing for me was the breakfast. it is served in another hotel and there is no variety, it doesn't change between days, it is very simple and contained. You can just have a coffee and a juice and not repeat it. On the first day we were treated very poorly, even harshly, which made us not want to go back the next day.
It was wonderful, super beautiful location.The beds sleep wonderfully, we have completely relaxed.It is a piece of oasis in the middle of the city.So many beautiful things to see and do within walking distance.The staff was super friendly😀
Great place to stay. Renovated only recently and rooms are excellent. Staff is very helpful and polite. Pool is a bit small but perfect to relax at the end of day. Or whenever you start your day later.Breakfast is in collaboration with a place 1min away and is taken good care off. Choices and taste are overall just good.They did tell Kura B is planning to build their own kitchen in the near future. But the 1min (literally) walk shouldn't trouble you.
We are locals and wanted a relaxing escape from our usual routine. This place was extremely relaxing, with a beautiful pool surrounded by large trees to provide a great mix of shade and sun. The hotel is very well located with many great restaurants within a few minutes walk. The rooms are very well designed for an authentic Curacao experience. We would highly recommend a stay to both couples as to individuals visiting Curacao.
I think this is best hotel in Curaçao!It is sweet and charming, the rooms are very clean and well kept. It is comprised of several buildings within the property. Vivid colours both inside and outside of the rooms. Lots of lush foliage and very serene, literally perfect for retreating from busyness and embracing relaxation.It’s tucked in Kura Hulanda village so there’s plenty to do and eat without walking more than 10 minutes but I recommend exploring nearby neighbourhoods like Otrabanda (where the hotel is), Punda and Pietermaai which are all walking distanceWhat’s most memorable is the keen hospitality of the KB team. I felt welcomed throughout the duration of my stay, not just upon arrival. They happily answered every question I had and was consistently kind and helpful.Janette, Teresa, Disney, Darrel, Rosalita, and the young lady w the cute headscarf that complimented my crocs - you guys are amazing!My only regret is leaving such a good review bc now I risk KB not being available when I return!
What a great holiday we had here!Very new boutique hotel where nothing is too much to ask.A super service with people who do everything they can to make your holiday the best!Rooms are very nice, modern and spacious!Location is perfect to stay away from the hustle and bustle, but still be close to the center.The district is in full bloom and is very pleasant to be in. A drink, a snack in a quiet setting where most tourists have not yet found their way. A gem!Breakfast at Maira's kitchen was great!Thank you to all staff! You make the experience and trip even more beautiful.GreetingsKaren and Yannick
We had a wonderful stay at Kura Botanica! It just opened, everything is new, thought about and the service is nothing short of amazing!It is beautifully situated in the middle of Willemstad, close to the Pontjesbrug, in a neighborhood that exudes and exudes innovation. The people are fantastic, the breakfast at Maira delicious. We would like to come back soon!Amelia and Martin
The staff was verry nice and gave good advice. and the hotel was verry nice and clean. Francien HenriettaRocio Disney Derrel and Jeanette, thanks for the all the service. See your all next year....... B13.....
This fully renewed boutique hotel is truly a beauty. Completely renovated, it lies in historic Willemstad on one minute walking distance of the Anna Bay and very close to some of the nicest beaches in Curacao
After the renovation, this luxury hotel is gonna be a huge success 🙌Friendly staff and nice location.
Curaçao Medical Center
Sint-Elisabeth Hospital has been partially dismantled to make way for a new hospital: Curaçao Medical Center (CMC), set to open in 2019. This hospital is a new building and currently the largest hospital on the island in terms of size. It is the Curaçao Medical Center the only place in Curaçao with an intensive care department and a full-service emergency department. Hospital Nobo Otrobanda is the entity responsible for the management, training of professionals at St. Francis Hospital. Elisabeth Hospital, recruitment, planning, transition and delivery of the new hospital. The SEHOS building, which covers 18,500 square meters, is now being repurposed.
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