WILLEMSTAD – The Pyrmont Curaçao Beach Resort has appointed internationally experienced chef Martijn Liebregts as its new Executive Chef, placing him in charge of developing seven restaurants and bars at the luxury beachfront property scheduled to open later this year.
The appointment was announced on October 22 by Food & Beverage Magazine, which reported that Liebregts will oversee the resort's entire culinary operation, including menu development, kitchen organization, and the recruitment and preparation of its culinary team.
The Pyrmont, an adults-only, all-inclusive resort operating under Marriott's Autograph Collection brand, is preparing to open in the Pietermaai area of Willemstad. The 305-room property is expected to welcome its first guests in late 2026, with additional dining facilities scheduled to open during 2027.
International Experience Across Three Continents
Liebregts brings more than a decade of experience in international hospitality, having worked in luxury resorts and restaurants across Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Most recently, he served as Executive Sous Chef at Sandals Resorts International in Curaçao. His previous experience includes culinary leadership positions at Park Hyatt St. Kitts and Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort.
He has also worked in restaurants in Amsterdam and Aruba and completed a culinary apprenticeship at Restaurant Amber at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong.
His culinary background combines French and Asian cooking techniques with Caribbean influences. His family's Surinamese and Lebanese heritage has also helped shape his approach to food.
According to the resort, Liebregts will focus on combining international culinary traditions with Curaçao's local ingredients and food culture.
Seven Restaurants and Bars Planned
One of Liebregts' principal responsibilities will be establishing seven distinct dining and bar concepts, each offering a different experience.
Saboría Restaurant & Bar will specialize in Mediterranean cuisine, incorporating local ingredients such as Curaçao's laraha citrus. Its menu is expected to feature fresh seafood, handmade pasta, and a selection of Caribbean rums.
Kaiya will focus on Southeast Asian cuisine, offering dishes such as tuna tataki, handmade gyoza, and locally caught fish prepared in banana leaves.
Mercado will operate as an open-air culinary marketplace featuring five food concepts, including gelato, specialty coffee, plant-based dishes, and pizza prepared in an Italian-made oven.
The resort's Zala 16 Lobby Bar will offer cocktails and light dishes accompanied by live piano and jazz music, while Awa Blou will provide a poolside setting featuring tropical cocktails, local spirits, and music.
Two additional venues are scheduled to open in 2027.
Cerro Bonito, expected to open early next year, will be a fine-dining restaurant located in a restored historic residence. Plans include an extensive wine cellar, five private dining rooms, and a menu emphasizing classical cuisine.
Vista Waldeck, scheduled for late 2027, will combine a rooftop pool club with an outdoor restaurant overlooking the coastline. Its menu is expected to incorporate traditional Curaçao dishes, including keshi yena and funchi.
Resort Incorporates Historic Buildings
The Pyrmont is being developed in the Penstraat area near Willemstad's historic Pietermaai district.
The project incorporates two restored 19th-century buildings as part of its hospitality concept, combining historic architecture with modern resort facilities.
In addition to its restaurants and bars, the property will feature swimming pools, wellness facilities, a beachfront setting, and a waterfront boardwalk.
The resort is also developing Kas di Pueblo as a spa facility, with an opening planned for 2027.
The project represents another major addition to Curaçao's hotel accommodation sector, which has experienced significant expansion through new resort developments and international hotel investments.
Hundreds of Jobs Expected
The appointment of Liebregts follows the earlier selection of Rob de Bekker as General Manager and Curaçao-born hospitality executive Anjali Bakmeijer as Multi-Property Director of Sales and Marketing.
As Curaçao Chronicle previously reported, the resort is expected to employ approximately 350 to 400 people once operational.
The property is preparing to open with 305 rooms and will target adults seeking an upscale all-inclusive vacation experience.
The development has also attracted public attention because of concerns about large-scale tourism construction in the Penstraat area, including disputes involving building permits and the impact of new developments on surrounding neighborhoods.
Focus on Local Ingredients and Culinary Identity
According to the resort, the decision to appoint Liebregts reflects its intention to make food and beverage services a central part of the guest experience.
Rather than relying exclusively on traditional all-inclusive dining formats, the property plans to operate several restaurants with distinct culinary identities.
The resort has also emphasized the use of locally sourced ingredients and the incorporation of Curaçao's culinary traditions into its menus.
For local farmers, fishermen, food suppliers, and hospitality professionals, the new restaurants could create additional business and employment opportunities, depending on how extensively the resort sources products and services locally.
Liebregts will now lead the final preparations for the culinary operations as The Pyrmont moves toward its planned opening.
The appointment marks another step in the resort's transition from construction to operations, with management seeking to position its restaurants and bars as a major attraction for international visitors.