The Old Gin House Ocean View Suite: Statia's Historic Waterfront Hideaway
A room with a Caribbean view, tucked inside 18th-century Dutch colonial walls on sleepy Orange Bay.
Why Go
Book the One-Bedroom Ocean View Suite and you get more than a bed — you get a private balcony over the same bay where 18th-century tall ships once anchored to trade with the 'Golden Rock' of the Caribbean. On an island most travelers have never heard of, this is arguably the best seat in Oranjestad.
The Experience
The Old Gin House occupies a lovingly restored complex of old warehouses and cotton-gin buildings on Oranjebaaiweg, right on the Lower Town waterfront of Oranjestad. The Ocean View Suites sit on the upper level with a separate bedroom (king or two colonial twin beds), a comfortable living room with a sofa bed, a kitchenette for coffee-and-snack independence, and an oversized bathroom. But the real draw is the balcony: tiled floors, ceiling fan turning lazily, and an uninterrupted view across Orange Bay to open Caribbean horizon. Mornings start with a Nespresso and the sound of dive boats motoring out; evenings end watching the sun sink behind the water while the historic ruins of Fort Amsterdam and old sea walls glow gold. The suite blends old-world Caribbean charm — dark wood, colonial furnishings, thick brick walls that keep it cool — with modern comforts like smart TV, strong WiFi, air conditioning, and a Nespresso machine. It's quiet, it's boutique (fewer than 20 keys total), and it feels like staying in a small piece of Statian history rather than a hotel.
What to Try
Ask the front desk to arrange a two-tank dive with Scubaqua, the PADI center literally next door — Statia's reefs and the Charles Brown wreck are among the least-crowded dive sites in the Caribbean. Non-divers should walk the Slave Path up the cliff to Upper Town for sunset drinks at Fort Oranje, then come back down for dinner on the hotel's oceanfront terrace (the kitchen leans into local seafood and Dutch-Caribbean fusion). Reserve at least one morning for hiking The Quill, the dormant volcano whose crater is a tropical rainforest.
Insider Tip
Request a suite on the seaward side and specifically ask for one facing north-west — you'll catch the sunset directly from your balcony without having to leave the room. If you're diving, pack a mesh bag: Scubaqua is a 60-second walk from your door, so you can rinse gear and hang it on the balcony rail to dry between dives. Also: bring cash in small USD bills. Statia is dollarized but ATMs are limited and many small vendors don't take cards.
The Practical Stuff
Check-in 2:00 PM, check-out 12:00 PM. Property is 100% smoke-free and doesn't accept pets. Contact +599 318 2319 or info@theoldginhouse.com. Getting here means flying Winair from Sint Maarten (SXM) to F.D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX) — a scenic 20-minute hop; the hotel is a 10-minute taxi from the airport. The suite comfortably sleeps 2 adults, with a sofa bed for a third guest. WiFi is property-wide and reliable enough for remote work. Note the historic building has some stairs and no elevator.
Pair It With
- Scubaqua Dive Center Guide — Literally next door — Statia's top dive operator, ideal for exploring the island's pristine reefs and wrecks with zero commute from your suite.
- Fort Oranje Guide — A five-minute uphill walk via the historic Slave Path leads to Statia's best-preserved 17th-century fort, with cannons pointed over the same Orange Bay you see from your balcony.
- The Quill National Park — A short drive from the hotel; hike into the crater of this dormant volcano for one of the Caribbean's most surreal rainforest experiences before returning to the suite for a swim and shower.
- Aquarium Dive Site — One of Statia's signature shore-accessible reefs — easy to combine with a lazy afternoon back on your ocean-view balcony.
- Baby Beach Guide — A quiet, low-key stretch of coast worth pairing with an Old Gin House stay when you want a beach day without any crowds.
