Oxygen Resort: A Green Suburban Hideaway Near Downtown Paramaribo
A garden-wrapped apartment resort that blends Surinamese hospitality with expat-friendly comfort just minutes from the city center.
Why Go
Tucked down Bombaystraat behind a curtain of tropical greenery, Oxygen Resort feels less like a hotel and more like a small residential village ΓÇö one where two pools glimmer between bungalows, staff greet you by name after day two, and evenings often end around a bonfire under the Paramaribo sky.
The Experience
Spread across a 248,500-square-foot estate roughly ten minutes from Paramaribo's historic center and just five from Zorg en Hoop (EAG) airport, Oxygen Resort offers 61 apartments and bungalows ranging from studio-style A-units to full three-bedroom bungalows that comfortably sleep families or long-stay expats. The vibe is quiet, green, and unhurried: manicured botanical gardens, volleyball and basketball courts, a squash court, table tennis, a gym, and two pools mean guests rarely feel the need to leave the gates. Business travelers make good use of the conference room, while leisure guests migrate between poolside loungers and the on-site Moments Restaurant, which serves Surinamese and international dishes daily from 7:30 AM to 11:00 PM. The overall feeling is that of a self-contained tropical compound ΓÇö comfortable, safe, and refreshingly leafy in a city that can otherwise feel hot and paved.
What to Try
Book one of the two- or three-bedroom bungalows if you're traveling with family or planning a longer stay ΓÇö they feel more like private homes than hotel rooms, with proper kitchens and space to spread out. Have at least one dinner at Moments Restaurant to sample local Surinamese flavors without leaving the property, and time an evening around the resort's signature bonfire gatherings, which are a lovely way to meet other guests. Take advantage of the sports facilities most travelers overlook ΓÇö an early-morning squash match or a lap in the second (quieter) pool is a rare treat in Paramaribo lodging.
Insider Tip
Because Oxygen grew out of the founders' original Oxygen Eco Tours business (launched in 2007), the front desk is unusually well-connected for arranging trips into the interior ΓÇö Brownsberg, Bigi Pan, or river tours up the Suriname River. Ask them directly rather than booking through a third-party agency; you'll often get better pricing and locally guided options that generic booking sites won't show you.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Bombaystraat 21a, Paramaribo, Suriname. Phone: +597 441-819 (reception) or +597 492-917 (Moments Restaurant). Moments Restaurant hours: daily 7:30 AM ΓÇô 11:00 PM. Roughly 5 minutes from Zorg en Hoop Airport (EAG) and 10 minutes by car from downtown Paramaribo; a taxi or rental car is the easiest way in and out, as the neighborhood is residential. On-site parking, wheelchair accessibility, gym, conference room, and two pools are included. The property sits near Academic Hospital, which makes it a common choice for medical visitors as well as tourists. Cash (SRD, USD, EUR) and cards generally accepted; confirm at booking. Website: oxygen-resort.com.
Pair It With
- 'T Vat Sidewalk Cafe Guide — A Paramaribo institution for casual drinks and people-watching ΓÇö an easy taxi ride from Oxygen for an evening out after a day by the pool.
- 168 Restaurant Guide — A nearby dining option when you want to venture off-property; good for a change of pace from Moments Restaurant's menu.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — Adds a shot of adrenaline to a quiet resort stay ΓÇö a fun half-day activity that pairs well with Oxygen's laid-back garden vibe.
- 4x4xJankie Guide — Rent a vehicle here to explore beyond Paramaribo ΓÇö essential if you want to combine Oxygen's comfort with day trips into Suriname's interior.