Sandals Resorts International's (SRI) 16th Sandals Resort, Sandals Royal Curaçao, welcomed its first guests on 01JUN. The official opening also marks the company’s debut in the Dutch Caribbean. The new property debuts new ways to experience the charming Caribbean island via all-new Sandals "Firsts" while reinforcing the company’s "island-first" approach to tourism and its impact on the local ecosystem.
“Our vision for the Sandals Royal Curaçao experience was inspired just as much by the island’s natural beauty and colourful culture, as it was by our guests and the many ways they can engage with this amazing destination,” said Sandals Resorts Executive Chairman Adam Stewart.
“This resort — a true labor of love years in the making with my father and our late founder, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, at the helm — is a testament to the transformative power of tourism via next-generation experiences that not only up the ante on all-inclusive vacations, but celebrate the local people, flavours and terrains every step of the way.”
Location
Sandals Royal Curaçao is located within the exclusive, 3,000-acre Santa Barbara estate – just over 24 km (15 miles) from CUR. Its west-facing position on the southernmost part of the island aims to intertwine nature with the resort experience, while capturing one of the Caribbean’s sunsets. Here, couples can discover the geographic diversity of Curaçao, known for its terrain, beaches, limestone caves, diving sites, and capital city Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
An All-New Island, All-New ‘Sandals Firsts’
The Infinity Pool, Elevated
Located at the heart of the property, couples can bask under the sun at the brand’s first ever bi-level Dos Awa Infinity Pool, with views overlooking the Spanish Water and the mountain landscape beyond. Guests can relax on poolside loungers or swim up to the bar for signature Curaçao cocktails with a view.
Accommodations
Garden and ocean views complement "island chic" design imbued with the Caribbean warmth of Curaçao – aimed to create welcoming setting for guests throughout the resort’s 351 rooms and suites.
From the Melemele Walkout Suites (Papiamento for affectionate) to the Sunchi Beachfront Suites (meaning kiss), locally inspired accommodations include entirely new room categories, such as the Kurason Island Poolside Butler Bungalows and Awa Seaside Butler Bungalows, overlooking private lagoons and the Curaçaon coast. Luxury amenities and furnishings range from hardwood floors to vaulted ceilings, custom crafted king-size beds, fully stocked wet bars, smart TVs and beyond – with Sandals’ Signature Butler Elite service, airport transfers and 24/7 room service for select suites.
All New Dining Concepts, Plus ‘Island Inclusive’ Dining Unlocked
On property, Sandals Royal Curaçao boasts eleven culinary concepts, including eight restaurants – seven of which are new to the brand and only available at this resort – along with three beachside gourmet food trucks and 13 bars. A sampling of all-new concepts include Aolos, home to an open-air Mediterranean dining experience; Vincent, an homage to the famous Dutch painter Van Gogh, with a European fusion menu; and Toteki food truck serving up traditional Curaçao fare.
In addition, Sandals Royal Curaçao offers the brand’s first-ever off-site dining program, Island Inclusive, which expands its all-inclusive dining options to eight partner restaurants around the destination. Valid on seven-night minimum stays, the program is available exclusively to guests who are booked in Butler suites, as well as Sandals Select Reward Members (Diamond, Pearl, Ambassadors Club levels), offering one USD $250 voucher to dine out at one of the eight partner restaurants, with off-site roundtrip transportation included. The curated restaurant selection varies from chic gastro-bars to international fusion restaurants to more classic establishments serving cuisine paired with ocean views.
Further encouraging guests to see, taste and feel Curaçao beyond the property, top-level suites include a complimentary convertible MINI Cooper to drive around the island, aimed to create a travel experience that simultaneously drives business to local establishments.
A Commitment to Curaçao
Designed to continue strengthening the link between tourism and the empowerment of its local Caribbean communities, Sandals Resorts International’s philanthropic arm, the Sandals Foundation, joined forces with the Netherlands’ AFC Ajax team to launch Future Goals – a program that turns fishing nets sourced from the ocean and recycled plastic waste into soccer goals for children.
Expanding opportunities for locals through youth sports, particularly the game known locally as football, the partnership kicks off at primary schools across Curaçao – where the program’s official launch was celebrated in MAY at MGR Niewindt College as students received the first set of Future Goals. The program is one of the many projects underway on the island of Curaçao for the Sandals Foundation, including beach cleanups that have helped rid the planet of over 400,000 kilograms of trash to date, and the development of a digital hiking app in partnership with IVN Tiny Forest the Netherlands to make the island’s natural resources more accessible to visitors and locals, said SRI.
For more information, visit Sandals' web site.
