Why We Recommend It:
Brand new in 2022 was Sandals Royal Curaçao. The company took over the former Santa Barbara Resort and transformed it into the adults-only, 5-Star playground we see today.
All of the hallmarks of a Sandals vacation can be found in the 3000-acre Santa Barbara Estate, plus (a first for the company) a giant, two-level infinity pool at its center, and two on-site marinas.
It is also, very conveniently, just 15 minutes away from Curaçao International Airport.
Rooms & Suites:
Sandals Royal Curaçao has 350 luxury units in total in a variety of categories and price ranges. All are as opulent as you might expect from a Sandals resort, with vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, custom-made furniture including comfy king-size beds, and the latest in modern tech features.
The bathrooms will have his & hers sinks with large backlit mirrors, walk-in rain showers, soaking tubs, and premium, Red Lane bath products.
All rooms also come with private bars that include premium liquors and all feature either 24-hour room or private butler service.
The pick of the accommodation are the Awa Seaside Butler Bungalows with Private Pool, lined up right on the shore they have private patios with infinity pools overlooking the ocean, over 1,100 square feet of space in total, and personal butler service.
The Kurason Island Poolside Butler Bungalows, though less private, are another terrific choice, and slightly cheaper. These bungalows back onto a semi-private heart-shaped pool with a small private island garden, shared by just another small number of units.
Guests at both the Kurason Island and Awa Seaside Bungalows get a few extra perks such as free use of a stylish Sandal’s branded Mini Cooper to explore the island at their leisure.
Take a look at your room options now – with prices, reviews, and photos – at Sandals’ own website here, or at Booking.com here.
Food, Facilities & Things to Do:
A Sandals’ hallmark is great dining, of a standard difficult to find in the vast majority of all-inclusive resorts. Sandals Royal Curaçao is a culinary journey too, with 12 unique dining and drinking options including Sandals’ first-ever floating restaurant–The Duchess–and three street-food trucks.
International classics, Italian, Mediterranean, Asian, and Latin American are on the menu plus more casual comfort food. Premium drinks are included across the board.
There are brand new Red Lane spa facilities here and as always with Sandals, water sports, including motorized, are all complimentary: paddle boarding, snorkeling, glass bottom boating, waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing, and scuba diving for example.
The concierge at the resort can arrange all sorts of off-site tours and excursions for you such as swimming with dolphins and sea turtles.
Resort Location:
Sandals Royal Curaçao sits on 44 acres of scenic oceanfront, just 15 miles from the island’s international airport, and right beside the island’s famous Old Quarry golf course.