SANTA BARBARA, CURACAO — Sandals Royal Curaçao has arrived.

Sandals Resorts’ 16th property and its first on the island of Curaçao began welcoming guests earlier this month. But the red carpet really rolls out this weekend, highlighted by a gala opening ceremony taking place tonight, June 24, with industry insiders from the Caribbean, Canada, the U.S., the UK and Europe in attendance.

The executive team from Sandals Resorts will be out in full force too, including Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman, Sandals Resorts International; Gebhard Rainer, CEO, Sandals Resorts International; Gary C. Sadler, Executive Vice President of Sales & Industry Relations, Unique Vacations Inc; and Maureen Barnes-Smith, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Unique Vacations Canada Inc.

Kurason Island Poolside Butler Bungalow with Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub

Among the resort’s many highlights, Sandals Royal Curaçao offers two new signature suites, the Awa Seaside Bungalows and Kurason Island Suites. Both categories include the complimentary use of a sporty and stylish convertible MINI Cooper for guests to drive while exploring the island.

The resort is also home to Sandals’ first Dos Awa two-level infinity pool featuring views overlooking the sea and mountain landscape.

“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,” says Stewart. “This resort – a true labour of love years in the making with my father and late founder, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, as 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.”

INCREDIBLE ACCOMMODATION

The 351-room-and-suite Sandals Royal Curaçao first began welcoming guests on June 1, marking the company’s debut in the Dutch Caribbean.

The property is located within the exclusive 3,000-acre Santa Barbara estate, just 24 kilometres from Curaçao International Airport. It enjoys a west-facing position on the southernmost part of the island, giving guests front row seats to spectacular sunsets.

Locally-inspired accommodations range from the Melemele Walkout Suites (Papiamento for ‘affectionate), to the Sunchi Beachfront Suites (meaning ‘kiss’), and include entirely new room categories such as the aforementioned Kurason Island Poolside Butler Bungalows and Awa Seaside Butler Bungalows.

Awa Seaside Butler Bungalow with Private Pool

Luxury amenities and furnishings include hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, custom crafted king-size beds, fully stocked wet bars and smart TVs, not to mention Sandals’ Signature Butler Elite service, airport transfers and 24/7 room service for select suites.

There are 24 accommodation categories at Sandals Royal Curacao, here’s a look at some of the top picks …

Kurason Island Poolside Butler Bungalow with Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub 

These bungalows are arranged in Sandals iconic heart formation around a semi-private pool and lush, man-made island.

Awa Seaside Butler Bungalow with Private Pool 

Nestled alongside the coast, these bungalows offer endless sea views and their own private infinity pool.

Amante One Bedroom Oceanview Butler Royal Suite 

With a wrap around balcony with unobstructed sea views

Amante One Bedroom Oceanview Swin-Up Butler Grande Suite with Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub 

Guests can enjoy sunbathing, the pool and views right from their room

11 CULINARY CONCEPTS, INCLUDING SEVEN UNIQUE-TO-PROPERTY VENUES

For dining, Sandals Royal Curacao boasts 11 culinary concepts, including eight restaurants, seven of which are unique to Sandals Royal Curaçao:

• Vincent, in homage to Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, is a European fusion restaurant with dishes like foie gras, moules-frites and beef tenderloin
• Pietra, the Italian restaurant, is centered around an open exhibition stone pizza oven, and serves up Neapolitan pizzas, breads, pasta and more
• Gatsu Gatsu, featuring fresh seafood right from the ocean, creating exotic sushi creations
• Aolos, featuring treats like spanakopita, sea bass, kofta kebab and baklava for desert
• Kanaal cafe and wine bar, where guests can discover the sweet life
• Strand Seafood House, open-air and just steps from the beach, offering maritime delights
• Zuka, showcasing the culinary traditions and flavours of Cantrell and South America
• Butch’s Island Chop House, where guests can enjoy a cut above the rest, serving high quality grain-fed Midwestern beef with a side of seafood

Sandals has also brought its popular food truck concept to Sandals Royal Curaçao, with three great offerings: Toteki, serving traditional Curaçao fare; La Palma for Spanish tapas; and Kishi for Asian fusion and bao buns.

For an added treat for foodies, 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 US$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 elegant cuisine paired with ocean views.

GIVING BACK

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 sports, particularly ‘football,’ the landmark partnership kicks off at primary schools across Curaçao. The program’s official launch was celebrated last month at MGR Niewindt College, with students receiving 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.

Interviewed by Travelweek’s Deputy Editor, Cindy Sosroutomo, for the special Sandals Resorts Edition of Travelweek, celebrating Sandals Resorts’ 40th anniversary, Stewart said: “It’s an approach that ties into the power and duty we have to positively impact the places we’re so lucky to call home. When we formalized the Sandals Foundation in 2009, we set out to transform lives and make a real difference in our communities. With each new project, we remain keen on our commitment to do just that – with innovation and philanthropy hand-in-hand.”

“A NEW ISLAND TO CALL HOME”

When asked what he’s most excited about for 2022, Stewart said Sandals’ arrival in Curacao is at the top of the list.

“Sandals Royal Curaçao is pretty exciting for a number of reasons. A new island to call home within our sweet Caribbean, along with a next-generation resort reflective of its unique hues and diverse landscapes, is a celebration in and of itself during this landmark year,” he said.

“I’m proud to see our vision and plans for this world-class resort come to life with guests excited to bask in the southern Caribbean sun, surrounded by next-level accommodations and luxurious amenities, and connecting with each other as they explore this vibrant island and its charming culture.

“The way that our presence here will impact the island will further advance the work we do in the Caribbean. This opening beautifully represents our commitment to being the best in all aspects – and it’s a milestone we are excited to celebrate.”

The resort perfectly captures the company’s way forward for the future. Says Stewart: “Our venture into the Dutch Caribbean now with Sandals Royal Curaçao creates entirely new opportunities to up the ante on the guest experience and how that can be shaped by the natural beauty and culture surrounding us.”

To learn more about Sandals Royal Curaçao, contact your local Sandals BDM or Inside Sales at 1-800-545-8283 or visit https://www.sandals.com/royal-curacao/.