Excitement was in the air as Sandals Resorts International hosted the Grand Opening this week of Sandals Royal Curaçao; the 16th property in the Sandals portfolio and the first in the Dutch Caribbean.
During a high-energy sunset gala with fireworks, music mash-ups, and Carnival performers, industry insiders from the Caribbean, U.S., Canada, and the U.K mingled with SRI’s executives and local dignitaries that included Gov. Lucille George-Wout and Gilmar Pisas, the Prime Minister of Curacao..
It’s part of a broader expansion push for the company in the Caribbean, according to Adam Stewart, Sandals’ Executive Chairman.
“We’re building a new Beaches Resort in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and soon opening Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Royal Dunn’s River, and Beaches Runaway Bay in Jamaica,” he said.
Renovations are also in the works for Sandals Negril, Beaches Negril, Sandals Royal Plantation, Beaches Turks and Caicos, and Sandals Halcyon.
Sandals is the Caribbean’s “only super-luxury brand with the highest repeat guest ratio in the region,” he said. “To say we’re excited about our future is an understatement; we’re going to take this brand to the moon.”
Going Dutch
Sitting pretty at the base of Tafelberg Mountain between the Caribbean Sea and Spanish Water Bay and outside the hurricane belt making it appealing for travelers who can do without the angst of weather delays during the Atlantic hurricane season that continues through the end of November, 351 room and suite adults-only all-inclusive Sandals Royal Curaçao has just about every amenity imaginable.
“This extraordinary new resort sends a signal about the reimagined return of Caribbean travel and the ingenuity our guests come to expect from Sandals Resorts,” Stewart said.
Scoring a holiday home run with unlimited food, drink, and play rolled into one price, new room categories called Kurason Island Poolside Butler Bungalows and Awa Seaside Butler Bungalows come with the use of a convertible Mini Cooper to explore the island.
Other Sandals firsts like off-site dining for those in top-tier suites and the Dos Awa two-level infinity pool sweeten the pot.
Thirteen bars and 11 dining options keep hunger at bay including the fan-favorite Butch’s Island Chop House, Mediterranean fare at Aolos, and a trio of beachfront food trucks.
A hole-in-one for golfers, Old Quarry is one of just a handful of Pete Dye-designed courses in the Caribbean.
Getting out and about is easy with a variety of tours offered at the Island Routes kiosk in the lobby. Take your pick from sunset sails and snorkeling cruises to Punda Vibes; the spirited night street party in the pastel-pretty capital city of Willemstad
“We’re in discussions with local tour operators to increase our options like deep-sea fishing and rock-climbing tours, “said David Shields, V.P Sales at Island Routes, Sandals’ in-house tour company. “The resort is a welcome addition to the luxury landscape with added airlift from the U.S. making travel more accessible.
American Airlines now flies twice daily to Curacao International Airport from Miami.
JetBlue offers three weekly flights from New York, while United Airlines resumes weekly flights from Newark on Nov. 12.
“We’re in conversation with Delta for service from Atlanta and with United to increase the frequency of flights from Newark,” said Alex Marte, V.P Airline Relationships and Sales Development, Unique Vacations, Sandals’ marketing agency.